This Day In Clemson Sports – October 19, 1944

Oct. 19, 2000

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This Day In Clemson Sports and The Coach’s Corner has been provided to ClemsonTigers.com by the authors of the book, Clemson: Where the Tigers Play. Three members of the Clemson Athletic family wrote the book: Associate Sports Information Director Sam Blackman, Sports Information Director Emeritus Bob Bradley and Men’s Tennis Coach Chuck Kriese.

October 19, 1944 Rain fell on the Clemson-USC game for the first time since 1896.

The Coach’s Corner “We had a pretty good team my first year as a head coach in 1940. In fact, you couldn’t get off to a better start than I did. The very first offensive play by my very first Clemson team went for a touchdown.

“We had kicked off to Presbyterian, but on third down they fumbled and we recovered. George Floyd went all the way for a touchdown on the next play. When I started telling that story, I always said Floyd’s run was for about 47 yards. Every time I’d tell the story, the run became longer. I had it up to about 70-some yards before long. But everything gets better as the years go by.

“Then I decided that I should probably find out the facts. Wish I hadn’t, I found out the play only went for 18 yards. It sure felt like longer that that. But it was still a touchdown on my first offensive play as a coach.”

Frank Howard Head football coach, 1940-69

Clemson: Where the Tigers Play, covers the major events that have occurred in over a century of athletic competition. From Frank Howard’s homespun humor to the National Championships Clemson has won in various sports, this book gives the many details of the Tigers at play.

For more information on purchasing the book contact Sam Blackman: Phone – 864.639.4400blackmj@clemson.edu