Tigers Expecting Tight Game with Tech |
CLEMSON - You can start rattling off the plays in this Clemson-Georgia Tech series, and they come almost non-stop: - Kerry Watkins' sick one-handed touchdown catch in 2000. - J.J. McKelvey somehow getting behind the Tech defense for a 63-yard score in 2001. - Woody Danztler's game-winning overtime touchdown run the same season. - The botched punt snap in 2004. - The jump-ball to then freshman Calvin Johnson in single coverage after the bad snap. - Airese Currie almost returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown. Whenever the Tigers and Yellow Jackets get together, strange things seem to happen. The games are almost always close, too. Nine of the last 10 games between the teams have been decided by five points or less. From 1996-2001, every game was decided by exactly three points. And Tommy Bowden has no idea why. "I do not know," he said after Wednesday's practice. "I don't know what it is. We recruit against them some, but not like we do against South Carolina. I don't know why this game is so close." Meanwhile, Bowden said Chansi Stuckey remains doubtful for Saturday night, and likely won't even dress. Again Wednesday Stuckey was at practice, but in a yellow jersey. His running and jogging have done nothing but "tease" everyone, Bowden said. About that time Stuckey walked by, and Bowden couldn't resist a playful jab at his senior wideout. "We weren't leading the nation in scoring with you, we are without you, so take your time," he said. "Please. We'd like to hold onto this as long as we can." Then, turning back to the media, Bowden said,"That oughta get him back quick." NOTES - Reggie Merriweather appears to be on track to play, but still isn't 100 percent recovered from the sprained ankle that's forced him to miss three straight games. "What did he tell you all yesterday, 80 percent? Then he's 24-hours better than 80 percent," Bowden said. - Asked what his stock answer was when the topic of Miami's brawl with Florida International came up, Bowden smiled. "I said I'll talk about Georgia Tech, politics, religion, the Beach Boys and The Beatles. Politics and religion shouldn't be as controversial."
After practice audio from Tommy Bowden: Windows Media
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