Clemson Has Physical Practice

Aug. 26, 2004

Clemson, SC – Clemson held its last physical practice of the week on Thursday afternoon. The two and a half hour workout with full pads finished with a spirited short yardage scrimmage. The defense was much improved from its Wednesday performance.

“Today the defense was much improved, it was a 50-50 situation in short yardage,” said Bowden, who was critical of his defense after practice on Wednesday when he said Wake Forest would have killed Clemson because the defense could not stop the offense one time in short yardage.

“There was good effort and good spirit on both sides. Now some of that was because they could see this was the last tough, physical practice until next week. We will have the Beanie Bowl on Friday, then take Saturday and Sunday off.”

The Beanie Bowl, which will be held in Death Valley on Friday afternoon, is a dress rehearsal practice in which the Tigers rehearse everything from their pregame stretching routine and the exact place on the field each position will work, to taking intentional safeties and practicing on-side kick recoveries. It is a day when every positive circumstance is reviewed. The team even practices how it will handle postgame and the Gathering at the Paw.

Bowden singled out junior college transfer Cory Groover for his play on Thursday. “Cory made a great diving interception after he tipped the ball during short yardage. He is making progress and we need him to continue to make progress. He came here as a standup defensive end and it is tough to make the move to defensive tackle because offensive linemen come at you from all different angles. But he has continued to improve.”

Kelvin Grant was the only new addition to the injury list. The sophomore wide receiver missed practice due to a calf injury, but he should be back at practice on Monday.