The first time Brent Venables faced Paul Johnson and Georgia Tech’s triple-option offense was in 2013. The Yellow Jackets were merciless against Clemson’s defense that afternoon in Death Valley.
Though the Tigers won the game 47-31 in a shootout, the Yellow Jackets ran for 339 yards and had three rushing touchdowns. They averaged 7.4 yards per run. It was not something the defense was proud of.
Since that game more than five years ago, Venables and his Clemson defense has become the expert, if you will, on how to defend the Yellow Jackets’ triple-option offense. The Tigers have held Tech to know more than 251 yards in any game, while the per-carry-average has gone down to 4.