Venables: Clemson Defense Can Be Fixed

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables says the Tigers’ struggling defense can be fixed this season, despite the second-worst showing in school history in last week’s loss at Florida State. No. 17 Clemson (3-1, 0-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) gave up 667 yards in the 49-37 loss to the Seminoles, a total surpassed only by the 771 the team allowed 12 years ago in a 54-7 defeat, also at Florida State. Venables says it’s too early to judge his defense and expects his players to keep improving. Venables was hired in January, a short time after Clemson gave up a bowl-record number of points in a 70-33 loss to West Virginia in the Orange Bowl. Venables says his players will learn from when they endured last week. Clemson plays Boston College Saturday. Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.