Clemson Football Practice Brief

Aug. 14, 2007

Clemson, SC – Clemson practiced just once on Tuesday, but the Tigers suffered as many injuries as they have in any two-a-day practice in recent memory. Seven players started the practice in yellow jerseys or weren’t even at the practice, and three more players, all starters suffered injuries during the workout that lasted two hours and 45 minutes.

Starting defensive linemen Ricky Sapp and Dorell Scott both suffered sprained ankles and starting offensive tackle Christian Capote suffered a shoulder injury. The length of time the players will miss will be determined on Wednesday. All three players walked off the practice field.

Defensive tackle Antwon Murchison missed another day of practice recovering from a concussion suffered in Monday’s morning practice, while linebacker Josh Miller missed the practice with a tooth problem that required oral surgery.

Freshman defensive tackle Miguel Chavis missed the practice with a hip flexor. Jamie Cumbie (shoulder), Brandon Maye (foot) were all at practice, but limited and in yellow jerseys.

The one bright spot from an injury standpoint was the return of starting defensive tackle Rashaad Jackson, who had missed the last three practices with a knee injury suffered in the scrimmage on Saturday. He was back at full strength.

Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden did not dwell on the injuries, instead commended his defense. “This was a day that the defense dominated from the first drill,” said Bowden. “It was the first of the 10 practices that I could say that. It was good to see. I know the offensive coaches don’t want me to say that, but I am sure the offense will bounce back.

“It was also good to see some of the young players step up on defense. Dorell Scott, Ricky Sapp and Antwon Murchison were all out with injuries and still the defense dominated. Jarvis Jenkins, Kourtnei Brown and Andrew Branch all stepped up.”

It was also a busy day for Clemson kicker Mark Buchholz. Clemson’s first team place kicker is also a starting midfielder on Clemson’s men’s soccer team. This was the first of many days in which he will practice with both the soccer team and the football team on the same day.

His day started with a 9:00 AM practice with the men’s soccer team. That practice lasted until 11:15 AM. At 3:15 Pm he was back at soccer practice for the second of their practice sessions. At 4:15 PM, he left the soccer field and changed into his football attire in a bushy area that separates both the football and soccer practice fields. Fortunately for Buchholz the two practice fields are side by side. He went through the complete football practice that finished with a conditioning run at 7:15 PM. He connected on field goals of 34 and 44 yards on his first two kicks of the football practice.

On Wednesday he will have an even busier day as he takes part in most of four practices, two football and two soccer. “He will be the most physically conditioned kicker I have ever had,” said Bowden.

Buchholz is attempting to become the first Clemson athlete to play football and men’s soccer at the same time since the fall of 1982 when Donald Igwebuike played both sports. Obed Ariri played both sports between 1977-79.