August 31, 2013
The atmosphere throughout Clemson University was celebratory with several students wearing the iconic orange jerseys of the tigers team. There was only one reason why the atmosphere was so wild at the university: "The NCAA football season had officially begun," something that both the student community and the people of the surroundings appreciated.
If there was something Clemson identified with, it was the tigers football team. And in a few hours, the team would start playing at home against the Georgia Bulldogs, a tough rival and an SEC powerhouse.
Despite there being several hours left before the game began, the surroundings of Memorial Stadium were already full of students and people from the area who had come to spend the tailgating along with their friends and family.
"Friend, I can't wait to enter the stadium," said a Clemson student to his group of friends while they walked around the university parking lot, seeing how most people wore jerseys and banners with the team's iconic tiger paw.
"Don't even mention it, friend, with Tajh on the team we can't lose," told him his friend who was also a staunch fan of the team and who had precisely missed work so as not to miss the first game of the team's season.
"It surprises me that he didn't opt to present himself at the NFL Combine," said another friend who, like several analysts, thought that Tajh would present himself at the combine and end up as one of the high picks in this year's draft.
"He said he had pending things to fulfill," the first student replied, completely defending the team's starting quarterback. "Maybe he hopes to finally win the Heisman," he finished saying upon remembering how close he had been to getting it and how he was mentioned several times in Heisman Watch.
Unfortunately, the trophy was finally won by Johnny Manziel, the Texas A&M quarterback, which was quite a milestone in itself since he was the first freshman to achieve it. "Even so, I believe this will be his year," said the same student with optimism, thinking that Clemson would completely sweep this season.
While that group discussed, the same conversations were being carried out in different places around the stadium about how the team would do this season and the expectations surrounding the program under the command of Dabo Swinney.
Clemson Sports Center
Inside the sports center, the entire team was inside the team's concentration in the film room, in which Dabo was finalizing the last details for the game along with the rest of his coaching staff.
"Very well guys, I think I don't have to explain who we are facing," said Dabo while on the screen appeared a logo composed entirely of a giant black letter G inside a red circle. "The Georgia Bulldogs," Dabo said dryly.
"Under the leadership of Mark Richt, they are a serious contender and one of the best offenses in both the SEC and all the NCAA in general," Dabo continued explaining to all his players who already knew.
Since Richt took charge of the team in 2001, the Bulldogs were one of the most constant and dominant forces in college football. With a victory effectiveness of over 70% and always being among the top 10 teams in the nation, the Bulldogs were the kind of team you could not let your guard down against at any moment.
"Their starting quarterback Aaron Murray is recognized for his solid mid-range passes, so the defense will have to perform several blitzes seeking to pressure him, but the most optimal result would be his sack," he explained while Murray's statistics were shown on the screen along with some highlights from last season.
"But if Georgia cannot advance through the air game, they will go directly to the ground game relying on their star running back Keith Marshall," next the screen changed to show Keith's profile along with his statistics from last season.
Moving on from that, Dabo began to discuss and explain the plays and formations he was going to use in today's game while one particular person sitting in the middle of the room shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "This is boring," Laquon whispered toward Wyatt, who looked with total concentration at everything the coach said.
"It's important," Wyatt told him without even turning to direct his gaze at his friend, who continued moving restlessly and hoped that time would go faster to be able to go out to the field or do anything else other than be locked in the film room.
"Now let's move on to naming the starters," that single sentence caused both the players who were paying attention and those who were not to instinctively lean in their seats, paying complete attention to the names Dabo pronounced, hoping not to miss the mention of their own names.
"And finally, the starting quarterback will be Boyd," Dabo finished saying with his mouth slightly dry after pronouncing all those names, reason why he gave the floor to Chad who finished polishing the last details before the team took the bus that was parked outside and would drop them off at the stadium.
"Old man, they didn't mention us," said Laquon with a slight tone of pity in his voice at not having heard his name in the team's starting lineup. "Just focus, maybe we'll have chances to play later in the game," Wyatt replied to him, who had simply stood up and followed the rest of the players toward the exit where they would board the buses.
But if someone looked more closely, they could notice how Wyatt had his hands tightly clenched at his sides and his gaze completely impassive knowing that, despite his best efforts, he had not yet been able to snatch the starting position from Tajh.
That by itself caused Wyatt to remain immersed in his thoughts while he headed straight to the bus in a mechanical way, completely ignoring the rest of his teammates and other people who were around him until a hand rested on his shoulder, taking him out of his thoughts.
"Can we talk in private?" Chad said with a friendly smile on his face while making a sign toward a corner, while the rest of the team's players looked curiously at this scene before simply continuing to walk toward the buses.
"You probably think Dabo's decision was unfair, isn't that right?" Chad said before Wyatt could even say a word to defend himself.
"But you must understand Wyatt that compared to Tajh you have only been with the team for a few months and you haven't even played an official game with the team," he told him seriously, briefly erasing the smile he had on his face.
"You were the number 1 prospect of the last class and you have talent, we can't deny that," he continued talking trying to smooth things over after everything he had said. "But even so, you must respect the decisions of your coach, do you understand?" Chad asked.
At that Wyatt did nothing but nod in confirmation, causing Chad's countenance to improve. "Also, Dabo told me that if in the 4th quarter the team has a good lead, he will put you in to play," he finished telling him.
At that, Wyatt's previously somber countenance brightened completely thinking that, while he had not fulfilled his goal, at least he had managed to secure his rotation and playing minutes in the game.
"Go with the rest of the team," was the last thing Chad told him before heading to the rest of the coaching staff and directing some words in private to Dabo, who nodded before directing his gaze toward Wyatt.
Without taking his eyes away Wyatt nodded in his direction, indicating to him that there was no problem while he walked away and returned with the rest of his teammates boarding the bus. Once inside the bus, Wyatt immediately found Laquon who had saved a seat next to him for the brief journey toward Memorial Stadium.
"What did the coach want with you?" Laquon asked him, curious to know the reason why Chad had taken his friend to one side where they had spoken briefly.
"He told me I might play in the 4th quarter," Wyatt replied without bothering to hide it since he was still excited imagining that he would soon debut in front of hundreds of people and live on ESPN.
"Friend, that's fantastic!" Laquon couldn't help but add since it was something any rookie would be excited and euphoric about.
"Thanks bro," Wyatt replied while they did a fist bump.
Meanwhile, the buses began to head straight to the stadium, as did those carrying the Georgia Bulldogs from their lodging.
Memorial Stadium
On the other hand, inside Memorial Stadium, ESPN was already readying the cameras and other devices, preparing for the live broadcast they would have shortly.
Being two of the most popular and strong teams from last season, ESPN added this game to its stellar coverage since it was an important game that marked the start of the season.
"Good evening, we find ourselves right here at Memorial Stadium where shortly the tigers receive the bulldogs in the first game of the season," said the presenter's voice while the cameras gave a panoramic view of the stands which were mostly filled by people with orange jerseys.
"As you can see, the atmosphere inside is already in full euphoria, demonstrating the great expectations that fans have for the tigers team," the voice-over continued talking while the camera then passed to one that was outside and saw a bus pulling up.
The first person to get off wore a black suit and his white hair was completely combed back while behind him the players belonging to the Georgia Bulldogs team came out one by one with their gazes forward and faces impassive before the noise of the Clemson fans.
"As you have just seen, Coach Mark Richt along with the Bulldogs team have just arrived at the stadium being received by the crowd of tigers fans," said the commentator while the camera paid special attention to Richt and standout players like Murray, who wore headphones so as not to hear the shouts of the crowd.
Once the entire Bulldogs team arrived and entered directly into the stadium, the buses carrying the tigers team arrived and the doors opened, the first person to get off being Dabo, who was pleasantly received by applause and shouts from the tigers fans.
"And here comes the team that everyone has been waiting for, the Clemson Tigers!!" the presenter's voice was heard through the shouts of the crowd.
"Let's go Tigers!!" shouted a hardcore fan of the team who had his face completely painted orange and black.
"Finish them off!" shouted another fan, echoing the shouts of the entire crowd while the entire tigers team got off.
"This place is crazy," Laquon couldn't help but exclaim while his ears wouldn't stop hearing the noise coming from inside the stadium.
"Tell me about it," said Wyatt, equally impressed to hear for the first time the roars of the crowd inside Memorial Stadium on a game day.
"Don't just stand there, rookies!" shouted one of the coaches to most of the rookies who had stayed briefly paralyzed by the impression the stadium had given them.
Wyatt quickly composed himself and along with Laquon immediately prepared to enter the stadium toward the locker room.
"And there you have it, ladies and gentlemen," the commentator continued. "Which team will take the victory? Will it be the tigers, or will the bulldogs team give a surprise and defeat the tigers in their own home?" he asked the question generating even more expectation for the viewers watching the game from their homes.
"Find out in a few minutes, we'll be right back," the presenter finished saying while the television screens passed the commercials, giving the teams enough time to prepare and head out to the field.
In that atmosphere, the first game of the season was beginning.
Authors thought's
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