Clemson Continues two-a-day practices

Aug. 15, 2003

Clemson, SC – Clemson had its third two-a-day practice session of the week on Friday. The Tigers worked in shoulder pads and shorts for three hours in the morning and in shorts and helmets for an hour in the afternoon. Head Coach Tommy Bowden was pleased with the performance of his team in the summer heat.

“We finally got some hot weather,” said Bowden. “I would like as many hot days as possible during the preseason. We want to simulate the conditions we will see when he play Georgia at 12 noon on August 30. I have been pleased with the conditioning and the performance of the team so far. That was the case today, they practiced for three hours in the heat in the morning then did conditioning after that. In the afternoon we worked primarily on assignments.”

There was one addition to the Clemson squad on Friday. Freshman Robert Reese, a defensive back from Temple, GA was approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse and joined the team for the afternoon practice. Reese must go through the five-day acclimatization period before he can join the team for full practice in full gear. It gave Bowden a perfect 18-18 attendance for the new players he expected at the end of spring practice and 18-19 from his original signing class.

“Robert will have to watch from the sideline and do conditioning for the first five days. He will be able to see what we do from an assignment standpoint, but he is behind the others. Once he gets into practice we will be able to evaluate his technique and see if he will be able to help us in the secondary this year.”

Todd McClinton and Donnell Clark continued to miss practice due to injury. Roscoe Crosby has not joined the squad and Bowden hopes he will be at practice as soon as possible.

Clemson will hold a scrimmage in Death Valley on Saturday afternoon that will be closed to the public and the media.