Tuesday 08/17/1999
Aug. 17, 1999
CLEMSON, S.C. – Javis Austin rushed for 72 yards in just nine carries and scored a touchdown to lead the offense, while safety Robert Carswell had 11 tackles to pace the defense in Clemson’s first scrimmage of the preseason in Death Valley. The Tigers are preparing for the season opener at 6:00 PM on September 4 against Marshall. The scrimmage began at 6:00 PM to simulate game type conditions.
Austin was the top rusher in the contest by far. He had at least six yards on seven of his nine carries and scored the first touchdown of the scrimmage on a two-yard run. Chad Jasmin was the second leading ball carrier with 9-35, but the freshman from Louisiana had two fumbles. Senior Terry Witherspoon had 4-22 rushing and scored a touchdown.
Brandon Streeter and Woodrow Dantzler, running neck and neck for the quarterback position, were both 9-21 passes. Streeter threw for 84 yards, while Dantzler threw for 118. Dantzler rushed for 27 yards in 16 carries, while Streeter had 4-21 rushing.
Rod Gardner had the most receptions with 5-43, while Brian Wofford was 4-66, the top yardage total on the day. The longest play of the day was turned in by quarterback Matt Schell, who completed a 34-yard pass to freshman Jeff Scott. Schell was 4-6 for 62 yards passing. Freshman Willie Simmons was 0-5 passing and rushed five times for -1 yards. He has been hampered by a sore shoulder.
Carswell, a preseason All-American, had 11 tackles to pace the defense, but there were other top performers. Chad Carson had eight tackles, while Altroy Bodrick, Kenzi Ross and J.J. McKelvey had six stops apiece. Freshman Marcus Lewis provided some big plays with two sacks and two caused fumbles. Keith Adams also had a fine day with a caused fumble, a recovered fumble, a PBU and half a sack.
Overall, Coach Bowden was pleased with the performance of his team through two-a-days, which concluded Tuesday. Classes begin at Clemson on Wednesday.
“I am happy with the conditioning of the team. I tried to break them at the end, but they wouldn’t break. I think we are ahead of where we were at Tulane at this time in our first year. We still need someone to pull the trigger (quarterback).” Shawn King, a second round pick of the Tampa Bay Bucs, was Bowden’s quarterback both years at Tulane.
“It looked to me without looking at the film that Brandon Streeter was a little bit more consistent than Woodrow Dantzler in the execution of the offense. Matt Schell looked pretty good also. Willie Simmons has had some problems with a sore shoulder.”
“Chris Campbell has moved ahead of Tony Lazzara in the placekicking race, while the punting derby is still neck and neck between Ryan Romano and Jamie Somaini.
“I was disappointed that we put the ball on the ground four times at the running back position. We did see the offense bring the ball out from the four yardline twice, that was a good performance by the offense, but disappointing by the defense.
Bowden said after practice that Harold Means had left the team and that Bernard Rambert missed the last two days of practice, but will return. “We have not had contact with Harold Means since Monday. He was here for picture day, but did not come to practice on Monday and we have not talked with him. He had until today to come back, but did not.
“Bernard Rambert has missed the last two days. He went home due to personal reasons. He should be back this evening.”
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