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Auburn defense respects Clemson offense
By: Ryan Wood | Opelika-Auburn News
Published: August 28, 2012 Updated: August 28, 2012 - 11:25 PM
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AUBURN – Auburn head coach Gene Chizik isn’t buying the game-changing potential surrounding Clemson receiver Sammy Watkins’ absence Saturday.
Sure, the sophomore Biletnikoff contender is one of the best receivers the nation has to offer. Chizik learned that last season, when Watkins went off for 10 catches, 155 yards, two touchdowns and turned Auburn’s secondary into his personal playground.
But Watkins, who was suspended for Clemson’s first two games after a drug-related arrest this offseason, isn’t Clemson’s only playmaker. Chizik learned that last year, too.
“This is an offense that averaged 33-plus points a game last year. It’s an offense that averages 440 yards a game,†Chizik said. “That’s hard to do. That’s really, really hard to do. They’re very, very explosive.
“Sammy Watkins is apparently not playing. I promise you there are a lot of other people on their team that have the capability to make explosive plays.â€
Chizik didn’t struggle listing off the names.
There is DeAndre Hopkins, who had seven catches for 83 yards and Clemson’s first score on a 4-yard touchdown catch against Auburn last season. Running back Andre Ellington had his turn toying with the Tigers’ defense, rushing 14 times for 49 yards and a touchdown.
And, of course, Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd is one of the best in the ACC. Last season, Boyd was 30 for 42 with 386 yards, four touchdowns and no interceptions against Auburn’s overmatched defense.
“The guy who runs the show,†Chizik called Boyd. “So, there are a lot of weapons there. There are very few cases right now where they’ve had a problem scoring points and amassing yards. They are real tough to defend.
“If Sammy doesn’t play, there will be somebody else that steps up to the plate because they’ve got a very young, talented football team, and they’ve done a great job recruiting to fit what they want to do.â€
Before Chizik praised Clemson’s hidden playmakers Tuesday, his players had been doing it all preseason.
When asked, Auburn defensive players didn’t hide their disappointment. They preferred to get another shot at Watkins, especially after the highlight reel he turned in at their expense last time.
“Everybody would love to play against somebody with his talent,†weak side linebacker Daren Bates said. “It would be nice if we did have him out there, but we're coming out to play Clemson, just not Sammy Watkins.â€
Boyd is reason enough to take the rest of Clemson’s offense seriously. As a sophomore last fall – in his first season as a starter – he completed 59.7 percent of his passes for 3,828 yards and 33 touchdowns against 12 interceptions.
Without Watkins, it’s hard to imagine how Boyd can have the same production. But Auburn doesn’t view him as any less dangerous.
Senior cornerback T’Sharvan Bell stressed the company line.
“We weren’t going to prepare for Sammy Watkins,†Bell said. “We were going to prepare for Clemson to begin with. So we’re still preparing for Clemson, and that’s the way it’s going to be.â€
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