Wednesday 11/10/1999
Nov. 10, 1999
Keith Adams Linebacker – 5-11 – 203 – Sophomore – College Park, GA
The new king of linebackers at Clemson was anointed Saturday when Keith Adams, who broke three school records and tied another, was hoisted on the shoulders of teammates Robert Carswell and Braxton K. Williams at the end of the third quarter.
Adams set school records for sacks in a game with four and tackles-for-loss with six in Clemson’s 58-7 victory over Duke. He recorded his 11th sack this season, breaking the mark of 10.5 set by Adrian Dingle last year. He also collected his 27th tackle for a loss, tying the single-season record held by William Perry.
Adams terrorized Duke quarterbacks Spencer Romine and Bobby Campbell, sending them to the turf early and often. He repeatedly told the duo that as long as he kept blitzing, the pounding would continue.
“Once I step onto the field I just turn into a crazed man, I guess,” he said.
Whether he was speeding around the end to blindside an unsuspecting quarterback or coming straight up the middle to force a bad throw, Adams was everywhere.
Those kind of plays have become the norm for Adams, who recently was named a semifinalist for defensive player of the year by the Football News and is drawing comparisons to the great linebackers of Clemson’s past.
“When I step on the field I try to lead by example,” he said. “I just try to be up in as many people’s faces as I can.”
His effort and exuberance raises the bar for his teammates, according to head coach Tommy Bowden.
“I think it elevates the play of your defense, because guys try to mirror his performance,” Bowden said. “It also elevates the play of the rest of your team, to see somebody always making plays, not only making plays, but making big plays.”
Printed November 7, 1999 By Louis Garmendia, Special Correspondent to The State
Keith Adams 1999 Game-by-Game Stats
* – ACC game
Keith Adams Career Stats
November 1, 2024