Add Chester's Name to Wounded List |
CLEMSON - The news that starting center Jermyn Chester won't start Saturday's
game against Georgia Tech due to a stinger in his neck came as a bit of a surprise Thursday, though perhaps it shouldn't have. The revelation from Tommy Bowden is just another in a freakish series of injuries that left the Clemson head coach scratching his head. Chester suffered the injury in last week's 33-13 victory over Louisiana Tech, though he was on the field all but four offensive plays. Chester was held out of contact drills this week and will be replaced by junior walk-on Tommy Sharpe. "(Chester's) had a little burner down his arm and hasn't practiced any full speed," Bowden said. "He hasn't been hit, so we won't know (if he can play) until pregame." With junior William Henry making his first start at offensive tackle in place of Derrick Brantley (lost for the year, torn ACL/MCL), two-fifths of the opening day starting offensive line will be new Saturday. Cedric Johnson, who missed last Saturday with a sprained ankle, is back at left guard. But Bowden doesn't expect to change his play-calling because of the changes up front. "Not right now," he said. "It could later with an injury or two." But offensive coordinator Brad Scott said the injuries, coupled with those which will keep starting tailback Bernard Rambert (tendonitis) and starting tailback Chad Jasmin (groin) out, are enough to at least have a backup plan in place. "This offense has been one with a lot of ways to attack defenses, and because we spread the field...you can get by, at times, without maybe just a great, great player at those positions," Scott said. "I think these players have improved their games and are solid players, but it's not like we're a power offense that's going to get in there, bunch everything up and every block's got to be perfect in the running game. "But it affects you a little bit, and there are some things you might be a little concerned about calling. We might try to protect those players once we get settled into the game and see how they're doing." Meanwhile, starting defensive end Khaleed Vaughn won't start due to a sprained ankle. He and backup defensive tackle Todd McClinton (ankle) join Chester on the game-time decision list. SID Personnel Update Clemson, SC-Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden said Thursday after practice that starting center Jermyn Chester would not start against Georgia Tech on Saturday. Chester has been suffering from a "stinger" to his neck and upper shoulder. He has been medically cleared to play, however and is listed as questionable for the contest. Tommy Sharpe, a walk-on who played 22 snaps against Georgia and six against Louisiana Tech, will make his first college start. That means Clemson will start four offensive linemen who will be making their third college start or less. William Henry will start at right tackle in place of Derrick Brantley, who was lost for the season when he suffered a torn ACL in the Louisiana Tech game. It will be the first career start for Henry, a native of Greenville. Cedric Johnson, who will be making his second career start, will be back in the lineup at a guard position. He missed the Louisiana Tech game with an ankle sprain. Greg Walker will start at the other guard, his third career start. Gary Byrd will start at left tackle and this will be his 17th career start. Bowden also said that starting fullback Chad Jasmin and starting running back Bernard Rambert would both miss Saturday's game. Jasmin has a pulled groin muscle and Rambert has tendonitis in a foot. Rambert did not dress for the Louisiana Tech game, while Jasmin played just seven snaps in the first half. Defensively, Khaleed Vaughn continued to improve after suffering a sprained ankle and sprained knee in practice on Tuesday. He is still listed as questionable for Saturday's ACC opener. Todd McClinton, who also has had a sprained ankle, is also questionable. Toure Francis and Derrick Brantley are out for the season with torn ACL injuries. Francis will have his knee reconstruction surgery on Saturday. Vigodsky Resting After Surgery Clemson, SC-Dr. Harold Vigodsky longtime statistician for the Clemson radio network and the Clemson athletic department, had triple by-pass heart surgery at Spartanburg Regional Medical Center on Thursday. The 5 and a half hours of surgery were said to be successful and he is resting comfortably. Vigodsky has worked for the Clemson athletic department and the Clemson radio network on a part-time basis for over 25 years. He is also the head statistician for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL. He will miss at least the next six weeks. Vigodsky, a resident of Spartanburg, began feeling chest pains while working the Panthers vs. Baltimore Ravens game this past Sunday. He had tests at the Spartanburg Regional Medical Center on Wednesday that revealed heart blockages. Friends who wish to send him a get-well card can do so by dropping a card to Dr. Harold Vigodsky, PO Box 679, Fair Forest, SC 29336. Dan Scott covers Clemson University for the Florence Morning News. He also hosts SportsTalk from 10 a.m.-Noon, Monday-Friday, on WCCP-Fm, 104.9. Click here for Dan Scott's SportsTalk discussion board.
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