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Starting Over: Venables says defense is on a "different planet" than a year ago

CLEMSON – Brent Venables’ Clemson defense finished last season fifth in total defense and first in scoring defense. Now, it’s all about starting over.

Gone are stalwarts like Christian Wilkins and Clelin Ferrell. In their place? Youth and inexperience.

“On a Richter Scale difference? We’re on a different planet from where we were a year ago,” Venables said after Wednesday’s practice. “You have to start over. We say that all the time but you have to literally start all the way over. Just a lot of coaching and teaching and correcting, nurturing and guiding.