Important Press Conference Details
REMINDER: Tomorrow's press conference will take place in the Atlanta Room on the lower level of the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel (165 Courtland Street Northeast Atlanta, GA 30303). Click for directions.
11-11:30 a.m.: Clemson Press Conference
Featuring Head Coach Dabo Swinney, Malliciah Goodman and Dalton Freeman
11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.: LSU Press Conference
Featuring Head Coach Les Miles, Josh Dworaczyk and Eric Reid
We have arranged for complimentary parking during during all press conferences. To access, travel down Courtland Street, turn left into the Sheraton Hotel, take an immediate left, drive under the exterior tent to the north side of the hotel. Pull up the hill and to the attendant station. Tell the attendant that you are there for the Chick-fil-A Bowl press conference and you will be directed to a space.
Video highlights and full transcriptions will be available approximately 30 minutes after each press conference, including postgame. Transcripts will be distributed via email and available for at: Chick-fil-ABowl.com/transcripts.
Clemson Practice Quotes
Head Coach Dabo Swinney (On Clemson getting 11 wins): I’m just trying to get them ready to win. It’s an opportunity for us to do something that hasn’t been done here in a long time. We haven’t been at this doorstep many times in our program’s history, so it’s a great opportunity from that standpoint. If you win this game, it’s a great accomplishment to finish off a really good season, and you set your eyes on taking another step and doing bigger and better things. The next step for us is to try and win them all.
Head Coach Dabo Swinney (On LSU): LSU is a great team. We’re not a great team, not yet. We think we’re on our way from a program standpoint. LSU is a great football team. They’re a great program and they’ve earned that with the consistency that they’ve played with. They played for a national championship less than 12 months ago and were a play or two away from being in it again this year, so they represent where we want to go from a program standpoint to that type of national competitive consistency, so it’s a great opportunity for us.
Head Coach Dabo Swinney (On getting a bowl win): It creates energy and momentum and you walk around campus with a little more swag, so to speak. At the end of the day, once mat drills are over and you start spring ball in March, it’s a different team. Whether you win or lose the bowl game, when you start spring ball and get into camp, people want to talk about that last game, but it doesn’t help you win the next one.
#63 Brandon Thomas: I think everybody’s ready for this game. Their mindset is ready. LSU is a good team, but we’ve been really focusing on ourselves and getting ready for the game.
#63 Brandon Thomas (On playing in the Dome for the Kickoff game): Playing here early on in the season we know the atmosphere and how loud it’s going to be. It’s going to be a full packed crowd.
#11 Travis Blanks
(On chance to validate success of the season):
For us, we know what we can do. A lot of outside people don’t think we’re a big program, but we don’t look at this as an opportunity to knock off a giant. We’re a good football team and we’re going into it looking at the opportunity that lies ahead in this game. This is just another step for our program.
It’s definitely a big momentum game going into the offseason and would be a big step for our program.
#99, DeShawn Williams (On LSU compared to physicality of other SEC teams):
Like every other SEC team, they’re big, powerful, strong up front on both the offensive and defensive line. They pride themselves on wearing a team out on the run. The SEC loves doing that. They’re going to try to impose their will and we’ve got to come up and show them an ACC team can hang with the big boys. We’ll get a lot more respect going into next year.
A lot of SEC teams don’t have any respect, not just for us, but for ACC teams period. That’s a little slap in the face, so we’ve got to go out there and prove our manhood.
We know what type of game we’re getting into. We’ve watched the film. They have a big offensive line that’s going to try to pound you and wear you out but we’ve got good depth up front and just have to get in the mindset that it’s going to be a long day, but we’re going to enjoy it.
#99, DeShawn Williams (On balancing bowl fun with football): I think we will balance very well. It’s more of a business trip this year. We know what we have to do and it’s for bragging rights. This is for finishing in the top 10. If we come out on top of this, there will be a better vibe and energy on campus.
#91, Josh Watson
(On being on the national stage): This is a huge game, just for momentum in the offseason but also to take a step as a program to get into the elite teams in the nation. We’re about 10 plays from being undefeated this year and we want to step into that top tier of teams and be recognized as a top 10 team every year, in the preseason and at the end of the season. In order to be the best, you have to beat the best, and LSU is one of the best teams in the country.
#91, Josh Watson (On ACC vs. SEC):
The only thing we can do is strap up and show them on Dec. 31, New Years Eve. All this talking and interviewing isn’t going to win the game. At some point, you’ve got to put your hand in the dirt and go prove yourself and that’s what we’re looking to do on New Year’s Eve.
Tomorrow's Schedule of Events
Clemson Press Conference
When: 11 - 11:30 a.m.
Where: Atlanta Ballroom, Sheraton Atlanta (165 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303)
Media Information: Featuring Head Coach Dabo Swinney, Malliciah Goodman and Dalton Freeman. Transcripts and video highlights will be available for download following the press conference. No credential is needed for admission.
LSU Press Conference
When: 11:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
Where: Atlanta Ballroom, Sheraton Atlanta (165 Courtland Street NE, Atlanta, GA 30303)
Media Information: Featuring Head Coach Les Miles, Josh Dworaczyk, Eric Reid. Transcripts and video highlights will be available for download following the press conference. No credential is needed for admission.
Clemson Practice
When: 12 - 2:15 p.m.
Where: Georgia Dome
Media Information: The first 20 minutes of practice will be open to the media (filming only permitted for television, no internet sites), and players will be available following practice. Media can park in the Gold Deck (access from Northside Drive). Chick-fil-A Bowl credentials are not required to attend practice or any other Bowl Week events (prior to gameday).
LSU Practice
When: 3 - 6 p.m.
Where: Georgia Dome
Media Information: PRACTICE IS CLOSED TO THE MEDIA.
Clemson Brazilian Buffet
When: 5 - 6:30 p.m.
Where: Sal Grosso Brazilian Steakhouse (1927 Powers Ferry Road SE, Atlanta, GA)
Media Information: Both teams will enjoy a traditional Brazilian steak house dinner and the third Battle for Bowl Week event. The team that consumes the highest average amount of protein per player consumed will receive one “Battle for Bowl Week” point. Photo and Video Opportunity. Player Availability.
LSU Brazilian Buffet
When: 7:30 - 9 p.m.
Where: Sal Grosso Brazilian Steakhouse (1927 Powers Ferry Road SE, Atlanta, GA)
Media Information: Both teams will enjoy a traditional Brazilian steak house dinner and the third Battle for Bowl Week event. The team that consumes the highest average amount of protein per player consumed will receive one “Battle for Bowl Week” point. Photo and Video Opportunity. Player Availability.
Reminders
Credential Pick Up
Credentials will be available for pickup at the Sheraton Atlanta Hotel (165 Courtland Street, Atlanta, GA 30303), in conjunction with press conferences and at the following times:
Dec. 28: 10 am - 4 pm
Dec. 29: 10 am - 4 pm
Dec. 30: 9 am - 4 pm
Video Footage
Footage from all Bowl Week events, including today's team hospital visits and trips to Andretti Karting, will be available throughout the week at: Chick-fil-ABowl.com/Footage
Media Hospitality & Work Room
The Media Hospitality Suite (Marriott Marquis Room 3814) will be open starting tonight, and includes an open bar, snacks, Chick-fil-A food, TVs, arcade games, and other games and entertainment. We hope to see you there! Just across the hall from the Media Hospitality Suite is the Media Work Room (Marriott Marquis Room 3829), which also opens this evening. The room includes phone and internet lines, as well as media information.
Both rooms will be available:
Dec. 27: 5 p.m. - 11 p.m.
Dec. 28: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Dec. 29: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Dec. 30: 8 a.m. - 11 p.m.
Dec. 31: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Battle for Bowl Week
Throughout the week, the teams will be participating in off-the-field challenges, in the Chick-fil-A Battle for Bowl Week. To the winner goes the coveted Battle for Bowl Week Belt!
In last night's first event, Nothin' but Net basketball, Clemson defeated LSU 55-46 to take a 1-0 lead in the Battle for Bowl Week! Tonight, the teams will race at Andretti Karting & Games, with another point on the line. Learn more and keep track of the score at Chick-fil-ABowl.com.
Event Tickets
The Chick-fil-A Bowl has a limited number of tickets available for the media to Saturday's Chalk Talk & Football Feud, as well as to the World of Coca-Cola. If you are interested in tickets to these events or attractions, please email cdavis@cfabowl.com.
Massage Night
We'll be providing stress-relieving chair massages in the Media Hospitality Suite on Dec. 29, from 6 - 9 p.m. Space is limited, so email cdavis@cfabowl.com to sign up!