Clemson, SC-Kevin Youngblood, the player who Tiger coaches were
looking to to replace All-American Rod Gardner in the Clemson lineup,
suffered a broken leg during a scrimmage on Tuesday and will be lost
for the season. The injury took place on a screen pass during the
early part of practice on Tuesday.
"This is a very big loss for our football team," said Tommy
Bowden. "Kevin had a terrific spring and was having a great fall.
He is a team leader, even though he is just a sophomore. We have
been looking for players on offense to make big plays and he
certainly would be considered the top player to replace Rod Gardner.
He was primed for a big year. Now someone else will have to step
up. It will create a new opportunity for another receiver."
Youngblood suffered a comminuted fracture of the tibia and
fibula, Clemson team physician Dr. Byron Harder said. He will have
surgery at Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca. It will be performed
by Dr. Steve Martin.
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Youngblood suffered a comminuted fracture of the tibia and
fibula.
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Youngblood had 13 catches for 225 yards and two scores as a
red-shirt freshman last year. His 17.3 yards per reception figure
was second on the team to Rod Gardner's 18.1 yards per catch.
Youngblood was Clemson's Rookie of the Year on offense as chosen by
the Tiger coaches last year.
Looked to as Gardner's replacement as Clemson's big play
receiver, Youngblood came to Clemson from Raines High School in
Jacksonville, FL, the same school that sent Gardner to Clemson in
1996.
Bowden did not say who would move into the starting lineup in
light of Youngblood's injury. Clemson coaches will meet Wednesday on
the subject.
"This is a tough loss for our team," said Clemson offensive guard
Will Merritt. "We feel for Kevin, he had worked so hard in the
preseason. This team now must find someone to fill his big shoes.
We must all squeeze together a little harder on offense. When the
injury happened you knew it was serious. I just turned away after I
saw it and said a prayer.
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