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Clemson offensive coordinator Chad Morris is turning up the intensity on the 21st-ranked Tigers, even after their best offensive showing in four years.
Clemson (3-0) gained 624 yards in its win against Auburn, third-most in school history. But Morris plans to turn up the heat more this week to prepare for No. 11 Florida State (2-1) in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams.
Morris and his offensive staff questioned if their players were tough enough last week to take on the defending national champions. The Tigers responded with a 38-24 victory that ended Auburn's 17-game win streak, which had been the longest in the Football Bowl Subdivision. Clemson also hadn't beaten Auburn in 15 games, dating to its last win in 1951.
Quarterback Tajo Boyd earned ACC offensive back of the week for his 386-yard, four touchdown performance. Clemson freshman wideout Sammy Watkins had 10 catches for 155 yards and was named the league's receiver and rookie of the week.
Morris was glad for the players' success, and hoped they enjoyed it, because he plans to grind on them even more this week.
"First part of (Auburn) week, they didn't care for me too much," Morris said. "And I don't care. I don't need any 22-year-old friends."
Morris and the Tigers will have friends of all ages should they beat the Seminoles, who fell to No. 1 Oklahoma last week and are the preseason pick to defend their ACC Atlantic Division title.
Morris arrived from Tulsa last January to spark up a Clemson attack that had scored a touchdown less per game in 2010 than a year earlier when the Tigers won the ACC Atlantic. While things haven't always gone smoothly - Tiger fans booed when Clemson trailed Troy 16-13 at halftime of the opener - players have gradually found their footing in the new scheme.
Things came together as the Tigers rallied to tie Auburn 21-all at the half after trailing 14-0. Clemson gained 389 yards in the second half to take control of the game, including running out the clock the final 9:34.
Boyd completed 30 of 42 passes and made several good choices in guiding the attack, according to Morris.
The win showed the Tigers the work they put in learning the offense will pay off, Morris said.
"It gives the players a lot of confidence and a sense of belief," he said.
Next comes Florida State and Morris knows this is no time to sleep in.
"You thought last week was tough, this week's going to be even tougher," he told the offense Monday morning.
Seminoles defensive end Bjoern Werner said his team is prepared for Clemson's pace.
"We practiced all summer, all season and all training camp for it, we're going to see it next week with Clemson because they do the same stuff," he said. "We're going to need it the whole season."
Morris said tailback Andre Ellington likely won't practice until Tuesday after injuring his hamstring against Auburn. Morris expected Ellington to play against Florida State, although D.J. Howard came off the bench in the second half to gain 86 yards on nine carries.
Clemson linebacker Corico Hawkins said the Tigers attack has been successful throughout training camp and in practice, so it's no surprise what's happening now. He remembered one scrimmage where Watkins took what looked a simple, short throw that would be easily stopped and turned it into an 80-yard touchdown. "We always knew the offense would do this," he said.
Clemson's only had two games with more yardage: 756 in an 82-24 win over Wake Forest during the Tigers' national championship season in 1981, and 656 in a 70-14 victory over Central Michigan in 2007.
Watkins caught two of Boyd's four touchdown throws, a 65-yarder and a 19-yarder in the third quarter as Clemson began to pull away. Watkins welcomes the intensity from Tiger coaches, both for himself and the group.
"It's great, I get pushed like everyone else," Watkins said. "I don't get a big head and just grind."
That's the attitude Morris wants from all his players. Yes, it was a stellar offensive performance. Still, there were plenty of mistakes that need correcting if Clemson hopes to continue its success this season.
Morris has heard from a host of players and fans excited about last week's win.
"And they should be," Morris said. "But there are bigger games ahead."
