Clemson football has repaired the hole in its defense.
Pass coverage was a glaring weakness just a few games ago when Wake Forest picked cornerbacks in a 51-45 double-overtime win by the Tigers. Both starter Sheridan Jones and Malcolm Greene were injured. Nate Wiggins and Fred Davis didn’t seem up to the task. Toriano Pride Jr. and Jaedyn Lukus are just freshmen.
He got so thin that all ACC safety Andrew Mukuba moved in to help.
Mukuba will likely be back to his normal position when No. 5 Clemson (6-0, 4-0 ACC) plays Saturday (7:30 p.m., ABC) at Florida State (4-2, 2-2). Jones is on the depth board and would play his first game since Sept. 19. Wiggins and Davis have improved tremendously. First-year students gain valuable experience. Pride started last week with a 31-3 victory at Boston College.
“We’ve improved. We’re playing better,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “The last two weeks we’ve been playing our best defensively. We’ve cleaned up some things at the back. We were lucky to have won the Wake Forest game. Some guys were embarrassed. … I think some guys changed their training habits a bit. We kind of grew some guys up.
“The trend is definitely up for these guys,” added defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin. “It’s been a great two weeks. They’re learning how to prepare, training. Their hard work definitely showed on Saturday night. It’s good to see.”
Wiggins, who sealed Wake Forest’s victory with a pass breakup in the end zone, had a key breakup against Boston College to keep it 3-3 in the second quarter. On third-and-second of the Clemson 28, wide receiver Jaden Williams had a pitch on Wiggins. But Wiggins caught up and made the play. The Eagles then failed on a fourth pass.
“It’s a big game. He got hit twice. Just an amazing game,” Goodwin said. “That game and the fourth save right after were crucial plays in the game. They really built momentum.”
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Wiggins has had a calmer presence since venting his frustrations against Wake Forest.
“He’s tough on himself,” cornerbacks coach Mike Reed said. “It’s one of those things where a kid who’s been very competitive has never really been in that situation before because he’s a rookie. games.”
Lukus played just eight snaps over the past three games, but Pride played 154 and earned his first interception against NC State.
“Kids sit and count the guys in front of them,” Reed said. They really don’t understand that they’re literally one game away. … That was a wake-up call (for Pride) and what he was ready for. He’s grown a lot.”