Blue and Gold Illustrated

GAME PREVIEW: CLEMSON they're light years ahead of where they were at the start of the season." Defensively, Clemson only returned three starters from last season, and then lost one of them — junior nickel back Korrin Wiggins — for the year due to injury. Yet, they've still managed to pro- duce at a high level to date, ranking 12th nationally in yards allowed per game (260.7). That effort begins up front with ju- nior defensive end Shaq Lawson, who faces the pressure of replacing former standout Vic Beasley, the No. 8 over- all selection in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Beasley finished his senior campaign at Clemson with a staggering 17.5 tackles for loss, but Lawson's already picked up five stops behind the line of scrimmage through three games this season. "People might think you're crazy by saying Vic Beasley's replacement could be just as good or better, but I think Lawson has the potential to be a more complete player," Williams said. "Beasley was a speed-rush specialist, and sometimes he got pushed around against the run a little bit. Lawson can do both, he's a very powerful, physical player with long arms and is very hard to contain. He can play the run well, but he can also get right by you, on the inside or outside." A number of athletic players stand out in the secondary, including redshirt sophomore cornerback Mackensie Al- exander, who will match up with Notre Dame star junior wide receiver Will Fuller. Athlon named Alexander a pre- season third-team All-American. "I can promise you he's going to be jacked in this matchup against Will Fuller," Williams said. "Clemson de- fensive coordinator Brent Venables said he's already challenged Alexander, tell- ing him this is the best receiver he will have faced. "It wouldn't surprise me at all if he left early after this season for the NFL, and he's just a redshirt sophomore. He's 2015 CLEMSON SCHEDULE Date Opponent (TV) Result/Time (ET) Sept. 5 Wofford W, 49‑10 Sept. 12 Appalachian State W, 41‑10 Sept. 17 at Louisville W, 20‑17 Oct. 3 Notre Dame (ABC) 8 p.m. Oct. 10 Georgia Tech TBA Oct. 17 Boston College TBA Oct. 24 at Miami TBA Oct. 31 at North Carolina State TBA Nov. 7 Florida State TBA Nov. 14 at Syracuse TBA Nov. 21 Wake Forest TBA Nov. 28 at South Carolina TBA 2015 NOTRE DAME FOOTBALL SCHEDULE Date Opponent (TV) Result/Time (ET) Sept. 5 Texas W, 38‑3 Sept. 12 at Virginia W, 34‑27 Sept. 19 Georgia Tech W, 30‑22 Sept. 26 Massachusetts W, 62‑27 Oct. 3 at Clemson (ABC) 8 p.m. Oct. 10 Navy (NBC) 3:30 p.m. Oct. 17 Southern California (NBC) 7:30 p.m. Oct. 31 at Temple TBA Nov. 7 at Pittsburgh TBA Nov. 14 Wake Forest (NBC) 3:30 p.m. Nov. 21 vs. Boston College (NBC)# 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28 at Stanford TBA # Shamrock Series at Fenway Park in Boston

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