Clemson sophomore linebacker Brandon Maye had seven tackles, including a sack, during the Tigers’ 40-37 overtime victory at No. 8 Miami last week. For the season, Maye ranks third on the team in tackles with 48 and is second on the squad with eight quarterback pressures. An emotional leader for the Tiger defense, Maye was first-team Freshman All-American last season and now serves as Clemson’s defensive captain this season. Maye and the Tigers will be back at Memorial Stadium on Saturday for Homecoming when they host Coastal Carolina.

JOURNAL: After how bad things were earlier this month after losing at Maryland, how gratifying is it to be getting some respect now?

Maye: It’s a great feeling to finally get a chance to go out there and win those games that we’ve got to win, and win those close games and beat the No. 8 team on the road. That was very good and a big confidence boost for us.

JOURNAL: After saying all season how good this team is, how nice was it to see that reflected at Miami?

Maye: We went out there and had a good game. We had a lot of things we have to correct and we had a lot of mistakes, but the biggest thing was we found a way to win the game. That was one of the biggest things, we had to get over that hump and find a way to win the close games.

JOURNAL: What was the celebration like after the game?

Maye: That was one of the best feelings I’ve ever had in my whole life. I’ll never forget that. Everybody was excited throwing water in the locker room, and Coach Swinney was jumping up and down in the locker room. It was one of the greatest feelings.

JOURNAL: Then what was it like seeing so many fans waiting to greet you when you arrived back in Clemson?

Maye: That’s just a testimony to how great our fans are and how much they care about our team. They were out here after our big road win and cheering for us, it was amazing coming down the hill and seeing all those fans down there waiting and waving Clemson flags.

JOURNAL: You’re known as an emotional player, and the Miami win was certainly an emotional one. Was it hard to keep those emotions in check at times last week?

Maye: I had to do that the whole game. You get a chance to play where Ray Lewis and all those big-time guys got a chance to play in Miami, and it was a very emotional game. It was hot, so I had to calm myself down and get all the checks and basically try to get the defense lined up to the best of my ability.

JOURNAL: How hard will it be avoiding a letdown on Saturday against Coastal Carolina?

Maye: That’s not going to be hard. We’ve got one goal and that’s being in the ACC Championship game, and for that to happen, we have to go and get things corrected from the last game and get ready for this game.

JOURNAL: Still, is it not hard looking ahead to next week’s showdown against Florida State?

Maye: No, it’s not because it’s one game a time. The next team on the schedule is Coastal Carolina, and we’ve got to focus on that game and all our focus goes to Coastal Carolina. I’ve got a lot of respect for their team, they look very good on film and we’ve got a great opponent ahead of us.

JOURNAL: How much does the team talk about C.J. Spiller in the Heisman Trophy race?

Maye: Coach Swinney mentioned that in our team meeting the other day, and C.J. is well deserving of it. He’s a guy that comes out every week and plays to the best of his ability. C.J. for Heisman, that’s what I say.

— Steven Bradley