Clemson Gator Bowl Game Notes

Jan. 1, 2001

Rod Gardner Becomes Clemson Career Receptions Leader Wide receiver Rod Gardner had seven catches for 94 yards and a touchdown today. He became Clemson’s career leader in receptions in the contest. He finished his career with 166 receptions, four more than Terry Smith accumulated between 1990-93. He finished his career second in Clemson history in reception yardage with 2498, just two yards short of becoming the second 2500 yard receiver in Clemson history.

Gardner also went over the 1000-yard mark for the season with today’s performance. He finished the season with 1050 receiving yards, 34 short of his single season record set last year. He is the only Clemson player in history with a pair of 1000-yard receiving seasons.

Woodrow Dantzler Has 1000-Yard Rushing Season Woodrow Dantzler had 81 yards rushing in today’s game and went over 1000 yards in the process. He finished the 12-game season with 1028, one more than Travis Zachery who had 1027. This is the first season (including a bowl game) that Clemson has had a 1000-yard rusher and 1000-yard receiver in the same year and the first time ever that Clemson has had two 1000-yard rushers in the same season.

Travis Zachery Sets Clemson Single Season TD Record Travis Zachery set the Clemson single season touchdown record with his 23-yard scoring catch in the first half. It was his 18th touchdown of the year, one more than Lester Brown had in 1978. Zachery suffered a broken foot on the touchdown play. It is the second straight year he has gone the entire regular season without injury then suffered a broken bone in the bowl game. He had a broken elbow in the first half of the Mississippi State game in the Peach Bowl last year.

Bernard Rambert Suffers Bruised Ribs Zachery’s replacement, Bernard Rambert, suffered bruised ribs in the third period and did not return. Keith Kelly played most of the fourth period as Clemson’s tailback.

Clemson Breaks Single Season TD Pass Record Clemson threw two touchdown passes in today’s game, giving the Tigers 19 for the season. That is a Clemson single season record, breaking the mark of 17 set in 1984.

Eighth Appearance Monday’s Gator Bowl was Clemson’s eighth appearance in the Jacksonville bowl…with the loss to Virginia Tech, Clemson is 4-4 in the Gator Bowl…Clemson and Florida are tied with the most appearances in the Gator Bowl.