Clemson Holds Second Practice

Aug. 2, 2008

Clemson got a late start, but had a three-hour practice on the practice fields behind the Jervey Athletic Center on Saturday. The workout was suppose to start at 4:30 PM, but a lightning alert went off as the team was going through pre-practice stretching, forcing the entire team back to the locker room.

The team returned to the field an hour later and the Tigers worked until 8:30 PM. The team was in jerseys and shorts for Saturday’s workout. The team will work on Sunday afternoon and Monday in shoulder pads and shorts.

“It was a late start but we got everything in,” said Head Coach Tommy Bowden. “The wide receivers and tight ends did a good job today catching the ball over the middle today. It takes some guts to take your arms away from your side and leave your ribs unprotected. But, they made some nice receptions.

“It was a good day of practice, but it is hard to evaluate without the contact. We are challenging them from an assignment standpoint. This was the second of five days of installation of the offense and the defense and it has gone well so far.”

Bowden also talked about the Clemson kickers after practice. “Mark Buchholz and the other kickers and snappers are doing well. Mark played two sports last year, so he will have the time to pay more attention to detail this year. He won’t have to worry about the next soccer match. That will have to be a plus.”

There has been some movement in terms of position assignments so far. Jock McKissic has returned to defensive tackle. The senior played that position each of the last three years, including 2006 when he was a starter. He played on the offensive line last spring, but has returned to defense. Haydrian Lewis, who suffered a torn ACL in the fifth game of the 2007 season at Georgia Tech, has moved from cornerback to safety.

Bobby Hutchinson, a reserve offensive guard, who played a career high 37 snaps in the win over Florida State last year, has served as a student assistant coach for the first two practices. He plans to go into coaching after he graduates in December and it appears he will serve as a student coach this year. Coach Bowden did not rule out the possibility of him returning to the active roster if he is needed.

The only player on the injured list on Saturday was wide receiver Xavier Dye, who was in a green jersey due to a shoulder bruise. He is expected back to full practice participation early next week.