Clemson Football Practice Report: Day 17

Aug. 24, 2009

Clemson, SC — It was back to the practice fields for the Clemson Tigers on Monday evening. The Tigers had Sunday off to celebrate Fan Appreciation Day and came back to practice Monday night for a 90-minute workout on the practice fields behind the Jervey Athletic Center.

Clemson is less than two weeks away from its season opener with Middle Tennessee, a team coached by former Clemson assistant Rick Stockstill. When Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney came to Clemson for the 2003 season, he replaced Stockstill on the Tigers staff as wide receivers coach.

The Tigers began full preparation for the Blue Raiders on Monday. “Middle Tennessee is an excellent team that beat Maryland last year and nearly beat Kentucky, ” said Swinney. “They won’t be intimidated. They have nine coaches and staff members who were at Clemson, including Coach Stockstill. You know they are going to be ready.

“They will spread us out with their offense and they have an outstanding defense with a very good scheme. They are a pure spread team that will use four and five receivers. They couldn’t be more different than Georgia Tech when it comes to the offensive side of the football. Coach (Kevin) Steele is really going to earn his paycheck the first two weeks of the season.”

Swinney was pleased with his team’s practice on Monday night. “We had a great practice tonight. There was good tempo. We got better tonight. We started our normal in season routine even though we don’t have a game this Saturday. We will do some hitting on Tuesday. If we didn’t it would be a long time without hitting prior to the game.

“The practice also ended well because both Richard Jackson made 40 yard field goals under pressure with the entire team standing around them and cheering.”

The only three players on the injured list on Monday were receivers. Brandon Clear (ribs) were in green jerseys and went through most of the workout. Freshman Brandon Ford was in a yellow jersey due to a foot injury.