Sunday, Sep. 07, 2008

Blowout gives Tigers hope, if not closure

CLEMSON

IF YOU’RE A Clemson fan and weren’t in attendance at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, you might want to write down the following information so someday you can tell your grandchildren that you were.

With 1:31 remaining in the third quarter of the Tigers’ 45-17 rout of The Citadel, Willy Korn made his 2008 debut. The simple act of No. 3 trotting onto the field to quarterback a mix of first- and second-teamers elicited perhaps the loudest roar of the afternoon not associated with one of Clemson’s seven scores.

His appearance also slowed the exodus of the crowd of 76,000, whose need for a cleansing victory to soothe their week-old pain had by then been satisfied — somewhat — by the Tigers’ lopsided victory. Now the fans wanted to see what the future looks like.

“I appreciate it,” the 19-year-old said afterward, smiling when reminded of the cheers, “even though I haven’t done anything to deserve that yet.”

Korn’s numbers Saturday — 7-of-11 passing for 81 yards, including a nifty 36-yarder to junior tight end Durrell Barry to set up Clemson’s final field goal — were hardly awe-inspiring, but that was beside the point. This was an orange-bedecked crowd in need of hope, of inspiration, of a vision for the Tigers’ future. Korn allowed them to see past this season, a year already operating under a cloud.

Memories of last Saturday’s 34-10 debacle against Alabama, a humiliation broadcast to the nation via ESPN, had haunted Clemson’s players and coaches the past seven days. “We’ve had coaches down our throats, teachers down our throats, students down our throats,” said senior safety Michael Hamlin, who had a school record-tying three interceptions against The Citadel.

“One of the longest weeks of my coaching career,” said offensive coordinator Rob Spence, whose much-hyped unit had failed to muster 200 yards against the Crimson Tide.

Nothing the Tigers did Saturday was going to eradicate that memory. This could only be what it was: a chance to “get rid of that bad taste in our mouths,” as senior quarterback Cullen Harper put it.

Clemson got that, swishing enthusiastically before spitting out The Citadel. The Tigers’ offense that had produced zero yards rushing a week earlier rolled up 252 Saturday, part of a 525-yard performance, topped by James Davis’ 107-yard afternoon and backfield mate C.J. Spiller’s 75 yards and three touchdowns on six carries. Harper was crisply efficient — and rarely hurried — in completing 14-of-18 passes for 192 yards and a score.

But ... so what? Crushing an out-manned Southern Conference team couldn’t make up for last week. It could only ease the pain, and even there, it failed to completely satisfy.

The Citadel, with Bart Blanchard passing for 279 yards — more yards against Clemson than he had a week earlier against feeble Webber International (191) — kept things respectable into the third quarter. The Bulldogs even tacked on a late 50-yard touchdown against the Tigers’ reserves.

Still, Clemson’s players and staff wanted no part of looking a gift horse in the mouth, even if this one was missing a few molars. “It’s a small step, but it is a step,” Spence said, then quoted from the Book of Zachariah: “Do not despise the day of small beginnings.”

Clemson’s players and coaches were quick to point out encouraging signs. Harper praised the offensive line that kept him sack- and interception-free; Spiller raved about the defense’s work.

And to a man, the Tigers continued to push the idea that their season remains an open book, that winning this game, and adding more wins, will help make Alabama recede further into their rearview mirror.

Korn, the object of so much hype — and hope — was especially ready to move on. Saturday ended a long year’s wait for him after an injury against Furman in 2007 put his career on hold. He knows disappointment — and patience.

“No matter who it was (against), it was good to play again,” he said. “We’ll remember Alabama, but it’s good to put that behind us.”

Good luck with that, he was told. He smiled.

“We still here,” he said. “We can accomplish the things we wanted to this year; we can win the ACC.”

Hope. A week after all seemed lost for Clemson, the Tigers, now 1-1, wanted to believe again — at least for this day.