Clemson Holds First day of Two-a-days

Aug. 12, 2005

Clemson, SC – Clemson held its first of five two-a-day practices on Friday on the practice fields behind the Jervey Athletic Center. The Tigers practiced for two hours and a half in the morning and for two hours in the afternoon.

“For the first time, we gave into the heat a little in the morning practice,” said Head Coach Tommy Bowden after the second practice. “But, we came back in the afternoon. This was the eighth consecutive day of practice and Saturday will be the ninth. I never remember practicing nine straight days since I have been a head coach (8 years) because we usually take Sunday off.”

The Tigers will hold their first stadium scrimmage of the preseason on Saturday. “It will be an important evaluation day, it will be as close to what we do in a game as we have. I am anxious to see what we can do. It will be an important day because we have a lot of personnel questions and a new offense an defense. Everything will be live, even the kicking game, which we will do at the beginning of the practice.”

The scrimmage is closed to the public and the media.

Bowden has had some offensive linemen miss practice of late, but he expects all but one player (Dustin Fry and Nathan Bennett (two starting offensive linemen) have missed the last couple of days. But, there has been a blessing in disguise because it has allowed us to see some younger players. Roman Fry has done a good job at center in Dustin’s place. Barry Humphries has gotten a lot of snaps at center with the first time as well, and that will help us down the line.”

Bowden did make one position change on Friday, moving defensive tackle Chris McDuffie from defensive tackle to offensive tackle. McDuffie is a red-shirt sophomore who lettered at defensive tackle last year. “We have some young defensive linemen that we want to see and we know what Chris can do. He could move back if we need to as a result of injuries. But, we plan to look at Chris at offensive tackle.”

Bobby Hutchinson missed both practices on Friday as he recovers from a sprained ankle that he suffered in the practice on Wednesday night.

Clemson will take Sunday off for Fan Appreciation Day (3:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Death Valley) then go back to two-a-day practice on Monday. Clemson will have two-a-day practices on next Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of next week before holding another scrimmage on Saturday, August 20.