Tigers Take Out Terps on Homecoming, 35-14

Travis Zachery led the way with 151 yards on 29 carries.

by Tommy Hood - Correspondent - Sun Oct 15 00:23:53 GMT-04:00 2000

CLEMSON -- As wins go, this one was hardly one for the video collection.

Clemson (7-0 overall, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) defeated Maryland (2-4, 0-3), 35-14, in front of a homecoming crowd of 85,000 at Death Valley. However it wasn't as impressive as the first six wins.

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden spent much of the game on the field or on the sideline scolding his players, kicker Tony Lazzara in particular.

Lazarra missed two extra points while the offense didn't break the single-game scoring record like most expect it to do against one of the worst defenses in the nation.

In fact, Clemson's players probably hope the tape somehow gets lost on the way to head coach Tommy Bowden's office. It wasn't the sharpening of Clemson's offensive sword that many were hoping for three weeks before Florida State.

But it was a win, a 21-point win in fact, and Clemson will surely take it.

"They played us soft on defense and took away the big play," said Bowden.

Woody Dantzler scored twice, breaking several single-season records in the process, and did nothing to take away from the Heisman trophy talk that surrounds him.

He scored on a 19-yard scramble in the second quarter and a 8-yard keeper in the third quarter. Despite the appearance early on that Dantzler was going to struggle to gain yardage running, he finished with 87 yards rushing and 186 yards passing and gained momentum running the ball as the game progressed.

He threw an interception on Clemson's first drive, a pass that bounced off tight end Morgan Woodward and fell into the arms of Maryland linebacker Kevin Bishop. In fact, Clemson didn't score until 5:04 remained in the first quarter when Travis Zachery, who finished with 151 yards, scored on a 3-yard run.

POST GAME AUDIO

Tommy Bowden Press Conference

Keith Adams on shutting down LaMont Jordan

Chad Carson on getting to 7-0

Woody Dantzler and his thoughts on how the offense performed

Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring on the play of the defense

Offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez on the headaches the offense gave him.

Travis Zachery on his over 150 yard performance.

Maryland tied the game on a 9-yard reverse by Jason Hatala with 14:54 left in the first. Maryland lost the use of tailback LaMont Jordan for most of the first half and Clemson's offense started to click.

The Clemson defense did its part as well - Alex Ardley intercepted three Calvin McCall passes. "Our defense did a good job adjusting in the second half," said Bowden. "They ran the option more than they had been."

Clemson turned the game into a blowout, despite the problems on special teams, which included a shanked punt by Jamie Somaini.

Clemson led 20-7 at the half and a bad snap on a Maryland punt that eventually traveled through the back of the end zone gave Clemson a safety and a 22-7 lead early in the second half.

Dantzler's 8-yard run gave Clemson a 28-7 lead. A 7-yard run by Bernard Rambert with 10:01 left in the game gave Clemson a 35-7 lead.

LaMont Jordan scored on a 9-yard run with 8:07 left in the game to make the score 35-14. It was the first time since 1985 that Maryland scored two touchdowns at Death Valley.

"We were determined not to let Jordan have a big game," said Bowden. It wasn't a big game for Clemson, either, but it was effective.

"Usually we would be pleased with thirty-five points, but our expectations are higher than that offensively," said Clemson offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez.

BOX SCORE

1ST 2ND 3RD 4TH FINAL

--- --- --- --- -----

Maryland 0 7 0 7 14

Clemson 7 13 8 7 35

First Quarter

Clem-Zachery 3 run (Lazzara kick), 5:04

Second Quarter

Mary-Hatala 9 run (Kopak kick), 14:54

Clem-Dantzler 19 run (Lazzara kick), 11:51

Mary-Zachery 1 run (kick failed), 1:03

Third Quarter