CLEMSON – Clemson wide receiver Beaux Collins talked about the disconnect that the Tigers are experiencing between what they are executing in practice to what is occurring in the game.
When asked why the Tigers have not been able to deliver and finish, especially in last Saturday’s loss to Miami in double overtime, Collins admitted that what they are focusing on during practice is not translating to the field on Saturdays.
“It’s definitely frustrating, seeing what we are capable of doing in practice, and then during games having guys make simple mistakes that we know we can correct,” he said.
After the Miami game, center Will Putnam harped on the turnovers and missed assignments that led to the loss in double overtime. These factors have consistently haunted the Tigers this season, but they are two factors that are consistently emphasized during practice.
Putnam noted they are letting their minds get to them in crucial moments, especially during plays like Will Shipley’s fumble at the goal line or Cade Klubnik’s going-rogue-play at the end of the game.
“This isn’t a game to be timid, and this isn’t a game to overthink,” Putnam said. “You practice so when you come into the game, you don’t have to think.”
Collins also touched on the trouble the Tigers face in the red zone and not being able to finish drives. Clemson ranks 129th out of 133 teams in red zone percentage scoring. It ranks 104th in touchdown percentage.
“I feel like we do a good job of preparing during the week, and going into the game we have a good game plan, so it’s up to us to execute,” Collins said.
Dabo Swinney addressed the issue of turnovers to the media on Tuesday and how they have been doing everything they can to prepare for those situations during the week.
It seems like the Tigers have it all figured out at practice, but they can’t execute it when it matters most. The mystery remains unsolved, but they hope they figure out some of those issues on Saturday when they visit NC State at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, N.C.
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