CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson offensive co-coordinator Jeff Scott walked over to receiver Deon Cain shortly before the Tigers left the locker room to face Ohio State with a smile and a simple message: "Welcome to the playoffs."
It has been a long, fretful national title game journey for both Cain and Mike Williams, two of Clemson's most dynamic receivers. Williams had to watch the 45-40 loss to Alabama last January from the sideline after a frightening neck injury in the first quarter of the season opener knocked him out for the year.
For Cain, it was his own mistake that cost him.