As the Clemson Tigers prepare for their College Football Playoff matchup against the Texas Longhorns, they draw on leadership, experience, and momentum from their climactic ACC Championship victory over SMU.
Offensive coordinator Garrett Riley and star wide receiver Antonio Williams both shared insights into the team’s mindset and preparations, offering a glimpse into how Clemson plans to approach the challenge of facing one of the nation’s top defenses.
For Riley, the opportunity to return to the playoff stage carries extra weight. After leading TCU to the national championship game in 2022, Riley brings valuable postseason experience to the Tigers. He emphasized that preparation and fundamentals remain the foundation for success.
“When you have experience with something, you’re always going to kind of draw from that,” Riley said. “Trying to expose our players as much as possible with the things that I have learned… ultimately what we’ve challenged our guys with, what Coach Swinney’s challenged our team with, is at the end of the day it just always comes back to the fundamental things that we’re about. It really is.”
Wide receiver Antonio Williams emphasized the importance of preparation, drawing on the lessons Clemson has gathered over the course of the season. “This is one of the reasons I came to Clemson—to play in games like this versus the best competition,” Williams said. “You really get to make a name for yourself and be legendary.”
As Clemson prepares to face Texas, Riley and Williams stressed the weight of staying grounded. Despite the excitement of the playoff stage, both believe the Tigers’ success will come down to execution.
“Obviously, they’re going to be excited, it’s going to be a great environment,” Riley said. “But at the end of the day, it’s going to be about how we play and our mentality and all the things that have led us up to this point. We’ve just got to do it at a high rate and have high execution with it.”
The Tigers’ dramatic ACC Championship win over SMU recently reminded the team of its resilience and playmaking ability. Williams played a critical role in the victory, executing a crucial catch during the game-winning drive that set up Nolan Hauser’s 56-yard field goal.
“I knew where I was at on the field,” Williams said. “It was going to be like a really long field goal, so I just tried to get upfield really fast and get a couple of extra yards to make it a little closer for [Nolan].”
Williams’ faith in Hauser’s ability never wavered. “I had a great feeling that it was going in for some reason,” he said. “Even though it was long, I was very confident that he was about to end the game. I was the first person to run on the field.”
Riley, too, has reflected on recent games, identifying areas where Clemson’s offense can improve. “We had some chances really in both games to probably put them away honestly in the first half,” Riley admitted. “Just didn’t make a play here or there and then… probably didn’t stay on the gas as much as I’d like to. That’s always hindsight 2020 when you come off the game, but trying to draw off of the last two weeks for sure on how we can hopefully close a little bit better.”
The Tigers now face a significant challenge in the Texas Longhorns. They have the nation’s top pass defense and have allowed just four passing touchdowns all season, tying them for the fewest in the entire FBS. Riley spoke highly of Texas’ defensive unit, noting their tremendous talent and depth.
“They’re a great defense. I mean, I think they’re well-coached,” Riley said. “I really don’t see a weakness on their side of the ball. They’re big up front. I think their linebackers are really productive players, and obviously, their secondary is strong, got some veteran guys that have played a lot of football. I just think they’re really, really good at what they do.”
Williams, who earned first-team All-ACC this season, sees the matchup as a chance for Clemson’s receiving corps to make a statement. “This game versus Texas is a great stage for us,” Williams said. “They probably have one of the best secondaries in the nation. If we can come out and dominate this game, it’ll put us back where we need to be as a unit.”
Both Riley and Williams touched on quarterback Cade Klubnik’s growth as a key factor heading into the playoffs. After a challenging freshman season, Klubnik has gained valuable experience, which Riley believes will be instrumental in their performance during the College Football Playoffs.
“He’s just… everybody, right? Everybody just feels like we’re in a much better spot,” Riley said. “He’s got a ton of experience as opposed to what he had a year ago. He’s been through a lot, our team’s been through a lot. He’s just going to be able to rely on his preparation and the experience he has up to this point.”
Williams also credited Clemson’s culture for helping players like Klubnik and fellow wide receiver Tyler Brown develop on and off the field. “Coach Swinney does a great job recruiting guys who fit this culture,” Williams said. “When we get here, we have the resources to grow off the field. A lot of people have the talent, but you need the maturity to go along with it.”
As Clemson heads to Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium for the playoff, Riley is balancing football with a personal milestone. Recently, he and his wife welcomed a new addition to their family. “Mom and the little one are doing well back home,” Riley shared. “This time of the year, yep, had a couple of things going on the last few days. It’s been a blur.”
For Williams, the game carries personal significance as well. He’ll face former Clemson defensive back Andrew Mukuba, now a key player for Texas. “I texted him as soon as I saw the matchup. We’re both excited to play each other,” Williams said. “He made me better while he was here, and I think I made him better too. It’s crazy we get to play each other in a playoff game.”
Despite being considered underdogs, Clemson is ready to prove doubters wrong. “I think we’ve kind of been sitting back all season. We haven’t taken over a game versus a highly ranked team or shown how dominant we can be,” Williams said. “They have every right to sleep on us, but I think we’re going to give them a wake-up call.”
With their experience, growth, and preparation, the Tigers are determined to seize the opportunity on college football’s biggest stage. For Riley, Williams, and the rest of the team, the goal is clear: keep moving forward and bring Clemson one step closer to another national championship.
