Tigers Finish Preseason Drills

Aug. 26, 1999

CLEMSON, S.C. – The Clemson Tigers practice for about an hour and a half on the practice fields behind the Jervey Athletic Center on Thursday. It was a shorts and shoulder pads practice for the Tigers a day after a 90-play scrimmage, the final scrimmage of the prefall.

Most of the talk after practice concerned the physical status of three players who were injured during Wednesday’s scrimmage. Reserve linebacker Altroy Bodrick suffered a dislocated ankle during the scrimmage and will be lost from four to six weeks.

Strong safety DoMarco Fox suffered a sprained ankle and sprained knee near the end of the scrimmage. He had recorded seven tackles, including three behind the line of scrimmage and had a PBU. He is listed as questionable at the point for the Marshall game. Fox has started more games than any active Tiger, 21.

Fullback Terry Witherspoon, who was having a solid camp, suffered a sprained ankle, but should be back early next week.

On the positive side, starting offensive tackle T.J. Watkins continues to improve from a high ankle sprain and could return to practice early next week, as could defensive tackle Freddie James, who has a sprained ankle. Tailback Shawn Crawford, who has been impressive when healthy, was back at practice running in a yellow jersey for the first time in five days and could be back in full swing early next week. He suffered a knee injury a week ago. Wide receiver Rod Gardner also showed improvement from a knee injury he endured last Saturday during a scrimmage. He hopes to return early next week.

“We certainly don’t want to have any more injuries, we won’t have anymore scrimmages,” said Bowden, who is preparing his Tigers for the September 4 opener at 6:00 PM against Marshall. “We have been pleased with Charles Hafley at strong safety if DoMarco Fox can’t go against Marshall. Eric Meekins would also see some time at that position.”

The Tigers will hold a “Beanie Bowl” on Friday night. This is a practice in which the starters go through every posible situation in a game against the scout team. It is called a “thud practice” in that players hit each other, but do not bring the opposition to the ground. “I don’t know where that name comes from, but I have called it that for 23 years,” said Bowden. “Every team does it prior to the first game, they just call it different things.” Bowden said the team might even practice running down the hill.