Another injury scare for Clemson

CLEMSON — Clemson's defense took another hit Thursday, but not nearly as big as initially feared.

Team doctors weren't optimistic after defensive tackle Dorell Scott began experiencing pain in his groin area during practice. The initial prognosis: a medical condition that restricted Scott's blood supply and put him in serious danger of missing the No. 15 Tigers' game against No. 22 Auburn in the Chick-fil-A Bowl.

But after Scott visited a urologist, diagnostic tests revealed he had a "strained lower abdominal injury," according to a release from Clemson's sports information department. Scott, a redshirt junior who has started all 12 games this season for the 9-3 Tigers, will miss today's practice but is expected to play in the Dec. 31 bowl game in Atlanta.

Had Scott been forced to sit out the game, he'd have been the third — and possibly fourth — defensive starter missing. Senior linebackers Nick Watkins and Tramaine Bille have been declared academically ineligible, and linebacker Cortney Vincent's status has yet to be determined after a recent arrest for DUI.

Also, starting offensive tackle Christian Capote is academically ineligible.

Scott is eighth on the team in tackles with 50. In the Tigers' last three games, he has totaled 20 tackles and two sacks.

Spence has admirer

Tennessee is pursuing Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence. Spence, who is in his third year with the Tigers, is expected to interview with Volunteers coach Philip Fulmer today, according to a source at Tennessee

Spence is believed to the first candidate interviewing person with Fulmer.

Spence would receive a significant raise from the Volunteers. He makes $207,000 a year at Clemson, but departed offensive coordinator David Cutcliffe made $340,000 in his final season with the Volunteers, but was due to make $400,000 next year.

Cutcliffe took the head-coaching job at Duke late last week. Tennessee athletic director Mike Hamilton has said money will not be an issue in the school's search for a new coordinator.

Bruce Warwick, Tennessee's director of football operations, worked with Spence at Maryland in 1992 and '93. After the 2006 season, Spence turned down lucrative offers from Alabama and Minnesota.

This season, Clemson ranks first in the ACC in scoring, averaging 34.2 points per game. The Tigers are second in rushing offense, passing offense and total offense.

Spence did not return a phone message left Thursday night.

This and that

Six players graduated Thursday: offensive tackle Barry Richardson, guard Chris McDuffie, fullback Alex Pearson, tight end Akeem Robinson, receiver Brian Sorrells, and receiver Bradley Flowers. Twenty-six Clemson athletes received degrees, including former point guard Vernon Hamilton … Former football players Nathan Bennett, Chris Russell, Kwam Williams and Damonte McKenzie also graduated … The Tigers have their final on-campus practice this morning … Bowden said his team will use 13 of the 15 bowl practices allowed by the NCAA.

Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com.