Clemson Holds Final Scrimmage

Aug. 23, 2005

Clemson, SC – Duane Coleman ran for 51 yards in just five carries to lead the offense, and Gaines Adams recorded a pair of sacks to lead the defense in a 75-play Clemson scrimmage in Death Valley on Tuesday night. The two and a half hour practice concluded the preseason camp for the Clemson football team. The Tigers will have Wednesday off from a football standpoint, but it will be the first day of school on the Clemson campus.

Bowden was pleased with the effort of his team throughout preseason camp, but is hard pressed to say whether the offense or defense is ahead at this point. “The effort has been there the entire preseason,” said Bowden of his team, who made its team conditioning run after every practice in the preseason. “This was the final practice of camp and they continued the good effort.

“What I have been most pleased with is the depth. We still have a lot of battles for starting positions going on. You can go right through the team. I think a lot of players will see action this fall. And that includes the freshman class. We still have some decisions to make, but I wouldn’t be surprised if we played seven or eight true freshman this year.”

As far as Tuesday’s scrimmage, and the team at this point, he could not say who was ahead. “I really couldn’t say whether the defense or the offense is ahead at this point. Just tonight, the offense drove it right down the field on the first possession, but then got only a field goal. Then there were parts when the defensive dominated. Then, when we had a situation where the offense was backed up to its one-yard-line, the offense broke some big plays.

“But, overall, the attitude has been very healthy.”

The Clemson team is in fairly good health physically. The only new injury reported on Tuesday was a sprained shoulder by tight end Bobby Williamson. Donnell Clark (ankle), Kwam Williams (ankle), Cole Downer (chest injury), and Kelvin Grant (separated shoulder) were on the injured list on Tuesday. The only player at this point in jeopardy of missing the Texas A&M game would be Grant.

Statistically, Tuesday’s scrimmage was balanced on both sides of the ball. Charlie Whitehurst was 8-15 for 69 yards with the number-one offense against the number-one defense, while Will Proctor continued his fine preseason by completing 12-17 passes for 126 yards and a touchdown. He did throw an interception, however, one that was picked off by freshman Ray Ray McElrathbey in the endzone. Red-shirt freshman Cullen Harper was 4-5 for 63 yards and two scores.

The top rusher in the scrimmage was Paul Macko, who had 5-61 rushing and a touchdown for the third string offense. Coleman led the first teamers with 5-51 rushing. Freshman James Davis had 11-41 and a touchdown (3-yard run), while Reggie Merriweather had 6-24.

The receiving stats were balanced once again. Freshman Will Proctor. Freshman Rendrick Taylor had 3-34 and Nelson Faerber had 3-47.