Tigers Hold Monday Bowl Practice

CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson held its third bowl practice, but its first in full pads on Monday night on the practice fields behind the Indoor Practice Facility. The Tigers worked for two crisp hours in preparation for the Dec. 29 Russell Athletic Bowl against the Oklahoma Sooners.

“This is a big week for us,” said Head Coach Dabo Swinney. “You can’t show up in Orlando and start game planning. You have to do that on campus because there are too many distractions once you get to the bowl site. When we go to Orlando we want to be in a situation where we are just polishing (the game plan).”

Swinney said it is also a big week for the future of his team because the next three days he will keep his young players, in particular the redshirts, after practice for some scrimmaging.

“We will practice a quick 17 periods with the varsity. We have good energy and will work efficiently. That is the way to do it this time of the year. I am not looking to over-work the team. Then, after the varsity is finished we will work four or five periods (20-25 minutes) with the young players and let them compete against each other.”

Swinney gave an update on Deshaun Watson after practice. Watson had surgery to repair a torn ACL last Friday.

“The surgery went very well and he is already into the rehab process. He is spending a lot of time in the training room and will in the coming days. He is on crutches, but he is doing everything he can.

“Stanton Seckinger is also recovering nicely from his knee surgery. Seck and Deshaun are going to spend a lot of time together and that will be a good thing because it helps to have a buddy go through this.

“We are confident Deshaun and Stanton are going to recover quickly and we will have them out there this summer. We will need Stanton’s senior leadership and of course you need your quarterback from a leadership standpoint. They will go to all the meetings this spring, but won’t practice.” 

The Tigers will practice Tuesday through Friday afternoon this week, then take a break to spend some time with their families. The first practice in Orlando will be on Dec. 24.