Clemson, SC-Defense was again the topic of conversation after
Clemson's football scrimmage Saturday afternoon in Death Valley.
Tommy Bowden's Tigers worked for three hours in Clemson Memorial
Stadium. The Tigers ran over 100 plays. They will be back in the
stadium in two weeks to open the season against Central Florida.
"Once again the defense played well," said Bowden. "I would
rather have it that way. The number-one and number-two defense
didn't give up any big plays and didn't give up any long drives.
Giving up the big play was a problem for us last year.
"All the questions about our team coming into the preseason
were about the defense, the fact that we only had four starters back.
Hopefully we are answering some of those questions. We have some
young players coming on who are stepping up.
"John Leake continues to play well. His motor is running all
the time just like Keith Adams did. Rodney Thomas is playing well
also. Both are showing some quickness when it comes to getting to
the ball. Marcus Houskin has played well in the secondary. Those
are three players who didn't start last year who have stepped up
their play."
Bowden continues to look for a big play performer on offense.
"We are still looking for a Rod Gardner type among the skill players.
If we don't the offensive line is going to have to come on. Keith
Kelly ran well today on offense, as did Bernard Rambert. We didn't
play Travis Zachery as much today, we know what he can do. We are
trying to get the backups as much action as possible."
Kelly was the top rusher in the scrimmage with 11-45 and a touchdown,
while Rambert had 10-41 rushing and caught a five-yard touchdown pass
from Woodrow Dantzler. Tony Elliott and Rambert each had three
receptions. The longest play of the scrimmage was a 51-yard pass
from freshman quarterback Charlie Whitehurst to freshman tight end
Bobby Williamson.
Leake led the defense with nine tackles, including two
tackles for loss. Rodney Thomas had six tackles and two tackles for
loss. Charles Hafley and Toure Francis each had interceptions, while
Brian Mance and Charles Harper each had fumble recoveries.
Two players and one coach suffered injuries during the
scrimmage. Altroy Bodrick and Morgan Woodward both suffered
sprained knees during the scrimmage. Bodrick will have an MRI and
his status will be evaluated after that exam.
Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring will also have an MRI to
determine if he has a torn Achilles tendon. The Clemson linebacker
coach suffered the injury while exhorting his defense at one point in
the scrimmage.
Tommy Bowden and his impressions of the scrimmage.
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