Clemson vs. Georgia Notes

Sept. 1, 2003

*Airese Currie established a career high in receptions today with seven (for 56 yards). He actually reached that total in the first half of the game. His previous career high was 5-59 yards against North Carolina during his freshman year, 2001. He did not establish a career high for reception yards. He had 90 at North Carolina last year on two catches.

*Leroy Hill led Clemson in tackles in today’s game with 13. It marks the second time in his career that he has led Clemson in tackles. He had 11 to lead the Tigers in a victory over Duke in 2001, his first-year freshman season. Hill also had a career high three tackles for loss in the game.

*Clemson was shutout today by Georgia by a 30-0 score. It was the first time Clemson has been shutout in the Tommy Bowden era, the first shutout for any Clemson team since October 17, 1998 when Florida State defeated Clemson 48-0 in Tallahassee. It was the first time Clemson has been shut out at home since September 12, 1998 when Virginia Tech defeated Clemson in the second game of the season, 37-0.

*Clemson played the following first-year freshmen in the game: Brandon Pilgrim (OG), Jad Dean (PK). *The following red-shirt freshmen played in a game for the first time at Clemson: Dustin Fry( LT), Dustin Fry ©, Nathan Bennett (OG), Chansi Stuckey (QB), Cole Chason (P), Reggie Merriweather (RB), Kelvin Grant (WR), Anthony Waters (LB), Gerald McCloud (ROV), Buddy Williams (Special teams), Gaines Adams (Special Teams) *The following players made their first ever start for Clemson: Nathan Bennett (OG), Duane Coleman (TB), DeJuan Polk (DT), J.J. Howard (DE), LeRoy Hill (LB), Jamaal Fudge (ROV), Travis Pugh (FS),

*Clemson did not force a turnover on defense today. It was just the second time in the 14 games John Lovett has been defensive coordinator that Clemson failed to force a turnover. The other occasion was at Florida State last year when Clemson committed four on offense and failed to force one on defense.

*Today’s attendance of 83,000 was the largest for a home opener in Clemson history. The previous record was 81,482 when Clemson opened the 2001 season against Central Florida.

*Punter Cole Chason had a 41.3-yard punting average today. He allowed just 12 punt return yards on his six attempts for a 39.3 net punting average. Clemson did not have a gross punting average game of over 40yards all of last year and never had a net punting figure over 39 yards all of last season.

*Kevin Youngblood had three catches for 24 yards. He has now caught at least one pass in 16 straight games dating to the 2000 South Carolina game.

*Derrick Hamilton had 65 yards all-purpose running today and now has 3169 for his career. He moved ahead of Kenny Flowers (3146) and Ray Matthews (3128) into fourth place on Clemson’s career list for that category. Next on the list is Buddy Gore (3273).

*Aaron Hunt’s Clemson record for consecutive games scoring at least one point was broken today. Hunt had scored at least one point in every game he had played in his Clemson career entering today’s game, a streak of 36 in a row. He did not score last year against NC State, but he did not play in that game either. He did appear in today’s game and missed a 52-yard field goal attempt.