TheState.com: Tigers

Crowning moment: Tigers earn shot at title

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:56 EST

CLEMSON | Reflecting on the unlikely success of a team led by one of the youngest head coaches and one of the youngest offensive coordinators in the BCS conferences, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney puffed out his shoulders and mockingly flexed.

When athletics director Terry Don Phillips promoted Swinney from receivers coach to head coach last year, he believed Swinney fit the mold of another up-and-comer he pushed to hire at Oklahoma State years ago, Mike Gundy.

So it was fitting when Swinney, who turned 40 on Friday, mimicked Gundy's infamous rant when a reporter asked about the statement made by him and 30-year-old coordinator Billy Napier.

"I am 40," Swinney said softly but demonstrably. "I'm a man.

"This is an awesome moment. Our fans deserve this. This thing has eluded us for a while, so to punch through and get this thing done ... to put together a run like we have, it's very gratifying."

Morris: Loss to Maryland shaped Clemson's season rebound

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:56 EST

CLEMSON | FROM DABO SWINNEY'S Gatorade-soaked sweatshirt to the players singing the alma mater on the tiger paw at midfield, there were signs everywhere Saturday at Death Valley that the celebration of Clemson's ACC Atlantic Division championship was as sweet as it comes.

Those tears of joy and smiles of bliss were just as much about Clemson's journey as they were about the victory against Virginia that clinched an outright title, one that sends the Tigers into the ACC title game in two weeks.

The journey was a seven-week odyssey that carried Clemson through six consecutive victories, a journey that seemed improbable following a devastating loss back at Maryland on Oct. 3.

That loss dropped Clemson to 2-3. The future was murky at best with a rookie head coach, a first-year starting quarterback and an offensive coordinator so young he looks like a player.

Now, in retrospect, that 24-21 loss to lowly Maryland might have been the best thing to happen to Swinney and his team.

Family matters for Swinney

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:56 EST

PELHAM, Ala. | Ervil Swinney holds court just about any day at M&M Hardware, a throwback country gathering place a little south of Pelham where the old guard drinks coffee and solves the world's problems. As they sit on the makeshift bench just outside the front door, it is apparent Swinney and his buddies are as well-versed on health-care reform as they are on the inner workings of a washing machine.

They also know a lot about football, and every one of them lives and breathes the fortunes and misfortunes of the Alabama Crimson Tide. Except for Ervil Swinney. He is a converted Clemson fan, for good reason.

Right there behind the cash register hangs an 8-by-11 picture of Ervil's son, Dabo, the coach of the Clemson Tigers. Dabo is pictured standing next to Howard's Rock at Clemson's Memorial Stadium.

On the photo, Dabo has written a note: "Thanks for showing me the way. I am so proud of you! I love you! Dabo."

The picture and its inscription are as sure a sign as any that Ervil and Dabo Swinney are father and son again. Dabo says their love and bond never have been stronger.

Gillespie: Parker becomes a difference-maker

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:56 EST

CLEMSON | It was a play the great ones make in their sleep, or as close to "sleep" as is possible when 77,000 fans are screaming and defensive linemen are closing in and a game, perhaps, hangs in the balance.

It was instinct and talent and moxie - the latter Clemson coach Dabo Swinney's best word for his redshirt freshman quarterback, Kyle Parker - all rolled into one, split-second play.

In a game to, if not decide the ACC Atlantic Division title, then to put a stamp of authority on that, Clemson held a shaky 17-14 lead on Virginia less than two minutes before halftime Saturday. The Tigers faced third-and-10 from the Cavaliers' 24, and Parker dropped to pass.

Instead of receivers, all he saw was large Cavaliers. Parker, as nimble afoot as anyone this side of C.J. Spiller, ducked and dodged and seemed ready to break for the goal.

And then, without warning, his right arm a blur and his feet just shy of the line of scrimmage, Parker rifled a pass to receiver Jacoby Ford in the back of the end zone, a touchdown destined for the Tigers' highlight video.

Clemson-Virginia scoring summary

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:56 EST

FIRST QUARTER

SCORE: Dwayne Allen 16 pass from Kyle Parker (Richard Jackson kick)

DRIVE: 4 plays, 48 yards in 1:38

KEY PLAY: Parker and tight end Michael Palmer hook up on 16-yard pass to the 33.

Clemson 7, Virginia 0

Clemson-Virginia: Thumbs up, thumbs down

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:56 EST

THUMBS UP

Mason 'Mickey' Dorsey

On Clemson's Military Appreciation Day, to the Seabrook Island resident (Clemson Class of 1949) who played freshman football for the Tigers in 1942 and fought with Patton's Third Army during World War II's Battle of the Bulge.

Clemson defense

After giving up 233 yards and 21 points in the first half, the Tigers gave up 16 yards in the third quarter and did not allow a first down until 7:21 left in the fourth quarter.

Seniors, Swinney exchange gifts

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:56 EST

CLEMSON - As his weekly meeting with the seniors ended Friday afternoon, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney thought it odd when no one got up to exit the room.

The awkward silence ended when, on behalf of the 19 seniors, running back C.J. Spiller presented Swinney with a No. 40 Clemson jersey, in honor of his 40th birthday. The words "Clemson seniors 2009" appear on the name plate on the back of the jersey.

Swinney thought the gift symbolic of the chemistry the team has developed in recent years.

In the final minute of Saturday's 34-21 victory against Virginia, Swinney milked the clock and used one timeout to substitute for various key offensive seniors, one by one, in order for them to get ovations in their final home game. Nine of the 19 seniors are starters.

"It was kind of a storybook ending," left guard Thomas Austin said.

Live Clemson Q&A: 3 p.m. Wednesday

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 00:56 EST

Visit thestate.com/tigers at 3 p.m. Wednesday for a live and interactive question-and-answer session with The State's Paul Strelow as Clemson prepares to take on South Carolina on Saturday.

Clemson football with Paul Strelow

Clemson sells out two more

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:09 EST

Clemson's home games against South Carolina (Dec. 6) and Virginia (Feb. 20) for the 2009-10 season are sold out. That gives Clemson five sellouts for the 2009-10 season. Games against Boston College (Jan. 9), North Carolina (Jan. 13) and Duke (Jan. 23) are also sold out.

WOMEN'S BASKETBALL

Tigers' Hardy on watch list

Clemson guard/forward Lele Hardy has been named to the Naismith Trophy preseason candidate list. Hardy is one of nine ACC players on the list. She is averaging 15.5 points, 11.5 rebounds, and 5.0 steals per game.

- From Staff Reports

Clemson volleyball rallies to win

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 23:09 EST

At Clemson, Lia Proctor had 20 kills and 16 blocks to lead the Tigers past Virginia, 22-25, 25-18, 25-23, 25-15 on Saturday.

The win improves Clemson to 23-8 overall and 13-6 in the ACC.

- From staff reports

Booker leads Clemson past UNCG

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:45 EST

If this is what passes for a tight game for No. 22 Clemson, the Tigers will take it.

For the first time, a team kept it closer than 40 points against them - but it still wasn't enough to test them for 40 minutes.

As a result, Clemson routed North Carolina-Greensboro 89-67 on Friday night behind a season-high 17 points from Trevor Booker.

Milton Jennings added 14 points for the Tigers (3-0), Andre Young had 13 and David Potter finished with 11. Clemson shot 54.5 percent, forced 23 turnovers, broke it open by closing the first half with a huge run and extended its school-record winning streak in non-conference road games to 11.

Clemson won its 29th straight game in November since 2005. Their previous two have come by 43 points against Presbyterian and 40 at Liberty.

Gameday preview: Clemson vs. Virginia

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:45 EST

Over the hump

A Boston College loss in its final two games also would clinch the Atlantic Division title for Clemson. But the Tigers would clearly prefer to get there on their own terms.

Dabo Swinney has done his best to steer Clemson away from overlooking Virginia, even evoking Buster Douglas to hammer home the idea that champions come prepared to take care of business.

Over the hill

It will be the last pre-game run down "The Hill" for 19 seniors, nine of whom are starters.

Tigers' senior class pumped for last home game

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:45 EST

CLEMSON - The bitterness seethed from Clemson lineman Thomas Austin as he watched television that afternoon.

It was the first Saturday in December 2007, the day of the ACC championship.

Two weeks earlier, the Tigers had been on the brink of winning the Atlantic Division - only for Boston College quarterback Matt Ryan to throw a remarkable touchdown pass with 1:46 left to give the Eagles the lead. Clemson missed two chances to win or tie in the final minute, and Boston College punched its ticket to Jacksonville, Fla.

As Austin hung out withteammates the night before last week's victory against N.C. State, they struggled to come to grips with the opportunity at hand.

"To be honest, it was hard for us to chew on," Austin said.

Clemson's Spiller shares his faith, focus

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:45 EST

SPARTANBURG - C.J. Spiller has always displayed the ability to stir emotions with his football prowess, but he's proving equally adept in a different kind of arena.

Clemson's senior running back had the full attention of a packed house at the First Baptist Church of Spartanburg's student appreciation night earlier this month.

Roughly 1,000 turned out to watch Spiller take the stage at The Hangar and give a short speech that revolved around living in a positive and humble manner.

He spoke about taking responsibility for one's actions, such as his decision to go against his mother's wishes and return for his senior year rather than enter the NFL draft.

"Sometimes you have to go against the grain in making adult decisions, even when it's your own mother," Spiller said. "You can't always rely on mom to make decisions. At some point, you've got to grow up and become a man."

Tigers toe the line in double overtime

Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:15 EST

The Clemson women's basketball team worked the free throw line to close out double overtime and hold off South Carolina, 94-92, at Littlejohn Coliseum.

The Tigers (2-1) used 21 points from junior Sthefany Thomas and 20 from sophomore Shaniqua Pauldo to win their second game in a row against the Gamecocks (1-1).

"I came into this game telling the girls they needed to play a hard 40 minutes," Clemson coach Cristy McKinney said. "I didn't realize it would turn into a 50-minute game, but the girls rose to the challenge and played hard."

With the Tigers up one, Clemson's April Parker fouled Valeria Nainima with 7.6 seconds remaining in double overtime. Nainima hit the first of two free throws, but the second rimmed out to Clemson's Kirstyn Wright. After a scrum, Wright found Pauldo, who raced down court, launching a 3-point attempt with three seconds on the clock. However, Pauldo was hit by USC's Kesley Bone while she was shooting, sending her to the line in a 92-92 game.

Pauldo missed the first attempt, but drained the second.

Run blocking pushes Tigers higher

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:45 EST

Conner eager to face home-state team; Steele swings clear of head games

CLEMSON - After holding Clemson running back C.J. Spiller to 18 yards on 14 carries last season, his season low for a per-carry average (1.3), Virginia's defense can find some hope in last year's 13-3 defeat.

The Tigers' run-blockers have.

"We've watched some games from last year, and it's unbelievable how much better we are," tight end Michael Palmer said. "We were bad."

Palmer finally expressed what most observers believed.

Spiller figures prominently in Heisman lists

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:45 EST

CLEMSON - Clemson running back C.J. Spiller is listed among the top five candidates for the Heisman Trophy in eight published polls this week.

He is ranked as high as first in the Nissan Fan poll, a national vote of fans. He has 80,000 votes, 10,000 more than any other candidate (as of Thursday morning).

Spiller is ranked second by southernpigskin.com, third by the ESPN Experts poll, third by SI.com, fourth by Heismanpundit.com and fifth by USA Today, CBS Sportsline and the ESPN statistical predictor. The latter is a computer formula based on individual statistics and team record.

Spiller and Alabama running back Mark Ingram are the only players in the top five of all eight polls.

The senior running back ranks third in the nation in all-purpose running with 195 yards per game. He needs 103 yards against Virginia on Saturday to break the ACC record for all-purpose yards in a single season. The existing record is 2,054 by Thomas Jones of Virginia in 1999.

Clemson TE driven for answers

Sat, 21 Nov 2009 17:45 EST

CLEMSON - Senior tight end Michael Palmer played several games last season with one arm dangling to his side, the consequence of a deep bruise above his elbow.

Before getting stitches for a separate injury sustained before his concussion at Miami three weeks ago, he ran barefoot onto the field to celebrate Clemson's overtime victory with teammates wearing spiked shoes. Palmer seemingly incurs at least one crushing hit per game, in part because he refuses not to go airborne so often.

Whatever you want to call it - toughness, stubbornness, determination - Palmer pins it on being five years younger than his brother, Justin.

"He and his friends wouldn't invite me to come play sports with them, but my mom would make them," Palmer said. "Playing basketball or football in the yard with older guys will make you tougher. There's a lot to be said for that."

There's a lot being said recently for Palmer. Clemson coaches insist the leadership qualities of he and senior lineman Thomas Austin have willed the Tigers to the verge of the ACC Atlantic Division title.

Women's pregame: USC vs. Clemson

Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:38 EST

WHEN: 7 p.m.

WHERE: Littlejohn Coliseum, Clemson, South Carolina

TV: None

RADIO: WISW, 1320AM

RECORDS: USC 1-0, Clemson 1-1

ACC notes: Tigers bear down on crown

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 00:52 EST

The No. 18 Tigers can guaranteed their first Atlantic Division title with a win against Virginia at 3:30 p.m. Saturday (ABC).

But the Tigers can clinch their first ACC title game appearance before taking the field at Memorial Stadium.

North Carolina travels to Boston College (noon, ESPN2) and if the resurgent Tar Heels defeat the Eagles, Clemson (7-3, 5-2 ACC) wraps up the division.

The Tigers, the ACC, and bowl officials are hoping for a Clemson-Georgia Tech rematch in the ACC title game.

THUMBS UP