Remarks from UVa Provide Clemson Defense with Extra Motivation - Parker and the Clemson defense took issue with some remarks from one of the UVA assistant coaches

CLEMSON – Clemson’s defense came into its game against Virginia a little extra-motivated.

While no real specifics were given, starting defensive end T.J. Parker said after the 10th-ranked Tigers’ 48-31 win on Saturday that there were some comments made by Cavaliers’ offensive coordinator Des Kitchings earlier in the week that didn’t sit well with some of the players on that side of the ball.

“We had a little edge on our shoulders today,” Parker said after the win. “Their offensive coordinator was saying we were just a bunch of guys earlier this week and that pissed us off. So, we rushed a little harder today. But we always get after them. We are just seeing the fruits of our labor. A lot of work to do but we had a good day rush-wise. We created a lot of pressure, got in the quarterback’s face and caused him to make some questionable throws.”

Whatever the motivation was, it worked. Clemson’s defense was pretty stout through the first three quarters before the coaching staff started rolling in some of the more inexperienced players further down the depth chart in the fourth quarter of play.

Outside of one 20-yard run on a third and long in the first half, the Tigers did a pretty good job of keeping dynamic quarterback Anthony Colandrea contained. The sophomore, who is known for making things happen with his legs, finished the afternoon with -7 rushing yards and just 159 through the air. When it was all said and done, the Tigers finished with four sacks and six tackles for loss.

Other than one isolated instance that saw Virginia defensive lineman Ben Smiley III get ejected in the fourth quarter for mixing it up with a couple of Clemson players, as well as some of his own teammates, Parker said there was very little chirping going on down on the field.

“No, they didn’t really talk anything,” said Parker. “They already knew what it was, I guess.”

Parker, who had one of Clemson’s four sacks, prefers to do his talking with his play. He isn’t much for some of the trash-talking that goes on, but at the same time, he won’t shy away from it if someone else starts it. With how this game ultimately played out, any chippiness displayed by Virginia coming in was quickly snuffed out.

“I don’t really go looking for talking like that,” Parker added. “If it happens, it happens. But they kept kind of quiet all day because they was getting beat.”

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