Clemson is heading out west for some Friday night ACC football, as the Tigers will play at Cal for the first time.

The two teams have met just once before, with the Golden Bears collecting a 31-13 win over Clemson in the Florida Citrus Bowl following the 1991 season.

Tosh Lupoi is in his first season as head coach at Cal, with his Bears coming in having won two straight after a season-opening loss at home to UCLA. Lupoi was a member of Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama when Clemson topped the Crimson Tide in the 2016 national title game.

“We’ve got an awesome opportunity ahead of us Friday night for sure,” Lupoi said during his weekly press conference. “Anticipating and praying that this will be another sold-out stadium.”

“Really good opponent, a lot of NFL players on that team. I got tremendous respect for coach Dabo. Faced him on multiple occasions. A lot of respect for him and his organization. How he carries himself as a man and as a coach.”

With freshman Tait Reynolds now firmly entrenched as the Tigers’ starting quarterback, Lupoi senses a new energy level with the Clemson offense.

“I always dive and and start with the personnel and think they’ve got a new regenerated energy rockin’ with Tait Reynolds, No. 2, their quarterback,” Lupoi said. “He has a 10’1″ broad jump, 525-pound squat, 37-inch vertical — impressive athlete. He is a true freshman.”

And the first-year head coach believes Reynolds has a really good group of wideouts to spread the ball around to.

“Bryant Wesco, No. 12. I mean, he’s as good a receiver as we’ve faced this season. Doing some really strong things out there,” Lupoi added. “No. 1, T.J. Moore, very polished, you know, NFL size.”

Lupoi was also complimentary of running back Gideon Davidson, comparing him to his own running back, Adam Mohammed, who is averaging 4.75 yards per carry through the first three games.

“The backfield, No. 8, Gideon, I think there’s a really good comp of him and Adam Mohammed, to get a feel of what he’s capable of. Strong runner through contact,” Lupoi said. “And then they got No. 16, Chris Johnson. He’s, on record, a 10-2 back. He’s got major juice.”

Clemson and Cal will kick off at 10:30 p.m. EDT on Friday, with the game being televised on ESPN.