Clemson veteran defenders James Skalski and Nolan Turner spoke with reporters Wednesday following the team’s first spring practice and, reflecting on how last season ended, owned up to the fact the Tigers were physically dominated in their 49-28 loss to Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl on Jan. 1.
Turner admitted Clemson’s defense didn’t expect to be pushed around the way it was by the Buckeyes during the College Football Playoff semifinal game, which saw the Tigers allow 639 total yards – the most yielded by a Clemson defense in the program’s bowl history.
“It’s definitely very humbling,” the sixth-year senior safety said.