Jefferson, defense look to improve against Stanford
By TIM CASEY
Sports Writer
Clifford Jefferson may have a broken right thumb and a bruised knee. But his goals haven't changed since prior to the Purdue game.
"I always look to get an interception, at least two a game," Jefferson said after Monday's practice. "This past game I could have had two. It's always my goal, no matter what, if I get beat, I'm always going to look to make that extra play and help the team out."
The Irish will need Jefferson's aspirations to become reality this Saturday when they visit Stanford. A victory can ensure the Irish of avoiding their first seven-loss season since 1963. But a loss against the Rose Bowl-bound Cardinal will leave the Irish on a downward spiral that could get much worse, as the NCAA hands down possible violation against the program during the winter.
In order to leave Palo Alto with a victory, the struggling secondary must find a way to contain a pair of explosive Cardinal receivers, Troy Walters and DeRonnie Pitts.
Though the Irish defensive backfield has faced the likes of Vinny Sutherland and Chris Daniels at Purdue, Plaxico Burress and Gari Scott at Michigan State, and Antonio Bryant and Latef Grim at Pittsburgh, none of the previous tandems can compare to the Stanford duo. The combination of Walters and Pitts have 111 catches, 1904 yards and 16 touchdowns between them this season.
On Monday, instead of practicing in full pads, the Irish went through a walk-through and watched game film of Stanford. By viewing video of the Cardinal, Jefferson believes he has a notion of Walters' tendencies.
"He (Walters) seems pretty good," Jefferson said. "He tries to trick you and lull you to sleep with the deep routes by starting out slow and then speeding up. I've got to be aware of that and just play a good game."
For the season the Irish defensive backfield is yielding an average of 241.5 yards a game through the air, while allowing sixteen touchdown passes in eleven games.
Jefferson, in particular, has had a difficult time covering the receivers from his cornerback position. Though the opposing teams have been fairly consistent in trying to throw to Jefferson's side of the field, it's become more apparent in the past two losses. His inability to cover can be traced to many factors. Injuries, lack of experience and an increase in playing time due to the departures of Brock Williams and Lee Lafayette and the injuries to Jason Beckstrom and Albert Poree have all attributed to Jefferson's shortcomings.
The first-year starter believes the Irish's switch to a press defense prior to the Tennessee game, where the cornerbacks play tighter coverage at the line of scrimmage has also affected his play as of late.
"It's basically my footwork," Jefferson said referring to his coverage problems. "My tendency is to step forward when I press instead of softening out."
But Jefferson, a sophomore, believes his team has stood behind him through the difficulties and that he will respond to their words of wisdom.
"I'm putting it all behind me and going into this game with a clear conscience," Jefferson said. "I've got to do better than what I've been doing. I'm going to work on my technique this week and come out and play a good game."
And how will the rest of the Irish respond to the criticism from their fans that comes with their 5-6 record?
"When everyone gets down on us, we're playing for ourselves," Jefferson said. "You can't let outside influences affect your game, no matter what."
"We feel we have to play for our pride," Jefferson added. "We're not going out without a win."
All Sports Stories for Tuesday, November 23, 1999
