Clemson Football Practice Report: Day 18

Aug. 25, 2009

Clemson, SC – Clemson Head Coach Dabo Swinney has been in a positive frame of mind after most of his team’s practices during this preseason. But, that was not the case on Tuesday afternoon. His Tigers worked for nearly two and a half hours in the team’s most physical practice in a week.

“We would not have won if we played today,” said Swinney to his team and to the media after practice. “I wasn’t happy with any phase of the game. We made too many mistakes on both sides of the ball. We had busted assignments, penalties at inopportune times (redzone) and just didn’t have the attention to detail I have seen in this camp.

“Perhaps the team is tired of playing against each other. It was a physical practice. I didn’t want to go the last two and a half weeks going into the Middle Tennessee game without a scrimmage, so we had a scrimmage the second half of practice.

“We have been working on Middle Tennessee in the preseason, but Wednesday we will start 100 percent preparation for them.

While he was not satisfied with the team’s performance there were a few players who did well. “Jamie Harper and Rendrick Taylor played well today, I was happy with their effort. Harper has had a great camp. You can tell he likes to practice and that will carry over. The quarterbacks also made some good throws. We made some plays on offense, especially in the two-minute drill at the end of practice. But of course that means you were disappointed in the play of the defense on those plays.”

The offense scored on two fourth down touchdown plays, one on a 40-yard pass from Willy Korn to Kyle Parker also led the offense down the field for a score that was set up on a long pass that was deflected and ended up in the hands of receiver Terrence Ashe. Andre Ellington then scored from the one.

The kickers also had a good day with Richard Jackson making a pair of game ending field goals at the end of practice.

Brandon Clear. Chad Diehl was also limited by a shoulder injury.

Clemson will return to the practice fields for afternoon practices the rest of the week. All practices are closed to the public.