Game Six Notes: North Carolina at Clemson |
Game Six: Clemson vs. North Carolina
Saturday, Oct. 20, 2001 12:00 Noon (EST) Memorial Stadium (81,474) Clemson, SC In the Rankings Clemson - #13 AP, #15 USA Today/ESPN North Carolina - Unranked Television: ESPN2 Play By Play: Mark Jones * Color: Chris Speilman Sideline: Holly Rowe Radio: Clemson Tiger Sports Network Play By Play: Jim Phillips * Color: Mike Eppley Sideline: Rodney Williams Series History: Clemson leads 31-17-1 Tickets: Only General Admission Available 1-800-CLEMSON Special Day: Homecoming Clemson Personnel Update * Altroy Bodrick (LB) - Tore his ACL in a preseason scrimmage Aug. 18. Will red-shirt the season. * Roscoe Crosby (WR) - Re-sprained a knee in practice on Oct. 4. Also suffered broken nose in post-game celebration at Georgia Tech. Questionable for North Carolina. * Tony Elliott (WR) - Suffered broken wrist vs. Georgia Tech, will miss North Carolina game. Out 4-6 weeks. * Marcus Houskin (CB) - Suffered broken neck vs. Wofford and is out for the season. * Kevin Johnson (CB) - Suffered broken rib vs. Georgia Tech. Questionable for North Carolina. * Jackie Robinson (WR) - Suffered broken jaw vs. Virginia on Sept. 22. Doubtful for North Carolina. * Kevin Youngblood (WR) - Suffered broken leg in Aug. 21 scrimmage. Has not played all year. Will not play at N.C. State. Could return late in the season. Dantzler Dazzling Clemson quarterback's performance in the Tigers 45-37 victory in Raleigh last week is hard to put into words. It was the greatest combination of rushing and passing for a Clemson football player in history and ranks among the best in college football history. A look to the NCAA record book tells us that only one player in one game has ever had at least 300 yards passing and 200 yards rushing in the same game. Washington's Marques Tuiasosopo had 302 yards passing and 207 rushing against Stanford on Oct. 30,1999, the only player in history to achieve the 300/200 in the same game. Last week, Dantzler passed for 333 and 184 net yards rushing. Had it not been for two sacks in the second quarter, one of 13 yards and another of 11, Dantzler would have joined Tuiasosopo in that exclusive club. As it was, Dantzler's performance was the fifth best in ACC history in terms of total offense, and a Clemson record. The ACC mark is 554 yards of total offense by Rusty LaRue for Wake Forest against N.C. State in 1995. Dantzler did more than just pick up yardage, he led the Tigers to six touchdowns. He ran for two and passed for four, and the six touchdowns combined broke the Clemson single game record that had stood since 1947. Dantzler tied the Clemson single game record for touchdown passes in a single game, a mark he now co-owns with his backup, Willie Simmons. It was Dantzler's top passing game as a Tiger, and in many ways the best by any Clemson quarterback. The graduate student from Orangeburg, SC completed 23-27 passes for 333 yards and four touchdowns. His passing efficiency rating of 237.6 was a Clemson record for a minimum of 20 attempts. His stats included a 79-yard pass to freshman Airese Currie, the longest pass play for the Tigers in five years. Dantzler achieved the 517 yards of total offense one game and two weeks after gaining 418 yards in Clemson's thrilling 47-44 win over a ninth-ranked Georgia Tech team in Atlanta. Obviously it is the top total offense figure for consecutive games in Clemson history. Here is a list of Clemson Records Dantzler Set in the win at N.C. State: * Single game passing efficiency (Min 20 attempts)-237.58 * Single game total offense-517 yards (333 passing, 184 rushing) * Single game touchdown responsibility-6 * Tied single game touchdown passes-4 * Single game completion percentage (min 20 attempts)-.851 * Career total offense-6,874 * Career total offense vs. same team-1127 vs. N.C. State Below is a chart that documents Dantzler's stats the last two games
Category vs. GT vs. NCS Avg.
Dantzler Stats Similar to Ward Heisman Numbers
Woodrow Dantzler received rave reviews for his performance against
N.C. State on Oct. 13.
N.C. State strongside linebacker Brandon Jamison told The State
Newspaper, "He has got to be one of the best athletes in
America...That is why he is up for the Heisman. The man can run. He
can pass. He has moves. He has speed. He can break tackles. There is
nothing bad you can say about him."
During the broadcast on Jefferson Pilot television, guest commentator
and legendary former ACC coach Bill Dooley remarked, "If I had him as
a quarterback, I'd get back into coaching."
Another person who was impressed was N.C. State coach Chuck Amato. "I
had the fortune to be around Charlie Ward (at Florida State, 1992-93)
and Dantzler has more athletic ability. He is their football team.
He's their inspiration.
"He put on a display out there today that I don't know if we'll ever
see again in this stadium. I hope not by an opposing quarterback. I
can't imagine a better player in the country in America. We must have
set a record for missed tackles on him."
Ward, now the starting point guard for the NBA's New York Knicks, won
the Heisman Trophy in 1993 when he led Florida State to the national
championship and a 12-1 record. He did so with an all-around game as
he had the ability to run as well as pass. Dantzler has had similar
success as a runner and passer this year.
A look to the stats shows that Dantzler is ahead of Ward's pace in
total offense/game, touchdown responsibility per game, rushing yards
per game. They have similar stats in passing efficiency and
completion percentage.
Comparison of 2 Quarterbacks
Category Ward, 1993 Dantzler, 2001 Passing Yards/Game 275.6 239.8 Rushing Yards/Game 30.8 103.2 Total Offense/Game 306.5 343.0 Touchdowns/Game 2.82 3.00 Passing Efficiency 157.82 153.0 Completion % .695 .689 Yards/Attempt 7.97 8.10
Dantzler Ranked in Top 25 in Five Categories
Woodrow Dantzler is ranked in the top 25 in the nation in five
different statistical categories, including second in two important
areas. The Tiger signal caller who now owns 30 school records is
second in the country in total offense, second in completion
percentage, sixth in scoring responsibility, 12th in passing
efficiency and 25th in rushing. That's right, 25th in rushing.
Dantzler is the only player in the nation ranked in the top 25 of
both passing efficiency and rushing.
Dantzler trails only Florida quarterback Rex Grossman in passing
efficiency and is second only to Wes Counts of Middle Tennessee State
in completion percentage. Counts is 114-159 so far this year for a
71.7 completion percentage. Dantzler has hit on 102-148 for a 68.92
percentage.
Dantzler has gained 516 yards on the ground for an average of 103.2
yards per game. He is second among quarterbacks nationally on a per
game basis to Keith Boyea of Air Force, who has averaged 111 yards
per game through five contests.
No Clemson player has ever ranked in the top 25 in the nation in five
different categories for the course of the season. Dantzler was 21st
in passing efficiency and 25th in scoring responsibility last year.
Keith Adams (1999), Tony Horne (1997), Nelson Welch (1992) and Chris
Gardocki (1989) are the only players to rank in the top 25 in three
different areas in the same year. Dantzler is trying to become the
first Clemson quarterback to rank in the top 25 in the country in
total offense since Steve Fuller finished 21st in 1978.
Dantzler on Pace for 2,000/1,000 Season
Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantzler has averaged 343 yards per game
in terms of total offense. That is more than 100 yards per game ahead
of his own Clemson single season pace of 241.6 yards per game set
last year.
Dantzler is doing it with balance between the running game and the
passing game. He has 516 yards rushing and 1,199 passing for 1,715
total. That is an average of 103.2 yards per game rushing and 239.8
yards per game passing. That is a pace to reach 2,638 yards passing
and 1,135 yards rushing for the course of an 11-game season.
If Dantzler can keep the pace up he would become the first
quarterback in Division I college football history to have 2,000
yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in the same season. He had 947
rushing and 1,691 passing last season during the regular season. If
he is to achieve the distinction he will have to do it in the regular
season as NCAA records do not count bowl games.
The closest to achieve the milestone is Brian Mitchell of
Lousiana-Lafayette, who had 1,311 rushing and 1,966 passing in 1989.
Healthy Dantzler Means Success for Clemson
Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantzler is running a little ahead of his
record pace of 2000 before he suffered a lower leg injury. Dantzler
was among he leading contenders for the Heisman Trophy and ranked in
the top 25 in the nation in passing and rushing at this time last
year. Then he suffered an injury at North Carolina. After averaging
more than 300 yards a game in total offense for the first seven
games, he had three straight games of less than 100 yards, as he
played limited time in games eight, nine and 10.
Now healthy again, Dantzler has run off five straight games of at
least 200 yards total offense, including three in a row of at least
300. He has gotten better and better each week this year and has
increased his total offense figure by nearly 100 yards each of the
last two weeks. That will be a challenge this week, as a 100-yard
increase over last week would mean a 600-yard game. That won't happen
against a defense as sound as North Carolina's.
Still, it is interesting to note that Clemson has won 12 of its last
13 games with a healthy Dantzler in the lineup. That dates back to
the last game of the 1999 regular season, a win at South Carolina. He
played sparingly in the loss to Mississippi State in the 1999 Peach
Bowl. The Tigers went 7-0 with a healthy Dantzler to open last year
and are 4-1 with a healthy #1 this year.
That computes to a 12-1 record. The only loss a 26-24 defeat to
Virginia when the Cavaliers scored on the last play of the game. He
has been very productive in those 13 games, averaging 313.2 yards a
game in total offense, 104 per game on the ground and 209.2 through
the air. He has been very consistent in those 13 games, recording at
least 250 yards of total offense in 11 games and accounting for at
least two touchdowns in all but one of the contests. He has accounted
for 37 touchdowns in those 13 games rushing and passing.
Dantzler Reaches 4,000/2,000 mark; Now Owns 30 Clemson Records
Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantzler became the first quarterback in
ACC history to pass for 4,000 yards and rush for 2,000 when he had
his 517 yard total offense game at N.C. State. He needed just 57
yards rushing in that game to do it and he shattered the barrier with
184 yards on the ground.
Including bowl games, Dantzler has 2,216 rushing and 4,658 passing in
his four-year career. So far this season, Dantzler has 516 yards
rushing and 1,199 passing for 1,715 total, an average of 343 yards
per game in total offense. He ranks first in the conference in total
offense per game and is second in the nation. Additionally, he is
first in the ACC in passing efficiency and is third in rushing.
The graduate student has connected on nearly 69 percent of his passes
this year, a record pace, and is now at 58.9 percent for his career,
also best in school history.
Dantzler became Clemson's all-time leader in total offense with his
performance at Tech and now has 6,874 career yards, ahead of the
previous record held by Nealon Greene.
Dantzler also has jumped into the lead in terms of career passing
efficiency. His big game against Georgia Tech boosted his efficiency
rating to 133.43, best in school history by a couple of percentage
points.
Dantzler on Clemson career Records Lists
Rank/Category/Figure Left for Record * 1st, quarterback rushing (2216) has record * 1st, completion percentage (.589) has record * 1st, in touchdown responsibility (52) has record * 1st, in total offense (6874) has record * 1st, in passing efficiency (133.43) has record * 2nd, in interception avoidance (2.62) 2.55 percent * 2nd, in total plays (1082) 77 plays * 2nd, in completions (359) 100 completions * 2nd, in passing yards (4658) 1064 yards * 3rd, in touchdown passes (29) 7 TD passes
Clemson Records Held by Dantzler (30)
Single Game (8)
* Touchdown Responsibility-6 vs. N.C. State, 2001
* Total Offense-517 vs. N.C. State, 2001
* Completion % (Min 20 attempts)-.851 vs. N.C. State, 2001
* Completion % (Min 15 attempts)-.941 vs. The Citadel, 2000
* Yards rushing by a quarterback-220 vs. Virginia, 2000
* Passing Efficiency (Min 15 attempts)-247.2 vs. The Citadel, 2000
* Passing Efficiency (Min 20 attempts)-237.6 vs. N.C. State, 2001
* Touchdown Passes-4 vs. N.C. State, 2001
Season (13)
* Total offense-2,899 (2000)
* Quarterback rushing-1,028 (2000)
* 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback-4 (2000)
* Touchdowns rushing and passing-24 (2000)
* 200-yard total offense games-9 (2000)
* 300-yard total offense games-4 (2000)
* Consecutive 200-yard total offense games-7 (2000)
* Consecutive games throwing a TD pass-6 (2000)
* 100-yard rushing, 300-yard total offense games-4 (2000)
* Most yards rushing in series of 3 games-520 (2000)
* Most yards rushing in series of 4 games-623 (2000)
* Most total offense/game in season-241.6 (2000)
* Most total offense plays in season-434 (2000)
Career (9)
* Completion percentage in career-.589
* Career passing efficiency-133.4
* Total offense-6,874
* Yards rushing by a quarterback in a career-2,216
* 100-yard rushing games by a quarterback-8
* Most total offense/game in career-214.8
* Most 300-yard total offense games in career-8
* Most 100-yard rushing, 300-yard total offense games in a career-8
* Most touchdowns rushing and passing in a career-52
Clemson Career total Offense leaders Rk Name Years Plays Rush Pass Total 1. W Dantzler 98-01 1052 2216 4658 6874 2. Nealon Greene 94-97 1158 1067 5719 6786 3. Steve Fuller 75-78 1089 1737 4359 6096 4. Rodney Williams 85-88 1024 863 4647 5510 5. Homer Jordan 79-82 859 971 3643 4614 6. DeChane Cameron 88-91 765 926 3300 4226 Clemson Career Leaders in Completion Percentage Rk Name Years Com Att Pct 1. W Dantzler 98-01 359 610 .589 2. Nealon Greene 94-87 458 805 .569 3. Chris Morocco 86-89 89 157 .567 4. B Streeter 96-99 294 519 .566 5. Mike Eppley 80-84 252 449 .561
Dantzler Named National Player of the Week
Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantzler was named National Player of the
Week by USA Today.com for his performance against Georgia Tech.
Dantzler gained 418 yards of total offense in Clemson's 47-44 victory
at Atlanta, 164 rushing and 254 passing. He ran for two scores and
threw for two. His 11-yard touchdown run on a quarterback draw on the
last play of overtime gave the Tigers the victory.
It marked the first time a Clemson player had won the National Player
of the Week from USA Today.com. Dantzler was also the ACC Player of
the Week according to the site, the third time in three years he has
won that honor. He was the ACC Player of the Week according to the
site in 1999 for his 435-yard performance against Maryland, and in
2000 when he led the Tigers to a 62-9 win over Missouri.
Dantzler was named National Player of the Week in 2000 by cnnsi.com
for his performance at Virginia. He had 220 yards rushing, an
all-time ACC record for a quarterback, and 154 passing in Clemson's
31-10 win over the Cavs.
Dantzler is the first Tiger in history to be named a National Player
of the Week twice. A Clemson player has been named National Player of
the week 10 times in history, including Dantzler's performance at
Georgia Tech. Here is a listing:
Clemson National Player of the Week Selections Year Player Opponent Named By 1951 Glenn Smith Auburn Associated Press 1958 Harvey White Vanderbilt Associated Press 1974 Willie Anderson S Carolina Sports Illustrated 1978 Bubba Brown N.C. State Sports Illustrated 1980 Willie Underwood South Carolina Sports Illustrated 1995 Brian Dawkins Duke Sports Illustrated 1999 Brandon Streeter Virginia USA Today Keith Adams Duke Bronko Nagurski Award 2000 Woodrow Dantzler Virginia CNNSI.com 2001 Woodrow Dantzler Georgia Tech USA TODAY.com
Homecoming Success
Clemson faces North Carolina for Homecoming today. The Tigers are
26-2-2 since 1971 on Homecoming with the only losses coming to
Georgia Tech in 1989 and Virginia in 1997. The first homecoming game
at Clemson took place on Sept. 30, 1922 when Centre defeated Clemson
at Riggs Field, 21-0. Clemson has celebrated Homecoming every year
since 1922 with the exception of the 1930 and 1938 seasons. Clemson
has a 56-18-3 record on Homecoming over the years, a .747 winning
percentage. Clemson has outscored the opposition 1,644-1,010 in those
previous 77 games, an average victory of 21-13.
Clemson is 4-1 lifetime against North Carolina on Homecoming. Clemson
gained victory in 1960 (24-0), 1962 (17-6), 1995 (17-10) and 1999
(31-20). The only loss came in 1964 by a 29-0 score. The star for the
Tigers the last time the two teams met on homecoming was a reserve
quarterback named Woodrow Dantzler. Dantzler came off the bench in
the second period to lead the Tigers to a 31-20 victory.
Clemson vs. North Carolina Series
Clemson holds a 31-17-1 advantage in the series with North Carolina
that dates to 1897, the second year of football at Clemson. That 1897
game was just the sixth game in Clemson football history and the Tar
Heels won the contest 28-0. It was the first game for the Tigers
against a team that is currently in the ACC. Obviously the league was
not formed until 1953.
Clemson has won 11 of the last 15 games and 15 of the last 20 in the
series, but North Carolina has won three of the last five. Clemson
won last year in Chapel Hill, 38-24 and at Clemson in 1999, 31-20.
Prior to the 1997 17-10 North Carolina victory, the Tar Heels had not
won at Clemson since 1980, a 24-19 victory on ABC-TV. Lawrence Taylor
provided the key play of that game for North Carolina, a sack of
Clemson quarterback Homer Jordan late in the fourth period with
Clemson inside the Tar Heel 10. Clemson had won seven in a row over
North Carolina in Death Valley by a combined score of 188-69.
In 1995, the Tigers were victorious,17-10. It was a classic defensive
game. Brian Dawkins, now with the Philadelphia Eagles, provided the
big play with a 49-yard interception return for a touchdown. Nealon
Greene threw a 30-yard touchdown pass to Joe Woods and Anthony
Simmons had 19 tackles. Mond Wilson, playing for the injured Andye
McCrorey, had 16 tackles for the Clemson defense, which intercepted
five North Carolina passes, two by Peter Ford and one by Andy Ford.
Clemson has six wins over North Carolina when the Tar Heels enter the
game as a ranked team. The most shocking took place in 1992 when a
Clemson team that would end the season with a 5-6 record, earned a
40-7 victory over 18th-ranked North Carolina. It is the largest
margin of victory for Clemson in the series.
Last Year vs. North Carolina
Freshman quarterback Willie Simmons threw four touchdown passes to
help Clemson erase a 17-0 first-half deficit and defeat North
Carolina, 38-24. Simmons entered the game when Woodrow Dantzler
injured his right foot on a 24-yard keeper with 6:32 remaining in the
first half. Simmons exceeded all expectations by completing 10 of 18
passes for 228 yards - the highest total by a Clemson quarterback so
far this season. The game featured the largest Tiger comeback since
1992, when Clemson rallied from a 28-0 halftime deficit to defeat
Virginia.
Simmons entered the game with the luxury of having Rod Gardner in the
receiving core. Gardner finished with seven catches for a school
record 182 yards. The three-touchdown effort earned him ACC Offensive
Back-of-the-Week honors and it tied the Clemson single game touchdown
reception record.
Clemson outscored the Tar Heels 38-7 after falling behind early.
Clemson's prime-time players rose to the occasion as the Tigers faced
the most urgent situation of the season. Chad Carson had a team-high
16 tackles. Keith Adams registered 15 and Robert Carswell had nine.
Adams and Carswell each came up with timely second-half interceptions
to help seal the victory. The 34-yard interception return was the
first of the year for Carswell, who led Clemson with six picks in
1999. Sophomore defensive end Nick Eason recorded five tackles and
two sacks for loss of 11 yards.
Jeff Reed kicked a 26-yard field goal to put the Tar Heels on the
board first. Clemson failed to earn a first down on its opening two
possessions of the game. Brandon Russell ran for a two-yard touchdown
to complete a six-play 81-yard drive that took only 2:12 off the
clock. On their next possession, Ronald Curry connected with Sam
Aiken for a 57-yard completion as the Tar Heels again drove over 80
yards on six plays. Clemson trailed 17-0 with 12:18 remaining in the
second quarter.
Dantzler suffered a bruised foot at the end of a 22-yard in the
second quarter, so Simmons came off the bench. His first completion
of the game came in the form of a 29-yard touchdown pass to Jackie
Robinson with 5:42 left before the half. Robinson finished with four
receptions for 76 yards, career highs. On a third-down play on North
Carolina's next possession Keith Adams forced a fumble for a two-yard
loss. Joe Don Reames returned the ensuing punt 51 yards to the Tar
Heel 26. Simmons connected on all three of his attempts on Clemson's
drive. A 20-yard Gardner reception cut North Carolina's lead to 17-14
by halftime.
Early in the third period, Bosley Allen muffed a Jamie Somaini punt
and Clemson recovered the ball. After a 27-yard pass to Robinson,
Aaron Hunt tied the game with a 22-yard field goal.
Simmons connected with Gardner for touchdowns on two consecutive
possessions to complete the 31-0 scoring run. The Tar Heels made it a
one-possession game when Saunders rushed for a touchdown with 9:17
remaining in the contest.
With about four minutes left, North Carolina took over the ball down
seven points. But, Keith Adams intercepted a Curry pass and retuned
the first interception of his career 27 yards to the North Carolina
2. Travis Zachery pushed into the endzone on his second attempt to
make the score 38-24.
Reserve Quarterback Has Led Tigers vs. UNC
In each of the last two games between Clemson and North Carolina a
reserve quarterback has come off the bench to lead Clemson to
victory. Woodrow Dantzler turned the trick as a reserve in 1999, then
Willie Simmons came off the bench to lead the Tigers to a win in
Chapel Hill in 2000.
Brandon Streeter was Clemson's starting quarterback in 1999 and hit
8-11 passes for 77 yards on the opening drive. However, Julius
Peppers intercepted a Streeter pass to stop the drive. Later in the
period, Streeter was injured when linebacker Tim Burgess fell on him
while scrambling near the Tar Heel bench.
That brought on Dantzler, who had played only sparingly to that
point. The sophomore led the Tigers to 31 points over the last three
periods and a 31-20 win. Dantzler was 7-15 for 131 yards passing and
also picked up 82 yards in 11 rushes, including a 56-yard touchdown
run with 8:35 left that iced the game.
Last year Dantzler had the Tigers off to a 7-0 start and a
number-five national ranking as the team headed to Chapel Hill.
Dantzler gained 90 yards in total offense over the first period, but
suffered an injury with 6:32 left in the first half on a 24-yard run.
That brought in freshman Willie Simmons. All Simmons did was lead the
Tigers to 38 points over the last 36 minutes. He completed 10-18
passes for 288 yards and four touchdowns, tying the Clemson single
game record. His 228 yards were high for a Clemson quarterback in
2000. Rod Gardner caught three touchdown passes for the Tigers.
Clemson Offense Proficient in Second Half
Clemson has scored at least 45 points and gained at least 500 yards
of total offense in each of its last two games, a 47-44 overtime win
over Georgia Tech and a 45-37 victory over N.C. State. Clemson's
point total against Tech was its high total against the Yellow
Jackets since 1903, a 73-0 win behind coach John Heisman. Clemson's
45-37 victory against N.C. State was the highest point total Clemson
has ever scored against the Pack.
A reason for the high scoring has been proficiency in the second
half. Clemson has scored four touchdowns in the second half after
halftime in each game. Clemson has had 12 possessions in the second
half the last two games combined (not including possessions when
trying to run out the clock) and has nine touchdowns. Once Clemson
was held on downs and once Clemson kicked a field goal. Clemson has
had to punt in the second half just once in the last two games.
Some of the touchdown drives have been deliberate and some have been
time consuming, as the chart below shows
Clemson Second half Possessions last two weeks Opponent Plays-Yds Time Result Georgia Tech 4-80 1:37 Touchdown Georgia Tech 13-80 5:11 Touchdown Georgia Tech 18-80 6:25 Touchdown Georgia Tech 3-(-6) 1:16 Punt Georgia Tech 4-60 1:53 Touchdown Georgia Tech 6-25 OT Touchdown N.C. State 4-54 0:57 Touchdown N.C. State 8-69 3:31 Touchdown N.C. State 13-92 5:51 Touchdown N.C. State 4-39 1:31 Touchdown N.C. State 5-79 2:24 On Downs N.C. State 6-34 3:14 Field Goal
North Carolina Update
North Carolina has been the comeback story of college football within
the 2001 season. The Tar Heels, coached by former North Carolina
player John Bunting, lost its first three games of the year, all to
teams currently in the top 20 of the nation. North Carolina lost away
from home to defending National Champion Oklahoma, 41-27, at
undefeated Maryland 23-7, and at Texas 44-14.
Since then, North Carolina has defeated Florida State, 41-9, won at
N.C. State 17-9, defeated East Carolina 24-21 and last week downed
Virginia 30-24. The win over Florida State was just the third ACC
loss for the Seminoles since they joined the conference in 1992.
The top player on the North Carolina team is on defense. The top
player on the Clemson team is on offense. That will be an interesting
matchup in today's game in Death Valley. North Carolina's Julius
Peppers could be the top selection in the NFL draft this coming
spring. He has an incredible 17 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, six
passes defensed and two interceptions this year. His pursuit of
Dantzler will be worth the price of admission.
But, North Carolina has some other outstanding defensive players, a
prime reason opponents have scored just 15.8 points per game over the
last four games. David Thornton is the top tackler with 74 stops in
seven games, including seven tackles for loss. Quincy Monk, another
linebacker, has 65 tackles, while Dexter Reid has 53 stops and two
interceptions. Mike Waddell has 10 passes defensed, among the top
figures in the ACC.
The offense has picked up the pace of late, including scoring 30
points against Virginia last week. North Carolina uses two
quarterbacks. Ronald Curry, along with Peppers a member of the North
Carolina basketball team that played at Clemson last year, has throw
for 563 yards and three touchdowns. He is North Carolina's career
leader in total offense.
Backup Darian Durant has been more productive statistically,
completing .593 of his passes for 852 yards and eight scores. He also
has 116 yards rushing, ahead of Curry's 100 yards. Regardless, both
quarterbacks can run and throw. Andre Williams is the top ball
carrier with 402 yards and three touchdowns. Kory Bailey has 23
receptions, the same total as Bosley Allen, a gifted 6-3 junior.
Allen is also among the best kick returners in the ACC.
Offense Superb Against Top Defenses
Clemson's offense has been performing at a high level of efficiency
over the last two games, in fact an unparalleled level for
consecutive games. Add to that the fact that both games have been on
the road make the production especially remarkable.
Over the last two weeks Clemson has averaged 27.5 first downs, 293.5
yards passing and 241 yards rushing. The Tigers have averaged 534.5
yards of total offense and 6.56 yards per game, not to mention
scoring 46 points per game.
Clemson has not achieved these stats against inferior defenses. N.C.
State and Georgia Tech were both ranked in the top 20 in the nation
in scoring defense and many other categories heading into their games
with Clemson. In six games this year Georgia Tech has given up 98
points and 47 of them are to Clemson.
Clemson scored three times as many points as N.C. State has given up
this year against its other four opponents, four times as many points
as Tech has given up. N.C. State had given up just 313.8 yards of
total offense per game prior to the Clemson game, then the Tigers got
567. Tech has given up just 253.2 per game when not playing Clemson,
but the Tigers gained 502 against the Yellow Jackets.
Clemson Offense vs. N.C. State State Defense Category vs. Everyone Else vs. Clemson Points 15.5 45 First Downs 18.0 28 Rushing Yards 163.2 234 Passing Yards 150.5 333 Touchdowns 2.0 6 Yards/Play 4.5 7.2 Total Offense 313.8 567 Clemson Offense vs. Georgia Tech Tech Defense Category vs. Everyone Else vs. Clemson Points 10.2 47 First Downs 13.8 27 Rushing Yards 85.8 248 Passing Yards 167.8 254 Touchdowns 1.0 7 Yards/Play 3.90 6.0 Total Offense 253.2 502
Clemson Gains 500 Yards In Consecutive Road Wins
Clemson has had at least 500 yards in each of its last two games.
That is certainly an accomplishment anywhere, but especially on the
road. Clemson gained 502 yards at Georgia Tech and 567 at N.C. State
in gaining consecutive victories. It marks the first time in Clemson
history that the Tigers have had at least 500 yards in consecutive
road games. The 567 yards gained at N.C. State were the most recorded
on the road since 1903 when John Heisman coached Clemson to a 73-0
victory with 615 yards, all on the ground.
Clemson had one of its top offensive games in the Tommy Bowden era in
the 47-44 win over Georgia Tech on Sept. 29. The Tigers gained 502
yards of total offense, third highest figure under Bowden and second
best in an ACC game.
It marked just the second time in Clemson history that the Tigers had
at least 500 yards of total offense against a top 25 team. The only
other occasion came in 1983 when Clemson had 544 yards against an
11th ranked Maryland team in a 52-27 Clemson victory.
It was a balanced attack for the Tigers, perhaps the most balanced in
Clemson history for a 500-yard performance. Clemson had 248 rushing
and 254 passing in the contest. It marked just the fourth game in
Clemson history that Clemson had at least 240 yards rushing and
passing in the same game.
Clemson has now had four 500-yard total offense games under Tommy
Bowden. Clemson is now 40-0-1 in its history when gaining at least
500 yards of total offense. The only non-victory came in 1991 when
Clemson gained 511 yards in a 20-20 tie with Virginia.
Zachery Approaching 3,000/1,000 Club
Clemson senior running back Travis Zachery is among the best
all-around ball carriers in the nation. That is one reason he was
listed among the preseason candidates for the Doak Walker Award.
So far this year Zachery has 310 yards rushing and 242 yards
receiving, giving him 552 yards from scrimmage. It ranks him fifth in
the ACC in all-purpose running. He has had five touchdowns rushing
and got his second receiving at N.C. State last Saturday.
Zachery now has 2792 yards rushing in his career and 885 receiving.
No Clemson player in history has had at least 3,000 yards rushing and
1,000 receiving. It is quite a difficult accomplishment, something
only three players in ACC history have accomplished. The others to do
it are Leon Johnson, a former running back from North Carolina
(1993-96), Warrick Dunn of Florida State (1993-96), and Terry Kirby
of Virginia (1989-92). Zachery needs 208 yards rushing and 115
receiving to pull off the 3,000/1,000 double.
Zachery scored three touchdowns at Tech and one more at N.C. State,
giving him 46 for his career, already a Clemson record. He has scored
40 touchdowns in his last 29 games. His three scores at Tech gave him
eight for his career against the Yellow Jackets, including six at
Grant Field in Atlanta. Zachery is from nearby Marietta, GA.
Zachery enters the North Carolina game with 2792 career rushing
yards, third best in school history. He moved ahead of Terry Allen
(now with Baltimore Ravens) on the all-time list. Now, only Kenny
Flowers and Raymond Priester have more rushing yards than Zachery.
Zachery had 125 all-purpose yards at Georgia Tech and 124 more at
N.C. State. He now has 3953 for his career, second best in school
history. Raymond Priester is the career leader in all-purpose running
with 4282. Zachery needs just 47 yards against the Tar Heels to reach
4000 for his career. He is 329 behind Raymond Priester.
Clemson Career Rushing Leaders Rk Name Years Att Avg TD Total 1. R Priester 94-97 805 4.93 21 3966 2. Kenny Flowers 83-86 590 4.94 26 2914 3. Travis Zachery 98-01 633 4.41 38 2792 4. Terry Allen 87-89 523 5.31 28 2778 5. Buddy Gore 66-68 600 4.29 15 2571 Clemson Career All-Purpose running Leaders Rk Name Years Rush Rec KR-PR Total 1. R Priester 94-97 3966 316 4282 2. Travis Zachery 98-01 2792 885 0-276 3953 3. Buddy Gore 66-68 2571 65 637-0 3273 4. Kenny Flowers 83-86 2914 192 40-0 3146 5. Ray Mathews 47-50 1886 650 294-298 3128
Hamilton Approaching Freshman Record
Freshman wide receiver Derrick Hamilton continued his outstanding
rookie season with eight catches for 106 yards at N.C. State. The
red-shirt freshman from Mullins, SC now has 31 receptions for 339
yards and a touchdown. He needs just three catches against North
Carolina to break Terry Smith's freshman record. Smith had 34 catches
in 1990. He needs 142 yards to break Smith's freshman receiving
yardage mark.
Hamilton's 106 yards receiving at State broke Ray Williams single
game freshman receiving yardage mark. Ironically, Williams mark had
been recorded against N.C. State, a 105 yard effort in 1983. Hamilton
is now 21st in the nation in receptions per game with 6.2 and is
second among freshmen. Hamilton is third in the ACC in receptions per
game and is sixth in yardage.
It was a big day for Clemson freshman receivers at N.C. State. In
addition to Hamilton's heroics, freshman tight end Ben Hall had three
catches for 39 yards and his first college touchdown. Airese Currie
had a 79-yard reception in the fourth period from Woodrow Dantzler to
put the quarterback over the 300-yard mark for the first time in his
career.
Clemson freshman receivers caught 12 passes for 224 yards and two
scores on the day.
Bush Had Best Game vs. N.C. State
Senior defensive tackle Jovon Bush had his most productive day as a
Tiger in the win at N.C. State. The native of Hardeeville, SC is in
his senior year, but it is his first year as a starter. He has made
the most of it and that included the game in Raleigh.
Bush had eight tackles in the game, most by a Clemson down lineman
this year. His total included two tackles for loss and four
quarterback pressures. He ranked third on the Clemson defense in
tackles for the day in his 62 plays on defense.
Bush now has 25 tackles for the season, more than any other defensive
tackle. He also has nine quarterback pressures in his 305 snaps on
the field. Bush had 20 tackles as a reserve each of the last two
years, meaning he has taken just five games to exceed his previous
high tackle total for a season.
Young Defenders Make Contribution at N.C. State
Many young players made a significant contribution to Clemson's
defensive effort at N.C. State. With injuries sidelining Kevin
Johnson and Nick Eason much of the day, Tommy Bowden had to turn to
some inexperienced players to help the Tigers hold off the talented
Wolfpack offense.
One of the players who made a big contribution was freshman defensive
tackle Donnell Washington. He came off the bench to record five
tackles, but two were sacks and each thwarted a Wolfpack drive.
Washington had a pair of quarterback pressures and a pass broken up
in his 50 plays. He had 41 points in the coaching staff's grading
system, more than any other Clemson defensive player in the game.
Toure Francis was at a cornerback in place of the injured Kevin
Johnson. The original walk-on came up big with five tackles and two
passes broken up in his 54 plays. He had played just 49 snaps all
year prior to Saturday's game.
Freshman cornerback Ryan Hemby also made a contribution with an
interception and a pass broken up in his 27 snaps.
Offensive Line Playing Well
One of the reasons for Clemson's success against Georgia Tech and
N.C. State was the play of its offensive line. The veteran group
includes three players who are graduates (Will Merritt, Kyle Young
and T.J. Watkins) and two red-shirt juniors (Gary Byrd and Akil
Smith). They combined to help the Tigers gain 502 yards of total
offense and scored seven touchdowns and 47 points in the victory. It
was the most points Clemson has scored against Georgia Tech since a
73-0 Tiger victory in 1903. John Heisman was Clemson's coach in that
game.
The starting offensive line combined for 68 knockdown blocks in the
game, high total for the season. In fact, the total against Georgia
Tech was 20 more than the previous best of 48 knockdowns for the
starting offensive line against Central Florida.
Four different starters had double figures in knockdown blocks in the
game. T.J. Watkins led the way with 19, while Akil Smith had 17, more
ever for a Clemson tackle. Center Kyle Young had 14 and Gary Byrd
added 11. Smith was named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for the
first time in his career. Will Merritt was the only Tiger who failed
to reach double figures, but he had seven.
Clemson's starting offensive line came back to get 58 knockdown
blocks in the win at N.C. State. Kyle Young led the way with 19,
while Will Merritt added 13 and Gary Byrd had 11.
Kyle Young leads the team in knockdown blocks with 64, more than
halfway to his team best 120 set last year. T.J. Watkins is second
with 60, while Merritt has 50. Gary Byrd has picked up 48, while Akil
Smith has 41. Smith leads the team in intimidation blocks with 11.
Win at Tech Was Landmark Victory
Clemson's win at Georgia Tech was a landmark accomplishment in many
ways. The Yellow Jackets were ranked ninth in the nation in the AP
poll heading into the game. The victory was the highest ranked win on
the road by a Clemson team in 20 years. The last one and the highest
ranked win on an opponent's home field took place in 1981 when
Clemson won at eighth ranked North Carolina.
The win at Georgia Tech was more remarkable in that Clemson entered
the game ranked 25th in the nation in the USA Today poll, unranked by
AP. Clemson was ranked second in the nation when it won at North
Carolina in 1981.
The win at Tech was the 17th in Clemson history over a top 25 team on
the road. It was the first since 1997 when Clemson won at 25th-ranked
N.C. State and it was the first top 10 road win since 1992 when
Clemson won at 10th-ranked Virginia.
A road win over a top 25 team means a tombstone will be added to the
entrance at the Clemson practice fields. A tombstone commemorating
the victory is added each time Clemson gets a road win over a top 25
team.
Clemson Road Wins over Top 25 Teams Year Opponent Rk Score 1948 Wake Forest 19th 21-14 1950 Wake Forest 17th 13-12 Miami (FL) 15th 15-14 1954 Florida 14th 14-7 1959 North Carolina 12th 20-18 1977 Georgia 17th 7-6 1978 Maryland 11th 28-24 1981 North Carolina 8th 10-8 1982 Maryland 18th 24-22 1983 North Carolina 10th 16-3 1986 Georgia 14th 31-28 1989 Florida State 16th 34-23 1992 Virginia 10th 29-28 1994 North Carolina @12th 28-17 1996 Virginia 15th 24-16 1997 N.C. State @25th 19-17 2001 Georgia Tech 9th #47-44 @Coaches poll only, # overtime
Clemson's Highest Ranked Wins
The win for over ninth ranked Georgia Tech was be the highest ranked
Clemson win regardless of site since 1981 when Clemson defeated
fourth-ranked Nebraska in the Orange Bowl, a 22-15 victory that gave
Clemson the National Championship.
Regardless of site, Clemson now has nine wins over top 10 teams in
its history, three in Death Valley. Clemson has now had 21 wins over
top 25 teams since 1986 and has had at least one ranked win in 14 of
the last 15 seasons (including this season). The Tigers defeated
Virginia, 33-14, in 1999 when the Cavs were ranked 19th (USA Today),
then downed a 25th-ranked South Carolina team last year.
The win over Tech now assures that Tommy Bowden will have at least
one ranked win in each of his first three years with the Tigers. The
win over Tech was the fifth highest ranked win in school history.
Clemson's Top 10 Victories Year Opponent Site Rk Score 1981 Georgia Clemson, SC 4 13-3 1981 Nebraska Miami, FL 4 22-15 1959 Texas Christian Houston, TX 7 23-7 1981 North Carolina Chapel Hill, NC 8 10-8 2001 Georgia Tech Atlanta, GA 9 47-44 1967 N.C. State Clemson, SC 10 14-6 1983 North Carolina Clemson, SC 10 16-3 1988 Oklahoma Orlando, FL 10 13-6 1992 Virginia Charlottesville, VA 10 29-28
Tigers win in Overtime
Clemson defeated Georgia Tech 47-44 in overtime on Sept. 29, just the
second time in history that Clemson has participated in an overtime
game. Clemson is now 2-0 since the rule came into effect for the 1996
season. Clemson's only other overtime game was a 29-20 victory over
Duke in 1997. Clemson won by the odd margin when Rahim Abdullah
returned an interception 63 yards for a score to end the game. The
Tigers had scored three points on their offensive possession when
David Richardson kicked a field goal.
Including the two overtime games, Clemson has now won four games in
its history on the last play of the game. In addition to the Duke
game listed above and Dantzler's touchdown run to beat Tech, David
Treadwell twice booted field goals on the last play of the game to
give Clemson a victory. In 1985 he booted a 36-yard field goal on the
last play to give Clemson a 20-17 win at Virginia Tech. Then, the
following year he kicked a 46-yard field on the final play to give
Clemson a 31-28 victory at Georgia.
Not included in the list are the heroics turned in by lineman Bob
Patton in 1950. A top 20 Wake Forest scored a touchdown with five
seconds left to come within 13-12 of the Tigers at Winston-Salem. The
two-point conversion rule was not in college football at the time, so
Wake Forest attempted to kick the extra point and tie the game.
Patton broke through the Wake Forest line and blocked the attempt,
giving Clemson the victory. The clock ran out on the ensuing kickoff.
Clemson Victories on the last Play of the Game Year Opponent Score Clinching Play 1985 Virginia Tech 20-17 Treadwell 36-yard field goal 1986 Georgia 31-28 Treadwell 46-yard field goal 1997 Duke 29-20 (OT) Abdullah 63-yard interception return 2001 Georgia Tech 47-44 (OT) Dantzler 11-yard run
Leake Among National Leaders
Clemson sophomore linebacker John Leake is among the national leaders
in tackles according to the first round of NCAA defensive statistics
released Oct. 1. Through games of Sept. 29, Leake ranked 11th in the
nation in tackles with 13.5 per game. He is now at 13.6 tackles per
game and has 68 for the season to lead the team.
Leake is tie for 11th in the nation with Auburn sophomore Dontarrious
Thomas, who also had 54 through four games. Those two players lead
all sophomores in the nation.
Leake would get some votes for most improved player in the nation if
there was such an award. He did not play a single snap on defense as
a first-year freshman, and made all nine of his tackles on special
teams. Now he has played 305 plays through five games and ranks 11th
in the nation and second in the ACC behind N.C. State's Levar Fisher
in tackles per game. Fisher, who led the nation last year, is
currently third at 16.33 tackles per game. Hanik Milligan of Houston,
a junior, leads the nation with an average of 21 tackles per game.
Hafley Leader of Clemson Secondary
Clemson safety Charles Hafley ranked among the national leaders in
three defensive categories through games of Sept. 29. The graduate
student from Pompano Beach, FL had 34 solo tackles in the first four
games of the season to rank 11th in the nation in solo tackles per
game with an 8.5 figure. He ranked second in the ACC in the category.
Hafley has two interceptions through four games and his 0.5
interceptions per game ranks30th in the nation. Finally, Hafley is
tied for 26th in passes defensed per game. He had five passes broken
up and two interceptions for seven total passes defensed through the
first four games of the season.
Hafley has 50 tackles through the five games, third on the Clemson
team behind John Leake and Chad Carson. He had double figures in
three consecutive games, including 15 in the loss to Virginia and 14
in the win over Georgia Tech. He has played more snaps than any other
Tiger with 368.
O'Cain Faces Former Teams
Current Clemson quarterbacks coach Mike O'Cain in the process of
facing a past employer in consecutive weeks. O'Cain, a 1977 Clemson
graduate, served as head coach of N.C. State from 1993-99. He
replaced Dick Sheridan at N.C. State in 1993 and took the pack to an
8-4 record, including a Peach Bowl invitation. The next year he had
the pack at 9-3 in the regular season, including a victory over
Clemson in Death Valley, the first Clemson graduate to defeat the
Tigers. He and Lou Holtz are the only two coaches in N.C. State
history to take the Pack to a bowl game in their first two years with
the program.
His 1998 season included a win at Texas and a triumph over Florida
State, one of just three league losses for the Seminoles since they
joined the ACC in 1992. He took the pack to another bowl game in
1998, his third as head coach of the Pack.
Ironically, one of O'Cain's top games as a player at Clemson came
against N.C. State. In 1976, he rushed for 140 yards against the
Pack, the Clemson quarterback rushing record for a game until 1994.
As a Tiger he still ranks 14th in school history in passing
efficiency.
In the 2000 season he served as quarterbacks coach and offensive
coordinator at North Carolina. The Tigers face the Tar Heels at
Clemson Saturday.
O'Cain was presented with the game ball after Clemson won at N.C.
State on Oct. 13. He is just the second person in three years to
receive a gameball from Head Coach Tommy Bowden. The other is Bob
Bradley, former Clemson Sports Information Director who worked his
500th consecutive Clemson football game when the Tigers won at Duke
in 2000. Bradley died of cancer just a month later.
Bowden 7-1 Week After a Loss
Clemson faced an uphill battle when it went to Georgia Tech. The
Tigers were trying to defeat a top 10 team on the road after
suffering a heart-breaking loss to Virginia with one second left.
But, the Tigers have done well coming off a loss under Bowden. In his
two and a half years as Clemson head coach the Tigers are now 7-1 in
regular season games coming off a loss. The lone loss, and thus the
only two-game losing streak of Bowden's career came last year at
Florida State. After a loss to Tech at Clemson, the Tigers dropped a
54-7 decision at Florida State. Clemson broke the streak against
South Carolina. Bowden was 3-1 at Tulane coming off a loss. Thus, he
is 10-2 in his head coaching career the week after a loss.
Five Tigers on Football Writers Association Watch List
Five Clemson players were on the Football Writers Association
All-American Watch List heading into the season. Four of the players
are on offense and one on defense. All five should play at Tech. The
list includes quarterback Woodrow Dantzler, running back Travis
Zachery, guard Will Merritt, center Kyle Young and linebacker Chad
Carson.
Clemson vs. Duke moved to Dec. 1
The Clemson vs. Duke football game, originally scheduled for Sept. 15
at Clemson, will be played Dec. 1 at Clemson Memorial Stadium. The
contest was postponed due to the terrorist attacks on New York and
Washington Sept. 11. The game will kickoff at 1:00 PM.
This will be the latest Clemson has played a regular season game
since 1956 when the Tigers defeated Furman at Death Valley, 28-7 on
Dec. 1. It will be just the sixth regular season game in the month of
December in Clemson football history. The latest Clemson has had a
regular season game is Dec. 8, a 1928 loss to The Citadel in
Charleston.
The change in schedule means that Duke and Clemson will meet in the
major sports of football and men's basketball on consecutive days.
The two schools will meet in men's basketball at Cameron Indoor
Stadium on Dec. 2. That will be the earliest conference basketball
game for the Tigers since 1966. Clemson played at North Carolina to
open the 1966-67 season on Dec. 1.
Field Position Important
Field position is an important statistic in any football game. That
has certainly been the case when evaluating the Clemson defense this
year. Clemson has allowed 23 scoring drives in five games, 17
touchdowns and six field goals. Opponents have driven over 66 yards
for a touchdown just four all year.
Thirty-four times this year the opposition has taken possession of
the ball at its own 30 or worse. They have driven for a touchdown
just four times in those 34 possessions. They have added three field
goals. On 10 of the opposition's 17 touchdowns, they have had to
drive 53 yards or less. That includes a 44-yard drive for the winning
drive by Virginia.
Clemson 36-0-1 With 200 Yards Passing and Rushing
Clemson is now 10-0 under Tommy Bowden when gaining at least 200
yards or each in the same game. The Tigers are now 36-0-1 in history
when gaining at least 200 of each. Clemson first turned the trick
against Wake Forest in 1953. Clemson has had three games this year in
which it has had at least 200 or each in the same game, including
each of the last two.
The program had just 28 such games in the first 103 years of Clemson
football prior to Bowden's arrival and now has had 10 in the 29 games
he has been head coach of the Tigers. The streak was nearly snapped
at Georgia Tech in 1999. Clemson had 231 yards rushing and 197
passing in the loss at Georgia Tech. The only tie game in which
Clemson had at least 200 of each took place in 1976 when Clemson had
248 rushing and 234 passing in a 24-24 tie in Atlanta against Tech.
Clemson in Top 25
Clemson is again ranked in he top 20 of both polls this week. The
Tigers have been ranked in the top 25 in the USA Today poll for 25
consecutive weeks. This is the second longest streak of consecutive
weeks ranked in the top 25 in a poll in Clemson history. The record
for consecutive top 20 rankings is 41, set between the final poll of
the 1986 season and the Oct. 10, 1989 poll. The Tigers were ranked
between third and 17th in the nation in all 41 or those polls.
The record for consecutive weeks in the top 25 is 50 in a row between
Oct. 24, 1989 and Oct. 19, 1992. The Tigers were ranked between 6 and
25 during that streak. Clemson was ranked between 21-25 in six of
those 50 weeks. Clemson has had two other streaks of 14 weeks or more
ranked in the top 20. One took place from Sept. 21, 1981 through
Sept. 13, 1982, a 15-week streak, while the other took place between
Oct. 12, 1959 and Oct. 10, 1960, a 14-week streak.
Carson, Leake top Clemson Tacklers
Chad Carson and John Leake are becoming quite a one-two punch on
Clemson's second line of defense. Against Wofford's run oriented
attack numbers 45 and 46 combined for 34 tackles. Carson had 18 and
Leake picked up a career high 16. In the win at Tech, Leake had 19
and Carson added 10. They were both in double figures at N.C. State.
Leake had 14 and Carson had 11.
For Carson the 18 tackles against Wofford tied for his second highest
single game total as a Tiger. The only performance that is higher is
the 22-tackle performance he had against Georgia Tech at Death Valley
last year. That is an ironic fact in itself considering that Carson's
father played for Georgia Tech.
Carson now has 364 tackles for his career, eighth best in school
history. He moved ahead of Tim Jones with seven tackles against
Virginia. Next on the list is former teammate Robert Carswell, who
had 374 between 1997-00. If he averages 10 tackles a game over the
rest of the season he will finish his career ranked fourth in Clemson
history, trailing only Bubba Brown, Anthony Simmons and Jeff Davis.
That is impressive company.
Leake has a long way to go to catch Carson, but he is taking a
similar path. Carson had just 11 tackles his freshman year as a
reserve linebacker in 1998. Leake had nine as a reserve last year.
Clemson Career Tackle Leaders Rk Player, Pos Years No 1. Bubba Brown, LB 1976-79 515 2. Anthony Simmons, LB 1995-97 486 3. Jeff Davis, LB 1978-81 469 4. Ed McDaniel, LB 1988-91 389 5. Randy Scott, LB 1975-78 382 6. Keith Adams, LB 1998-00 379 7. Robert Carswell, FS 1997-00 374 8. Chad Carson, LB 1998-01 364 9. Tim Jones, LB 1991-94 338 10. Henry Walls, LB 1983-85 316
Seven First-Year Freshmen Have Seen Action
Clemson played five first-year freshmen in the season opener against
UCF. The list included three receivers in Roscoe Crosby, Airese
Currie and tight end Ben Hall. On defense, Moe Fountain and Eric
Sampson were first-year freshmen who saw action.
Crosby started the game, the first first-year freshman to start at
wide receiver in the season opener 1944 when Arthur Hagan started
every game as a first-year freshmen. That was during WWII when the
United States Armed Services drafted most of Clemson's upperclassmen.
It didn't take Crosby much time to have an impact. He caught a Utah
pass from quarterback Woodrow Dantzler on the first play of the
season and he turned it into a 12-yard gain. He also caught 33-yard
pass for Clemson's longest play of the day from scrimmage. Crosby
finished the day with three catches for 64 yards. The yardage total
led the Tigers against UCF. Hall also made his first career catch in
the contest.
LeRoy Hill became the sixth first year freshman to play in a game
when he played linebacker against Wofford. Hill had four tackles in
10 plays of action in the Clemson win. Eric Coleman became the
seventh Clemson first-year freshman to see action when he played on
the defensive lin
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