They say that the linebacker is the quarterback of the defense, and senior Barrett Carter shows it.
In the final season for the Clemson linebacker, Carter has cemented himself as the leader of this Tiger defense as the team heads into back-to-back away games in conference play.
But first, Carter reflected on Clemson’s most recent game against Stanford, where there was adversity that was present in the first half, especially on the ground. The Tigers gave up 236 yards to the Cardinal in the running game, and Carter said that it was an internal problem.
“A lot of stuff was really just self-inflicting, guys not being gap sound, not tackling well and leveraging the ball,” the senior told the media on Wednesday. “So, we just have to really tune into our fundamentals and really just focus on doing that. We can’t get tired of doing the little things, and that is what football is about.”
But the team continued to turn a corner, only allowing one touchdown in the second half, one that was nearly in garbage time with 2:36 to go in the contest. Most of the success on the defensive side came from the red zone stops, where the team forced two turnovers on downs and two interceptions.
Carter is not surprised by the defensive success either.
“I think it all begins with practice habits,” the senior said. When we do get into our red zone stuff, not just acting like it’s a walk in the park. Our coach says to ‘defend a blade of grass’. Wherever the ball is, we have to line up and play our best defense.”
Barret Carter
Clemson has been playing complimentary football over the last two games, where the defense has been able to find stops while the offense continues to produce at a high level. For Carter, he believes it stifles teams, and credits the home crowd at Memorial Stadium for the help.
“It’s suffocating for the other team, to say the least. Defense could get a turnover, then offense can go down and score, and then you make a big hit on the kickoff team. All of that stuff adds up, especially when you are playing in the Valley. It makes it so tough for the other team to respond, so momentum is a huge part of the game and that’s why I like us as a defense.”
Unfortunately for Carter, the Tigers will not have their home-field crowd for the next two weeks as the team heads to Tallahassee, Florida, to face the Florida State Seminoles in the team’s first true away game this season. This is the first matchup between the two teams following a 31-24 overtime win in the Seminoles’ favor at Memorial Stadium. Doak Campbell Stadium is not a friendly environment, despite a dissapointing 1-4 for head coach Mike Norvell and his team.
Despite the hostile environment that Clemson is going to encounter on Saturday night, Carter remembers what head coach Dabo Swinney tells the team before away games.
“Coach Swinney always says, ‘Good teams win at home, but great teams win on the road,’” Carter said. “So, that’s just what we are trying to prove: that we are a great team and that we can be special. It’s going to be a tough place to play. Doak Campbell is never easy, but we are excited for the opportunity.”
Contrary to last season’s matchup with the Noles, Clemson’s opponent features a familiar face that many were excited to see: former Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei. However, the signal caller has been ruled out due to a hand injury, ruining a potential rendezvous with Uiagalelei, who was with the Tigers for three years.
“I’m definitely praying for D.J.,” the linebacker said. “I hope he recovers fast and gets back on the field because D.J. is a hell of a player, and he’s going to do great things down there still, I believe that. [But] the competitive side of me, I’m ready to line up and dominate whoever is in front of me.
The Georgia loss is in the past, and Carter is looking to continue to tack on wins with hopes to get back to the ACC Championship. With the extended 12-team playoff, an ACC Championship win is simple enough for the Tigers to reach the College Football Playoff, which would be the first time since the 2020/2021 season.
“I didn’t come back to win a bowl game,” Carter said. “Take what you will with that information.”
Carter and the Tigers will travel to Tallahassee to face the Seminoles at 7:00 pm on Saturday night. The game will be broadcasted on ESPN.
