Clemson Spring Football Update

March 16, 2001

Clemson, SC – The Clemson football team completed the first half of its spring practice workouts Friday morning on the practice fields behind the Jervey Athletic Center. Coach Tommy Bowden ran his team through a two-hour practice that began at 5:30 AM, allowing his players to depart for spring break upon the completion of their final class on Friday.

The Tigers have completed eight spring practices, including one of three scrimmages. The team will now join the rest of the Clemson student body for spring break next week, then return to practice on March 26th.

The Tigers are also scheduled to practice March 28th, March 30th, March 31st, April 2nd, April 4th and April 7th. The March 31st practice is slated to be a Saturday scrimmage in Death Valley. The practice schedule could change based on weather conditions.

Spring practice will conclude with the annual Orange & White scrimmage in Death Valley at 3:00 PM on April 7th. Admission to the event is free.

Clemson has had few injuries during the first half of spring practice. The only significant new injury is a sprained knee suffered by Nick Black in the March 10th scrimmage. He could return by the end of spring workouts. J.J. McKelvey suffered a cut below his left kneecap in practice on Friday morning. Twelve stitches were required to close the cut, but he is expected to return to practice on the 26th.

Five players, including four starters, have not practiced yet this spring. Travis Zachery, Marcus Lewis and Nick Eason all will miss the entire spring practice period with injuries. Zachery, Clemson’s starting tailback and a 1000-yard rusher last year, suffered a broken bone in a foot in the Gator Bowl. Lewis, a reserve defensive lineman, suffered a torn ACL during practice leading up to the Gator Bowl, while Eason suffered a torn achilles tendon in practice prior to the Gator Bowl. Eason was Clemson’s co-leader in sacks last year with seven. All are expected back for the beginning of practice in August.

Starting Quarterback Woodrow Dantzler has been recovering after January surgery to repair a lower leg injury that he originally suffered in the October 21st North Carolina game in Chapel Hill. He has been running on his own during practice. He is expected to work into more aspects of practice on March 26th and could work in the March 31st scrimmage.

Starting offensive guard T.J. Watkins has been limited in practice so far due to a shoulder injury that required surgery in January. He could return to practice on the 26th.