Spring Football Notes

March 30, 1998

Clemson Spring Football GameDate:           April 4, 1998Site:           Death Valley, Clemson Memorial StadiumTime:           1:00 PMAdmission:      $3 for adults, $2 for children                Clemson students, IPTAY members freeFormat:         Offense vs. Defense

Schedule of Athletic Events at Clemson on April 4 10:00 AM Athletic Department Surplus Sale at Death Valley 11:00 AM Clemson Invitational Track Meet (Men & Women) 1:00 PM Clemson men’s tennis vs. Wake Forest (Hoke Sloan Center) 1:00 PM Clemson Spring Football Game (Death Valley) Note: Clemson baseball team will be at Virginia this weekend.

CLEMSON, SC — First-team quarterback Brandon Streeter suffered a dislocated fracture of an ankle during the Clemson football scrimmage in Death Valley on March 28th. Streeter is the only quarterback on the current Clemson roster who has played in a game.

The junior from Gettysburg, PA, had surgery to repair the injured ankle at Oconee Memorial Hospital in Seneca the same day. He obviously will miss the remainder of spring practice and his status for the beginning of fall camp in August is uncertain at this time.

“Brandon had been playing very well this spring and was our number-one quarterback,” said Clemson Coach Tommy West. “He was showing familiarity with our offense and had made consistent improvement.

“You do what you can to protect your quarterbacks during practice. But practice is part of the game and live preparation is important if you are to be a good football team in the fall. We should know more about his status for the fall next week.”

Streeter suffered the injury while running upfield on the seventh play of the morning scrimmage. An ankle caught in the turf when he was tackled simultaneously by Gary Childress and Charles Hafley. He was 2-3 for 13 yards passing prior to the injury.

Three red-shirt freshmen played the remainder of the scrimmage at quarterback. Slade Nagle completed 15 of 24 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown during his time under center. He took the offense 60 yards in eight plays before hitting Travis Zachery on a five-yard scoring pass. Nagle also rushed seven times for nine yards.

Woodrow Dantzler was the leading rusher in the scrimmage. The native of Orangeburg, SC had 78 yards in nine attempts, including a 49-yard run for a touchdown that was the longest play of the scrimmage. He was 1-5 passing for eight yards. Jason Flanders was the third quarterback used in the workout. He was 1-2 for 35 yards passing, a 35-yard touchdown pass to fullback Travis Macklin. Flanders also ran four times for 25 yards.

Clemson showed balance at the receiver position. Sophomore Rod Gardner caught five passes for 42 yards to lead the pass receivers. Red-shirt freshman Matt Bailey had three catches for 22 yards and returning starter Brian Wofford speared three for 28. Red-shirt freshman T.J. Watkins had two catches for 35 yards, including the catch of the day on a juggling 27-yarder over the middle.

The leading rushers among the running backs were Dymon Adams and Travis Zachery. Adams had 19 rushes for 59 yards and a touchdown, while Zachery had 10-31. Zackery also caught two passes for 22 yards.

Robert Carswell was the leader of the defense. The sophomore safety had 10 tackles, including a sack, recovered a fumble and had an interception return for 11 yards. Rahim Abdullah had six tackles, including a sack, while DoMarco Fox, Clemson’s leading returning tackler from last year, had eight stops.

“Overall, I thought we competed well,” said West. “This was our fourth straight day of hitting in pads, and I have never had a team go through that. They played better than I expected today with the exception of putting the ball in the ground.

“Travis Zachery continues to play with confidence at running back and has shown and ability to give a burst of speed. T.J. Watkins has continued to improve at tight end. Kenzi Ross is making a move at linebacker and is really challenging Harold Means.”

Clemson Personnel Notes*Dymon Adams–First-year freshman running back who joined the Clemson program in January from Ellsworth Junior College in Iowa. Had 19 carries for 59 yards in the March 28th scrimmage at Death Valley.*Howard Bartley–Suffered a torn ACL against Wake Forest last November 1 and had surgery on November 21st. It is the second torn ACL of his career, one on each knee. Has missed all of spring practice and is looking to return in the fall.*Aaron Boone–Was permanently dismissed from the Clemson football program for a violation of team rules on March 25th. Boone played for two snaps in one game (NC State) as a freshman before suffering a torn ACL, which forced him to miss the remainder of the season.*Michael Brice–Placekicker who lettered in 1996 and played in 1997. Has left the program due to leg injury.*Adonis Bristow–Reserve running back who lettered in 1996. Suffered a torn ACL on August 29, 1997 and had surgery on September 19, 1997. Sitting out this spring and should return to team in the fall.*Darrel Crutchfield–Starter at safety for the last two games of 1997. Has moved to cornerback this spring.*Antwan Edwards–Clemson’s only returning All-ACC player (2nd team DB) from last year, he started six at safety and five at cornerback. Remains at cornerback this spring. Left the team on March 26 due to the death of his mother. Funeral was on March 31. Edwards status for the spring game is unknown.*DoMarco Fox—Started all 12 games last year, first 10 at safety and last two at cornerback. Has returned to free safety this spring.*Robert Goodson–Reserve defensive back who lettered in 1996 and participated in 1997. Decided to leave the program this spring.*Brandon Streeter–Starting quarterback who suffered a fractured dislocation of an ankle in March 28 scrimmage in Death Valley. Had surgery that same day and remained in the Oconee Memorial Hospital until March 30. Will wear a cast for eight weeks. His status for the beginning of practice in August is unknown at this time.*Joedy Mitchell–Reserve offensive lineman who suffered a broken leg during practice on March 6. Had surgery that same day and his status for the fall is unknown at this time.*Justin Watts–Reserve wide receiver who suffered a torn ACL on September 20 against Florida State. He had surgery on December 9 and has missed all of spring practice. Should return in the fall.

Clemson To Play Marshall in 1999 Football Opener Clemson will open the 1999 football season with Marshall, athletic director Bobby Robinson announced on March 26. The Tigers originally were to open the season with Western Carolina. The Marshall contest will take place on September 4, 1999. With Marshall on the 1999 schedule, Clemson will play 11 Division I-A opponents. “In light of the NCAA rules concerning bowl qualification we feel it is in our best interest to play all 11 games against Division I-A teams,” said Robinson. “Marshall made the move to Division I-A last year and has been an outstanding football program in recent years. We look forward to the game.” Marshall had a 10-3 record and won the Mid American Conference title in its first year. The Thundering Herd played in the Ford Motor City Bowl in Detroit, where it lost to Mississippi, 34-31. Clemson will have 10 Division I-A opponents in 1998. The Tigers open the season Sept. 5 against Furman, a Division I-AA school.