Terry Bowden: Tigers Similar to 1993 FSU Team

by Brad Davis - Correspondent - Wed Oct 04 01:24:44 GMT-04:00 2000

CLEMSON - Leave it to little brother to draw comparisons between Tommy Bowden and his father, Bobby.

Terry Bowden, in town to do an interview with his big brother for an upcoming feature to air on ABC's college football studio show, said that this year's version of the Tigers is very similar to his daddy's 1993 Florida State team.

"Clemson is doing something that Florida State did in '93," said the former Auburn University coach and current college football broadcaster for ABC. "That was the first year Florida State jumped into the no-huddle, fast-break, let's play one-minute offense for 60 minutes."

That Seminole team featured a multi-dimensional quarterback - Charlie Ward - who would go on to win the Heisman Trophy.

Sound familiar?

"I think Clemson has established an old single-wing philosophy that nobody in football really was ready for," said Terry. "I'm not sure Tommy was ready for it. It evolved. And because of that, until somebody knocks (Tommy) off, he's top five (in the polls)."

That "single-wing philosophy" has evolved quite nicely over the course of the first five games. Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantzler is ranked fifth in the nation in total offense and is 11th in rushing with an average of 125 yards per game, dispelling any preconceived notions of the Tigers' possessing a pass-happy offense. He leads the Atlantic Coast Conference in rushing and is fourth in all-purpose yards.

So with a legitimate Heisman candidate, a diversified offense and a dominating defense, is this Clemson team ready to do the unthinkable: Challenge FSU for an ACC crown?

PRESS CONFERENCE AUDIO

Tommy Bowden Press Conference (30:00)

Keith Adams on facing a good NCSU offense and last week's mistakes on defense.

Freddie James on making a name for himself on the defensive line.

Will Merritt on coming back to Death Valley to play.

TE Morgan Woodward on being tied for the team lead in touchdown receptions.

Terry Bowden on the Bowdens, Alabama job, Woody, and more.

"Yeah, but I don't think (Tommy) has a team that needs to be thinking about that," said Terry. "They really don't need to be thinking about that... You can go 10-1 and lose to Florida State and still have a great year."

And no one is happier about Clemson's great year than is Terry Bowden. After some going through some rough times, Terry says Tommy - more so than most - deserves the fruits of his labor.

"Tommy has spent a lifetime preparing for this year," said Terry. "He's not an instant success. He's a 20-year veteran of coaching and learning and preparing. He's been through tough departures when head coaches got fired. He's had to be hired by his little brother and work his way back up.

"I'm enjoying his success as much as I'm enjoying mine."