A 'Focused' Etienne Means Bad Things for Opponents

It may seem like forever ago, but it was only four weeks ago that Clemson running back Travis Etienne played his worst game this season. And really cost the Tigers.

Louisville—It may seem like forever ago, but it was only four weeks ago that Clemson running back Travis Etienne played his worst game this season. And really cost the Tigers.

"He's had a couple weeks of Robitussin and NyQuil," head coach Dabo Swinney said following the Tigers' 45-14 win over the Florida State Seminoles.. We all know how bad that tastes, because he played not a good game up there in North Carolina. We didn't protect our quarterback, put the ball in the ground, did not play to his capabilities ."

However, after that North Carolina game, the Tiger running back bounced back in a big way.

"I told Travis before the game, and I said, 'Hey, we're less than a mile from the Kentucky Derby right here. And you're a thoroughbred, it's time for you to go out and run,'" co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said. "And so to see him two weeks in a row, get back to having that confidence, running the ball, and seeing things really well. Over 190 yards rushed in today was really good, and hopefully that'll continue here as we go down the stretch."

Against the Seminoles, Etienne rushed for 127 yards. He followed up the performance with a 197 yards on the ground against the Louisville Cardinals Saturday.

After back-to-back near flawless performances from Etienne his coach and co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott could not stop singing his praises.

"Proud of him 'cause cause up in North Carolina, probably had his toughest day in pass protection, and was really challenged over the open week," Elliott said. "And he's come out the last two weeks and really has put it on the line. And I think that's great for him and it's also great for those young backs to see what it looks like. He had great leadership and Adam Choice last year, and this is a new frontier for him. 

"And then, so being able to play at a high level and lead at a high level, that's a difficult challenge sometimes for him. He's more comfortable being in the background. We're all he had to do was focus on playing at a high level. And so balancing that, managing that, but really proud of him."

Etienne admitted that his mindset before the Tigers took their bye week that he had lost a little of the focus that had made him one of the best backs in the nation.

But during the bye week, he found his focus once again.

"My mindset going into the games and having that bye week coming back, getting that perspective, the reason why I started playing the game and just getting back to myself and just being the best version of me," Etienne said. "So it's just kind of working out in my favor."
Helping Etienne and the Tigers regain their focus was the upset of the Georgia Bulldogs by the Tigers in-state rival South Carolina.

"We kind of overlooked (UNC)," Etienne said. "and not fully maximizing each opportunity I have and just living too far ahead and not really just focused on right now, which is being great right now. And just that bye week, then USC games, kind of put it in perspective for me that, that we have to be great today. You can't take things for granted."

Etienne broke free for rushes of 48 and a 49 yard touchdown run in the Tigers' 45-10 win over the Cardinals. However it was the touchdown run that was vintage Etienne.

"That's what we're used to seeing out of No. 9," Scott said. "When things kind of get clogged up, and the defense kind of over commits into that box, being patient and finding it. Then once he gets out on the other side, and being able to go finish the play. 

"That's what we used to see out of No. 9 and just the explosiveness that can come anytime that he touches the ball. And we got to see that sometimes today."

When the passing game is not working the way you arranged it to work,  one might think that the star running back may feel an added sense of urgency to maybe make a play to support the offense.

But Etienne believes that is what great teams do—pick each other up.

"No, you try not to put added pressure on yourself. Just try to go out there and make the most out of you carries. Or your opportunities," Etienne said. "I mean, if I'm not having a great day, Trevor picks up on it. If Trevor's having a bad day, I should be able to have his back too. So it's just us going out there and laying it all on the line for each other. Just the culture that coach has put built around this program. I mean you just go out there, and you leave it all on the field for your brother."

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