Cardinals Prepare for Clemson's Offensive Firepower
October 08, 2014 | Football
LOUISVILLE, Ky.- Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham loves challenges, and the first-year defensive coordinator will get one this weekend as the University of Louisville takes on Clemson in a crucial ACC Atlantic Division game on Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
The Cardinals will face their best offensive team so far this season when facing Clemson, who is tops in the ACC and led by one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country in true freshman Deshaun Watson and one of the best big-play wide receivers in Mike Williams.
They're a very talented team," Grantham said. "They've got some skill guys, some guys on the outside that can go get the ball. Well-coached up front, they're very physical with their offensive line. They're really more of a two-back team than people think, even though they have a tight end in the game, they run a traditional two-back run, they just do it out of a different look."
Since Watson has taken over the quarterback position, the Tigers are a different team. Watson has thrown for 1,181 yards and 12 touchdowns this season, while completing 68.9 percent of his throws. In a 41-0 win over NC State last weekend, Watson was 17-of-29 for 267 yards and two scores, most going to Williams, who caught six passes for 155 yards and two scores.
"They've got a really dynamic quarterback that's a freshman," Grantham said. "People have known about him for a long time. They've gotten their groove now over the last little bit with him. They certainly present a challenge to us and we understand that we have to play well."
The Cardinals will have a stern challenge against Clemson, but do bring the No. 1 defense to the table, but Grantham knows that doesn't matter. He just wants to leave Death Valley with another win. "I just want to win the next game, to be honest," Grantham said. "That's my focus. It's an ACC game, it's on the road. Any time you play on the road in the conference, that's really big. My focus is on doing what we have to do to win the game. That's the most important thing is winning the game."
Senior Lorenzo Mauldin knows that the defense is in for their biggest challenge of the season, but knows his team will be ready.
"That's all we really need to worry about this week, being able to keep him contained," Mauldin said. "We have to be able to make him pass, even though he is a great thrower. We don't want him to run. We believe he's the leading rusher for the team, and we just don't want him to run. So if we can keep the outside contained and keep our middle contained and make him pass the ball, we should be alright."
The Cardinals are making their first trip to Death Valley, and Grantham loves the passion of the Clemson fans and the environment they create. Having coached in the SEC for years, Grantham can't wait to take his defense on the field.
"It's a great place," Grantham said. "I think their fans are very passionate about their football. They're loud, they're very supportive of their team. It's why you come to college, it's why you play."
"It's our chance to be in front of a very vocal, hostile crowd. I think it's going to be fun. It's why you work. It's why you prepare. They've certainly done a great job of representing their school and what they do. It gives us a chance to go play in that type of environment. "
The Cardinals are definitely in for a big challenge, but Grantham's defense has never backed away from a challenge.
