FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – It hurts when you rip a Band-Aid off of a particularly tender spot, and ripping it off of the same spot time and time again inflicts even more pain.
Clemson’s defense was subjected to that kind of pain in a meeting recently, and senior defensive tackle D.J. Reader said it’s a meeting the players won’t soon forget.
Clemson’s defense started well in wins over South Carolina and North Carolina at the end of the season, but second half collapses turned would-be blowouts into games that were closer than was comfortable. The defense – in many respects – had lost the edge it had earlier in the season.