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Clemson Football: 5 things we’ve learned during the 2020 regular season

By Andrew Boardwine

Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leaves the field with his teammates after Clemson lost to Notre Dame 47-40 in two overtimes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; South Bend, Indiana, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) leaves the field with his teammates after Clemson lost to Notre Dame 47-40 in two overtimes at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Cashore-USA TODAY Sports /
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James Skalski, Clemson Tigers Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports /

2. James Skalski is the heart and soul of the defense

This Tiger defense has been very good this season (for the most part).

They’ve struggled in coverage at times and the front-seven had some difficulties creating pressure early on in the season, but this unit has definitely grown under the leadership of Brent Venables.

That being said, the heart and soul of this unit is James Skalski.

When he’s on the field, the run defense is on a different level. The Tigers play with more confidence. It just seems like they’re in the backfield more. When he’s not, the linebackers look lost.

Skalski changes the way this defense performs and there’s no other way around it.

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