The clock is ticking on the countdown to Clemson’s season opener against Georgia Tech, and the Tigers’ offense is ready to rebound from last year. 
The matchup has many members of the team reminiscing on last year’s game against the Yellow Jackets, memorable for a lightning delay and a tight score up into the final quarter. 
Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei labeled it one of his “most physical games” in a Wednesday interview and knows he needs to perform better than he did in last year’s 14-8 victory.
Entering his second season as the Tigers’ full-time starting signal-caller, Uiagalelei is eager to showcase “all of the hard work” he put in over the offseason. 
“I’m definitely excited coming into this game, just excited to get into the season,” Uiagalelei said. “It’s been a long off-season playing against the same opponent every single day of practice, so I’m excited to go up against a new opponent with Georgia Tech. 
Personally, Uiagalelei sees a new and improved version of himself compared to last season. 
“I think I see a totally different guy,” Uiagalelei said of himself. “I think I see a guy that is a lot better from the last game against Georgia Tech. (I see) someone that’s gone through it and gotten a lot better throughout the offseason with the hard work I put in. I definitely see a different quarterback.”
Still, as head coach Dabo Swinney has preached leading up to this season, the entire offense around Uiagalelei also needs to be better. Uiagalelei has seen those improvements. 
“We’ve definitely gotten better on the offensive side of the ball,” Uiagalelei said. “I thought we were in a really good place a year ago, and then I look back now, and it’s a totally different thing.” 
Adding to this sentiment is Will Putnam, who has transitioned from guard to the Tigers’ starting center since last season. 
Putnam emphasized that the offensive line unit has spent most of the off-season focusing on technique and fundamentals for each play.  
“We definitely had a challenge coming into this offseason, and right now, I feel like we are at a good spot,” Putnam said. “I’m not saying that we’re satisfied by any means, but we’re definitely excited to go into this season.”
Uiagalelei, Putnam and the rest of the Tigers will face off against Georgia Tech on Monday at 8 p.m. EDT.