Monday 11/08/1999
Nov. 8, 1999
Clemson can become the first school in ACC history to make a six-place improvement in the ACC standings if it can gain victory over Georgia Tech on Saturday. The Tigers were 1-7 and eighth in the final 1998 ACC standings, but a win at Georgia Tech would clinch second in the league standings in 1999. Clemson has a 5-2 league record and has already clinched at least a tie for third in the final standings. Nine other programs have made a five-place improvement in the ACC standings from one year to another.
Clemson can also tie the ACC record for ACC victory improvement from one year to another. The record is a five-game improvement by Georgia Tech in 1995. Tech was 0-8 in 1994, then finished 5-3 in the standings in 1995. Ironically, Tommy Bowden will have to defeat the only coach to make a five-game victory improvement to tie that mark. George O’Leary was the architect of Tech’s five-game ACC win improvement from 1994 to 1995.
Clemson’s Improvement on Offense Significant Clemson has made a significant improvement when it comes to offense this year. A comparison between the first nine games of this year with the per game averages of the entire 1998 season we see a large improvement. Clemson’s has improved its touchdown total by 35 percent, its passing offense by 36.5 percent, its total offense by 31 percent, its first down figure by 45 percent.
What is especially interesting is that Clemson has done this with two different quarterbacks, Brandon Streeter, who started the first three games, and Woodrow Dantzler, who has played most of the last three contests. Both quarterbacks have thrived in this offense, as both have had games of at least 350 yards of total offense.
Clemson was especially productive against its first four ACC teams. The Tigers scored at least 30 points in each of its first four ACC games. This Clemson team is just the second Tiger team in history to score at least 30 points in four straight ACC games. The only other Clemson team to do it was the 1978 squad.
ACC Teams Who Have Made a 5-Place Improvement in League Standings
School From To Coach NC State 1956 (2-4, 6th) 1957 (5-0-1, 1st) Earle Edwards NC State 1959 (0-6, 7th) 1960 (4-1-1, 2nd) Earle Edwards Duke 1959 (2-3, 6th) 1960 (5-1, 1st) Bill Murray North Carolina 1968 (1-6, 8th) 1969 (3-3, 3rd) Bill Dooley Wake Forest 1969 (2-5, 6th) 1970 (5-1, 1st) Cal Stoll Virginia 1970 (0-6, 8th) 1971 (2-3, 3rd) Don Lawrence Clemson 1976 (0-4-1, 7th) 1977 (4-1-1, 2nd) Charley Pell Duke 1988 (3-3-1, 6th) 1989 (6-1, 1st) Steve Spurrier Georgia Tech 1994 (0-8, 9th) 1995 (5-3, 4th) George O'Leary Clemson 1998 (1-7, 8th) *1999 (5-2, 3rd) Tommy Bowden
*Note Clemson is 2nd at the moment, but has clinched at least 3rd
ACC Teams Who have Made an Improvement of 4 ACC Wins in Consecutive Seasons
School From To Coach Clemson 1998 (1-7) 1999 (5-2) Tommy Bowden Clemson 1976 (0-4-1) 1977 (4-1-1) Charley Pell Clemson 1980 (2-4) 1981 (6-0) Danny Ford Georgia Tech 1988 (0-7) 1989 (4-3 Bobby Ross Georgia Tech 1994 (0-8) 1995 (5-3) George O'Leary
Clemson Offense Comparison
Category 1998 1999 Improve %Impr Total Offense/G 304.9 398.6 +93.7 +30.7 Points/G 19.8 26.9 +7.1 +35.9 Passing Yds/G 184.5 251.9 +67.4 +36.5 Rush Yds/G 120.4 146.7 +26.3 +21.8 TDs/Game 2.54 3.44 +0.9 +35.4 Completion % .528 .634 +10.6 Comp/G 14.4 21.8 +7.4 +51.4 Efficiency Rating 114.9 129.9 +15.0 +13.1 First Downs/G 115.1 21.9 +6.8 +45.0 FD Passing/G 7.1 10.8 +3.7 +52.1
Adams Needs One Tackle for loss for ACC Season Record Clemson sophomore inside linebacker Keith Adams needs just one tackle for loss to establish an all-time ACC record for tackles for loss in a season. Adams had a Clemson single game record six tackles for loss against Duke on November 6, giving him 27 for the season. That tied the Clemson and ACC record of 27 held by William Perry in 1984 and by Rob Bodine in 1991. The only other players in ACC history to reach at least 25 tackles for loss in a season are Ron Simmons of Florida State in 1977 and Mike McCrary of Wake Forest in 1992.
Adams had four sacks among his six tackles for loss against Duke and that was also a Clemson single game record. The four sacks gave him 11 for the season, another Clemson record. Adrian Dingle had 10.5 sacks last year and that had been the single season mark. Adams now has 134 tackles for the season, an average of 14.9 per game. The Clemson record for tackles per game over a season is 14.83 by Anthony Simmons in 1996, so Adams is ahead of that record. His 134 total tackles are already tied for 10th best in Clemson history, and he has done that in just nine games.
ACC Single Season Tackles for Loss Bests
Name School Year Tot William Perry Clemson 1984 27 Keith Adams Clemson 1999 27 Rob Bodine Clemson 1991 27 Mike McCrary Wake Forest 1992 26 Ron Simmons Florida State 1977 25 Anthony Simmons Clemson 1997 25
Adams National Defensive Player of the Year Candidate Sophomore linebacker Keith Adams is one of 15 semi-finalists for the Football News National Defensive Player-of-the-Year award. Adams, one of just two players from the ACC on the list, leads the conference in tackles with 134, in sacks with 11 and in tackles for loss with 27.
Adams, who is in his first year as a starter, has totaled at least 11 tackles and one tackle-for-loss in every game against the fourth toughest schedule in the country according to the Sagarin Rating. He has also been named ACC Defensive Lineman-of-the-Week three times this season (not counting the Duke game).
Adams is one of seven linebackers and joins Alex Brown (DE, Florida) as the only two sophomores to make the list. Other semi-finalists include LaVar Arrington (LB, Penn State, Jr.), Courtney Brown (DE, Penn State, Sr.), Tyrone Carter (S, Minnesota, Sr.), Na’il Diggs (LB, Ohio State, Jr.), Deon Grant (DB, Tennessee, Jr.), Julius Jackson (LB, Nebraska, Sr.), Corey Moore (DE, Virginia Tech, Sr.), Julian Peterson (LB, Michigan State, Sr.), Corey Simon (DT, Florida State, Sr.), Mark Simoneau (LB, Kansas State, Sr.), Adalius Thomas (DE, Southern Mississippi, Sr.), Brian Urlacher (S, New Mexico, Sr.), and Nate Webster (LB, Miami (FL), Jr.).
Adams Enhancing Linebacker Tradition Clemson has a strong tradition of excellence at the linebacker position. The Tigers have seven former linebackers on NFL rosters this year, including Pro Bowl players Ed McDaniel (Minnesota) and Levon Kirkland (Pittsburgh) and 1997 first round draft choice Anthony Simmons (Seattle). Clemson also has had first round draft choice Wayne Simmons (1992 by Green Bay) in the 1990s and all-time great Jeff Davis, the captain of the National Championship team.
Current linebacker Keith Adams, only a sophomore, is striving to enhance that linebacker reputation by his play so far this season. He is on a pace to have the finest season in Clemson history for a linebacker, never mind just a sophomore. Through nine games, Adams has 134 tackles, an average of 14.9 per game, best in the ACC.
Adams had at least one sack in each of the first five games this year, tying Chester McGlockton’s record for consecutive games with a sack. McGlockton did it in 1989-90. Adams did not have a sack at Maryland, but he did have a tackle for loss and now has 27 for the year. The Maryland game is the only game this year in which he failed to record a quarterback sack, but hehas had at least one tackle for loss in every game.
Adams was honored by the league as ACC Defensive Lineman of the Week three times this year, the Virginia, North Carolina and Florida State contests.
Comparison of Sophomore Seasons
Name Tac/G TFL/G Sacks/G Keith Adams (1999) 14.9 3.0 1.2 Anthony Simmons (1996) 14.8 1.3 0.6 Jeff Davis (1979) 10.3 0.5 0.0 Levon Kirkland (1989) 6.4 0.8 0.5 Ed McDaniel (1989) 5.2 0.3 0.0 Wayne Simmons (1990) 3.4 0.3 0.1
Top Tigers from Georgia The state of Georgia has been a strong recruiting area in recent years. No less than 17 players, including nine starters from the state of Georgia will travel with the Tigers to Atlanta for the Georgia Tech game. This list includes some of Clemson’s top players. Keith Adams (College Park) is the ACC’s top tackler and leader in tackles for loss and sacks.
Robert Carswell (Lithonia) is Clemson’s leader in interceptions and ranks 16th in the nation in that area. Chad Carson (Newnan) is the team’s third leading tackler, while Terry Jolly (Fort Valley) leads the defensive linemen in tackles with 47. Dextra Polite (Moultrie) leads the Tigers in passes broken up, while Travis Zachery (Marietta) leads the team in rushing and scoring.
Clemson Players from Georgia
Player Hometown High School Keith Adams College Park Westlake Matt Bailey Stone Mountain Stone Mountain Terry Bryant Savannah Johnson Gary Byrd Stone Mountain Stone Mountain Chad Carson Newnan Woodward Robert Carswell Lithonia Stone Mountain Nick Eason Lyons Toombs County Jason Holloman Decatur Lakeside Terry Jolly Fort Valley Peach County John McDermott Woodstock Sequoyah Dextra Polite Moultrie Georgia Military Travis Roberts Folkston Charlton County Kenzi Ross Fort Valley Peach County Matt Schell Covington Eastside Rodney Thomas Cadell West Laurens Waymon White Decatur Decatur Travis Zachery Marietta Marietta
Clemson Needs One Win to become Bowl Eligible Clemson needs just one more victory to reach the magic six wins and become bowl eligible for 1999. This would be quite an accomplishment for a program that was picked sixth in the ACC preseason football poll and ranked in the mid-fifties in most of the preseason publications that ranked all 114 Division I teams.
Clemson has already exceeded its win total of last year when it was 3-8 and has already at least doubled its ACC finish from last year. Clemson was tied for eighth in the league standings in 1998 and has already clinched at least a third-place finish. The Tigers are 5-2 in the ACC entering their final league game against Georgia Tech on November 13th.
Clemson has been outstanding in recent years when it smells a bowl game. Clemson has an 8-1 record since 1988 when it heads into games that can make the Tigers bowl eligible. Each of the last three times Clemson has entered a game needing just one win to clinch a bowl bid, the Tigers have been successful. The only time Clemson has lost a game when trying to become bowl eligible in the last 11 years was in 1993 at North Carolina, a 24-0 loss.
In 1997, Clemson won at South Carolina, 47-21 with a bowl bid on the line. In 1996 Clemson downed NC State 40-17 to become bowl eligible, and in 1995 the Tigers downed Duke 34-17 to become bowl eligible.
Clemson 58, Duke 7 Clemson had one of its finest all-around performances in years in its 58-7 victory over Duke on November 6. The Tigers gained 558 yards of total offense and held Duke to just 202. The Clemson defense had eight sacks, four interceptions and forced five turnovers, while the offense scored seven touchdowns ran 86 plays and averaged 6.5 yards a play. Head Coach Tommy Bowden played 66 players in the game, including 11 different wide receivers.
Brandon Streeter had the finest “Senior Day” game in Clemson history, completing 22-30 passes for 279 yards and two scores. He played just three periods and led Clemson on scoring drives on its first five possessions. He completed touchdown passes to senior receivers Mal Lawyer and Brian Wofford, who became the greatest receiving duo in Clemson history. Leading receiver Rod Gardner did not catch any touchdown passes, but had 10 receptions for 122 yards.
Travis Zachery scored four touchdowns rushing and gained a career high 141 yards on the ground, pacing a ground attack that gained 239 yards on the day. Akil Smith was the top blocker up front with 11 knockdowns in 64 plays.
Keith Adams led the defense with four sacks, six tackles for loss and 14 overall tackles. It was an all-time Clemson single game best for sacks and tackles for loss. Robert Carswell was not far behind with two interceptions and seven tackles, while Terry Jolly and Alex Ardley also had interceptions and Chad Speck had a fumble recovery.
Duke had been averaging 304 yards passing a game over its last four contests, but Clemson held the Devils to but 171 through the air. Clemson’s eight sacks contributed to Duke gaining only 31 yards on the ground.
Clemson’s 58 points scored were the most ever by the Tigers against Duke, breaking the record of 54 set in a 54-21 Clemson win in 1984. Duke’s offensive coordinator on that day in 1984 was Tommy Bowden.
“That was the way things were when Duke came to Clemson when I was at Duke. We would come down here in two busses and leave in two busses and three ambulances.”
Landmark Accomplishments in Duke Victory
Most points in any Clemson game since a 59-0 victory over LongBeach State in the season opener of 1990. Most points in an ACCgame since 1981 when Clemson defeated Wake Forest 82-24. It was thesecond highest point total ever for Clemson in an ACC game. Largestvictory margin in an ACC game since a 55-0 win at Virginia in 1984.Most yards of total offense since gaining 606 in a 54-3 win over UTChattanooga in 1992. Most yards gained in total offense in an ACCgame since gaining 756 against Wake Forest in 1981. It was thethird highest total offense game in an ACC game in history. KeithAdams set Clemson single game record for sacks (4) and tackles forloss (6). Travis Zachery scored four touchdowns, just the sixthplayer in Clemson history to do so and just one off the single gamerecord of five. Terry Jolly became first Clemson lineman to returnan interception for a touchdown since 1964. Brandon Streetercompleted 22-30 passes for 279 yards, best performance ever for aClemson senior quarterback in his final game in Death Valley.
Clemson Outstanding on Defense last 3 Games Clemson has been outstanding defensively over the last three games, a 17-14 loss to Florida State, a 12-3 win at Wake Forest and 58-7 win over Duke. Clemson has allowed just 9.0 points and 265.7 yards a game over the last three contests. Clemson has given up just two touchdowns in the last three games. Of course, Clemson will have a great challenge this week going against the nation’s leader in total offense and scoring, Georgia Tech.
Here is a comparison that shows Clemson’s improvement defensively over the last three games:
Category 1st 6 last 3 Points/Game 23.8 9.0 Rushing/Game 158.5 72.3 Passing/Game 196.5 185.7 Turnovers Forced/Game 2.33 3.00 Completion % .526 .467 Total Offense/Game 355.0 265.7 First Downs Allowed 19.5 17.3 Touchdowns/Game 3.0 0.7 Yards/Play 5.0 3.7 Yds/Rush 3.8 2.1 Pass Eff. Defense 107.8 77.9
Gardner Needs 6-90 Receiving Game for 2 RecordsClemson receiver Rod Gardner had 10 catches for 122 yards againstDuke and now needs just six catches for 90 yards at Georgia Tech toestablish Clemson single season records in both areas. Gardner nowhas 65 receptions for 826 yards. Tony Horne holds the receptionrecord with 70 in 1997 and Perry Tuttle’s reception yardage recordof 915 yards has stood since 1980.
Gardner is now 11th in the nation in receptions per game with a 7.22 figure. That is second best in the ACC. His yardage average of 91.8 is 20th best in the nation. One of the greatest examples of Clemson’s improvement in the passing games is the existence of three Tigers ranked among the top 10 receivers in the ACC. Rod Gardner (2), Brian Wofford (4) and Mal Lawyer (10) are all in the top 10. Clemson has never had three of the top 10 receivers in the league.
Wofford ranks 36th in the nation in receptions per game with 5.56 and has 50 total for the year. This is the first time in history that Clemson has had two players on the same team reach 40 catches in the same year, never mind 50. Gardner’s 7.22 receptions per game is at a Clemson record pace, while Wofford’s 5.56 catches per game would be third best in Clemson history.
Top Clemson Single Season Reception Totals
Year Player GP Rec 1997 Tony Horne 12 70 1999 Rod Gardner 9 65 1978 Jerry Butler 12 58 1980 Perry Tuttle 11 53 1981 Perry Tuttle 12 52 1991 Terry Smith 11 52 1999 Brian Wofford 9 50
Clemson Top Reception Yardage Seasons
Year Player Rec Yds 1980 Perry Tuttle 53 915 1978 Jerry Butler 58 908 1997 Tony Horne 70 907 1981 Perry Tuttle 52 883 1991 Terry Smith 52 829 1999 Rod Gardner 65 826
Top Receptions/Game Figures
Year Player Tot Rec/G 1999 Rod Gardner 65 7.22 1997 Tony Horne 70 5.83 1999 Brian Wofford 50 5.56 1969 Charlie Waters 44 4.89 1999 Brian Wofford 34 4.86 1978 Jerry Butler 58 4.83 1980 Perry Tuttle 53 4.82
Here is a list of Clemson players who have ranked in thefinal top 25 in the nation in receiving:
Year Player Rec/G Rk 1951 Glenn Smith *35 19th 1953 Dreher Gaskin *22 21st 1978 Jerry Butler 4.9 10th 1980 Perry Tuttle 4.8 13th 1997 Tony Horne 6.2 14th 1999 Rod Gardner 7.2 9th *Receivers ranked on total receptions
Gardner Tied Record vs. Marshall Clemson wide receiverRod Gardner tied one all-time Clemson record and set two others inthe season opener against Marshall. The junior from Jacksonville,FL caught 11 passes for 111 yards. That is a lot of ones for hisnight’s work, and that effort has led to his number-one rankingamong the receivers in the ACC. He has had at least six catches inevery game this year.
Gardner’s opening day performance tied the Clemson single game mark held by Phil Rogers, who had 11 receptions at North Carolina in 1965. Gardner’s performance was the most ever for a Tiger in Death Valley (58 years) and the most ever by a Clemson player in the opening game of the season.
Seven times a Clemson player has had 10 catches in a game. Gardner did it again against Duke on November 6 when he had 10 for 122. Tony Horne did it twice in his 70-reception season of 1997, while Perry Tuttle had a pair of 10-catch games, one in 1980 and one in 1981. Hank Walker was the first Clemson receiver to have a double-digit reception game, as he had 10 against Auburn in 1947. Charlie Waters, more famous for his exploits as an NFL defensive back, had 10 catches against Alabama in 1969.
Tiger Offense Needs just 33 Yards for Passing Record Clemson has passed for 2267 yards this season, just 33 yards away from the school record for a season. The 1997 Clemson team, behind quarterback Nealon Greene, threw for 2299 yards. Last year’s Clemson team threw for 2030 and those are the only other teams over 2000 yards in a season for the Tigers.
Clemson has reached this level with two quarterbacks throwing for over 1000 yards. Brandon Streeter has passed for 1153 yards, while Woodrow Dantzler has 1067 yards passing. This is the first time in Clemson history that two different quarterbacks have thrown for over 1000 yards. Clemson is also on a record pace in terms of completion percentage. The Tigers stand at 63.4 percent so far this year, ahead of the single season record of 60.5 in 1997.
The Tigers have also already set the record for 200-yard passing games in a season. Clemson has eight this year, one more than the 1997 team had.
Clemson Close to 400-yard Average on Offense With the 558 yards of total offense against Duke, Clemson improved its total offense average to 398.6 for the season. If the season ended today that would be third best in Clemson history. Only two Clemson teams have averaged 400 yards a game over the course of a season. The 1978 Clemson team averaged 427.8 yards a game and the 1991 Clemson team averaged 404 per game.
Zachery Records 4 Touchdowns vs. Duke Travis Zachery ranks had a breakout game against Duke. The sophomore picked up 141 yards rushing on 17 attempts and scored four touchdowns. He became just the sixth player in Clemson history to score four touchdowns in a game, the first since Emory Smith against Wake Forest in 1995.
Zachery now has 11 touchdowns for the season and has jumped from nowhere to 26th in the country in scoring. He is fifth in the ACC in rushign with 636 yards, an average of 79.5 yards per game. He is also now returning punts and has caught 16 passes out of thebackfield. He ranks first on the team in all-purpose yards per game at 101.
Jolly Scores on Interception Return Junior tackle Terry Jolly became the first Clemson lineman in 34 years to return an interception for a touchdown when he rambled 20 yards with a Duke pass attempt on November 6. It was the first time since 1964 that a lineman had accomplished the feat. Ted Bunton had a 48-yard interception return against Virginia for a score.
Jolly has been coming on strong of late and now leads Clemson defensive linemen in tackles and tackles for loss. He has 47 stops for the year, fifth on the team and just one tackle out of fourth. He also has eight tackles for loss for 29 yards, second on the team behind Keith Adams monster total of 27. Jolly had a career high 11 tackles at Wake Forest, most by a Clemson defensive lineman this year. He had two tackles for loss and a sack in the win over Duke to go with his interception return. He also had a fine game at NC State with nine tackles, three behind the line of scrimmage.
Clemson-Tech Series Notes Georgia Tech has a 41-20-2 lead in the series with Clemson dating back to a 23-0 Tiger win in Augusta, GA in 1898, just the 11th game in Clemson football history. In fact, Clemson won the first four games of the series, including games in 1902 and 1903 when John Heisman was at the helm. Clemson defeated Georgia Tech in Atlanta 73-0 in 1903 with Heisman as head coach. Heisman then moved to Georgia Tech and defeated Clemson two years later (1905) by a 17-10 score.
The series has been incredibly close in the 1990s. Seven times the two teams have had a game decided by four points or less, including each of the last three that have been decided by exactly three points.
The Tigers have a 7-3 advantage in games at Clemson, but Georgia Tech leads 38-10-2 in games played in Atlanta. Every game between the two teams in the 1907-74 era was held in Atlanta. Clemson’s only wins in those 36 meetings came in 1907, 1936, 1945 and 1969. The later was Frank Howard’s final season as head coach.
The first time Georgia Tech played in Clemson’s stadium was 1974, a 21-17 Clemson victory. Clemson has a 9-7 advantage in the series, regardless of site, since Georgia Tech joined the ACC in 1983. Clemson had a four -ame winning streak over Georgia Tech snapped in 1997 when Tech won in Atlanta, 23-20 in a game televised by ESPN.
Clemson vs. Georgia Tech in 1990
Year Result Ending1990 Tech 21-19 Gardocki missed 60 yard FG with 1 minute left1991 Clemson 9-7 Ronald Williams 2 yard run with 2:06 left, Sisson missed 44-yard FG with 8 seconds left tipped by Wayne Simmons1992 Tech 20-16 Clemson never in Tech territory in last 5 minutes1993 Clemson 16-13 Tech's Jarrett misses 41-yard FG with 3:01 left1996 Clemson 28-25 Nealon Greene 1 run with 4:10 left1997 Tech, 23-20 Chambers 20-yard FG with 1:54 left1998 Tech, 24-21 Joe Burns 1-yard run, 1:00 left
Last Year – Georgia Tech 24, Clemson 21 Joe Burns’one-yard touchdown run with 1:00 left in the game gave Georgia Techa 24-21 win over Clemson in the Tigers’ first ever Thursday nighthome game.
The turnover-free game had no 100-yard rushers or receivers, as both teams scored all their touchdowns on scoring drives of at least 50 yards. Georgia Tech won the battle of field position, with its average start at its own 32 while Clemson’s average start was at its own 21. The Yellow Jackets, who were last in the ACC in total defense entering the game, kept the Tiger offense in check, allowing 300 yards of total offense. Georgia Tech quarterback Joe Hamilton eluded Tiger defenders on several occasions and tallied 190 yards passing and 37 more on the ground.
After holding the Yellow Jackets three-and-out to open the game, Clemson took its first drive 61 yards in 14 plays and 6:13 to take a 7-0 lead, doing so with no plays of more than 10 yards. Travis Zachery who had a career-high 94 rushing yards on 22 carries, rushed 10 yards off left guard for the score.
Brad Chambers cut the Tiger lead to 7-3 late in the first quarter with a 40-yard field goal. The Yellow Jackets then took the lead with 8:14 remaining before halftime when on third-and-five, Hamilton eluded the pursuit of Tiger linebacker Chris Jones and avoided other linemen for a nine-yard touchdown run.
Clemson duplicated the opening drive of the first half in its initial drive of the second half by going 12 plays and 72 yards in 6:08 to take a 14-10 lead. Vince Ciurciu’s career-high run of 20 yards to the eight-yard line set up Brandon Streeter’s three-yard pass to Rod Gardner, his first touchdown of ’98. Streeter completed 12 of 24 passes for 154 yards with two touchdowns an no interceptions.
Georgia Tech responded on its next drive with a 16-play, 80-yard drive, which elapsed 5:50, to regain the lead. Hamilton’s 20-yard pass on third-and-21 to Mike Sheridan allowed the Yellow Jackets to get a first down on the next play. Phillip Rogers one-yard plunge capped off the drive.
The Tigers were finally able to strike with big plays on its opening possession of the fourth quarter. Streeter threw a strike to Zachery out of the backfield for 27 yards. Two plays later on third-and-23, Streeter connected with Brian Wofford on a post pattern for 48 yards and the go-ahead touchdown.
But like the week before, the defense could not hold the lead. With five Clemson defensive starters on the sideline with injuries, Hamilton engineered a seven-play, 57-yard drive in 1:30. Hamilton’s pass to Charlie Rogers for 28 yards on third-and-10 drove the ball to the Tiger 19. Hamilton connected with Dez White, who had a team-high seven catches for 71 yards, on the next play to the Tiger four-yard line. Two plays later, Burns carried in from a yard out for the winning score.
The Tiger defense set a team record with seven players in double-figure tackles, led by DoMarco Fox and Harold Means with 12 apiece. Rahim Abdullah had 11 tackles and two sacks, while Jones, despite playing on a gimpy ankle, had 10 tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and a sack. The Tigers were without Thorpe Award Semi-finalist Antwan Edwards, who was unable to play due to a hamstring injury.
Clemson Looks for Ranked Road Win – Highest Ranked Wins Away from Home Clemson will face a top 20 Georgia Tech team on the road this week. The Yellow Jackets are 14th in USA Today and 13th in AP heading into Saturday’s game. Clemson has had success against ranked teams on the road in this decade. Four times in the 1990s Clemson has gained wins over ranked teams on the opponent’s home field. The 1997 win at 25th ranked NC State was the last time Clemson downed a ranked team on the road. Clemson came close to a ranked road win this year when it faced Virginia Tech. the Hokies, now ranked second in the nation, led Clemson just 17-11 with four minutes left. But, two turnovers turned into defensive touchdowns and Virginia Tech came away with a 31-11 win.
Clemson has beaten a ranked team this year. Virginia was 19th when the Tigers gained the win in the second game of he year, 33-14. Clemson has now had at least one ranked victory 12 of the last 14 seasons.
Clemson’s Top 25 WinsOn Opponent’s Home Field
Year Opponent Rk Score 1948 Wake Forest 19 21-14 1950 Wake Forest 17 13-12 1950 Miami (FL) 15 15-14 1954 Florida 14 14-7 1959 North Carolina 12 20-18 1977 Georgia 17 7-6 1978 Maryland 11 28-24 1981 North Carolina 8 10-8 1982 Maryland 18 24-22 1983 North Carolina 10 16-3 1986 Georgia 14 31-28 1989 Florida State 16 34-23 1992 Virginia 10 29-28 1994 North Carolina 12 28-17 1996 Virginia 15 24-16 1997 NC State 25 19-17
Clemson Ranked 14th OverallSchedule Ranked Fourthby Sagarin Clemson has the nation’s fourth toughest scheduleaccording to ratings by noted computer analyst Jeff Sagarin.According to his latest data, Clemson’s schedule has a rating of80.81. Clemson is the only team in the nation to play threeundefeated teams, Florida State, Virginia Tech and Marshall andthat certainly has a lot to do with the high ranking. When Clemsonmeets Georgia Tech on November 13 that schedule ranking will befurther enhanced.
Florida State is ranked first and Virginia Tech second in the Sagarin rankings. Marshall is 13th and Georgia Tech 12th, meaning Clemson plays four of the top 13 teams in the nation.
Clemson is shown quite a bit of respect by the Sagarin poll. Despite a 5-4 record, Clemson is ranked 14th in the nation by the computer. No other team in the top 15 has more than two losses.
It is interesting to note that Duke is ranked fifth in schedule ranking according to Sagarin.
National Schedule Ranking by Sagarin
Rk Team Rating 1. Virginia 82.39 2. Duke 81.38 3. South Carolina 81.11 4. Clemson 80.81 5. North Carolina 79.36 6. Alabama 79.23 7. Notre Dame 78.34 8. Miami (FL) 78.14 9. NC State 77.91 10. Michigan State 77.56
Overall Sagarin Rankings
Rk Team Rec Pts 1. Florida State 9-0 100.63 2. Virginia Tech 8-0 98.03 3. Kansas State 9-0 94.96 4. Tennessee 7-1 94.23 5. Nebraska 8-1 93.88 6. Florida 8-1 92.73 7. Penn State 9-1 92.12 8. Wisconsin 8-2 90.95 9. Michigan 7-2 88.89 10. Alabama 7-2 88.88 11. Michigan State 7-2 88.68 12. Georgia Tech 6-2 87.24 13. Marshall 9-0 87.02 14. Clemson 5-4 86.66 15. Texas 8-2 86.45
Odd But True Clemson ended its odd game jinx with the58-7 win over Duke. Clemson had lost every odd numbered game thisyear prior to the win in game 9 against Duke.
This streak went against Clemson’s success in odd numbered seasons in recent years. Clemson has been to a bowl game or won at least nine games in every odd numbered season since 1977. Obviously, Clemson could keep this streak alive by going to a bowl this year, a goal that is still alive.
This odd success rate is even more prevalent in the last eight years. Over the last four odd numbered seasons, Clemson is 34-14-1, a 70 percent winning percentage. Clemson has been to a bowl game each year and can clinch one for 1999 with a win on Saturday. Over the last four even numbered years, Clemson is just 20-25, a 44.4 percent winning percentage. Clemson has been to a bowl game just one of the last four even numbered seasons.
Both Quarterbacks Productive in 1999 Brandon Streeter and Woodrow Dantzler have been effective in the quarterback role this year, in fact their stats are very similar. Streeter has a 68 percent completion percentage to 57 percent by Dantzler, but Dantler averages 70 yards rushing a game to just 7 yards per game by Streeter.
Other than that, as you can see by the chart below, there isn’t much of a difference. As a duo, they average 21.8 completions per game, have aveaged 251 passing yards and completed 63 percent of their passes.
Category Streeter Dantzler Games 6 7 Starts 5 4 Completions 107 85 Attempts 157 145 Plays +20 16 16 Yard/Attempt 7.34 7.36 Interceptions 5 4 Touchdown Passes 4 5 Yards/Game 192.2 1152.4 Passing Efficiency 131.9 125.6
Dantzler on Record Total Offense Pace Clemsonquarterback Woodrow Dantzler is on a record pace in terms of totaloffense this year. He has averaged 215.7 yards per game in terms oftotal offense so far this season and that is ahead of the 213 yardsper game by Nealon Greene in 1997.
Dantzler began the year as the backup quarterback and did not even play against Virginia and Virginia Tech. He came off the bench for an injured Brandon Streeter and recorded 213 yards of total offense in just three quarters, leading Clemson to a 31-20 victory against North Carolina.
The sophomore from Orangeburg, SC was Clemson’s starting quarterback for four straight weeks in October and gained 1162 yards of total offense out of Clemson’s team total of 1569. That was 74 percent of Clemson’s offense from Dantzler and he averaged 290.5 yards per game in that area as a starter. Even though Streeter played the fourth quarter at Wake Forest, Dantzler still had 252 yards of total offense in the first three periods.
Dantzler has been effective as a runner and passer. For the season he has 443 yards rushing, most by a Clemson quarterback in a season since DeChane Cameron gained 458 in 1991. Dantzler has a chance to become the first Clemson quarterback to gain 500 yards rushing in a season since 1978 when Steve Fuller gained 649. Only four times in history have a Clemson quarterback rushed for 500 yards in a season. Fuller did it twice. Dantlzer rushed for 183 yards on the ground against Maryland, an all-time Clemson record for a quarterback.
Dantzler Dazzling against Maryland Woodrow Dantzler had the game of his life, and the game of any Clemson quarterbacks life at Maryland on October 16. The sophomore from Orangeburg, SC gained 435 yards of total offense in that game, breaking one of the oldest records in the Clemson media guide. The previous single game total offense best was 374 yards by Bobby Gage against Auburn in 1947. That was a 52-year-old mark.
Dantzler completed 16 of 23 passes for 252 yards and no interceptions or touchdowns. What was even more impressive was his running ability. Dantzler gained 183 yards rushing in 22 attempts, shattering Louis Solomon’s Clemson record for rushing yards in a game by a quarterback. Solomon had 159 against Wake Forest in 1994 for the previous record.
Dantzler gained 213 yards of total offense, 131 passing and 82 on the ground against North Carolina in a relief effort when Brandon Streeter broke his collarbone. In three quarters he took the Tigers to 31 points against the Tar Heels. His performance included a 49-yard scoring pass to Rod Gardner and a 56-yard touchdown run. His total offense was the highest total by a Clemson player in relief since Dexter McCleon gained 229 as a reserve quarterback against Virginia in 1993.
A look to the single game total offense record gives credibility to this offense. Two different Clemson quarterbacks have recorded two of the top three total offense games in Clemson history this year. Brandon Streeter had 366 yards of total offense against Virginia this year, then the second highest in Clemson history.
Polite Provides Big Plays One of the most improved players on the Clemson defense this year has been cornerback Dextra Polite. The senior from Moultrie,GA has 11 passes broken up to lead the team, including three in consecutive games against Maryland and Florida State.
Polite provided two of the biggest defensive plays of the season in the win at Wake Forest. First, he made a solo tackle on top Wake Forest rusher Morgan Kane at the one-yard line that prevented a touchdown on a second-and-goal play. Clemson ended up limiting Wake Forest to a field goal, thus that was a four-point tackle.
Then, after Clemson had taken a 5-3 lead, Polite made a one-handed interception at midfield and returned it 27 yards. Clemson converted the turnover into a touchdownd that salted the game away. He was named ACC Defensive Back of the Week for that performance.
Polite now has four interceptions for the season, second on the team and 30th best in the nation. He was outstanding against Florida State, recording three passes broken up and an interception. He was in charge of defending Peter Warrick most of the night. Although Warrick caught 11 passes, he averaged only 11 yards a catch and never had a gain over 19 yards. For the year, Polite has 37 tackles, 11 passes broken up and three interceptions.
Final Stretch for Clemson seniors Clemson’s 11 seniors are heading down the home stretch with just two regular season games left and hopefully a bowl game. This is the smallest senior class at Clemson since the 1985 season when the Tigers had just 11. Of the 11 seniors listed below, just seven are on scholarship. This list does not include Terry Witherspoon, who could return to Clemson for the 2000 season if he graduates this summer.
This year’s senior class features Brandon Streeter, who has established six Clemson passing records in his career. Brian Wofford and Mal Lawyer are both ranked in the top 10 in Clemson history in receptions, while DoMarco Fox has been a starting defender for three years and has been among the team’s top five tacklers three years in a row.
As a team, this class has helped Clemson to two bowl games and a win today could go a long way towards making it three bowl games in four seasons. Another highlight was a 6-2 ACC record and second place finish in 1996, Peach Bowl appearances in 1996 and 1997, and this year’s home victory over 19th ranked Virginia.
Clemson Senior Class
Player, Pos Hometown David Evans, CB Abbeville, SC DoMarco Fox, SS Philadelphia, MS Tucker Hamrick, H Shelby, NC Mal Lawyer, WR Moncks Corner, SC Damonte McKenzie, DT Lake City, SC Dextra Polite, DB Moultrie, GA Darius Rapley, LB Piedmont, SC Jason Stockunas, WR Clemson, SC Michael Straup, P Anderson, SC Brandon Streeter, QB Gettysburg, PA Brian Wofford, WR Spartanburg, SC
Clemson First in ACC, 7th in Nation in Pass Defense3 Tigers in Top 30 in Interceptions One of the most improved areas of the Clemson football team this year is the secondary. Clemson ranks first in the ACC and 7th in the nation this week in pass efficiency defense. So far this year, Clemson has 17 interceptions. The Tigers had just seven interceptions all of last year.
Six of the last seven Clemson opponents have failed to complete over 50 percent of its passes. The only team to exceed 50 percent is Wake Forest and the Deacons threw for just 128 yards and were intercepted twice by the Tigers. Last week, Duke threw four interceptions and completed just 12-31 passes.
Clemson has played some pretty strong quarterbacks this year. Both Chad Pennington of Marshall and Chris Weinke of Florida State are ranked in the top 20 in the nation in passing. In fact, after playing Clemson, Weinke dropped from sixth in the nation to 18th in passing efficiency. He was 24-49 against Clemson with no touchdowns and one interception.
The pass defense was especially effective in back to back games against Virginia Tech and North Carolina. Agile quarterbacks Michael Vick of Virginia Tech and Ronald Curry of North Carolina were a combined 19-46 for 250 yards, no touchdowns and seven interceptions. That is a completion percentage of just 41 percent and just 5.34 yards per attempt. The secondary will be the first to applaud the front seven for their pressure, as the two opposing quarterbacks were sacked 10 times in those two games.
Clemson was sixth in the ACC and 56th in the nation in pass efficiency defense last year. Clemson gave up 15 touchdown passes and intercepted just seven all year. Clemson has given up just five touchdown passes this year, fewest in the ACC and one of the top figures in the nation.
Clemson Leads ACC in Sacks C lemson led the ACC in sacks last year with 37 and the Tigers hold the same standing in the league so far this year. In fact, Clemson has equalled that figure this year with 37 through nine games. Keith Adams is the leader in that area with 11 for 84 lost yards. That is already a Clemson single season record. Fourteen other players have contributed to the sack total this year.
Clemson had eight sacks against Duke. That was the most sacks by the Tigers in a single game since Trevor Pryce and the Tigers had eight in a victory over Maryland in 1996. Clemson averaged 3.6 sacks a game last year in leading the ACC. Clemson averages 4.1 sacks per game so far this year. The Clemson record for a season is 46, set in 1992 and 1996.
Death Valley Attendance Record Set vs. Florida State Clemson set an all-time attendance record for fans and media on October 23 when Florida State came to town. The Bowden vs. Bowden game attracted 86,092 fans according to ticket manager Van Hilderbrand. That broke the record of 85,872 set against South Carolina in 1994.
Clemson averaged 77,787 for its five home games, up from an average of 68,312 of last year. That is the highest season average since 1990 and the sixth highest in Clemson history. Clemson drew 79,186 for the opener against Marshall, the third largest opening day crowd in Clemson history. The North Carolina game drew 81,737 and the Virginia game drew 66,922.
Three Tiger Tacklers Over 100 Tackles Three players have led Clemson in tackles all year and all three average over 11 stops per game. No team in Clemson history has finished the year with three players averaging at least 11 tackles per game. Keith Adams (14.9), Chad Carson (11.4), and Robert Carswell (11.2) are all averaging in double figures this year and all three already have over 100 tackles this year. All three rank among the top five tacklers in the ACC.
All three were in double figures at Wake Forest when Clemson had one of its best defensive performances of the season. Carson had a career high 16 tackles, while Adams had 13. Carswell had 10 stops from his safety position. They are certainly the leaders of the Clemson defense. No other Tiger has even recorded 50 tackles this season.
Defense Outstanding vs. Florida State Although Clemson suffered a loss to Florida State on October 23rd, it might have been the best performance of the year by the Clemson defense. When you take into account what Florida State averages per game and what they produced against the Tigers, it was the top game of the year for Clemson’s point prevention unit.
Florida State had just 17 points, one touchdown and just 3.9 yards per play against Clemson. Bobby Bowden’s team came into the game averaging 40 points, 4.7 touchdowns and six yards per play. The Tigers were also outstanding on special teams, holding the Seminoles to 6.5 yards per punt return.
Clemson’s defense continued its fine place at Wake Forest, holding the Deacons to just 128 yards passing and 239 yards of total offense. Wake Forest did not score a touchdown and scored just three total points. The Deacs had just 13 first downs and had three turnovers and three sacks against them.
Here is a chart that documents Clemson’s defensive performance against the Seminoles:
FSU vs. Category Avg Clem Points 40.3 17 Touchdowns 4.7 1 Rushing Offense 141 98 Passing Offense 305 258 Total Offense 446 356 Yard/Play 6.1 3.9 Victory Margin +23.4 +3.0 Yards/Completion 21.30 10.75 Yards/Pass Attempt 8.43 5.16 Punt Return Avg 14.7 6.5
Romano Makes Contribution Clemson punter Ryan Romanois quietly having a consistent and effective season. He might havehad his best all-around game a against Florida State when he hadeight punts for a 42.3 average. He averaged 46.2 yards a punt atWake Forest and now has four straight games of at least 42 yards aboot.
He had a career long 60-yarder againstFlorida State, and two punts inside the 20. Even more impressive is that he held Florida State, one of the most dangerous return teams in the nation, featuring All-American Peter Warrick. Warrick had just 2-10 in punt returns and FSU had just 4-26, meaning Romano had a 39-yard net punting figure for the evening.
Romano showed his all-around football abilities in the Florida State game when he completed a 23-yard pass on a fake punt to Braxton K. Williams, a play on fourth down that led to a Clemson touchdown.
Romano comes from an athletic family. His older brother Eric was a walk-on tight end at Florida State i nthe 1980s. Older brother Todd was a kicker for Iowa between 1991-95 and his brother Chad was a punter at Kansas State between 1992-96. His father was also a running back at Florida State.
Romano, who is studying to be a doctor and has been on the ACC Academic Honor roll each of his first three years at Clemson, has averaged 40.5 yards a boot this year and has a net figure of 36.7. He has 11 punts inside the 20 and 9 over 50. He has just five touchbacks against those 11 punts inside the 20.
Non-Quarterbacks 5-5 Passing Ryan Romano is one of three non-quarterbacks to attempt a pass this year. Five times on trick plays this year Coach Tommy Bowden has called some type of a pass from a kicker, holder or a receiver and they have worked for completions all four times. Rod Gardner is 2-2, Tony Lazzara is 1-1 for a nine-yard touchdown, Tucker Hamrick is 1-1 Romano is 1-1. The non-quarterbacks are now 5-5 for 47 yards and a touchdown. That computes to a 281.2 efficiency rating.
Witherspoon Ranked Second Among Fullbacks Clemson fullback Terry Witherspoon is ranked as the number-two senior fullback in the country available for the NFL draft according to the Sporting News. Witherspoon is ranked second behind Sammy Morris of Texas Tech and just ahead of Deon Dyer of North Carolina. Witherspoon has 14 rushes for 39 yards and one touchdown this season.
Witherspoon’s status for the draft will not be known until the summer. As a partial qualifier out of high school, he could come back to Clemson for another season of eligibility if he graduates this summer. He is on track to do that and could take that option.
Clemson Starts a Young Team Clemson starts one of the youngest teams in the nation. The Tigers start just three seniors on defense, Damonte McKenzie (DT), DoMarco Fox (SS) and Dextra Polite (CB). On offense, the only seniors are wide receivers Brian Wofford and Mal Lawyer. Thus, Clemson should have 17 starters back next year, nine on offense and eight on defense. This is the fewest seniors starting over the course of a season since 1994 when Clemson started just one senior on offense and four on defense.
Preparing for the Tiger Offense After Clemson gained 542 yards of total offense against Maryland, a team that entered the game leading the ACC in scoring defense and total defense, Terps coach Ron Vanderlinden said it was difficult to prepare for Clemson’s no-huddle attack because it is difficult to simulate. “There is no way your scout team can similate that offense in practice.”
Opponent preparation has a lot to do with the outcome of Clemson games so far this year. Clemson is 5-1 against the teams that have had just one week to prepare for the Tigers and 0-3 against the teams that have had more than a week to prepare. Marshall had the entire summer to get ready for the Tigers, while Virginia Tech had 12 days and NC State had two weeks. Florida State is the only team to beat Clemson after a normal week of preparation, but the Seminoles run the same type of no-huddle as Clemson, thus they could simulate Clemson in practice.
Clemson Records Set in 1999 In nine games so far this year, many Clemson single game or miscellaneous individual records records have been set:
Single Game Passing Yardage: 343 by Brandon Streeter vs.Virginia Singe Game Total Offense: 435 by Woodrow Dantzler vs.Maryland Single Game Rushing by quarterback: 183 by WoodrowDantzler vs. Maryland Single Game Completions: *27 by BrandonStreeter vs. Virginia Tech Single Game Receptions: *11 by RodGardner vs. Marshall Most Completions 3 Consecutive Games: 74 byBrandon Streeter Completion Percentage, Season: 68.3 by BrandonStreeter Most Tackles for Loss, single game: *6 by Keith Adams vs.Duke Most Sacks in a single game: 4 by Keith Adams vs. Duke MostTackles for loss in a season: *27 by Keith Adams Most Sacks in aseason: 11 by Keith Adams Most Consecutive Games with a Sack: *5 byKeith Adams
*Denotes tied record
Clemson Unbeaten when over 200 Rushing and Passing Clemson had 319 yards rushing and 239 yards passing in the victory over Duke on November 6. It was the third time this year Clemson has had at least 200 yards rushing and 200 yard passing in the same game. Clemson also did it in victories over North Carolina and Maryland Having at least 200 yards passing and 200 yards rushing in the same game is an indicator for success for the Clemson offense. The Tigers are now 29-0-1 in their history (11-0 in the decade of the 1990s when having at least 200 yards of each.
The only time in history Clemson failed to gain victory when recording at least 200 yards rushing and passing took place in 1976 when the Tigers had 248 yards rushing and 234 yards passing in a 24-24 tie with Georgia Tech. The closest Clemson has come to a defeat in this situation took place in 1953 when Clemson lost to Auburn, 45-19. Despite the large margin of defeat, Clemson had 258 yards passing and 198 yards rushing.
Achieving this balance was a hallmark of Tommy Bowden’s teams at Tulane. In fact, last year Tulane averaged 300 yards passing and 200 yards rushing, the only school in the nation to do it. In his two years and 22 games as head coach at Tulane, Tommy Bowden’s Green Wave teams had at least 200 yards of each in nine games, and they were 9-0 in those games.
Fans think of Clemson as a passing team, now with this new Indy 500 Offense under Bowden and offensive coordinator Rich Rodriguez. In the 42-30 win over Maryland, Clemson ran the ball 56 times and threw it just 23 times. Clemson had 52 rushes against Duke. Clemson’s 290 yards rushing were its high total since gaining 291 on the ground against NC State in 1996. Clemson scored six rushing touchdwons in the game, its high mark since scoring six rushing against Long Beach State in 1990.
Young, Smith Lead Young Offensive Line Clemson’s young and light offensive line made large improvement against Maryland. That was obvious by the offensive production. The Tigers gained 542 yards total offense, its high total in seven years. Akil Smith was Clemson’s top offensive lineman in the win over Maryland. He graded 85 percent for his 81 plays of action and had a season high 11 knockdown blocks. He graded 85 percent with 11 more knockdowns in just 64 plays against Duke.
Kyle Young is just a sophomore, but is the most experienced of the linemen. The native of Clemson is the brother of former Clemson All-ACC guard Will Young and the grandson of former Tiger Ed McClendon. Young graded 85 percent for his 66 snaps against North Carolina and had seven knockdown blocks.
Clemson’s offensive line averages 261 pounds per man, but they are in good physical condition. Many of the starters have gone the distance this season. Young has six complete games and has missed just 13 snaps all year. John McDermott, starting tackle, actually has gone the distance in all eight games so far this season, the only Tiger on the entire team who can make that claim. Akil Smith has six complete games.
Guard Theo Mougros has gone the route in seven of the nine games. T.J. Watkins, who starts at guard after playing tackle the first three games this year and tight end last year, has played every snap in one game and missed just one snap in another. Will Merritt, returned to action against Duke after suffering a broken collarbone on September 17. All five starters on the offensive line are underclassmen, three are sophomores (Young, Smith and Watkins).
Clemson Football Graduation Rate Cited by AFCA The Clemson football program cited this past summer by the American Football Coaches Association for a graduation rate of over 70 percent. For the class entering in the fall of 1993, Clemson had a 75 percent graduation rate. The national average was 56 percent.
“We congratulate our student-athletes first,” said Athletic Director Bobby Robinson. “We also feel this is a testimony to the efforts of our coaches and Bill D’Andrea’s staff at the Department of Student-Athlete Enrichment Programs.
“We have seen consistent improvement in the academic performance of our football program and all of our athletic teams in recent years since we built Vickery Hall in 1991. We are pleased with these results and our inclusion on this prestigious list.”
Clemson’s program is in good shape to earn future citations from the AFCA. Fourteen of the 18 seniors (78 percent) on Clemson’s 1998 team will have their degrees by August 7. The only four seniors on the 1998 team who have not yet earned their degrees are currently members of NFL teams.
This past spring the Clemson football team had a team GPA of 2.38, its highest on record for a semester, and 24 members of the squad were on the academic honor roll. Thirteen members of the team had a GPA over 3.00 for the year and will be named to the ACC Academic Honor roll in July. That list includes starting center Kyle Young who had a perfect 4.0 for the year. Quarterback Brandon Streeter, who already has his undergraduate degree, is also on that list.
Clemson is one of five ACC schools to make the list of honored schools. The other ACC schools with a graduation rate of at least 70 percent were Duke, Virginia, Wake Forest and North Carolina. Duke was honored as the national champion with a 100 percent rate for the class that entered in 1993. It is the 12th time in the 19 year history of the award that an ACC school has had the highest graduation rate. The ACC had 55 percent of its conference members on the list, the highest percentage in the nation.
Other schools on the list who had a graduation rate of 70 percent or better are Ball State, Baylor, Boston College, Bowling Green, Central Michigan, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Marshall, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Northwestern, Notre Dame, Ohio, Penn State, Rice, Syracuse, Tennessee, UCLA, Vanderbilt and West Virginia.
Carswell Named to Good Works Team On September 21, Robert Carswell was to the American Football Coaches Association Good Works Team for 1999. The team honors those student-athletes who show exceptional dedication to community service and to the betterment of the communities in which they live.
Carswell, a native of Lithonia, GA was one of just 11 Division I-A players selected to the team. He is the first Clemson player chosen for the team in its eight-year history. Carswell is one of the leaders of Leadership in Football and Education (LIFE), a group of Clemson football players who mentor and spend recreational time with underprivileged children. He is also a frequent speaker at local churches and elementary schools.
The Stone Mountain High School (GA) product is also an active member of the Clemson Athletes Outreach Program. Last year he received an Atlantic Coast Conference Top Six Award, an honor given to six student-athletes at each ACC school for helping others and volunteering time in the community.
The other 10 Division I-A players chosen to the AFCA Good Works Team were Dan Alexander (Nebraska), Corey Atkins (South Carolina), Wes Counts (Middle Tennessee State), Casey Crawford (Virginia), Haven Fields (Auburn), Curtis Fuller (TCU), Seth Hanson (Kentucky), Grant Irons (Notre Dame), Bill Marsau (Iowa State), and Dulymus McAlister (Mississippi).
Carswell, who ranked ninth in the nation in total tackles by defensive backs last year, now has 256 tackles for his career and is ahead of the pace set by Terry Kinard, who set a school record for tackles by a defensive back when he had 294 between 1978-82. He has 101 tackles for the season, 11 per game. Carswell now has 14 double digit tackle games in his career, including nine in his last 11.
Tigers Not Nocturnal If you see disappointment on the faces of Clemson coaches and administrators when a Tiger game is moved to a night kickoff due to television you might check Clemson’s record in the decade of the 1990s to see why a frown appears. In the decade of the 1990s Clemson has a 27 percent winning percentage in night games and a 66 percent winning mark in day games. Clemson is just 5-14 in night games in the decade and 63-31-1 in day games. Clemson is 68-45-1 overall.
This year has continued that trend. Clemson is 5-0 in day games and 0-4 in night games in 1999. The Georgia Tech game in Atlanta will be a 12:00 Noon start.
December 8, 2024
