Tigers determined to change the course of their seasonBy Larry Williams (Contact)
The Post and Courier
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
CLEMSON — James Davis was besieged with questions and criticism from students who blasted play- calling and called for coach Tommy Bowden's ouster. A few of Michael Palmer's classmates told him his team stunk. He said a professor even mocked Clemson's annoying habit of blowing games it should win. The Tigers thought it was rough being booed off the field after their 20-17 home loss to Maryland on Sept. 27, but they've found the sentiment to be just as harsh walking around their own campus over the past week. "I've been hearing something from everybody," said Davis, a senior tailback. Last weekend's open date gave fans more time to stew over a team that has fallen far short of expectations. But the 3-2 Tigers are bent on changing perception — and changing the course of their season — in Thursday's visit to No. 21 Wake Forest. "You can't jump to conclusions in the middle of the season," said senior quarterback Cullen Harper. The Tigers (1-1 ACC) made themselves easy targets in squandering a 17-6 halftime lead to the Terrapins, a team that followed up that victory with a 31-0 wipeout at Virginia three days ago. Clemson quietly went about its business last week and conducted two difficult practices Saturday and Sunday. Davis said the sessions felt like a return to preseason camp, and a lot of that had to do with the increased volume coming from offensive coordinator Rob Spence. Spence took the blame for a cluster of second-half offensive gaffes that cost the Tigers dearly against the Terrapins. Silly penalties created long-yardage situations and deflated an offense that looked unstoppable in the first half. According to Harper, the offense now must run 100 yards for every offsides penalty. "He's been a lot more vocal out there than he has been," Harper said. "I think it's a good thing, because he's coaching us hard and he's pushing us and he's making us better." Davis said Spence is "getting on everybody." "This is definitely the (most) intense I've seen him," he said. "He's out there losing it. You can see it in his face. His veins are coming out." Maryland's meltdown at Virginia was mystifying to the Tigers, who are still trying to figure out how the same team left Death Valley with a victory. "They just destroyed them," said Palmer, a junior tight end. "We were just completely stunned." The positive side to that, though, is that Maryland's defeat left Wake Forest as the only Atlantic Division team without a loss. That was the first thing Bowden mentioned to his team before Sunday's practice. "In this profession, you're always adjusting to the environment," the coach said. Bowden's latest adjustment is making sure his players know one loss doesn't necessarily eject Clemson from the driver's seat in the division race. Boston College won the Atlantic last year with two ACC losses, and same with Wake Forest in 2006. Florida State advanced with a 5-3 record in 2005, the conference's first year in the split-division format. The Tigers, of course, are still seeking their first conference crown since 1991. Still seeking to quell the ever-increasing doubts about their chances of greatness this season. "If we can beat Wake Forest, we're in the driver's seat again," said Harper, whose team beat the Demon Deacons 44-10 last year in Clemson. "So all is not lost. We still have a lot of football to play, and we're still in a good position." Worth noting -- Offensive line coach Brad Scott said Cory Lambert will start at left guard Thursday. -- Left tackle Chris Hairston said he's close to full strength after missing most of the past three games with a bruised knee. He anticipates starting and playing most of the game. -- Junior tailback C.J. Spiller said the injured foot that gave him trouble against Maryland is now 100 percent. -- Bowden reiterated that there are no plans to play backup quarterback Willy Korn because Harper hasn't done anything to warrant a change. -- Bowden said scrambling is the only thing he'd like to see Harper improve. -- Next week's home game against Georgia Tech will begin at noon and be televised by ESPN or ESPN2, the ACC announced Monday. -- Guard Barry Humphries said he's hoping to play against the Yellow Jackets, but Scott indicated a more realistic return might be the Tigers' Nov. 1 game at Boston College. -- Humphries suffered a partially torn anterior cruciate ligament in the opener against Alabama. Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/ |
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Comments
This article has 25 comment(s)
Posted by theronce on October 7, 2008 at 7:18 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Coaching aside, I have a low regard for some of these players who apparantly think that they only need to show up or slack off once they have their numbers or are ahead. That's individual responsibility. What a waste of talent on some who have so little character. What a bunch of pansies.
Posted by elcid81 on October 7, 2008 at 7:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
As long as the Clemson coaches fail to make adjustments to the opponents play, Clemson will continue to loose. Again we saw evidence of this at the Maryland game. It's called coaching and thats what timeouts and the halftime should be used for. Halftime isn't just for the bands. Bring Bobby Johnson (Vandy) back to the state of SC. I seriously doubt Clemson quailifies for a bowl this year. Please prove me wrong.
Posted by bribetaker on October 7, 2008 at 8:03 a.m. (Suggest removal)
It could be worse....my wife is a Tennessee fan....talk about under-performing.....
Posted by robbybobby on October 7, 2008 at 8:37 a.m. (Suggest removal)
awww, those poor sensitive players who have to listen to the complaints of fellow students and even professors (that assumes, of course, the players recognize a prof when they see one). Let's see, you lose to a good team and the "fans" turn on you?? Amazing cause and effect situation. Why, before you know it, they may start leaving early. Wait, they can't do that, because (1) there is no place else to go in tigger town except the clay pits, and (2) the tiggers lose late, again to good teams, exacerbating the orange clad faithful no end. Get a prof for the ex word. Go tiggers, the best mediocre team in the NW part of our state.
Posted by uscsax on October 7, 2008 at 8:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I'm sorry I think these students giving the players crap is ridiculous. These kids aren't getting paid to play and don't deserve this treatment. It's ridiculous. And for the record I'm an SC fan.
Oh, and to the gentleman, and I use that term loosely, who called the players pansies....I'm sure you've seen where the stadium and practice facility is in Clemson, why don't you show how much of a "man" you are and go down there and call all 100 or so players and coaches on the team "pansies" to their face. Keyboard jockey.
Posted by sbs920 on October 7, 2008 at 8:54 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Can CU coaches sugar-coat this whole situation any better?
Whatta Joke. . . .
I guess the glass is always 1/2 full with these fools.
Posted by ConcernedinCHS on October 7, 2008 at 9:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
The Clempson players are REALLY good at jumping around like idiots before the game like they already won.
That's about it at this point
Posted by SCdeacinNYC on October 7, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I am hoping they won't repeat the spanking they gave us last year...
Go Deacs!! :)
Posted by summerville_guy on October 7, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)
uscsax,
Your argument holds no water. If the players (who, as you say, are not getting "paid" to play even though the majority of them are on full scholarship) were undefeated, would you say that the students should not congratulate them around campus? These young men chose to become public figures when they signed with Clemson, so they have to take the criticism that comes along with not performing up to expectations. They certainly would expect acknowledgement for good play, so why should they not be acknowledged for bad play?
For the record, I am a USC fan like you. It just irks me that some people feel that fans who pay to get into the games should not be able to express discontent over poor performance.
Posted by GrnWveMatt on October 7, 2008 at 10:02 a.m. (Suggest removal)
GO TIGERS! BEAT WAKE! TIRED OF THE NEGATIVITY, BEATING THE DEACONS WILL SHUT THEM ALL UP...
Posted by SCdeacinNYC on October 7, 2008 at 10:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Actually beating Wake, which of course I don't think will happen WONT shut up the negativity in Clemson. Clemson fans have high expectations and they should, they also have "good" teams on paper. Unless Clemson wins the ACC championship this year somehow, I doubt the negativity or complaining will stop.
At Wake, we are still happy to just make bowl games, the level of appreciation and expecations is completely different.
Posted by TAR1 on October 7, 2008 at 10:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RW, What are you doing? You forget our bet? I wasn't on the comp. yesterday. Once you broke the bet by replying in the sports section I get to ask one question. How bout the Dores??????? Vandy is legit.
Posted by sbs920 on October 7, 2008 at 10:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)
RW? WTF! Dude, talking smack when your "Warn-out Eagles" got spanked by Vandy. Auburn's offense looked horrible!
you need to go to the corner little boy and hide in shame for a week. . . LOL! NO Posting RW !
Posted by uscsax on October 7, 2008 at 10:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)
summerville my arguement does hold water for this reason, good or bad play, the only people that created these expectations are the people talking trash to the players. The players and the team had expectations within the program, the media and fans hyped them up to be what they obviously weren't. And as far as the point you bring up that they are kind of paid because they're on scholarship. The average scholarship for these athletes, full ride, is probably $20k per year, housing, tuition, books, food. The average total ticket sales for 1 home game at SC for instance, gamecock due withstanding, is $4 million. Does this seem a bit skewed?
"It just irks me that some people feel that fans who pay to get into the games should not be able to express discontent over poor performance."
I have no problem with saying things like, "I wish they were playing better", blame the coaches, they are getting paid and well. To me this is fine, but the second a bunch of overgrown 30 - 50 year old adolescents start berating and busting on 18-22 year old kids who probably do more work everyday than most people twice their age, I have a problem.
Posted by TAR1 on October 7, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
LOL!!! I didn't get to watch any games I went shrimping Sat-Mon. When I heard the Auburn score I couldn't beleive it myself.
Posted by surfer on October 7, 2008 at 11:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to say, RW has called it like he sees it all season long. When we (Carolina) looked horrible he didn't sugar coat it, he called it the way it was. Now that we (hopefully) have turned things around he's still calling it like he sees it. For the most part he's one of the few on here not trying to pick a fight with every negative comment he writes, the fight just happens because some people take it personal. That being said Clemson will turn it around, but it probably won't be Thursday. Wake is rolling into this game with too much momentum. The tigers will still wind up in a good bowl because the ACC is so weak.
Posted by JF on October 7, 2008 at 12:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Didn't Wake lose to Navy? That won't be much of a feather for the cap if the Tigers win next week.
Posted by sbs920 on October 7, 2008 at 1:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
RW! Just yanking your chain bro! Auburn will rebound, too much talent and good coaching there. Plus Vandy is a good team. WE ALL know that! They won't win the SEC but they sure as he11 would be the best team in the ACC - Average Coast Conference if put there this year! If USC could beat UK in Lexington it could turn into a good season. but it was just 1 win against an average Ole Miss.
Beat UK, TN, AR and make it respectable against FL and LSU. you never know, the CU game is a coin toss at best this year. . . I love college football ! ! !
Posted by dogdoc12 on October 7, 2008 at 2:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Glad we gave Bowden such a big raise this year....
Posted by tanpeylan on October 7, 2008 at 2:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please Tommy don't change anything. The stats shows soo well.... Other than the final score.
Posted by theronce on October 7, 2008 at 3:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)
uscsax, at my age, I have no doubt that one or more or all of them could or would whip me, if I were to go there and call the pansies "pansies" to their faces. (Of course, I probably could have used a different reference to express my disdain for their efforts to date.) If I did take your challenge, I would hope that they would have better sense than to pay much, if any, attention to me. I suspect that one or more may take me on. I would lose, but they would know they had been to battle, because on my worst day, I have had more heart than what I've seen from too many of them. I always hope these trials touhgen them up some. Since the coaches do not seem to be able to do it. I do not know what the answer is, but I know it is not whining about what others are saying. They need to look inside.
Posted by theronce on October 7, 2008 at 3:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)
uscsax, by the way, your gamecocks certainly have shown no more intestinal fortitude than my tigers. They are pansies too times two.
Posted by robbybobby on October 7, 2008 at 3:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)
"According to Harper, the offense now must run 100 yards for every offsides penalty." -- sure hope the coach explained they wait till practice to do these. Otherwise, the next game could last quite some time.
Posted by uscsax on October 7, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
theronce, I'd have to disagree, we haven't lost to a team that followed it up with a shut out beat down to arguably the worst team in the ACC. And I haven't called anyone a pansy, but you can continue if you wish, free country and all.
Posted by tomtom3200 on October 7, 2008 at 5:30 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Krama. When you condone domestic violence, the well is poisoned. Clemson will continue to pay as long as McDaniels is on the team.