Clemson Holds Short Scrimmage

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Clemson, SC-The defense dominated Clemson's scrimmage segment during

the Wednesday morning practice. Tommy Bowden sent his team through a

two hour and 45 minute workout on the practice fields behind the

Jervey Athletic Center.

"The defense approached the practice with a chip on its

shoulder," said Bowden, who saw his team run through a 58-play

situational scrimmage. "The defense really got after it. The

offense was not ready to play. The offense has a lot more veterans

on that side of the ball and they thought they just had to show up to

move the ball. That was not the case.

"There were a lot of big plays on defense, it was a balanced

effort. There were some big plays turned in at all the positions.

Marcus Houskin had the hit of the day on Matt Bailey on a pass over

the middle. He is in a battle with Eric Meekins, who also had some

outstanding plays. Braxton K. Williams had an interception return

for a touchdown. Eric Sampson looked good among the young players at

linebacker."

Six different players had tackles for loss in the scrimmage.

Mark Jetton and John Leake each had quarterback sacks and two tackles

for loss, apiece. The defense held the offense to 279 yards of

offense in 58 plays, including just 15-35 passing for 190 yards.

Woodrow Dantzler was 6-14 for 68 yards passing, while Willie

Simmons was 6-16 for 76. Forty of those yards came on a reception by

J.J. McKelvey, but that was the only play over 17 yards by the

offense. Travis Zachery had 3-42 receiving, but was held to three

rushes for -5 yards by the Clemson front seven. Dantzler was the top

rusher with 7-40, while Simmons had 3-17. Kevin Youngblood caught a

pair of passes for 20 yards, while Jeff Scott had 2-24.

The Clemson defense was without its top player from last year

(as voted by the coaches) Nick Eason. He missed the morning practice

with a pulled hamstring, but should return Thursday. Bernard Rambert

also missed the morning practice with an ankle injury. Kevin

Johnson, who had missed the last two days with a hamstring injury.

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