Antonio Williams and Ryan Linthicum spoke to the media following Clemson Football’s Tuesday practice and dished on the Tigers’ offense and the team’s approach to returning to the explosiveness that was a trademark for Dabo Swinney’s program over the past 15 years as they prepare for N.C. State this week.
Williams, a junior wide receiver, and Linthicum, a first-time starter at center, have been at the forefront of that rebirth through the first two games of the season. Coming off a 66-20 thrashing of Appalachian State two weeks ago, Antonio Williams is optimistic that proficiency can continue.
“I think our confidence is very high right now (on offense),” said Williams. “We’ve got a lot of momentum. We’ve got to handle the success just how we handled the adversity of (the Georgia) game. We came in with a chip on our shoulder that Monday just ready to work and ready to get that feeling out of our chest. But now, having a game (Appalachian State) like that, we don’t want to get too high that we can’t be beat, or that’s (66 points are) going to happen every game just because we did it one time.”
Antonio Williams
Williams caught a touchdown during the Tigers’ record-setting 35-point first quarter against the Mountaineers, but it was a pair of true freshmen in Bryant Wesco and T.J. Moore who stole the show with their speed and dynamic downfield receiving abilities. The youngsters adding a new element to the offense is something the veteran Antonio Williams loves to see.
“I knew it was coming at some point,” said Williams with a smile. “I’ve seen it all (fall) camp so just to see them finally put it on the field and, just for their confidence, getting that first touchdown, especially in The Valley, is just a great feeling that they’ll always remember.”
Antonio Williams
As great as the receivers looked two weeks ago, the play up front was also a crucial element to that success on a night when Clemson put up 712 yards of total offense, one of the highest-scoring games in program history. The offensive line was rock solid, led by Ryan Linthicum, a junior starting for the first time, at center.
For Ryan, the App. State game was some of the best fun he has had on a football field in his career.
“It was real fun,” he said. “Just playing and smiling, just playing the game. We weren’t really thinking, just doing our job. We look up and it’s Wesco touchdown. Seeing all the other guys succeed, it was a great environment for sure.”
Ryan Linthicum
For Linthicum, he has waited longer than most for his turn to shine. He admitted he was not ready to contribute on the field as a freshman, but he also saw very limited snaps as a sophomore. Many players in today’s landscape of college football would have transferred, but it was something Linthicum never considered, and he believes in the vision Coach Swinney has for him and the program.
In fact, Swinney named Linthicum as the team’s MVP through the season’s first two games.
“(Transferring) never crossed my mind,” Ryan emphatically stated. “I’m loyal to Clemson and they’re loyal to me, so that never ever crossed my mind. I just play my role, and the main thing is (quarterback) Cade (Klubnik) and the other linemen believe in me. Stepping up and being the center this year, it’s a big role and the guys believed in me, Coach believed in me, and I just have to continue to do that every day, show up, practice game reps, and play every play like it’s my last.”
Ryan Linthicum
This week, the Tigers face the N.C. State Wolfpack in their second straight home game, with kick-off slated for noon and Antonio Williams and Ryan Linthicum are ready for the challenge. N.C. State will be without their starting quarterback Grayson McCall due to injury, but the Wolfpack will not be taken lightly said Williams and Linthicum.
Antonio is confident he and the rest of the receivers will be ready for the Wolfpack’s disguised coverages on defense.
“I think we’re prepared for what they’re giving us,” Williams explained. “The disguises and stuff, we’re ready for it and we’ve been practicing it. It’s nothing we haven’t seen before.”
Antonio Williams
Linthicum knows N.C. State is a dangerous opponent and knows facing their defense will be a challenge, but one he and his teammates are embracing.
“They’re a great team,” he said. “They bring a lot of confusion on defense. They scheme you up, they can drop eight, they’ll cover zero, so you’ve got to be prepared for everything they bring. They’ve got a great team over there, so it’s going to be a good test.”
Ryan Linthicum
Clemson is looking to parlay the moment they carry into this week’s game into another big win, and as the ACC slate of games gets underway, the Tigers are as confident as they have been in a long time.
