The communicator

CLEMSON - Brandon Maye continues to try and step his game up off the field to allow his play on the field to keep getting better.

Following a Sunday ritual of watching film after treatment, he saw the defensive staff meeting and decided to pop in one day. Now, he’s been to two Sunday defensive staff meetings.

Simply put, Maye wants to communicate better with his teammates during the week at practice, and he's doing everything imaginable to help his cause.

“The coaches are sitting in there, seeing all the stuff, I’m going to be able to see it with them and go back and relay it to the players the way they’re going to relay it during the week,” Maye said.

Having watched a lot of film on Tavarris James and Graig Cooper, Maye has seen plenty of running backs like the Miami duo. He thinks back to his days as a linebacker at W.P. Davidson HS in Mobile, Ala.

Then again, manning the middle of Kevin Steele’s defense at the MIKE linebacker spot, Maye has gotten used to seeing running backs run through the hole with authority.

“Those guys do hit the hole kind of hard. I’m used to seeing backs like that,” he said. “They’re very fast and skillful.”

Maye doesn’t have to look far when comparing the speed of the Miami backs.

“They’re C.J.-type of backs,” he said.

He knows coming away with a second straight win will be no easy task.

“They’re a very good team, well coached--Coach (Randy) Shannon does a good job with those guys,” Maye said. “I know a couple of coaches on the staff and the quarterback makes a lot of plays.”

Applying pressure to Riley Skinner last week was among the biggest keys to the Tiger’s success in beating the Demon Deacons.

The same idea will be put to task on Saturday to Jacory Harris--the smoothest quarterback that Maye has ever seen.

“He struggles sometimes when you get into his face. We have to make him throw out of that well,” Maye said. “We have to do a good job getting into his face.”

Coming off a “confidence booster” last Saturday, a 38-3 win over Wake Forest, he sees some momentum in favor of Clemson as the Tigers head into Miami.

Never mind what "the U" does. Maye’s not concerned what happens on the other side of the ball.

“We have to go in there and play our game plan. It’s all about us,” he said.