Technician: You’re the only offensive lineman returning, do you expect more runs to be ran to your side of the line?Richardson: I don’t really know. Our offense is not designed to run plays to a certain side.

Technician: Is that something that an offensive lineman likes? To have the play ran to their side?Richardson: It’s sort of a challenge, especially if you’re at the goal line, and you need to get the block to get the touchdown.

Technician: Clemson sort of has the reputation of fading down the stretch. How do you avoid thinking about that as the season progresses?Richardson: If you look at it, three years ago, we ended with a four-game win streak. And then the year after that, we won five out of our last six. So, last year we didn’t end like we wanted to. We just go ahead and put that behind us.

Technician: After neither player was named to the preseason All-ACC Team, are James Davis and C.J. Spiller playing with a chip on their shoulders this season?Richardson: I don’t think so. They’re both very talented running backs on the same team. I don’t think they’re wondering about who made what team. It’s the end of the season that counts. It might be good. That way they don’t let it go to their heads, and they don’t take their mind off the game.

Technician: What’s your best memory of playing against N.C. State?Richardson: I remember playing against their defensive line. They had very talented people, and I tried to come out there with a little fire and not try to take any plays off. If you take any play off, they can embarrass you on national television.

Technician: I noticed Clemson almost always seems to wear purple against N.C. State. Is that the real key? After all, you’ve won the last three.Richardson: I don’t know. I guess there’s a little bit of luck in them. We always wear them against Georgia Tech, too.

Technician: Is the team superstitious?Richardson: Nah, I don’t think coach [Tommy] Bowden is like that.

Technician: The State-Clemson game is supposed to be the Textile Bowl. Does anybody really care about winning that Textile Bowl trophy?Richardson: I don’t think it’s as strong of a rivalry right now as it used to be. Right now, I look at it as another conference game instead of a game for a trophy. When I first got here, we won the game, and I was in the locker room when they brought the trophy back. That was the first time I even knew about it.

Technician: Right. I didn’t know the trophy existed until I got NCAA ’06.Richardson: Yeah, that’s how most people find out.