Mettenberger says Clowney threatened him before game
It appears South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier’s gift of gab is rubbing off on his players — perhaps in a way that even Spurrier wouldn’t endorse.
According to news accounts, Gamecock defensive end Jadeveon Clowney and another player threatened LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger before Saturday night’s game in Baton Rouge.
From the Shreveport News:
“We’re coming for you, 8,” a South Carolina player told Mettenberger, who wears No. 8.
“You’re not going to make it through the game,” South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney said.
“The little guy didn’t have his jersey on, but he was a player – probably a defensive back,” Mettenberger said.
The incident provided added incentive for LSU’s offensive line, which held the Gamecocks to one sack and Clowney, the SEC leader, to none.
“The player was Clowney and a defensive back. They were right out here when I went out to do warm-ups,” Mettenberger said while in the LSU locker room, just a few feet from the field. “They definitely had a few choice words to say to me, but I’m guessing they’re looking dumb right now with the loss on their record. Obviously, it didn’t work out for them too well.
“I was protected very well for most of the night,” Mettenberger said. “We had a great game plan. They wanted me to get the ball quick out of my hands because they had a great defensive line.”
LSU’s left tackle, Josh Dworaczyk, told the News that Clowney’s threat motivated him to play even harder:
“Well, before the game, I don’t know if you heard this or not, but one of the guys from their team went up to Zach and told him that he was going to make sure that he didn’t finish the game,” said Dworaczyk. “And to me, that’s emotional. The coaches heard. Some players heard it,” Dworaczyk said. “I don’t know who it was, but it was a defensive guy. And so when that comes into this locker room …”
“I’m getting fired up just thinking about it now because Zach’s one of my best friends,” he said. “And when you hear that, it elevates your game that much more. It’s always your job to keep a quarterback clean, but when the threat comes out there, you step up and protect your quarterback with everything that you got. And I think our offensive line, backs and tight ends did a great job the entire night of doing that. And Zach was able to back cleanly and throw passes, and we’re a deadly offense when we can do that.”
If Clowney’s intent was to intimidate LSU, it didn’t work. The Tigers handed the Gamecocks their first defeat, 23-21, and were ranked no. 6 in the first BCS rankings released Sunday. South Carolina is no. 7.
As for Spurrier’s game week wisecracks about the two Death Valley’s, he got that thrown back in his face, even though the joke was aimed at Clemson.
“That was Death Valley,” LSU coach Les Miles said after the game. “That was the place where opponents’ dreams come to die — and it was spectacular.”
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173 comments Add your comment
fan
October 15th, 2012
7:42 pm
How is the out of character for Clowney?
These people are nothing but scum who are being a gift by the tax payers of the state of south carolina. His name fits his attitude.
I love that Spurrier is so self righteous when he disparages other schools, but he couldn’t keep his pot smoking qb and his assistant coach was publicly urinating in a city street.
hit a single
October 15th, 2012
7:49 pm
It is just the culture of college football today. Nothing surprises me anymore. The tattoos, dreadlocks, pot smoking, drinking, domestic violence, so I expect this. It has very little to do with the term student athlete.
5150 UOAD`
October 15th, 2012
7:49 pm
the old dog…..Is UGa still the Fake Blonde Drunk Girls College & plantation of Georgia?
Thomas Brown
October 15th, 2012
7:55 pm
_____________________________________________________________
“You’re not going to make it through the game,” South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney said.
_____________________________________________________________
If Steve Spurrier does not know how to handle that, then The SEC Office needs to step in.
truth
October 15th, 2012
7:58 pm
atleast he wasn’t threatening his girlfriend in downtown Athens like some Bulldogs….actually I mean hitting….for a thUGA fan to talk on this subject is just sour grapes….unlike to court documents on so many Bulldogs we don’t have credible evidence here except from a former Bulldog who was arrested too
King Gator
October 15th, 2012
8:03 pm
Z likes his violence like he likes beer – Domestic! Go Gators!
hit a single
October 15th, 2012
8:04 pm
SEC Office – you have it on tape when the LB from Florida tried to gouge out UGA backs eyes. They did nothing. Oh Meyer benches him for a half. That is why Meyer is not at Florida today. He got tired of dealing with that mess.
GTJohn
October 15th, 2012
8:06 pm
This is a non-story. This stuff has been going on since people started playing football or soccer or baseball or ….. Tell Mettenberger to get with the program – did he grow up in a bubble or something? I cannot tell you how many times I have heard that phrase. You just ignore it and play.
WestOfAthens
October 15th, 2012
8:08 pm
Just another example, wins are “why you play the game” (TY Coach Herm) Not talk, simple mistakes that only fuel the opposition.
dnn
October 15th, 2012
8:11 pm
u shouldn’t have to tell the opposing team QB that u coming for him.He should know that.Stop crying .play ball.
hit a single
October 15th, 2012
8:13 pm
The team is a reflection of their coach. Does not suprise me from a Spurrier team ( old Free Shoes University himself).
hit a single
October 15th, 2012
8:14 pm
Is Clowney one of those that was staying in the elite motel. Oh yea NCAA is scared of Spurrier or more would have happened here.
Gene Cheesedip
October 15th, 2012
8:18 pm
Slouch Carolina creamed LSU is Punt Yards LOOK IT UP!
Gene Cheesedip
October 15th, 2012
8:19 pm
Good one King Gaytor
We Run The East
October 15th, 2012
8:21 pm
Yep, toss those slings and arrows up to where SC football now sits- squarely above UGA. Play FL for East title this weekend. Are the UGA fans 2 favorite teams UGA and whoever is playing Spurrier and SC? LUUUUUV IT!
flintrock70
October 15th, 2012
8:26 pm
Yeah, I don’t believe that. It’s LSU; Mettenberger doesn’t have a shred of dignity to sell this crap.
No
October 15th, 2012
8:52 pm
So Gratham gives the choke sign-remember?
Trust me, all teams talk all game long. Been that way forever.
ZinoDawg
October 15th, 2012
9:00 pm
@hit a single – Free Shoes was at Florida State. Spurrier coached at Florida.
hit a single
October 15th, 2012
9:06 pm
ZinoDawg – I know that. Spurrier made the comment about FSU so I am not surprised about anything his players say.
ugab
October 15th, 2012
9:10 pm
LOL!!! If it wasn’t true, It dang sure fired up the OL of LSU. Why can’t CMR think of something like that before a game. Oh, I forgot. Thow shall not lie. CMR didn’t even have a plan for Clowney. Well they did send a True freshman running back to “chip” Clowney. Bahahahahah Bahahahahaha. This is the SEC!!! That chipping word don’t work. Take that crap back to the ACC. chip chip chip. lol More like knock his but out. I want to see snow bubbles coming from his nose. Blood make the grass grow. thats SEC …..chip chip chip chip
ugab
October 15th, 2012
9:13 pm
Love how Saban puts its. No complaints about the schedule. Just got to be prepared. Focus on winning a NC.
CMR: well we hope SC loses so we can win the SEC East. Perfect Storm
GreatDawg36
October 15th, 2012
9:14 pm
Much Ado About Nothing!!!! So what…he is supposed to knock out the opposing team’s quarterback. What? Is he supposed to give him a foot massage??? If LSU wants their QB upright, then they are supposed to block which they did. I wish UGA defense had hit someone a week ago.
Big G
October 15th, 2012
9:24 pm
If it takes trash talking to elevate your game even a little bit then your not playing 100% to begin with. You should be playing all out every play not just when someone talks trash. In other words LSU has problems with motivation,
Dumpster fire
October 15th, 2012
9:47 pm
Get over it, USC still destroyed UGA, no matter what was said we didn’t show up for the big game and USC did and beat us. Maybe one day we can win a game that matters. until then all of this is means nothing…….
No more kool aid for me guys!
need a leader in Athens guys!
when will some of you wake up?
back door johnny
October 15th, 2012
9:53 pm
so we might still get into the SEC championship game after all. wow, talking about meeting expectations.
Sorry, after watching that 35-7 hate crime i think i have learned my lesson. We are never going to do anything until we get a leader who demands more than what we have. So much talent…..under achieving…..
Thats UGA! hope we beat tech this year! seems like the only game that matters now because once again we suck!
decatur joe
October 15th, 2012
9:59 pm
What’s the big deal???
AlanFalcon
October 15th, 2012
10:07 pm
Everybody just relax, the UGA criminal platoon will show up again !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Pug
October 15th, 2012
10:29 pm
Sounds like Clowney takes after “The Old Ball Crotch”.
Keepin' It Real
October 15th, 2012
10:35 pm
Let’s talk about the crime of sexual assault Zack… That is why you were dismissed from Georgia. What a wus!
Flo - Ri - Duh
October 15th, 2012
10:40 pm
All this talk is just talk with no PROOF of who said what. LSU’s coaches used it to get the OL motivated. Amazing though that two freshmen OL started for LSU and basically dominated their side of the line. S.C. held in there but they were outplayed. It is very difficult to play to “must win” games against ranked teams back to back. Spurrier did a good job of coaching but LSU has more talent and depth on the OL and DL. That was the difference. S.C. is going to really have a hard time since they are on the road against their 3rd highly ranked appointment in a row. Florida should have a big advantage in this game. However I believe this will b a low scoring game and very close. Probably similar to the LSU/ S.C. game.
Jeff in Calhoun
October 15th, 2012
11:01 pm
SC fan’s your team better win at Florida on Saturday or your going to crying a river and for good reason!
just sayin'
October 15th, 2012
11:25 pm
They all do it. Tell Mettenberger to grow a pair. Like many on here, I played my fair share of sports, and am now 60 years old. That kind of talk went on in the 60’s, 70’s when I played. I was threatened many times on the basketball court…Just made me play harder. No big deal.
jj
October 16th, 2012
12:08 am
The puppies and their girly schedule wouldn’t know 3 tough games in a row if it smacked them in their pug noses.
Blah Blah Blah
October 16th, 2012
12:11 am
UGA had one bad game, USC had one good game, and both occurred on the same night. Spurrier plays to beat one team, UGA plays to beat all 12. At the end of the season, UGA will be 11-1 and East Champs, USC will be 8-3, third in the East with losses to LSU, UF and Clemson.
Wanker
October 16th, 2012
12:19 am
I guess if UGA plays a girly schedule, USC has only played one tough team this year and promptly lostt. Boo hoo.
Realist
October 16th, 2012
5:39 am
Where was the threat? Nothing that was reportedly said constitutes a threat. Either Mettenberg needs to figure out what constitutes a threat or the AJC needs to figure out a how to write headlines that fit the story.
Thomas Brown
October 16th, 2012
5:47 am
Zach Mettenberger still led LSU up and down the field against South Carolina all night long.
sportzfan
October 16th, 2012
6:52 am
S,. Carolina vs UGa, three in a row; vs Tenn. & Florida, two in a row, vs Clemson three in a row. So who is looking up at who? People that keep throwing garbage out usually are garbage.
Dontavius Supremo
October 16th, 2012
7:26 am
Mettenberger sounds like a whiner. This is big time college football, not YMCA league. Grow a pair.
Carz
October 16th, 2012
7:37 am
I hope the Gators take his knees out. Go Dawgs.
RedandBlackDAWG
October 16th, 2012
8:52 am
It wasn’t so much that Clowney said anything to an opposing player on the field, it is what he said. Threatening a player with hurting him, is not the type of image that you should want the players on your team to reflect. It looks even more stupid when the guys doing the threatening gets controlled the great majority of the day, and really doesn’t impact the game, much less the player he was threatening. Save the trash talk for the NFL, where you get paid to do it. Clowney is a very good player, but I am afraid he either needs to grow up a little or spend more time, getting educated. It also might help a little if ole “Stevie 5 Chances Spurrier” would try a little harder to control his mouth as well as the mouths of his players.
Thomas Brown
October 16th, 2012
8:55 am
Agreed RedandBlackDAWG with every word you just said.
Zach Mettenberger led LSU up and down the field against LSU all night long.
Thomas Brown
October 16th, 2012
9:00 am
______________________________
RedandBlackDawg October 5, 2012 :
______________________________
“Play tough, weather the first half out put of the chickens, keep turnovers down if not eliminated and play disciplined. Come on strong in the second half and take advantage of a worn down chickens team, and we leave with a victory. Once they are tired, run the hell out of them, and hopefully Murray, will prove why he is the best QB in the SEC, and one of the top ones in the country. I want to to see what the idiots at ESPN have to say then.”
_______________________________________________________
http://www.leatherhelmetblog.com/2012-articles/october/south-carolina-game-score-predictions.html
sportzfan
October 16th, 2012
9:01 am
It hasn’t been proven that Clowney said anything, nor what he said if he said anything. Clowney has been nothing but a model student since he arrived at Carolina. I think I would believe him just as soon as I would Mettenberger. Clowney has never been in trouble…..can you say same about Mettenberger?
Thomas Brown
October 16th, 2012
9:05 am
______________________________
RedandBlackDawg October 5, 2012 :
______________________________
“I think if our LB’s step up for the game this week, we will contain in large part Shaw and limit Lattimore to tough yards. Our DL is far superior to their OL, and we have to take full advantage of that. If they are forced to double and triple J.J. which I think they will be, if the other LB’s step it up, their offense could be in for a long day.”
________________________________
Jimmy Crack
October 16th, 2012
9:27 am
SCAR will have 3 losses by the end of this season. Spurrier never disappoints.
TMW
October 16th, 2012
10:18 am
Mommy, he’s not playing nice!
Thomas Brown 5 yrs of losing every ranked team 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
October 16th, 2012
10:29 am
Every team beats us and loses 3 games before the season is over. What’s new about that ? We haven’t beat any team making top 10 since # 9 Auburn 7 years ago in 2006.
We’ve beat 2 teams out of Current 18-game STREAK against teams making top 25 Current 5-Years.
We’ve beat 3 teams out of 17 games all entire Mark Richt era who made the top 10.
Nothing new around here, except TampaDawg trying to make EXCUSES for it all and then himself today offering up : Mike Bobo sucks.
oldtimer
October 16th, 2012
10:30 am
Look my fellow Dawgs. South Carolina whipped us fair and square. We don’t have a Dawg in this fight between SC and LSU. Why not stay out of it and
Thomas Brown 5 yrs of losing every ranked team 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012
October 16th, 2012
10:33 am
___________________________
TampaDawg October 16, 2012 :
___________________________
“We have run the ball well this year but it seems like the running plays that seem to work early go to the back of the play book even before the first quarter is over. I never get that.”
___________________________
We beat 5 unranked teams and wet our legs against a team whom Zach Mettenberger controlled the game driving the ball up and down the field against, all night long.
What do you mean we don’t have a Dawg in this fight between SC and LSU ?
It has everything to do with dogs.