Defense Shines in First Scrimmage |
CLEMSON - With a Heisman Trophy candidate at quarterback, the best offensive
line in recent memory and a wealth of high-profile freshmen at skill positions, the Clemson offense has been a media darling through nearly two weeks of camp. Television cameras and tape recorders roll anytime a member of the Tiger offense is willing to speak. And with the weapons Clemson appears to have stockpiled, the talk usually flows freely. Meanwhile, the defense toils in anonymity, watching its name appear in the press only when the struggles of 2000 are mentioned. Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring's unit constantly is reminded of the 1,300-plus yards and 85 total points it gave up in back-to-back losses to Georgia Tech and Florida State, not to mention numerous other big plays down the stretch which led to easy touchdowns for the opposition. The fact that only four starters return from that squad and a whole new defensive scheme has been installed are well known to Tiger fans everywhere. And the fans, almost in unison, have resigned themselves to the idea that victories in 2001 are going to be high-scoring affairs. You can understand, then, why the defensive unit took such great pleasure in Wednesday's first preseason scrimmage. Herring's squad held the Clemson offense to just 279 yards on 58 plays, setting a standard head coach Tommy Bowden would like to see repeated. "I thought the offense looked like it had been reading its newspaper clippings, while the defense played with a little more emotion," Bowden said. "You can't just walk on the field and expect things to happen. You have to execute. "You hope the defense wants to carve out a name for themselves and play with a little bit of a chip on their shoulder. They looked that way today." The three-hour session was highlighted by sophomore free safety Marcus Houskin's hit on senior wide receiver Matt Bailey. Houskins, who is battling junior Eric Meekins for playing time at the position, caught Bailey with a textbook hit, separating the receiver from his helmet and knocking him unconscious for a few moments. "It's not often you see a helmet explode into about 12 pieces, but that's what happened," said Bowden. "I don't think we've ever had that happen before today." Clemson quarterbacks combined to complete just 15-of-35 passes for 190 yards. Senior Woody Dantzler was 6-of-14 for 68 yards, while sophomore Willie Simmons was 6-of-16 for 76 yards. Dantzler was the top rusher with 40 yards on seven carries, but senior tailback Travis Zachery carried three times for minus 5 yards. All in all, Bowden came away pleased with the defensive performance and hopes it's a foreshadowing of things to come. "I'd feel more comfortable if we come out with the defense ahead in every scrimmage," he said. "Saturday (the next scrimmage) I'd like to see them come out and take it a step further." NOTES - Freshman Grant Oliver, a 6-foot-5, 300-pound offensive lineman from Lexington, has left the team for personal reasons, Bowden announced. His status will be reevaluated in January. - The defense played without tackle Nick Eason, who missed the scrimmage with a pulled hamstring. He is expected to return today.
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