Tigers Hold Another Scrimmage in Bowl Preparations

by TigerNet Staff - Mon Dec 20 16:18:23 GMT-04:00 1999

CLEMSON, SC -- The Clemson Tigers held another light scrimmage today in preparation for their

Peach Bowl meeting with Mississippi State. Today's practice saw Rod Garner wearing

a green jersey, which usually signifies an injured player that can not be hit.

"I just did not want to take a chance to get him hurt," said Tommy Bowden.

"I didn’t want to risk 73 catches."

Gardner did, however, receive a couple of soft tackles.

"It was like a marsh mellow, it couldn’t hurt me or you that one tackle that I saw," joked Tommy Bowden.

Overall practices have gone well for the Tigers, who appear well rested, leaving

positive feelings heading towards their Atlanta game.

“I don’t know how we will play. If the practices are any indication I think the effort, the intensity, and

the enthusiasm will be there,” said Bowden.

In a break from their normal practice, Bowden and his staff were able to evaluate

some of next year's redshirt talent at the end of practice with a "redshirt scrimmage".

This year these players often provide both the practice offensive and defensive looks of the opponents for the Tigers so it is not often the staff gets to see them run the

Clemson offensive and defensive schemes. Quarterback Willie Simmons looked good by completing a long pass to wide receiver Kevin Youngblood and also on several short throws. Quarterback Matt Schell also performed well. Bowden appeared happy with the effort and skill that he saw.

"We are really pleased with all those guys, and I would hate to start singling guys

out, because I would hate to leave someone out," said Bowden.

There will be two more practices in Clemson before the Tigers head to Atlanta

and resume practice on December 26th. The Tigers will use the facilities at

Georgia Tech.

RECRUITING - The Tigers' efforts are also paying off on the recruiting trails. Having already

secured some needed commitments, the Tiger staff seem to be benefiting from

having a full season in which to lay their groundwork and get their system

in place.

"The reception has been positive,” said Bowden. “The reception was positive last year coming

in here. But I think now that we had a chance to influence some of the schemes

offensively and defensively, and high school coaches and players have had a

chance to meet the staff and watch us practice, hopefully they will like the

direction we are going."

“We are where we would like to be as far as on the players we are on, the reception we have gotten, and the commitments we have gotten,” said Bowden. “We are pretty much right on schedule.”