JACKSONVILLE — If there is anyone on Kentucky’s roster that knows what to expect from No. 22 Clemson in Friday’s Gator Bowl, it is quarterback Devin Leary.
Leary faced the Tigers several times when he was at NC State, including a dramatic 27-21 double overtime victory in 2021. Leary threw for 238 yards and four touchdowns that afternoon in Raleigh, N.C., snapping Clemson’s eight-game win streak in the series.
It marked the Wolfpack’s first win over Clemson since 2011.
Leary feels that experience against the Tigers will help the Wildcats (7-5) when the Gator Bowl kicks off at noon from EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Fla.
“I think it definitely helps,” Leary said during Thursday’s Gator Bowl Press Conference. “We know that they are going to come in as a hardnosed team, very disciplined. Coach [Dabo] Swinney does a great job with them every single year. Me being able to play them in the past a little bit, gives some keys to our players on what type of team this is. How we need to approach it with a focused mindset.
“Of course, we are enjoying ourselves here, but at the end of the day we are coming here to win. So, we have to be on our Ps and Qs.”
Though Leary is 1-2 in his three previous meetings against Clemson, statistically, he did pretty well. He completed 74 of 120 passes (61.6 percent) for 649 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.
However, though the statistics looked good, it is not that easy against a Clemson defense that statistically ranks in the top 10 in most defensive categories every year. This year, the Tigers rank seventh in total defense, yielding just 278.7 yards per game.
Clemson (8-4) will be missing some key players on defense in the Gator Bowl. Linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. opted out of the game so he can get ready for the NFL Draft. Defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro did the same, as did cornerback Nate Wiggins.
The Tigers will also be without starting safety Andrew Mukuba, who transferred to Texas, and cornerback Toriano Pride, who left for Missouri.
“Coach Swinney does a great job year in and year out to have those guys prepared and even with a couple of guys that opted out on the team, we know that the next man up is going to come to play as well,” Leary said. “For us, we just have to be aware of that and understand that. We have to come out fast and play our game.”
Clemson beat Leary and NC State 55-10 in Raleigh when the two teams met in 2019. In 2022, the Tigers won 30-20 in a battle of top 10 teams in Death Valley.
“It is going to be a four-quarter game. We know that,” Leary said. “They are going to come out here and they are going to be well prepared like we will be, but at the end of the day, it is going to take all four quarters to win this game.
“Whenever we were playing Clemson, we knew they would come to play. We knew that every single time that we faced them that if you had one minor mistake or you did not do your job in a detailed matter they were going to take advantage of it.”
To honor Clemson’s special senior class Dear Old Clemson is selling footballs signed by 7 of Clemson’s Avengers for only $100. These limited edition footballs are signed by Thomas, Orhorhoro, Davis, Mascoll, Henry, Murphy and Williams. Get one while supplies last.
