Offense Highlights Football Scrimmage

Aug. 21, 1999

Clemson, S.C.–Co-starting quarterbacks Brandon Streeter and Woodrow Dantzler were a combined 18-30 for 271 yards and three touchdowns Saturday to highlight play in Clemson’s second stadium scrimmage of the preseason. The Tigers are preparing for the 1999 season opener against Marshall on September 4 at 6:00 PM.

It was a day for the offense as the point production unit scored seven touchdowns and kicked two field goals. All four Clemson quarterbacks took the offense on touchdown drives. The offense was 24-51 for 329 yards and four touchdowns in terms of throwing the ball, while the unit also had 197 yards on the ground in 57 plays.

Streeter, a graduate student and Clemson’s returning starter at quarterback, was sharp all day, hitting 12-17 for 146 yards and one touchdown. Dantzler was 6-13 for 125 yards and two scores. Red-shirt freshman Matt Schell was 2-5 for 24 yards and a score, while first-year freshman Willie Simmons was 4-16 for 34 yards and one interception.

The ball carriers were led by Joe Don Reames, who had a 50-yard touchdown run on a reverse. Javis Austin ran well, gaining 36 yards in 10 attempts. The junior, who is running first-string at tailback, scored the scrimmages first touchdown. Freshman Chad Jasmin had 10-35 rushing, including an 11-yard score, while senior Terry Witherspoon had 8-24 on the ground.

The receivers were led by Rod Gardner, who had five receptions for 78 yards and a score. He started the scrimmage on the right foot for the offense with a 33-yard reception from Brandon Streeter on the first play. Mal Lawyer had five catches for 77 yards, including a 40-yard scoring passing from Dantzler. Freshman Kevin Youngblood caught four passes for 32 yards. Tight end Morgan Woodward had two catches for 35 yards, including a seven yard scoring pass from Dantzler.

Although it was not a big day for the defense, there were some standouts. Keith Adams had 12 tackles, including three tackles for loss to lead all tacklers. Chad Speck had seven stops, as did linebacker Kenzi Ross. Brian Mance had two passes broken up and an interception, while fellow cornerback Dextra Polite had another solid performance with four tackles and a pass deflection.

Terry Jolly was the top defensive lineman with five tackles, a pass broken up and an interception during the goal line drills. Jovon Bush had four tackles, a sack and two tackles for loss.The defense was missing two key starters up front, Damonte McKenzie and Gary Childress. McKenzie is hobbled by a hamstring injury, while Childress has a knee sprain. Altroy Bodrick had an excused absence from the scrimmage due to a family problem.

Offensively, starting offensive tackle T.J. Watkins missed the scrimmage due to a high ankle sprain. He should be out another week. Running back Shawn Crawford will be out for a week due to a knee injury, while Jackie Robinson missed the scrimmage due to a hamstring injury.

“Today we saw that the offense can be productive when it feels a sense of urgency,” said Tommy Bowden. “We challenged the offense to improve from the previous scrimmage when we scored just two touchdowns.Both Brandon and Woodrow did well. Willie did well also, even though the numbers don’t show it. He had some passes dropped. Javis Austin ran well again, as did Chad Jasmin and Terry Witherspoon. We saw the receivers make some big plays today. Mal Lawyer and Rod Gardner made some big plays. What we need now is some consistency on offense.

“The defense just didn’t make any big plays today. Brian Mance and Alex Ardley had interceptions and there were a couple of sacks, but overall there weren’t many impressive performances on defense. We were happy to see the offense score, but we were disappointed that the defense gave up seven touchdowns.”

Bowden also said that kicker Tony Lazzara has moved back ahead of Chris Campbell. Neither kicker missed in the scrimmage. Lazzara booted a 33-yard field goal, while Campbell made a 43-yarder. Lazzara was 4-4 on PATs, while Campbell was 3-3.

Clemson scrimmage stats

Passing: Brandon Streeter 12-17-146-1-1, Woodrow Dantzler 6-13-125-2-0, Matt Schell 2-5-24-1-0, Willie Simmons 4-16-34-0-1

Rushing: Javis Austin 10-36-1, Chad Jasmin 10-35-1, Terry Witherspoon 8-24, Joe Don Reames 1-50-1, Bernard Rambert 5-12, Woodrow Dantzler 7-19, Willie Simmons 6-12, Tore White 4- (-1), Brian Wofford 1- (-3), Brandon Streeter 1-12, Vince Ciurciu 2-0, Matt Schell 3-7

Receiving: Rod Gardner 5-78-1, Mal lawyer 5-77-1, Kevin Youngblood 4-32, Justin Watts 2-28, Morgan Woodward 2-35-1, Marvis Jenkins 1-7, Vince Ciurciu 1-17-1, Brian Wofford 1-5, Matt Bailey 1-28, Mike Seth 2-22

Tackle Leaders: Keith Adams 12, Chad Speck 7, Kenzi Ross 7, Charles Hafley 6, Robert Carswell 6, Chad Carson 6,Interceptions: Brian Mance, Alex Ardley