Clemson sophomore running back Jamie Harper is coming off a career-best 76-yard performance in the Tigers' 49-3 victory over Coastal Carolina last Saturday. Harper's day was highlighted by a 34-yard jaunt during the second quarter, before he scored his second touchdown of the season late in the third quarter. For the year, Harper now ranks third on the team with 215 yards on 58 carries. This week, Harper and the Tigers will host Florida State in a nationally televised primetime showdown.

JOURNAL: What were your impressions of the win last week?

Harper: We came out and it was a little rainy, so we pretty much knew we had to run the ball, and they knew we had to run the ball, so they put a lot of people in the box. My line was just telling me to just keeping pounding it, and Landon Walker told me to look for the cutback. I told him that I honestly wasn't looking for it, but sure enough on the next play, I looked for the cutback and it popped open and then we just starting rolling from there.

JOURNAL: So you feel like you made the most of your opportunity getting increased snaps?

Harper: I tried to give my all, but after looking at the film (Monday), there were a few times I could have challenged the hole a little bit more or made another guy miss, but overall I feel pretty comfortable with everything.

JOURNAL: Despite the big run, how do you feel about the role of being a short-yardage back?

Harper: That's kind of what it seems like, that they throw me in there, but really it's just timing really. There's not a set time when they say, 'Throw Jamie in there.' It's just my series to go, and I've just been producing every time I can. Just being out there with the ball in your hands, there's nothing like it, so I just do the best of my ability. And if that's my role, I'm glad with it.

JOURNAL: So you rotate pretty evenly with Spiller and Ellington?

Harper: C.J. probably does the first two or three series, then after that we start rotating pretty well. Some series, if it's mine or Andre's, sometimes we have set plays to go to C.J., so he has to go back in there, but we rotate pretty well.

JOURNAL: I'm guessing the three of you feel you're a part of one of the elite running back stables in the country.

Harper: You always try to think highly of yourself, but you have to stay humble at the same time. If we just keep performing and keep it going behind our line and trust our line, you'll see us in the Orange Bowl.

JOURNAL: A big step toward that goal comes Saturday against FSU. What are your thoughts on them?

Harper: Everybody keeps trying to say their defense is down, and they've been getting a lot of points put up on them, but FSU always brings their 'A' game when they come to play us, so I expect nothing less. I expect nothing but a total fist-to-fist game out there.

JOURNAL: So you definitely don't buy into the negativity that has surrounded the Seminoles this season?

Harper: For some reason, we always get everybody's best shot. You can't downplay anybody. They have a young defense, but they have very talented guys that can go out there and make plays just as well as the most-experienced guys they have.

JOURNAL: How pumped are you guys to be playing the national primetime game on ESPN?

Harper: To be honest, if it's on primetime or ESPN 360, you should always go out there and give it your all. But just that setting and that air, it's kind of unexplainable. It's almost like running down The Hill, because it's just overwhelming.

JOURNAL: With no rain forecasted, do you have pretty big expectations for the atmosphere with a packed house?

Harper: Usually for night games it really does get filled up and it gets crazy, so hopefully our fans come, as they always do, rock the house and hopefully we can go out there and give them a good show.

— Eric Sprott