Dec. 5, 2006
This week I would like to express my appreciation and pride in our 2006 football seniors. These seniors, along with our coaches and staff, were not satisfied with how this season played out – and were disappointed that Clemson was not in Jacksonville to play for the ACC Championship, particularly being the only ACC team to defeat both Wake Forest and Georgia Tech. Nonetheless, the 2006 seniors have provided a solid footprint for the future. In this column, I’d like to put into perspective of what this senior class accomplished and what they’re about. The following represents just some of what they accomplished.
· To begin, and most importantly, all 20 seniors have or will soon have their Clemson degrees. Three have already graduated, 11 will graduate this December, three in May and three in the summer. Further, the seniors have been actively involved in community outreach helping others and through their character and leadership, there have been very minimal off-the-field issues that have arisen. In essence, this senior class has embraced the best of Clemson values.
· Their overall four-year record is 31-17. This is the best won/loss record for any Clemson senior class in 13 years.
· Had back-to-back eight win seasons in 2005 and 2006. This had not been accomplished since 1990 and 1991. Also, over the last 30 games, their teams lost just one game by more than six points. Just one other Clemson senior class has equaled this degree of competitiveness in the last 100 years of Clemson football.
· Had eight Top 20 wins and four Top 10 wins. This tied the school record for any senior class in each category. The senior class of 1983 and 1989 had eight Top 20 wins; the senior class of 1983 and 2004 had four Top 10 wins.
To place the Top 10 wins in perspective, we just need to look at Coach Ford’s great teams. Of Coach Ford’s last six senior classes in the 1980’s, when Clemson had the fifth best record in college football, those senior classes had just one.
· During the 2006 season, Clemson was one of just 10 schools nationally to post wins over teams in the Top 15. Further, only Clemson and Ohio State rank in the Top 15 in both scoring offense and total offense and both scoring defense and total defense. This was done despite having seven starters miss a total of 36 combined games due to injury – which is an all-time record for lost playing time by any Clemson team as far back as these records are kept.
· They are the only ACC senior class to defeat Florida State three times since Florida State became a conference member in 1992. Also, ESPN Game Day came to Clemson for the first time in history. Gaines Adams was chosen as the ACC Defensive Player of the Year.
· These seniors, through their leadership and belief in the program, helped recruit outstanding freshmen in 2004 and 2005. This is evidenced by having 20 freshmen and redshirt freshmen play this year. And, we’re on target to bring in another very good class for 2007.
All in all, I know they and their coaches are not satisfied, but I do want to say how much I appreciate them for a legacy that we can continue to build upon to ultimately reach our first goal – an ACC Championship and BCS Bowl berth.
Thank you, Seniors, for who you are and the proud moments you provided. Now, let’s get ready for Kentucky in the Music City Bowl and help the underclassmen get ready for 2007.
Again, my thanks and appreciation.
In Solid Orange, Terry Don Phillips Athletic Director
December 8, 2024
