By Heath Bradley.
By Heath Bradley
TALLAHASSEE, FL – While No. 17 Clemson may have fell to fourth-ranked Florida State in Doak Campbell Stadium Saturday night, tight end Brandon Ford knows there are still plenty of good times ahead for the Tigers in 2012.
“The one thing we have to do is stay focused, we have a great team,” the senior said. “We may not have played well tonight, but we have a great team. This team is really special. I really believe this team is headed in the right direction.”
In a game that saw the Tigers (3-1, 0-1 ACC) lose for the first time in 2012, Ford was able to still find positives from the way he played.
“I blocked well, I made plays in the passing game,” he said. “It is very disappointing to lose, even when you play good. At the same time, you have to give credit to (Florida State).”
Ford, who caught four passes for 69 yards, made the most of his chances Saturday in front of 83,231. Of his four catches, two went for touchdowns, a 17-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter and a three-yard touchdown in the fourth. Both were outstanding plays.
The first saw Ford catch the ball around his ankles and avoid a defender to slide into the end zone, which gave the Tigers a 21-14 lead at the time. The second, though the game was all but decided, saw Ford tip the ball over a defender, allowing him to pull it in and walk into the end zone for the game’s final score. In the postgame interviews, Ford credited his playmaking ability to the hard work he has put in on the practice field.
“I just harp on the fundamentals every practice, working with the quarterbacks in the periods I am not working with the special teams,” he said. “Today, and all week, I have had a good feeling that this could be a coming out game for me.”
In a game versus a great opponent, each unit must take advantage of every opportunity given to them. This was something Ford did not feel the Tigers were able to accomplish Saturday night.
“When you play a good team like FSU, there is little room for error,” he said. “One thing you have to do is capitalize on every chance you get, and we didn’t.”
While Clemson may have lost, there are still many goals on the board for this team. Ford is quick to acknowledge that the Tigers will learn from this defeat and use it as motivation for the remainder of the season.
“It is a learning experience, an adversity we have to face,” the tight end said. “We will come back tomorrow; the season starts tomorrow for us. I am looking forward to next week.”
Next week will be a trip to Boston College as Clemson visits the Eagles in Chestnutt Hill, Mass., for a 3:30 p.m. kick. The game will be televised by ESPN2.
