Clemson Holds Second Spring Scrimmage

April 9, 2005

Clemson, SC – Charlie Whitehurst completed 15-19 passes for 186 yards and a touchdown Saturday morning to highlight the offense’s performance in Clemson’s second spring scrimmage year. Clemson will conclude its spring practice next Saturday with the annual Spring Game at Death Valley at 1:00 PM.

Whitehurst completed 11 of his last 12 passes and the only incomplete pass was the result of a drop. He threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Grant for the number-one unit’s second touchdown of the day. Grant had his best practice of the spring and caught four passes for 53 yards. That does not include a leaping touchdown reception during the goal line drills that concluded the scrimmage. (Goal line drill statistics are not included in the overall scrimmage statistics).

Chansi Stuckey was the top receiver in terms of yardage with 5-79. His day included a 36-yard reception from Whitehurst that set up a short touchdown run by Kyle Browning. The leading receiver on the day was La Donte Harris, who caught six passes for 67 yards. Aaron Kelly was a fourth receiver in the scrimmage to have at least 50 receiving yards. The freshman had four catches for 53 yards, including a 34-yard reception from Will Proctor.

Reggie Merriweather was the top rusher with 16-53 and two scores, runs of four and two yards respectively. The junior who was the top rusher on the Clemson team last year with 670 yards, also had two receptions for 40 yards.

Clemson quarterbacks combined to complete 34-48 passes for 399 yards and two touchdowns. Clemson quarterbacks did not have an interception. The offensive stats were much improved over last Saturday when the scrimmage was conducted in consistent 40 mile per hour winds.

Will Proctor had his second consecutive solid performance, completing 15-24 for 173 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Tribble Reese completed 2-2 for 24 yards.

The Clemson defense was led by Tramaine Billie with seven tackles, while Chris Clemons and Maurice Nelson had six apiece. Gaines Adams, who had three sacks in the scrimmage last Saturday, had three tackles for loss in Saturday’s scrimmage, including a pair of sacks. Cortney Vincent also had a strong scrimmage with three sacks.

“The defense had the upper hand last Saturday, but the offense came back strong today,” said Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden. “The offense came to play. They weren’t as effective as I wanted when they had to go 70 yards, but then the number-ones accomplished that at the end of the scrimmage. The defense didn’t do a very good job when the offense had the ball in the red zone, or when we went to goal line.

“La Donte Harris continues to be our most consistent receiver, he has been all spring. Aaron Kelly also has shown big play potential. He made a terrific play on the (34-yard) touchdown play. I was also impressed with Paul Macko. He is a walk-on who has worked hard. I hope I can find a scholarship for him in the fall.”

Chip Myrick missed the scrimmage with a lower leg injury. Olu Babalola did not play due to a sprained ankle. Curtis Baham played just a couple of snaps due to a sprained ankle. Brent Smith, a letterman in 2003 who is a reserve fullback and special teams player, suffered a torn ACL in practice on Friday and will be out for an extended period of time.”

Clemson Spring Scrimmage Statistics

Passing Leaders Whitehurst 15-19-186-1; Proctor 15-24-173-1

Rushing Leaders Merriweather 16-53-2; Stuckey 3-10; Macko 6-9, Browning 8-(-1)-1

Receiving Leaders Harris 6-67; Stuckey 5-79; Kelly 4-53-1; Grant 4-53-1; Merriweather 2-40, Diomonde 3-19, Browning 3-26, Macko 2-21, Downer 2-11

Tackle Leaders Billie 7, Clemmons 6, M. Nelson 6, Adams 5, Croley 4, Jackson 4, Tate 4, Gaddis 4, Hamlin 4, Watkins 4, Vincent 4, Richardson 4