Football shows improved rushing game

Aug. 22, 1998

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson showed an improved rushing game and Tiger quarterback Brandon Streeter connected on a pair of long passes to highlight play in Clemson’s football scrimmage during Fan Appreciation Day at Death Valley on Saturday. The Tigers will meet Furman in their opening game in less than two weeks at Death Valley.

The Tiger offense featured a ground game that had 50 rushes for 224 yards and two touchdowns, an improvement from the previous two scrimmages when Clemson failed to score an offensive touchdown.

Scoring plays were turned in by Terry Witherspoon, on a one-yard run, Travis Zachery, on a 14-yard run, and Mal Lawyer, who caught a 33-yard touchdown pass from Streeter. Placekicker David Richardson had a pair of field goals, one of 51 yards and another from 37 yards.

Streeter was 5-14 for 111 yards and the touchdown. His passing stats included a 42-yard pass to Rod Gardner, which set up a touchdown, and a pair of passes to Marcus Martin for 36 total yards.

The leading rusher in the scrimmage was reserve quarterback Woody Dantzler, who had 10 rushes for 68 yards. That included a 42-yard run, tied for the long play of the 77-play scrimmage. Quarterback Slade Nagle had five rushes for 30 yards and running back Dymon Adams had 9-30. Freshman Vince Ciurciu had five carries for 27 yards and Zachery ended the scrimmage with 4-23.

On defense, freshman Keith Adams was a top player for the second straight scrimmage. The first-year player from College Park, GA had five tackles, but four were behind the line of scrimmage and two were sacks. Linebacker Harold Means had seven tackles to lead all players, while Adams and Braxton K. Williams had five. Williams also had a pair of PBU”s.

Alex Ardley had the only interception, it came on the first play of the scrimmage. Defensive end Terry Bryant had four tackles, including a pair of sacks.

“We took a step forward today, and that is what we wanted to do,” said Tommy West. “I was pleased with the improvement of our running game. We averaged over 4 yards a carry. Woody Dantzler looked good running the ball.

“We also improved in terms of deep balls on offense, hitting a couple. That is very important for this football team. Overall, we need to be a much more consistent football team. We still need to make an improvement in that area.

“The defense continues to play solid. Each area is rolling its substitution pattern whenever it wants. This way the offense is always going against good players.

“Keith Adams certainly is a freshman who is going to play for us. He was very active again. Vince Ciurciu is another freshman who played well today. He does something when he gets the ball. Braxton K. Williams did a good job at free safety. He could help us as a centerfielder.

“The second-team offense showed some improvement. We have six freshmen, either red-shirt or first-year on that second line.

“I am excited about getting ready to play. We need the entire two weeks to prepare for that first game. We will have meetings on Sunday and review the film, then take Monday off because it is lab day. We will next practice on Tuesday and then have another scrimmage on Wednesday.”