Dec. 29, 2001

Below are Bernard Rambert's answers to the selected questions that you submitted this past week to "Ask The Tigers". ClemsonTigers.com would like to thank you for all of your questions submitted. We would also like to thank Bernard for his time and sincere effort with "Ask The Tigers".

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Bernard,
What do you think of Boise?
John Fowler
Greenville, SC

Well, it's cold. Not as cold as I thought it would be, but it's cold. It's a nice town, though. Other than things to do with the snow, there isn't a whole lot to do, but it's a good town. - Bernard Rambert

Bernard,
How motivated are you to be playing the Humanitarian Bowl?
Ben Goin
Boise, ID

It starts with the seniors and it just works its way down. With Woody, and Kyle, and Chad Carson, and Charles Hafley and other guys. Those guys are just always out there happy to be playing. It means a lot to me that I will be a big part of the game. If I go out and have a big game and Woody does too, we should have a chance to win the game. We lost three out of last four games, and I think around the ACC everyone has lost a little respect for us, and we're just trying to get that back. - Bernard Rambert

Hey Bernard,
Do you think the move from being the backup for Travis Zachery to the starting running back will be a tough adjustment in this game and next year?
Daniel Sharpe
Lexington, SC

No, I don't think it will be tough. The main thing is just more reps. Other than that, I feel like I am in good shape. I've been preparing for this for three years, and now it is finally time, so I don't think it should be a big transition. - Bernard Rambert

Bernard,
Is there any particular area that you think you've improved in since your previous two bowl games.
Crystal Conyers
Andrews, SC

Probably my blocking would be the biggest improvement. Everything seems to have gotten a lot slower. When you're a freshman everything is so fast and you have to make a big adjustment from high school to college. Everything is slowing down a little bit and allowing me to feel more comfortable. - Bernard Rambert

Bernard,
Have you told Coach Bowden about the play you used to run at Summerville where the wide receiver catches a pass and you, coming out of the backfield (running at almost full speed) get a pitch-back from him. I saw you score a bunch on that play. We have enjoyed yelling for a Summerville player for the past three years at Clemson. Both of my kids are SHS grads and are at Clemson, too. Keep up the good work. Congratulations on your excellent work. Almost got that touchdown against Florida State!!!!
James Poe
Summerville, SC

Yeah, that was a great play. No, I haven't told him about that play yet. Maybe we'll break it out next year. - Bernard Rambert

Hi Bernard.
I am so excited for you and look forward to the Tigers' game this week. You seem to have the ability to hit the opening through the offensive line pretty quickly. Do you think the conditions of the field will have any impact on your style of running?
Dale R. Paulling
Lexington, SC

Hopefully not. We played in Peach Bowl my freshman year down in the Georgia Dome. I know it is pretty fast on turf and it was fast then. That turf gave a little though. This turf seems stiffer, probably because we are outside and it is colder, but I don't think it should have a big impact. - Bernard Rambert

Bernard,
La Tech doesn't have the name that a lot of the teams you play have. How hard is it to get motivated to play them as opposed to VT or Miss St. who were in the top ten in the past two bowls?
Vince Green
Athens, GA

No it isn't hard at all. We have a great deal of respect for these guys. They put their pants on one leg at a time just like we do. In no way, shape, or form are we taking these guys lightly. We have lost the past two bowl games, so we're definitely not taking them lightly. - Bernard Rambert

Bernard,
Will the cold weather dictate more of a ground game? If so, will you feel any additional pressure?
Matt O'Brien
Danvers, MA

I still think the offense we'll be balanced weather it snows or not. Everything we do is on steps and timing. We'll be slipping if it snows and they'll be slipping too, so I don't see the game plan changing too much. But I won't feel any extra pressure if do need to carry it 40 times. I am just going to go out there and use my God-given abilities. - Bernard Rambert

Go Tigers!
Bernard Rambert