CLEMSON, S.C. — Facing a quick turnaround after scoring just two offensive touchdowns through two games, offensive coordinator Chad Morris did not mince words about his unit’s struggles heading into this weekend’s conference matchup in the Valley.
“We have not performed consistently enough,” Morris said. “We’ve been consistently inconsistent, and obviously it starts with me. Starts with our staff, and we all have to be better. Coaches have to be better, players have to be better. It’s on all of us.”
Morris pointed to basic execution and a lack of early offensive rhythm as the main culprits for the team’s slow start.
“When you can’t get in rhythm offensively, it’s hard to get anything established,” Morris explained. “We’re not doing some of the routine things that get you in rhythm. There’s no magic sauce to sprinkle on this thing. You just have to go to work. You have to have a fire in your gut. You have to be built for this.”
A major issue for Morris was the team’s overall sideline and on-field energy during their previous outing.
“To be honest with you, I didn’t feel the juice that needed to happen in all areas,” Morris said. “We all have to bring the juice, and we all have to bring the passion and the honor that comes with wearing this brand.”
Morris noted that offensive line coach Matt Luke also addressed energy levels with his group. While identifying Harris Sewell as a steady force on the line and noting tight end Olsen Patt-Henry “shows flashes” of leadership, Morris emphasized that more vocal intensity is needed across the board.
“Harris Sewell is a leader on our offensive line… he leads by his hard work,” Morris said. “But we need more out of him from a leadership standpoint, from a fire standpoint. As an offensive unit, we’ve missed that.”
The spotlight now shifts to quarterback Tait Reynolds, who is set to make his first collegiate start.
“He’s a very fiery competitor,” Morris said of Reynolds. “What I want to see with him is just do the routine things. Don’t try to be above and beyond what you’re capable of doing. Just play within the system.”
Morris added that Reynolds features a live arm and a deep ball, though he noted the young passer still needs to learn to protect his body.
“I think he operates a little better when he gets hit; he kind of settles in,” Morris said. “He’s an extreme high competitor. He loves to compete, and he wants the pressure.”
With an undefeated 2-0 opponent coming to town, Morris framed the week as an opportunity to reset the standard.
“It starts this week,” Morris said. “The main thing is to defend the valley. It is an honor to play in the valley, and we have to defend it.”
