Sugar Bowl: Clemson WRs looking to do more against retooled Ohio State defense in playoff rematch

“The wide receivers were challenged last year,” Elliott said. “They are probably going to try to attack us the same way I would imagine. Get up there and press our guys and see if they can have more success. Who’s going to have more success — their corners or our receivers?”

The star trio of Tee Higgins, Justyn Ross and Amari Rodgers were held 11 catches for 118 yards last season, in no small part because Higgins was injured early and unable to finish the game.

While Higgins is having a strong season for the Cincinnati Bengals in the NFL, Ross has missed the entire season because of injury.

That’s left Rodgers (69 catches for 966 yards) to be Lawrence’s top target with senior Cornell Powell (45 for 743) and freshman E.J. Williams (19/261) taking on significant roles.

“Biggest thing for us is making sure that we don’t try and do too much, but we’re well aware of the things we need to improve upon and then have the right state of mind,” Elliott said. “Because last year they came out and they punched us in the mouth. It had been a while since we’d been in a heavyweight fight. It bloodied our nose. It took us a little while to rebound and then really kick it in gear.”

Lawrence and Etienne were largely responsible for the rally from a 16-0 hole.

Though Etienne was held in check on the ground (10 carries for 36 yards), he caught three passes for 98 yards and two touchdowns, breaking numerous tackles on both, and Lawrence added 107 yards rushing, including a 67-yard touchdown run.

“Fortunately, we were able to put enough plays in the end to win the game,” Elliott said. “Everybody will be challenged to play better because we know they’re going to come in and they want it just as bad as we do, and we’re going to have to execute.

“Biggest thing for us is making sure that we don’t try and do too much, but we’re well aware of the things we need to improve upon, and then have the right state of mind. Because last year, I think going into it, they came out and they punched us in the mouth. It’s been a while since we’ve been in a heavyweight fight. In reference to last season, it bloodied our nose. It took us a little while to rebound and then really kick it in gear.”

Ohio State’s defense is something of an enigma entering the Sugar Bowl.

Aside from Higgins’ absence, the presence of NFL Draft first-rounders Jeffrey Okudah and Damon Arnette at cornerback also played a large role in Clemson not getting its usual output from its passing game last year.

They are gone along with stalwart safety Jordan Fuller and most of the defensive front.

While reloading has been the standard more than rebuilding on that side of the ball for going on three decades at Ohio State, the process was among many scrambled by the unusual offseason that resulted from the coronavirus pandemic.

New defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs had limited practice time to put his stamp on the defensive scheme, and Ohio State being able to play only six games limited time for schematic trial and error and personnel development.

“They play the same coverages, very similar pressures,” Elliott said.

“I anticipate they’re going to have some things that we’ve got to adjust to throughout the course of the game, but it’s the combination of getting ready for this one, making sure that we understood from last year’s take where we needed to improve because obviously, as a professional courtesy, they’re going to try and attack some of the things they had some success attacking last year. And we’ve got to make sure we fix those. And then they’re going to build upon the strengths of this team.”