Black Cleared; Eason to Return Saturday |
CLEMSON - Backup guard Nick Black went full speed at Clemson's practice
Thursday, one day after complaining of chest pains. According to Sports Information Director Tim Bourret, Black actually was checked for a possible gall bladder ailment. But tests showed no problems, and the 6-foot-5, 295-pound junior was on the field for Thursday's entire workout. Black is battling redshirt freshman Mark Jetton and true freshman Nathan Bennett for one of the No. 2 spots on the depth chart. Meanwhile, senior defensive tackle Nick Eason nearly is ready to return to action. Eason, still recovering from heart tests performed last weekend, went through running drills Thursday. "He'll be back and full speed Saturday," head coach Tommy Bowden said. "There's something about (the vein) they use for the heart test that takes a while to heal. They've got to make sure it's healed completely. Then he can go full speed." Bowden continues to drive his team hard in the few days remaining before game week. The Tigers went three hours Thursday in 90-plus degree heat, a move Bowden said is designed to keep driving his team toward game condition. "A game lasts three hours, and we're out there in full pads about the length of a game today," he said. "You're trying to give them the idea of the length of a game with full pads on in the heat, like it could be on (Aug.) 31. "You just want to see how they respond, and they responded okay. But we still need a lot more work." Bowden will put the team through its annual "Beanie Bowl" Friday night at Death Valley. The practice is a full-scale dress rehearsal for game conditions, including everything from pregame warmups and stretching to communication from the press box to the sideline. The workout is closed to both the public and the media. NOTES - Former Tiger head coach Danny Ford was honored by WCCP, 104.9 FM in Clemson with its annual Living Legend Award. The award presentation and dinner with Ford took up two hours of the four-hour live broadcast at an Easley restaurant. The man who won five Atlantic Coast Conference titles and the 1981 National Championship was modest in acceptance. "When I was in junior high school we lost a tournament basketball game, but I was fortunate enough to make all-tournament," Ford said. "My daddy told me in the locker room is someone was kind enough to honor you, you should be nice enough to accept. And so I thank you today for this award. It's awfully nice." - Senior Bernard Rambert's grip on the starting tailback spot is so firm that Bowden says he's now "helping coach the others." Rambert's grasp of the full measure of the position, including blocking and protecting the quarterback, have him far ahead of backups Yusef Kelly, Tye Hill and Kyle Browning. Rambert saw limited work Thursday as he continues to recover from a sprained ankle. - Chad Jasmin missed practice still recovering from a pulled stomach muscle, while Dustin Fry missed another day recovering from a dislocated kneecap. Derrick Hamilton was out due to a sprained ankle, but should be back on Saturday. - Again Thursday, there was no news on signee Tymere Zimmerman, who is awaiting word from the NCAA Clearinghouse. 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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