CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Virginia Game Notes


by - Correspondent -

CLEMSON - Clemson's 33-14 win over Virginia was the Tigers' 200th win in Death Valley. Clemson has played 40 different teams over 57 years in Death Valley for a 200-79-7 record. Only eight of the 40 teams have a winning record over Clemson in Death Valley.

Five former Clemson athletes and former Clemson football coach Danny Ford were inducted into the Clemson Hall of Fame at halftime on Saturday.

Ford, who led Clemson to the 1981 National Championship and a 96-29-4 record between 1979 and 1989, was inducted along with former linebacker Bubba Brown and offensive lineman John Phillips. Brown is still Clemson's all-time leading tackler and was first-team All-ACC in 1978 and 1979. Phillips was an All-American at guard in 1986 and 1987.

Also inducted was Jimmy Key, first-team All-ACC as a pitcher and designated hitter in 1982 and Horace Grant, an All-American basketball player in 1987. Denise Murphy, a former volleyball payer, Janet Ellison, a former swimmer, and Janet Knight a former basketball player, were also inducted.

Clemson's offense picked up the pace against Virginia. Offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez promised befor the Marshall game that no less than 19 seconds would remain on the 25-second clock, the Tigers ran into problems at times getting plays off on time. However, against the Cavaliers the Tigers didn't let the more than 12 seconds run off the play clock on any play in the first quarter.

The quick play led to quick scores early.

"I think offensively here it's been a couple of years since they've felt good about themselves," said Rodriguez. "Today, every time they went out there they thought they had a chance to score."

Freshman quarterback Willie Simmons might redshirt this season, but he's not wasting time. He's on the on the sideline with head phones on, helping Clemson signal plays in to quarterback Brandon Streeter. Simmons is the heir apparent to take over the offense after Streeter completes his eligibility.

Streeter's touchdown pass to Pat Cyrgalis in the first quarter was the first touchdown reception by a Clemson tight end in nearly a decade. The last touchdown reception by a Clemson tight end was Stacy Fields' catch against N.C. State on Oct 21, 1989.

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