Thursday Clemson football practice report

by CU Athletic Communications - Thu Aug 12 21:29:43 GMT-04:00 2010

Swinney after practice audio (WMA Format)

Clemson, SC—Clemson had just one practice on Thursday on the practice fields behind the Jervey Athletic Center. The Tigers worked for 21 periods and concluded at 8:30 PM. Clemson has just one practice on Friday morning then most of the team will head to Bamberg, SC to a visitation for the father of Clemson defensive end Da’Quan Bowers, who died suddenly on Sunday.

The Tigers will return that night and hold a scrimmage in Clemson Memorial Stadium on Saturday morning. The scrimmage is closed to the public.

Thursday night’s practice began with a talk and presentation from noted golfer and motivational speaker Butch Lumpkin. Lumpkin is a nine-handicapper golfer who plays with deformed hands and arms. He competes in seven sports. He played in the BMW Pro Am on the Nationwide Tour this past Spring and has been featured on the Golf Channel.

Lumpkin spoke to the team during an hour rain delay, then hit a few golf balls in front of the team before practice, with his extra long driver. He demonstrated how he sets the ball on a tee with his feet. He then had Kyle Parker and Spencer Benton hit a couple of drives with his long driver.

“Butch Lumpkin is a person who has every reason in the world to complain,” said Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney. “He has been successful in seven sports and is a low handicapper in golf and competitive in tennis. He sets a great example to people about what it means to maximize what you do with God’s gifts.”

The Tigers got started about 90 minutes late on Thursday, but still had a productive day. “It was a little frustrating at first because you want to get out there and get going. But we had a weather delay.

“We did a couple of new things today as far as goal line work. We had the offense come out from the one and had the offense try to score from the three. The defense won the first part and the offense won the second part. It was good competition.”

Swinney commented on quarterback Kyle Parker after practice. The first round draft pick of the Colorado Rockies has until Monday night at midnight to sign a contract. He will play football for the Tigers in the fall.

“The contract (negotiations) have not distracted Kyle at all. He is a guy who has the ability to focus. When he is on the football practice field he is all football. He has done very well. He might have been a little rusty the first day, but he has improved every day. And he has shown great leadership.”

Swinney acknowledged after practice that he might adjust Parker’s schedule on Monday, the final day of negotiations. Clemson has two practices scheduled that day.