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NC State (3-6) vs. Clemson (7-3)
Saturday, November 11, 2006
12:00 pm Memorial Stadium
Clemson, SC
LFN
NC State Game Notes
NOTING THE PACK
NC State used a different starting five for the first time all season on the offensive
line. Meares Green (RT) and Luke Lathan (C) started for the first time in 2006, with
Leroy Harris moving from starting center to starting left guard.
All six of the Wolfpack's conference games have been decided by eight points or
less this season.
Darrell Blackman is second in the ACC in kick returns (eighth nationally) and fourth
in the ACC in punt returns (26th nationally). He ranks first in kick returns and second
in punt returns in ACC games only.
NC STATE VERSUS CLEMSON
NC State and Clemson have met 74
times on the gridiron since the series
began in 1899, the third oldest ACC
series for the Wolfpack. The Tigers hold
a 46-27-1 advantage all-time and a 19-
11 mark in Clemson.
Clemson leads 4-6 over the last 10
meetings overall and Tommy Bowden is
4-2 over Chuck Amato in the series.
Amato has a 1-2 mark at Clemson,
including a 38-6 win in 2002, the second
largest margin of victory in an ACC
game for the Wolfpack under Amato (a
55-31 win at Duke in 2001 and a 24-0
win against Virginia were the largest).
The two losses in Death Valley were
both decided by a touchdown or less, a
20-26 defeat in 2004 and a 27-34 loss
in 2000.
Over the last 10 meetings in Death
Valley, the Tigers hold a 6-4 edge in the
series, winning by an average of 15.8
points in six games and the Wolfpack
winning by an average of 12 points in
the four wins.
THE TEXTILE BOWL
Although not
many of the players in uniform know
about it, for the past 26 years (since
1981), the series between NC State and
Clemson has been dubbed the Textile
Bowl, as that industry has such a major
economic impact on both states and
both schools boast renowned textile colleges.
The North Carolina textile manufacturers
donate money to NCState’s scholarship
fund every year in honor of the
Wolfpack’s MVP from the game.
Clemson posts a 16-9 advantage in
the Textile Bowl.
THE BOWDEN CONNECTION
Wolfpack head coach Chuck Amato
spent 18 years coaching under Clemson
head coach Tommy Bowden’s father,
Bobby, at Florida State. For 14 of those
seasons, Amato served as the elder
Bowden’s assistant head coach.
Amato and TommyBowden actually
spent one season on the same staff
at Florida State, as Bowden coached
tight ends in 1982 while Amato was the
defensive line coach.
CUTTING IT CLOSE... AGAIN
All six
of the Wolfpack's conference games
this season have been decided by eight
points or less and three by four points
or less.
In Chuck Amato's 54 ACC contests,
he has posted a 25-29 record. In 31 of
those 54 games, the final outcome has
been decided by a touchdown (seven
points) or less, 36 have been decided
by eight points or less and 40 have
been decided by 10 points or less.
Amato is 11-15 on the road in ACC
matchups and in 16 of those 26 games
the score has differed by seven points
or less, with NC State posting a 6-10
record in those games after a six point
loss to Maryland and a seven point loss
to Virginia over the last two roads ACC
games this season.
His ACC record includes a 14-14
mark at home and the Wolfpack has lost
just four conference games by double
digits at home in the past seven years.
In 14 home ACC wins, six have been by
double digits, and the other eight have
been by seven or less points, including
the two-point win over BC and the fourpoint
triumph over FSU.
Under Amato, NC State has lost by
20-or-more points just three times and
by more than 10 points just seven times
in ACC games.
DEFENSE SOUND ON THIRD DOWN
The Wolfpack defense has consistently
stopped opponents on third down this
season and currently is second in the
league and ranks 11th nationally in
opponents third down conversion percentage.
NC State is holding opponents to a
30.2% conversion rate on third downs
and has allowed only 38 conversions on
third down, second best in the conference.
TOTAL YARDS INCREASED
A bright
spot during the four-game losing streak
has been the increase in total yards
since Daniel Evans took over at quarterback
for his first career start against
Boston College. NC State has averaged
318.5 total offensive yards-per-game
over the last six games, all against
league foes. That mark ranks fifth in
conference games only.
For the season, the team is still seventh
in the ACC in total offense at 301.9
yards-per-game after averaging just
268.7 yards-per-game in the first three
games of the season before Evans took
over under center.
NC State is 1-3 when outgaining its
opponents this season, with the three
losses to Wake Forest, Maryland and
Virginia and a win against Appalachian
St.
BLACKMAN RETURNS...
Junior
return specialist and wide receiver
Darrell Blackman injured his knee on
the opening kickoff of the Southen Miss
game and missed the remainder of that
contest and the Boston College game.
Since his return from injury, Blackman
has been a valuable piece of the
Wolfpack's offensive unit, and his play
on special teams is just that - special.
He is the only player in the ACC that
ranks in the top five in the league in
both punt returns and kick returns and
the only one to return both a punt and
kickoff for a touchdown this season.
Blackman is second in the conference
in kickoff returns and eighth nationally,
averaging 31.1 yards per return. His
punt return mark (10.7) is fourth in the
ACC and ranks 26th in the NCAA.
He is even better against conference
foes, leading the league in kickoff
returns (33.4) and placing second in
punt returns (11.8).
Blackman is the Wolfpack's career
leader in kickoff return average at 29.5
and is fourth in yards with 1,031.
...AND WITH A PURPOSE
Darrell Blackman collected a careerhigh
234 all-purpose yards in the
Georgia Tech contest, the eighth-best
single game total in school history.
Those yards included a 95-yard kickoff
return for a touchdown, the seventh
longest kick return in school history
and the 11th longest overall play. He
currently leads the ACC in conference
games only with an average of 135.6
all-purpose yards-per-game and ranks
third overall at 118 yards-per-game,
34th nationally.
Blackman currently ranks 15th in
school history with 2,526 career all-purpose
yards and needs just 56 yards to
become the first Wolfpack player with
back-to-back 1,000 all-purpose yard
seasons since Jerricho Cotchery (2002
and 2003). Blackman is also on pace to
post a top-10 season in terms of all-purpose yards.
WOLFPACK SEEING RED
The team has had its struggles
in the red zone this season on both sides of the ball. In the
first four games of the season, NC State made just seven
trips into the red zone and scored five times (four TDs, one
FG). The defense had allowed 14 scores (nine TDs, five
FGs) in 16 chances inside the 20-yardline.
Those numbers have improved in the last five games, each
against ACC foes, as the offense has more than doubled its
production in the red zone while the defense has allowed
fewer trips and touchdowns.
NC State has made more trips inside the red zone than
its opponents in only three of the nine games this season,
against Florida State (5-to-3), Wake Forest (4-to-1) and
Georgia Tech (3-to-2), posting a 1-2 record.
In its six ACC games, NC State has scored on 15 of its 17
(88.2%) red zone trips, fifth in the conference.
HIT THE ROAD, PACK
NC State will play two of its final
three games on the road and is 0-3 in road contests this season.
The Pack has lost two of the three games by a touchdown
or less.
Overall, NC State is playing four of its final six games on the
road after hosting five of its first six games at home. The last
time NC State played four of its final six games on the road
was 1995 when the Wolfpack posted a 2-4 record to finish
the season.
NC State played five of its first six games at home this season
and posted a 3-3 mark. The last time the Pack was fortunate
enough to begin the season with so many home contests
was in 1998, when NC State also played five of the first
six at home en route to a 4-2 start. That same season was
also the last time NC State opened its ACC schedule with
three straight at home, (NC State's 2006 conference slate
opened with Boston College, Florida State and Wake Forest
all visiting Carter-Finley). This season marked the seventh
straight that Amato opened the season at home.
SHIFTING THE PROTECTION
For the first time all season,
NC State had a different starting lineup along its offensive
line. Luke Lathan started at center and Meares Green started
at tackle, with Leroy Harris moving over to guard after starting
the first eight games at center.
It was Green's first career-start and Lathan's fifth career
start, though he hadn't started a contest since 2004.
Clemson Quick Facts
BACKGROUND
Location: Clemson, S.C.
Enrollment: 17,165
Nickname: Tigers
School Colors: Orange & Purple
Stadium: Memorial (83,000)
Conference: ACC
TEAM
Head Coach: Tommy Bowden
Record at CU: 59-36 (8 years)
2006 AP Ranking: NR
2006 Current Record: 7-3, 4-3
Clemson Game Notes
Clemson vs. NC State Series Notes
•Overall, Clemson has a 46-27-1 lead
in the series, including a 19-11 record in games
played at Clemson. The Tigers are 16-11
against NC State in games played in Death
Valley.
•Clemson is 12-11-1 against NC State in neutral
site games and 16-15 in games at Raleigh over
the years. NC State has an 11-8 lead in games
played in Carter-Finley Stadium, but Clemson
won there last year by a 31-10 score.
•Seven of the last nine games have
been decided by eight points or less, with the
most recent close game coming in 26-20 Tiger
victory, a game that was decided on the last
play of the game.
•Each team has one win by 20 points or more
over the last nine years and both of the games
have been on Thursday night. NC State won at
Clemson on a Thursday night in 2002 by a 38-6
score, and Clemson won last year on a
Thursday night, 31-10.
•NC State was Clemson’s nemesis
team from 1986-88. The Tigers won the ACC
Championship each year under Danny Ford,
but never beat the Pack in the process, losing
all three seasons. It was the only loss for
Clemson in the ACC in each of those years.
•Tommy Bowden is 4-3 against NC
State since he has been at Clemson. That
includes a 2-2 record in Raleigh and a 2-1
ledger at Clemson.
•Over the last 10 years the two teams
have won in two-game sets. Clemson won in
1996 and 1997. NC State followed with
victories in 1998 and 1999, then Clemson won
in 2000 and 2001 behind Woody Dantzler who
rushed for at least 100 yards from the
quarterback position in each game. NC State
won in 2002 and 2003 behind Phillip Rivers,
while Clemson won the last two seasons behind
Charlie Whitehurst. Both are now quarterbacks
with the San Diego Chargers.
•Clemson has not won three in a row
from the Pack since 1995-96-97 under Tommy
West. Two of the three wins were in Raleigh.
Clemson’s longest winning streak in the series
is five games, while NC State’s longest winning
streak in the series is six (1971-76).
Landmark Games in Clemson vs. NC State
Series
1903—Clemson defeated NC State
24-0 in Columbia, SC in 1903. Clemson Head
Coach John Heisman got married to Evelyn
Barksdale in Columbia after the game. It is
believed to be the only time in Clemson sports
history that a coach has won a game and won a
lady’s hand in matrimony on the same day.
1948—Bobby Gage ran 90 yards on a
punt return for the only score of the game in a
6-0 Tiger victory over the Wolfpack in 1948. It
was the longest punt return in Death Valley until
Jacoby Ford had a 92-yard punt return against
Florida Atlantic in the opening game this year.
1950—Clemson defeated NC State
27-0 in 1950. Wyndie Windham led the
Clemson defense and according to legend
knocked out three NC State backs on three
consecutive plays in the second half.
1967—Clemson painted its shoes
orange for the NC State game in Death Valley
and the Tigers upset the 10th ranked Wolfpack
14-6. One of the linebackers on that NC State
team was current Pack Head Coach Chuck
Amato. Clemson clinched a tie for the ACC
championship with the victory. Clemson painted its shoes orange because NC State had
featured a defense that had worn White shoes
during the season. It was the highest ranked
team Clemson defeated in Death Valley in the
Frank Howard era.
1984—Clemson defeated NC State
35-34 in Raleigh in the highest scoring game
decided by one point in Clemson history. No
points were scored by either team in the fourth
quarter.
1991—Clemson wore purple jerseys
for the first time since the 1940s in a 29-19
upset victory over NC State. NC State was
undefeated and ranked 10th in the nation
entering the game against Ken Hatfield’s Tigers.
Nelson Welch kicked a record five field goals in
leading Clemson to the victory.
1995—Clemson gave up over 500
yards total offense to the Pack, but still won 43-
22. Leomont Evans tied a Clemson single
game record with three interceptions.
Recent Clemson vs. NC State Games
1997— In Raleigh, Matt Padgett, who
went on to a professional baseball career,
booted a 20-yard field goal with just 19 seconds
left to give Clemson a 19-17 victory over 25th
ranked NC State. The Tigers drove 78 yards in
14 plays to set up the winning score. Nealon
Greene hit 20-32 passes for 250 yards and
Tony Horne caught eight passes for 112 to key
the Clemson offense.
1998—at Clemson, Torry Holt
completed an incredible day with a nine-yard
scoring pass from Jamie Barnette with just 37
seconds left. It was his fourth touchdown
reception of the day. He had 225 yards
receiving in that game and he is the only
Clemson opponent to catch four scoring passes
in the same game.
1999—NC State, behind then Head
Coach Mike O’Cain, defeated Clemson 35-31 in
an exciting contest in Raleigh that featured 35
first-quarter points between the two teams
combined, most combined points ever in the
first period of a Clemson game in history.
Clemson had five possessions in the fourth
period with a chance to take the lead, but could
not drive for a winning touchdown.
2000—This game was a thriller that
came down to the last possession before the
Tigers came away with a 34-27 victory.
Woody Dantzler completed 18-30 passes for
220 yards and also rushed for 103 yards and
two touchdowns. Rod Gardner had 10 catches
for 137 yards (most reception yards ever by a
Clemson player against NC State), while Travis
Zachery added 31-147 and two scores.
2001— Dantzler gained 517 yards of
total offense, an all-time Clemson record. He
had a career best 23-27 passes for 333 yards
and four scores, and also rushed for 184 yards
and two touchdowns. It was arguably the best
individual performance in Clemson history as he
accounted for an ACC record six touchdowns.
Still, it was a 45-37 outcome, as Phillip Rivers
had another outstanding passing game for NC
State.
2002—T.A. McClendon had a
breakout game with 178 yards rushing to lead
NC State to a 38-6 victory in a Thursday night
game in Death Valley. Clemson’s only
touchdown came on a kickoff return by then
freshman Justin Miller. It was his first career
kickoff return.
2003—Phillip Rivers evened his
career record against Clemson at 2-2 with a
213-yard passing performance, leading the Pack to a 17-15 victory in Raleigh in a game
shown on ESPN on a Thursday evening.
Clemson cut the deficit to 17-15 with five
minutes left, but the Tigers could not get close
enough for a winning field goal. NC State got
the ball back with 3:54 left and ran out the
clock.
2004—Clemson won 26-20 when
Charles Bennett intercepted a pass at the
Clemson goal line on the last play to preserve
the victory. It was the seventh time in the last
eight meetings that the game was decided by
eight points or less.
2005—Even though he played just
over two quarters, freshman James Davis
gained 143 yards rushing in just 12 attempts to
lead Clemson to a 31-10 victory, Clemson’s
largest margin of victory in the series since a
40-17 win in 1996. It remains Clemson’s only
victory on a Thursday evening ESPN game.
Clemson vs. NC State on Lincoln Financial
The Clemson vs. NC State will be
broadcast on the Lincoln Financial television
network. This will be part of a split network, as
some stations in the ACC’s footprint will show
the North Carolina vs. Georgia Tech game. The
game will be shown on ESPN Gameplan on
DirectTV. Below is a list of station’s carrying the
Clemson vs. NC State game:
Market Outlet
Baltimore, MD (WJZ)
Bluefield/Beckley, WV (WVNS)
Boston/Manchester, MA (WSBK)
Charleston, SC (WCBD)
Charlotte, NC (WBTV)
Charlottesville, VA (WVIR)
Columbia, SC (WACH)
Gainesville, FL (WMYG)
Greenville, NC (WFXI)
Greenville, SC (WMYA)
Hagerstown, MD (WHAG)
Harrisonburg, VA (WAZT)
Jacksonville, FL (WJXX)
Miami, FL (WBFS)
Mobile, AL (WBPG)
Myrtle Beach, SC (WBTW)
Norfolk, VA (WGNT)
Orlando, FL (WRDQ)
Panama City, FL (WPGX)
Providence, RI (WLWC)
Raleigh, NC (WRAL)
Richmond, VA (WRLH)
Roanoke, VA (WDBJ)
Salisbury, MD (WMDT)
Springfield, MA (WSBK)
Tallahassee, FL (WTLH)
Tampa, FL (WTOG)
Tri-Cities, VA (WEMT)
Washington, DC (WDCA)
West Palm Beach, FL (WTVX)
Wilmington, NC (WSFX)
Last Year vs. NC State
Clemson 31, NC State 10
Clemson scored 28 points in the first
half and cruised to a 31-10 win at N.C. State. The
victory was Clemson’s first on an ESPN Thursday
night telecast.
After an exchange of punts to begin the
game, the Wolfpack moved the ball 33 yards in
six plays down to the Tiger 18. However, John
Deraney missed wide left on a 36-yard field-goal
attempt, his first miss of the season.
Each team was again forced to punt
before Clemson began a drive at its own 17 late
in the first quarter. A Charlie Whitehurst to Thomas Hunter pass gained 17 yards, and three
plays later, Whitehurst hit Chansi Stuckey for 22
yards on a tipped screen pass. James Davis
followed with a 19-yard run, and a facemask
penalty gave the Tigers a first-and-goal. On third
down, Whitehurst found a wide-open Curtis
Baham in the back of the endzone for a touchdown
and the first points of the night.
The Tiger defense forced a three-and out,
and the Clemson offense went to work from
its 27. A third-down pass from Whitehurst to Aaron
Kelly gained 12 yards, and two plays later, Davis
dashed for 30 yards. Two more plays later,
Whitehurst hit Bobby Williamson in the endzone,
with the tight end making a nice diving grab.
Darrell Blackman returned the ensuing
kickoff 57 yards to the Clemson 43. The Wolfpack
could not score, however, as Jamaal Fudge forced
Tony Baker to fumble two plays later, giving the
Tigers the ball at their own 38.
Davis ran for 16 yards on the first play
of the drive, and Whitehurst followed with a nine yard
pass to Williamson. Two consecutive runs
by Davis gained 19 yards, and two plays later, he
busted up the middle for 12 yards and a
touchdown, giving Clemson a 21-0 lead with eight
minutes remaining in the half.
The Tigers forced N.C. State to punt
after three plays on the next drive, but a
roughing-the-kicker penalty against the Tigers
kept the Wolfpack drive alive. Jay Davis
completed a 16-yard pass to Lamart Barrett for
16 yards down to the Clemson 35, and a
roughing-the-passer penalty gave N.C. State 15
more yards. On the next play, Blackman
bounced outside for a 20-yard touchdown run to
get the Wolfpack on the scoreboard.
On the second play of the next drive,
Whitehurst hit Stuckey for a 39-yard pass play
into Wolfpack territory. Whitehurst then hit Hunter
for a gain of nine, followed by a 23-yard run by
Davis. On the next play, Davis outran the N.C.
State defense to the pylon for his second score
of the night.
The Wolfpack again had a long kickoff
return, this time covering 76 yards by Blackman
all the way to the Tiger 21. However, the drive
stalled, and Deraney was good this time from 25
yards out.
Clemson’s offense began the second
half the way it ended the first. Whitehurst hit Kelly
for a 35-yard completion down to the Wolfpack
20, but the Tigers could not get any closer. Jad
Dean missed the first field goal of his career
against a team not named Miami (FL) when his
39-yard attempt sailed wide left.
Later in the third period, Stuckey took
the pitch on a reverse play on the next Tiger
offensive series to move the ball into Wolfpack
territory, and a touchdown pass from Whitehurst
to La’Donte Harris was erased after an ineligible
receiver downfield penalty. The Tigers moved to
the N.C. State 13-yard line, and Dean came on to
boot a 30-yard field goal, pushing the Clemson
lead back to 21 points.
In the fourth quarter, a blocked punt by
N.C. State gave the Wolfpack another chance
inside Clemson territory, but Anthony Waters
tipped away a fourth-down pass from Marcus
Stone, who had come in at quarterback for the
Wolfpack.
Davis ran for 143 yards on 12 carries
and two touchdowns, and only played one play in
the second half after leaving the game with a
fractured wrist. It was the fifth-best rushing total
by a freshman in Clemson history.
Whitehurst completed 22-31 passes
for 246 yards and two scores, and Stuckey had eight catches for 103 yards. Waters had 11 tackles, including four
tackles for loss to lead the Tiger defense.
Clemson Veterans vs. NC State
Gaines Adams (DE)—Had two tackles in 32 plays as a
reserve in 2004 against NC State, and had six tackles in 49 plays as a
starter in 2005 game.
Cole Chason (P)—Averaged 36.7 yards a punt on three punts
as a freshman in 2003. Averaged 37.0 on five punts in he 2004 Clemson
victory. Averaged 40.0 on just two punts in 2005 Clemson win in Raleigh.
Duane Coleman (CB)—Had three tackles, including his first
career sack and caused fumble in 2005 Clemson win at Raleigh.
James Davis (RB)—Had 143 yards rushing on just 12 carries
and scored two touchdowns in 2005 Clemson win in Raleigh. Suffered a
broken wrist however in the third period and did not play the remainder
of the game.
Jad Dean (PK)—Made 4-4 field goals and 2-2 extra points to
score 14 of Clemson’s 26 points in 26-20 Tiger win in 2004. Had 1-2 field
goals and 4-4 extra points in 31-10 Clemson win in 2005.
Marion Dukes (OT)—Has started the last two games at
offensive tackle against NC State. Had seven knockdown blocks to lead
the Tigers in 2004 Clemson victory.
C.J. Gaddis (CB)—Had three tackles in 31 snaps as a reserve
in 2005 game.
Sergio Gilliam (CB)—had five tackles in 46 plays as a starter
in 2005.
Michael Hamlin (SAF)—Had season high eight tackles in 53
plays as a starter as a freshman in 2005 Clemson victory.
Thomas Hunter (TE)—Had 2-26 receiving in 42 snaps at NC
State in 2005.
Aaron Kelly (WR)—Had one of his best games as a freshman
with 5-81 receiving in 39 snaps.
Phillip Merling (DE)—Had three tackles in just 18 plays, but
had first career sack and first career caused fumble in 2005 Clemson win
in Raleigh.
Reggie Merriweather (RB)—Had 14-49 rushing in 2004
Clemson win in 42 plays as a starter. Had 12-47 rushing in 30 snaps as
a starter in win in Raleigh.
Will Proctor (QB)—Played two plays as a reserve quarterback
in 2005 game in Raleigh.
Barry Richardson (OT)—Named ACC Offensive Lineman of
the Week for his performance as a sophomore against the Wolfpack.
Had 82 percent grade and five knockdown blocks in a matchup against
#1 NFL draft choice Mario Williams. Williams had just one tackle in 73
plays in that game.
Chansi Stuckey (WR)—Did not play in 2004 game due to
injury. Had 8-103 receiving and 2 rushes for 22 yards in 2005 Clemson
win.
Nick Watkins (LB)—Had five tackles in 27 snaps as a reserve
in 2004. Had seven tackles in 50 plays as a starter in 2005.
Not Much Difference Between Wolfpack and Terps
The parity in ACC football can be shown by comparing the last
four games for Maryland and NC State. Maryland’s 13-12 victory at
Clemson last weekend was the fourth consecutive win by six points or
less for the Terps and they now control their own destiny for the Atlantic
Division Championship of the ACC. They have four wins by a total of 12
points, including wins over Clemson and NC State in ACC play.
The Wolfpack enter Saturday’s game with Clemson with a 3-6
mark. But, over the last four games, NC State has lost each to an ACC
foe by eight points or less. Reverse those fortunes and NC State would
be in the driver’s seat for an ACC Championship game appearance.
The Pack started the ACC schedule with thrilling wins over
Boston College and Florida State. The 2-0 mark against two of the top
three teams in the preseason in the Atlantic Division had the Pack
thinking ACC Championship game appearance. NC State won both
games with last second touchdown passes from quarterback Daniel
Evans to wide receiver John Dunlap.
Evans, the son of former NC State quarterback and punter
Johnny Evans, has completed 114 of 215 passes for 1,301 yards and six
touchdowns. He took over for Marcus Stone early in the season.
Starting tight end Anthony Hill is the top receiver for NC State
with 31-333 yards, while Dunlap is second in receiving with 22-293 and
four scores. Darrell Blackman is an all-around player the Tigers will have
to watch this afternoon. He is third in receiving with 21-285 and two
scores, has 8-42 on the ground, leads the team in punt returns with 17-
182 and leads the team in kickoff returns with a 31.1 average. All
Clemson fans need to know is that Blackman has virtually the same allpurpose
yardage total as James Davis (118.3 vs. 118.0).
Andre Brown leads the NC State ground game with 582 yards
on 101 attempts for a healthy 5.8 average. He and top reserve Tony
Baker have four touchdowns apiece for the Pack, who average 119 yards
per game on the ground.
NC State has a solid defense that ranks 26th in the nation in
pass defense. Patrick Lowery, a senior middle linebacker, leads the
team in tackles and ranks third in the ACC with 79. He also has 6.5
tackles for loss and an interception. Garland Heath is an outstanding
roverback who will challenge Chansi Stuckey and company. He has 49
tackles to rank second on the team. DeMarcus Tyler ,a 305-pound
senior, is the anchor of the defensive line. He has 39 tackles, including
7.5 tackles for loss. Martrell Brown leads the team in sacks with five.
Clemson Has Played Tough Schedule
Clemson has played a difficult schedule through 10 games.
The three non-conference games have not been against difficult
competition, but Clemson’s conference schedule certainly has. The
Tigers have already played five games against teams currently in the
Associated Press top 25, the only ACC team to play the five top 25 ACC
teams. In fact, no other school has even played three of the five top 25
ACC teams so far. Clemson has a 2-3 record in those games, wins over
Georgia Tech and Wake Forest and losses to Boston College, Maryland
and Virginia Tech.
A look to the AP top 25 shows that none of the current teams in
the top 25 have played more than three games against teams currently in
the AP top 25. Ohio State and Louisville have played just one team
currently in the top 25, while Michigan and Texas have played two. That
means the top four teams in the AP poll have combined to play six top 25
teams (current poll), just one more than Clemson has by itself.
A further look reveals that Clemson is the only school in
the nation to have played five of the teams currently ranked in the
top 25 of the AP poll. The schools who have played four current top 25
teams are Penn State, North Carolina, Minnesota, Washington State and
Washington. The Big East conference has played a combined 13 games
against teams in the current AP top 25. The only victory is by Louisville
over West Virginia.
Press Conference Quotables
Tommy Bowden
Team psyche after two losses to Virginia Tech and Maryland:
Our psyche seems to be pretty good. I've tried to help the team be realistic on where we are, where the program is, and what we've accomplished under the circumstances, and what's left on the table.
The problem we face now is that we don't want a loss to affect us twice. We need an eight win (season). We've lost two in a row. So, I think it's important that our team win another game and not worry so much about 'what ifs' as opposed to what is coming up on Saturday (against NC State).
We're trying to promote a positive environment. It has been a relatively draining season. At this point in time, we're the only team in the nation that has played five of the teams in this week's top 25 of the AP poll. That is out of 119 teams. Our players have had to reach a high emotional level more so than any other team in the country. I don't want them to think that everything is diminished. We need to win another game.
On the performance of quarterback Will Proctor:
For a first-year starter I think he has done pretty well. If we were to stop the season today, he would have the sixth highest passing efficiency in the history of Clemson. He is just one-tenth of a point behind Charlie Whitehurst's best season (135.6 to 135.5). He's second in the conference in passing efficiency. It there was one area he could improve it is his progression in reads when under pressure. If he makes better decisions under pressure, he's probably going to throw for 75 or 80 percent passing which would be a record. You're talking about a high level of efficiency. Right now he's over 60% (in completion percentage) and making some good decisions. I would say if this was his second or third year starting he would be higher in efficiency.
On the struggles of the running game:
A lot has to do with the competition. Virginia Tech and Maryland have good defensive players. They're harder to block. They get off blocks quicker. The holes aren't as open and they're better tacklers. We've had some pretty productive running games with some superior talent. I'd hate to look at where we are offensively and defensively and say we have to reinvent the wheel because statistically we are doing pretty well.
On back-up quarterbacks, Cullen Harper and Tribble Reese:
Experience is separating them right now (from Will Proctor). I think Cullen (Harper) and Tribble (Reese) are working to compete for the job. They're red-shirt sophomores. They've got two more years of spring practices and more snaps and that's probably the only thing separating them right now. Both those guys are pretty talented. Those guys are closing the gap because they're getting more work so the biggest thing right now would be the number of snaps behind the center.
On scoring in the red zone:
You're not going to have a lot of red zone touchdowns against good teams. Maryland and Virginia Tech have very good defenses. We need to score touchdowns obviously. Had we done that against Maryland we would have won the game. We're going to have to really study some ways to convert one of those drives to a touchdown.
Mentality of running backs James Davis and C.J. Spiller:
I know they're highly competitive. I know they're both productive, but I think they're more disappointed in the losses than their own individual performance. They're both doing a good job of showing energy and enthusiasm during practice. I've been very impressed with both of them. They have been averaging nearly 170 yards a game and had 131 against Maryland. That's not too bad. We had 153 yards rushing against Maryland. Two years ago we would loved to have that many.
On injuries:
Injuries are a part of the game but it's when you lose them and how long they're out of the game. Obviously we've lost key guys with Anthony Waters, Tramaine Billie, Rendrick Taylor, Roman Fry, guys for the season. Of course when you lose some you've got to absorb it and players have to step up.
On playing N.C. State:
They're a good defense. They're a team that obviously beat Florida State and Boston College back to back. They have to win this game to go to a bowl game because they have to win out the next three. This is a must win for them and I tell my team this as we prepare for and play on Saturday. We have told our players we are certainly going to get their A game because they have to win out.
Clemson Two-Deep Depth Chart
Clemson Offense
Pos. #
Player Hgt Wgt Cl.
LT 79 BARRY RICHARDSON 6-7 320 Jr.
73 Tim DeBeer 6-6 280 *Sr.
LG68 CHRIS
CDUFFMIE 6-5 330
*Jr.
74 Brandon Pilgrim 6-6 300 *Jr.
C 62 DUSTIN FRY 6-3 320 *Sr.
71 Barry Humphries 6-3 280 *Fr.
RG63 NATHAN BENNETT 6-5 310 *Sr.
65 Thomas Austin 6-4 305 *Fr.
RT 75 MARION DUKES 6-4 320 Sr.
67 Christian Capote 6-4 295 *Jr.
TE 89 THOMAS HUNTER 6-4 255 *Sr.
86 Michael Palmer 6-5 230 Fr.
TE 84 AKEEM ROBINSON 6-5 260 *So.
82 Durrell Barry 6-4 250 *Fr.
WR 13 TYLER GRISHAM 5-11 180 So.
80 Aaron Kelly
6-5 180 *So.
26 La’Donte
Harris 5-11 180 Jr.
QB 14 WILL PROCTOR 6-2 210 *Sr.
10 Cullen Harper 6-4 215 *So.
RB 1 JAMES DAVIS 5-11 205 So.
28 C.J. Spiller
5-11 190 Fr.
37 Reggie
Merriweather 5-8 210 *Sr.
FB 41 ALEX
PEARSON 6-1 245 *So.
WR 2 CHANSI STUCKEY 6-0 185 *Gr.
6 Jacoby Ford
5-9 180 Fr.
83 Nelson
Faerber 5-11 180 *So.
Clemson Defense
Pos. #
Player Hgt Wgt Cl.
DE 94 PHILLIP MERLING6-5 270 So.
95 Brandon Cannon 6-3 255 *Gr.
NG97 DORELL SCOTT 6-4 305 *So.
44 Donnell Clark 6-3 270 *Sr.
DT 50 JOCK
MCKISSIC 6-6 295
So.
91 Rashaad
Jackson 6-3 290 *So.
57 Antwon
Murchison 6-4 275 *Fr.
BE 93 GAINES ADAMS 6-5 260 *Sr.
7 Ricky Sapp 6-4 220 Fr.
SLB 42 MAURICE NELSON 6-2 215 *Jr.
27 Sadat
Chambers 5-11 190 *Fr.
48 Jeremy
Campbell 6-2 215 Fr.
MLB 43 ANTONIO CLAY 6-0 220 So.
45 Cortney Vincent 6-1 235 *So.
WLB 32 NICK WATKINS 6-2 220 *Jr.
33 Kavell Conner 6-2 230 *Fr.
CB 12 C.J. GADDIS 6-0 210 *Jr.
38 Chris Chancellor 5-9 170 *Fr.
CAT 25 MICHAEL HAMLIN 6-3 200 *So.
17 Roy Walker 6-3 205 *Jr.
FS 22 CHRIS CLEMONS 6-1 205 *So.
23 Chris Russell 6-1 210 *Jr.
CB 3 DUANE COLEMAN 5-11 195 *Sr.
18 Crezdon
Butler 6-0 185 Fr.
15 Sergio
Gilliam 6-3 185 Sr.
Clemson Specialists
Pos. # Player Hgt
Wgt Cl.
PK 7
JAD DEAN 5-11 205 Sr.
P 30 COLE
CHASON 6-0 170 *Gr.
49 Jimmy Maners
6-1 190 *So.
KO 30 Cole
Chason 6-0 170 *Gr.
7 Jad Dean 5-11
205 Sr.
LS 54 Colin
Leonard 6-3 230 *Jr.
59 Nic Riddle
6-2 220 *Sr.
HO 30 Cole
Chason 6-0 170 *Gr.
PR 6 Jacoby
Ford 5-9 180 Fr.
28 C.J. Spiller
5-11 190 Fr.
KOR 6 Jacoby
Ford 5-9 180 Fr.
& 28 C.J.
Spiller 5-11 190 Fr.
* - has spent
one season as a red-shirt player
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Thanks to NC State and Georgia Tech Athletics for much of the information in this preview.