CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Saturday scrimmage: News, notes and nuggets
Boulware had to sit out the scrimmage after the second series.

Saturday scrimmage: News, notes and nuggets


by - Senior Writer -

CLEMSON – The Clemson football team scrimmaged for two hours inside Death Valley Saturday morning, and nobody came away happy. Head coach Dabo Swinney Dabo Swinney
Head Coach
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wasn’t pleased, defensive coordinator Brent Venables Brent Venables
Def. Coordinator / Linebackers
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wasn’t happy and offensive coordinator Tony Elliott Tony Elliott
Co-OC / Running Backs
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said it was a mixed bag.

Clemson opens the season three weeks from today against Wofford in Death Valley, and Swinney the Tigers have a lot of improvements to make in that span. That includes the kicking game.

“Just way too many critical penalties today, would be the biggest thing,” Swinney said after the scrimmage. “Just a lot of critical penalties on both sides. Kickers were really poor today. That was probably the biggest disappointment because they've been very good in practice. I've been kind of cautious with them in practice and optimistic and really anxious for this day to see how they respond. They really had a bad day. (Punter) Andy TeasdallAndy Teasdall
RS Jr. Punter
#32 5-11, 185
Winston-Salem, NC

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had a good day. Our kickers were inconsistent to say the least. They've very capable. Based on what we've seen in practice, we're in good shape but today they didn't handle the little difference in environment. We've got a lot of work to do to get them ready for 85,000. I think they're the right kind of guys and it will work itself out.”

The offense suffered from turnovers.

“We had a couple of big tips that led to picks,” Swinney said. “ Marcus EdmondMarcus Edmond
RS So. Cornerback
#29 5-11, 170
Hopkins, SC

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made a great play on a pick six. Had a lot of good things. When you're repping three groups and you're not truly game planning against the opponent and just kind of running your stuff, you can't really match up, so you can't really get a true evaluation. You have evaluate each player and their particular job and not get so caught up in the group.”

The news wasn’t all bad as Swinney pointed out several players that caught his eye.

“There were a lot of good things. Charone PeakeCharone Peake
Gr. Wide Receiver
#19 6-2, 205
Moore, SC

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had a really, really good day,” he said. “ Jordan LeggettJordan Leggett
Jr. Tight End
#16 6-5, 250
Navarre, FL

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had a nice play. Ray-Ray (McCloud) had a good day. Deon CainDeon Cain
Fr. Wide Receiver
#8 6-1, 190
Tampa, FL

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had a nice play. Trevion ThompsonTrevion Thompson
RS Fr. Wide Receiver
#1 6-2, 195
Durham, NC

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had a touchdown. Deshaun WatsonDeshaun Watson
So. Quarterback
#4 6-2, 205
Gainesville, GA

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was excellent all day. The tempo wasn't anywhere near where we need it to be offensively. That was another thing I was kind of disappointed in. Had some good runs - Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS So. Running Back
#9 6-1, 205
Loganville, GA

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, C.J. FullerC.J. Fuller
RS Fr. Running Back
#27 5-9, 215
Easley, SC

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, Tyshon DyeTyshon Dye
RS So. Running Back
#22 5-11, 215
Elberton, GA

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, Adam ChoiceAdam Choice
So. Running Back
#26 5-9, 215
Thomasville, GA

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. Everybody ran the ball effectively at times.

However, Swinney said there is still a lot of work to be done before September 5th.

“The critical penalties, the turnovers, the missed assignments, those are things that will get you beat quickly. When you're in my perspective and looking at the whole thing, we've got some work to do, but that's okay. We've got three weeks to get ready to play and we'll be ready play when it comes time.”

Other notes

Ammon LakipAmmon Lakip
RS Sr. Punter / Kicker
#36 5-11, 200
Alpharetta, GA

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“He'll be back when school starts, as far as being back on the team. He's done everything that's been asked of him. I'm really pleased with what he's done. I've been really pleased with all of his off the field responsibilities that he needed to take care of. He's gone way above and beyond what we've asked him to do. He'll be back and then he's got team discipline. He'll play when we run him out there but it will be a while. He could [play in the first game], but he won't. Sure he could, but not here at Clemson he won't.”

His thoughts on the team

“I like our team. I like the potential of our team. If we can just kind of stay the course and keep a few guys healthy we will have a chance. We are one of those teams that has a chance and people should talk about.

Players who have improved over the summer and early fall camp

"There are a lot of those guys. A guy like Justin FalcinelliJustin Falcinelli
RS Fr. Offensive Tackle
#50 6-3, 305
Middleton, MD

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, a guy like Trevion Thompson, a guy like T.J. GreenT.J. Green
Jr. Safety
#15 6-3, 205
Sylacauga, AL

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, wow, Marcus Edmond, Adrian BakerAdrian Baker
RS So. Cornerback
#21 5-11, 180
Hallandale, FL

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has had an excellent camp. I mean really, really good camp. Ryan CarterRyan Carter
RS So. Cornerback
#31 5-9, 180
Grayson, GA

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. Those three guys can play. I'm really, really encouraged by their development and just the depth we have created on the backend. Jefferie GibsonJefferie Gibson
RS Fr. Safety
#17 6-4, 200
Hope Mills, NC

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is another guy. He isn't ready to play but boy you talk about improvement from the spring till now. Whoa, man that kid has really made a step. Those are the things that excite you as a coach when you see that. A guy like Zach RiggsZach Riggs
RS So. Center
#54 6-5, 270
Greer, SC

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. Nobody ever asks me about Zach Riggs but he is a guy that has learned to play OL. He has played both tackles, both guards, center and that's a guy from his own measurement from where he was in the spring to where he is right now there is tremendous improvement. So it is all across the board. Different levels and different guys.”

Scrimmage winners and losers

“Until I see the tape, it's not fair to give you a true answer, but there were some guys that jumped out. I thought Charone, it was good to see him finish some plays and show his speed today. I saw some good things. We had a couple of guys get into some fights. Ben BoulwareBen Boulware
Jr. Outside Linebacker
#10 6-0, 235
Anderson, SC

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was having a good scrimmage and all of a sudden he was thrown out of the game, because that's exactly what's going to happen in the game. He just kind of lost his temper. We're two weeks into camp and these guys are tired of each other. They're together all day every day and their beating each other up every day. They're ready to hit somebody else. We had a couple of guys lose their temper out there and he was one of them. We try to make it as game realistic as possible today. Guys have to be disciplined and we were an undisciplined team today.”

Tight end Garrett WilliamsGarrett Williams
Fr. Tight End
#44 6-4, 225
Orlando, FL

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"Not surprised how good he has looked physically. Physically, he can flat out run. He's gifted from a strength standpoint. He was a power lifter in high school. He reminds me of a Chad DiehlChad Diehl
Fullback (2007 - 2011)
#30 6-2, 260
Lyman, SC

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. A faster, bigger, more athletic Chad Diehl. That's the kind of mentality he brings. The edge he brings every single day to practice. But the thing that has surprised me was mentally how he has picked it up because it is a very difficult position. Outside of the quarterback probably the most difficult position just from a mental standpoint to be able to do all the things that we ask that position to do. I have been very, very impressed with him mentally. He is going to be a player. No doubt."

Nuggets

*Defensive end Martin AikenMartin Aiken
RS Jr. Defensive End
#53 6-2, 255
Smoaks, SC

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has moved to the WILL linebacker spot. Linebacker Korie RogersKorie Rogers
RS Fr. Outside Linebacker
#43 6-2, 235
Buford, GA

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has decided to give up football, so Aiken moves from end to linebacker and defensive tackle Dane RogersDane Rogers
RS So. Defensive End
#85 6-3, 260
Shelby, NC

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has moved back to defensive end.

*We heard that Tyshon Dye ran through three leg tackles for a big gain and showed the power we’ve heard about.

*C.J. Fuller ran over a defender and then skipped to the outside for a touchdown. Fuller has had a fantastic camp and is in the mix for significant playing time.

*We first told you about linebacker Jalen WilliamsJalen Williams
Fr. Linebacker
#30 6-0, 215
Columbia, SC

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during Swinney’s summer camp a few years ago. The Blythewood product stood out in the middle of bunch of 5-stars, and Venables brought Williams in as a gray shirt. Williams is already on the second team at the MIKE linebacker spot, and we were told he was all over the field Saturday. He is a tackling machine that nobody wanted because of his height – he’s around 5-10 – but just goes out and makes plays. Of course, Clemson has had success with shorter linebackers, including Keith AdamsKeith Adams

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.

*Speaking of linebackers, Ben Boulware was tossed from the scrimmage. The offense scored on a short-yardage play, and we were told that left guard Eric Mac LainEric Mac Lain
RS Sr. Offensive Tackle
#78 6-4, 305
Hope Mills, NC

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carried his block through to the end and Boulware took exception. A small scuffle ensued and Boulware was tossed.

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