TheState.com: Tigers

Nearly sunk, Dye swims up receiver depth chart

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:58 EST

CLEMSON - Since the dust has settled from the "craziest" week of his life, Clemson receiver Xavier Dye said he has been seeing things a lot clearer.

Dye admitted that before the demotion that led him to briefly quit the team this season, he hadn't shown the consistent work ethic necessary of a starting player. And while he got a quicker hook than others who had made comparable mistakes, his only worry should have been himself.

In hindsight, the one thing Dye cannot rectify is why, upon his return to the team, coach Dabo Swinney commented that he figured Dye already was off surfing in California.

"You might find me out on the lake tubing, but I don't like ocean water," Dye said. "I don't know where that came from."

The 6-foot-5 junior from Greenwood likewise has surfaced from the depths to emerge as a pass-catching threat, riding a wave of momentum that crested during Saturday's 40-24 triumph over Florida State.

Former Clemson coach fires back after firing

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:58 EST

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis fired coach Tommy West on Monday, saying the school wants to go in a different direction after the season.

Athletics Director R.C. Johnson said at a news conference that he met with West on Monday morning and told the coach of the university's decision. He also asked the former Clemson coach to stay through the end of the season.

When the coach had his turn at the microphone he said the university needs to put more money in the football program or shut it down. West didn't hesitate to share his feelings about the program's outdated facilities. He said there was only one answer if fans didn't demand improvements or for the university to make necessary changes.

"I couldn't say (this) as a coach, but it's too painful," West said. "It's too painful for coaches, for players, for people, for fans. Put something in it or do away with it, one or the other."

West's firing comes after the Tigers started the season 2-7 and less than 48 hours after a 56-28 loss to instate rival Tennessee.

McDaniel says injury to Ponder was accidental

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 23:58 EST

CLEMSON - Junior safety DeAndre McDaniel clarified Monday that he didn't intend to injure Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder after his fourth-quarter interception.

In pointing at Ponder before the two collided along the sideline, McDaniel said he was sending a playful warning that the two were about to collide.

Both lowered their shoulder, and while Ponder successfully steered McDaniel out of bounds, he took the worst of the hit - suffering a separated right shoulder that FSU confirmed Monday will end their standout quarterback's season with three games to go.

"I hope he gets better - get well soon," McDaniel said. "I didn't try to hurt him, but I did try to make him feel it.

"There were some linemen coming, and the last time I got caught up in some linemen, at Miami, it didn't feel too good. So why not go at the quarterback instead of the linemen?"

N.C. State looks for another strong November

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:21 EST

Tom O'Brien told his North Carolina State players two months ago after they beat Pittsburgh that they weren't a good football team.

The Wolfpack promptly spent a winless month proving him right.

But after following their 0-for-October by beating Maryland, they're starting to appreciate winning again - and it doesn't matter how good or bad they looked doing it.

"It was a breath of fresh air," offensive lineman Jeraill McCuller said Monday. "I think it kind of lifted guys' spirits and gave guys hope around here that there's still a bright future for this program and this season."

It also has given the Wolfpack (4-5, 1-4 Atlantic Coast Conference) the belief that they can turn their season around with another strong finish.

Notes: Tigers will open competition at kicker

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:25 EST

Jackson apologizes for misses; Clemson will face N.C. State at noon Saturday

CLEMSON - Junior kicker Richard Jackson addressed Clemson teammates in the locker room Saturday night, apologizing for four missed kicks against Florida State.

Whether Jackson will have the chance to atone for his miscues Saturday at North Carolina State remains to be seen.

Dabo Swinney said Sunday an open competition will be held this week between Jackson and redshirt freshman Spencer Benton.

"We'll try to make it competitive this week, see who can be most consistent, and that's who'll start the game," Swinney said. "We have to get back on track."

Commentary: Tigers show new-found swagger

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 00:25 EST

A GRIN CAME OVER JUNIOR safety DeAndre McDaniel's face, just like the smile he flashed after intercepting Florida State quarterback Christian Ponder in the waning minutes of Saturday's 40-24 victory.

In explaining what happened next, McDaniel could have taken the safe route and claimed to have pointed at Ponder the way ball-carriers do when they're showing nearby teammates whom to block.

Uh-uh.

The swashbuckling McDaniel, a lifelong fan of his hometown Seminoles, acknowledged that he playfully called his shot - as Ponder represented the last line of defense between McDaniel and the end zone.

Both lowered their shoulders, and McDaniel plowed Ponder into the ground at the FSU 5, setting up C.J. Spiller's game-capping touchdown with 3:29 remaining.

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

Mon, 09 Nov 2009 19:17 EST

Join us 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 N.C. State on Saturday.

Clemson football with Paul Strelow

Recruiting: Lattimore, Fulton venture out of state

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:52 EST

TWO OF THE STATE'S TOP prospects made official visits over the weekend to out of state schools.

Byrnes running back Marcus Lattimore went to Penn State and was not due back home until late Sunday. He also has visited Auburn and will visit Oregon on Jan. 16. He has not decided on his final two official visits. He is considering USC, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida State. Lattimore likely will be at USC on Saturday for the Florida game.

Manning defensive back John Fulton was at Florida over the weekend. He will see the Gators again this weekend when he takes his visit to USC. He has been to LSU and also likes Alabama and Georgia. Before the visit to Gainesville, Fulton was favoring USC over Alabama.

Auburn continues its strong pursuit of USC-bound offensive lineman Eric Mack of Calhoun County. Two recruiters visited the school to check on Mack who has been holding to his commitment while visiting other schools. Mack has visited Auburn. Saturday he was at Clemson unofficially for the Florida State game. He plans to be at USC this Saturday for the Florida game.

If he's not playing in a state championship game, he plans to make a return trip to Auburn for the Alabama game. And a day later he plans to be back in Columbia for the Clemson-USC game. Mack plans to schedule visits with USC, Clemson and Kentucky at some point.

Clemson volleyball downs Boston College

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:55 EST

At Chestnut Hill, Mass., Lia Proctor had 19 kills and 11 digs as Clemson beat Boston College in four sets - 25-19, 25-14, 26-28, and 25-10 - to earn coach Jolene Jordan Hoover her 450th career victory.

Clemson is now 20-9 and 10-5 in the ACC, while BC falls to 11-15 and 1-14 in conference play.

- From staff reports

Tigers lay 4th-quarter smackdown on Noles

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:33 EST

CLEMSON | For all of Clemson's faults Saturday night, they were overridden by the trait coach Dabo Swinney has suggested the team has exhibited the entire season.

These were not the same ol' Tigers - especially the ones who annually choked when the ACC title game appeared within reach.

Clemson dropped a fourth-quarter hammer on Florida State, rattling off 19 unanswered points to emerge with a 40-24 victory that keeps the Tigers (6-3, 4-2 ACC) in the Atlantic Division driver's seat.

"We just kept our heads," junior safety DeAndre McDaniel said. "Coach Swinney asked us if we believe in ourselves, and we do."

All that stands in the way of a berth in the Dec. 5 ACC championship in Tampa, Fla., are wins next week at N.C. State (4-5, 1-4) and in the final home game the following week against Virginia (3-6, 2-3).

Oklahoma out of AP poll; Clemson in

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:33 EST

Over the past decade, Oklahoma has rarely been out of AP Top 25 and Stanford has rarely been in.

On Sunday, the Sooners and Cardinal sort of swapped places.

Oklahoma dropped out of the college football poll for the first time since 2005, and No. 25 Stanford moved into the rankings for the first time since 2001.

No. 24 Clemson also made it into the Top 25 for the first time this season. The Tigers (6-3) beat Florida State 40-24 to take control of the ACC's Atlantic division race.

Clemson was not ranked in the USA Today Coaches Poll but did finish 26th overall.

Give Spiller credit - and then give him some more

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:33 EST

CLEMSON | THERE HAVE BEEN times this season when you had to wonder if C.J. Spiller got too much credit for Clemson's successes.

Then there are nights like Saturday - when you wonder if he gets enough.

Playing before a Memorial Stadium crowd of 77,000 and a national audience on ESPN, the Tigers' running back showed why his nickname ought to be "Prime Time" - and why Clemson printing up several thousand "Spiller for Heisman" posters in the preseason is looking like a pretty good investment.

And why it's looking like a couple of nice postseason trips might be on tap for the Tigers.

How about a date in New York City for the Heisman Trophy presentation for the Tigers' senior? How about a first ACC Championship Game appearance in Tampa, Fla., for Spiller and his teammates?

Clemson-FSU: Thumbs up, thumbs down

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:33 EST

THUMBS UP

Florida State's courage

The Seminoles did not kick away from C.J. Spiller in the first half. Spiller, who was averaging 38.7 yards per return entering the game, managed 23, 21 and 27 on three chances.

Clemson receiver Xavier Dye

The junior caught three first-half passes for 68 yards, one touchdown and a near-touchdown when he was brought down at the FSU 1-yard line on a 14-yard pass.

Clemson-FSU: Scoring summary

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:33 EST

FIRST QUARTER

SCORE: Dustin Hopkins 35 field goal

KEY PLAY: Tailback Jermaine Thomas runs 10 yards to the Clemson 21.

DRIVE: 9 plays, 26 yards in 5:19

Florida State 3, Clemson 0

BLOG: Mapping the Atlantic race

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 01:51 EST

Tigers' special team misfire early

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:33 EST

CLEMSON – C.J. Spiller joked this week that he planned to ask Florida State special teams coach Jody Allen – the assistant who recruited him – for a favor or two.

Opponents had increasingly opted to kick away from Spiller because of his collection of momentum-swinging returns.

But Clemson’s special teams were its own worst enemy Saturday night, playing a major role in why the Tigers needed 19 unanswered fourth-quarter points to prevail 40-24.

Junior kicker Richard Jackson missed two extra points and a pair of field goals inside 40 yards, while backup kicker Spencer Benton likewise missed a point-after.

“I was going to getting ready to put (safety) DeAndre McDaniel in to kick the extra point because I’ve seen him do it at practice,” coach Dabo Swinney said, perhaps jokingly.

Bowden still familiar with Tiger foes

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 22:33 EST

CLEMSON - Florida State coach Bobby Bowden grew tired of looking across the field to the Clemson bench and seeing his son Tommy.

The so-called "Bowden Bowl" faded into history when Tommy Bowden stepped down as the Tigers coach midway through last season, but that doesn't mean the annual FSU-Clemson showdown isn't still something of a family affair for the elder Bowden.

An extended-family, that is.

Former FSU offensive coordinator Brad Scott is still a Tigers assistant and, this year, former FSU linebackers coach Kevin Steele (2003-06), is the Tigers defensive coordinator.

"When I went there to really the day I left, I really thought that may be it," Steele said of his coaching travels. "Little did I know."

U.S. Open champ runs down hill at Clemson

Sat, 07 Nov 2009 23:53 EST

Clemson's football team had major champion Lucas Glover join its traditional run down the hill in Death Valley.

U.S. Open champion and Clemson graduate Glover was honored before the Tigers' game with Florida State on Saturday night. He dotted the "i" when the Clemson band spelled "Tigers," then stood next to coach Dabo Swinney to start the football's longtime entrance.

Glover made it down without problems, slapping Swinney's hand as he ran past the coach.

Glover is from nearby Greenville.

Former Southern Cal recruit Johnson leads Tigers

Fri, 06 Nov 2009 23:41 EST

Former Southern Cal recruit Noel Johnson scored 19 points to lead No. 24 Clemson to a 99-51 exhibition victory over Francis Marion on Friday night.

Johnson, a smooth 6-foot-5 freshman, had signed with the Trojans and then-coach Tim Floyd. However, he received his release after allegations of improper recruiting of former USC star O.J. Mayo and joined the Tigers.

Johnson went 7 of 10 from the field, including three 3-pointers in 21 minutes.

Sophomore Tanner Smith had 18 points for Clemson, which opens the season next Friday against Presbyterian.

Kaylan Anderson led Division II Francis Marion with 20 points.

Clemson's Parker hitting his stride

Sun, 08 Nov 2009 23:40 EST

CLEMSON - When Clemson offensive coordinator Billy Napier thought of the best example of redshirt freshman quarterback Kyle Parker's improved preparation, his first thought did not go to one of Parker's performances in victories against Wake Forest or Miami.

It went to the first half of last week's 49-3 landslide over Coastal Carolina. From the shotgun, Parker noticed to his right that receiver Jacoby Ford began in motion - as the running back to Parker's left leaned forward to go in Ford's direction.

Parker barked Clemson's emergency call to get everyone's attention, sending both parties back to reset before resuming the play call.

"That's one of those things you cover maybe once or twice," Napier said. "He remembered and had enough football knowledge and IQ to realize what he could do to fix that problem.

"That was good to see."