| | Don't look for the seniors on this year's Clemson football team out enjoying the nightlife in Atlanta as the Tigers prepare for Thursday's Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, says Clemson quarterback Brandon Streeter.
Streeter told ESPN.com users in chat that this class of seniors have been to three bowl games in their careers but have come away losers everytime. This year they hope it will be different. Streeter also talked about how they have been preparing for the big game and what it will take for the Tigers' offense to beat Mississippi State's vaunted defense.
If you missed Streeter's Dec. 28 chat, check out this edited transcript and find out what he has planned after graduation.
| |  | | Streeter and the Tigers were 6-5 on the year. |
J Mims: How do you think Clemson's passing game will stack up against Mississippi State's defense?
Brandon Streeter: We are definitely going to have to throw the ball more than usual because they will try and take away
a lot of our running game. We have been working on a lot of passing.
The biggest key to beating them will be to make some big plays offensively.
SugarDaddy: With Clemson having faced both Florida State and Virginia Tech, what is your prediction for
the Sugar Bowl?
Brandon Streeter:
Good question.
I think FSU will win but I believe it will be a really good game. It will depend on Chris Weinke
-- if he is ready to play and has a good game. He has been a little inconsistent this year and he
must have a good game. But I think FSU has the better athletes.
Mike: What are your plans for next year after leaving C.U.?
Brandon Streeter:
I will be in Clemson in the Spring and will be training and hoping to get invited to the NFL
Combine and maybe into a training camp. My goal is to get a chance to play at the next level
whether it be the CFL, NFL or where ever. I would regret it if I didn't give it a try.
I am definitely interested in being a coach if the next level doesn't work out. At what level, I
don't know. But I will get into coaching sooner or later.
Cara: After going through three previous bowls , do you feel the team is more prepared this time?
Brandon Streeter:
I really do, especially the seniors who have been to three and haven't had much success. So we
are looking at it differently, we are more focused in and the seniors are trying not to get
distracted by all that Atlanta has to offer. We want to win this bowl game.
Tgrec: Do you think it is fair to say that you're the underdogs?
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STREETER'S FILE
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The 1999 Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl takes place Dec. 30 and it pits (no pun intended) Clemson (6-5) against Mississippi State (9-2) and the game can be seen on ESPN (7:30 p.m. ET).
Despite an injury plagued season, Streeter put up some good number for the Tigers. He was 111-166 for 1,165 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for another score. Unfortunately Streeter spent most of the season on the sidelines recuperating from injury. On Oct. 2 he broke his collarbone and then dislocated his hip against Georgia Tech Nov. 13. Streeter, a graduate student, established seven Clemson passing records. The native of Gettysburg, Pa. completed 67.7 percent of his passes in 1999, no other quarterback in Clemson history had exceeded a 62 percent figure before Streeter this season. Earlier this season in a win over a ranked Virginia team, Streeter set the Clemson single game passing record with 343 yards. Listed as a co-starter alongside Woodrow Dantzler, Streeter helped lead the Tigers to a 6-5 record under first year coach, and ACC Coach of the Year, Tommy Bowden. Last year, Clemson was 3-8 and finished eighth in the ACC at 1-7 under Tommy West.
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Brandon Streeter:
If you look at everything, it's not surprising to be the underdogs. They are ranked No. 15 and
have only lost twice and we are 6-5. But we have a good schedule strength and we should have
a good home crowd.
A Clemson Junior: Do you look at this game as a "nothing-to-lose" situation? If not, how do you feel it will
impact the near future of Clemson's program?
Brandon Streeter:
There is definitely something to lose -- we won't be satisfied if we lose. We are here to win and
not just happy to be here.
I think a bowl victory will take us up to the next level -- getting to bowl games and winning
those big games. It will definitely have an impact on the program.
Matt: How much confidence did the Tigers gain after almost beating the Seminoles?
Brandon Streeter:
It is tough to gain confidence when you don't win. But when you play a team like FSU and have
a chance to win in the end, it made us feel like we could play with the best teams in the country.
But you are never happy to lose.
Robert: Have you and the offense prepared any new plays?
Brandon Streeter:
We really haven't. Each week throughout the season we add a play or two so at the end of the
season the playbook is pretty big. We have devised a pretty good scheme for Miss. State, but
you have pretty much seen everything we will throw at them.
Rubin: How did playing HS in Central Pennsylvania prepare you for big time college football?
Brandon Streeter:
It is not just the area, but my background (father is a head coach, brothers played college ball) is
what really helped me prepare to play Div. 1 football.
ColoradoTiger: What's your, and the team's, feelings on the fact that Coach Rod stayed at Clemson
and is shaping the offense's game plan for the Peach Bowl?
Brandon Streeter:
It is definitely good for our offense because during the season we have gotten used to his
offense and his play calling. It is important in a bowl game to be comfortable with the play
calling.
Wiggum: Do you think the speed on the turf will affect your timing and are you practicing on turf right
now?
Brandon Streeter:
We did practice on turf today and will walk around on it tomorrow. It has changed the timing a
little, in that things happen a little quicker. But we adjusted well to it today and we had a good practice.
Corey: Congrats on an outstanding senior year despite the injuries. You are a true fighter. What can we
expect from Clemson football in the next 2-3 seasons?
Brandon Streeter:
I really think that this program is going to make progress in the next couple of years and get
better and better. I see us being consistently ranked in the Top 25 in the next couple of years
and only getting better. Too bad I am a senior.
El Tigre': What sold you on Clemson when you decided to attend, and what would you tell any
young recruit considering Clemson?
Brandon Streeter:
I took my visit and really enjoyed the people I met. I just felt really comfortable with all the
football people and I really loved the campus. But the biggest thing was the tradition Clemson has for
football with all the fan support.
Buff54: Are you nervous about the game?
Brandon Streeter:
I'm really not. Being a senior and being in big games like this in the past helps. So I am not
nervous, just excited more than anything else.
That is all the time I have for now. Thanks for all the interest and support in Clemson football.
I appreciate all the questions and hopefully we can come out with a win on Thursday night.
Take care everyone. | |
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