Clemson Football Update

Oct. 18, 2001

Clemson, SC – Clemson Head Coach Tommy Bowden expects to have some of his injured players back for this Saturday’s game with North Carolina.

Bowden said after practice on Thursday that wide receiver Jackie Robinson should return after missing the last two games with a broken jaw, an injury he suffered in the Virginia game on September 22nd. Robinson could start the game. He has practiced with the first team all week.

Bowden also said that wide receiver Roscoe Crosby was probable for the North Carolina game. The high school All-American has played just 13 snaps since suffering a sprained knee in the September 8 Wofford game. He did not play last week against NC State.

Defensive tackle Nick Eason, who played only five snaps at NC State due to a sprained ankle, is probable for the UNC contest. The same goes for tackle Jovon Bush, who suffered a pulled groin muscle on Tuesday in practice this week.

Kevin Johnson, a starting cornerback who missed the NC State game with a broken rib, is also listed as probable for the North Carolina contest. Johnson suffered the injury in the win over Georgia Tech.

Starting cornerback Brian Mance probably will not play this week. He has missed the entire week of practice to be with his family. Mance’s 24-year old brother was killed in an automobile accident last weekend. On Thursday evening, Bowden did not know if Mance would return to campus for the game.

Mance is also the top return man on the team. Joe Don Reames will take his place on punt returns and Derrick Hamilton will be the primary return man on kickoff returns.

Special teams player Joel Gardner will miss the game due to a virus. Wide receivers Kevin Youngblood (broken leg) and Tony Elliott (broken wrist) will not play against North Carolina. Defensive back Marcus Houskin is out for the year with broken neck and linebacker Altroy Bodrick is out for the year with a torn ACL.