ahh...here it is
It was written before the game
Bowden: If they're talking, then we're winning
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Associated Press
CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson coach Tommy Bowden says he wants schools to contact him about job offerings -- he's just not going to take them.
Bowden's remarks Tuesday came after published reports said he was close to reaching a deal for the opening at Baylor.
Bowden said he talked with the school about its coaching vacancy but it never got serious. The reports said the talks broke down when the school refused to buyout his contract at Clemson.
"It never got to that level,'' Bowden said. "Yeah, I was contacted by them. There were no negotiations.
"I hope it's not the first school I'll be contacted by. I've been contacted in the past since I've been here. Hopefully I'll be contacted in the future, that means we'll be successful.''
Bowden responded to the reports as he begins to prepare his team to face Texas Tech in the Mazda Tangerine Bowl on Dec. 23.
He said Clemson (7-5) really hasn't faced a team like the Red Raiders (8-5) this year. Texas Tech is averaging 37.1 points a game -- the seventh best scoring offense in the nation -- and has a quarterback who throws the ball about 50 times a game.
Texas Tech also boasts upsets over Texas and Texas A&M.
Bowden said the Red Raiders are similar to the Tigers and Louisiana Tech, which Clemson beat 33-14 during the second game of this season.
Clemson has never faced Texas Tech.
"They have similar formations to us, but their line splits are unique,'' Bowden said of the Red Raiders. "The difference during the course of the game will be the type of throws they make. They have more of a horizontal passing game as opposed to vertical.''
Clemson's secondary must have a big game in order to slow quarterback Kliff Kingsbury, who threw for 4,642 yards and 42 touchdowns, and was chosen Big 12 offensive player of the year by The Associated Press.
The Tigers have an improved secondary, including freshmen Justin Miller and Brian Mance. Miller has seven interceptions, Mance has six.
"We've given our two corners more help in zone coverage,'' Bowden said. "You can let them back up a little bit and get great breaks on the ball. Both of them ... have outstanding speed and acceleration. We give them enough help underneath that it can make opposing quarterbacks try to throw over the top of them, but our corners have more reaction time in this scheme.''
Bowden said the Red Raiders' offense presents a big challenge, but the Tigers have one of the best passing defenses in the nation.
"It's not a traditional offense. So to me, I think that makes it more difficult,'' Bowden said.
Like Texas Tech, the Tigers also have a surging quarterback in redshirt freshman Charlie Whitehurst, who started just four games this season but looked impressive throwing for 1,011 yards and eight touchdowns.
Bowden is confident his young quarterback can handle the pressures of starting a bowl game.
"He's very mature for his age,'' Bowden said. "You're always concerned from a skill standpoint. I'm more concerned about the throwing and catching than his mental preparation or his ability to concentrate.''
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