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16 Friday, September 4, 1998 Tigers Tackle Loss of Key Players Clemson coach Tommy West must replace some major components from his 1997 Peach Bowl squad. By Mike Iskandar Staff Writer A year ago, a talented Clemson foot ball team had visions of making a run at an ACC championship and finishing in the top 10 in the nation. But even with the talent and experi ence the ’97 Tigers boasted, they fin ished a disappoint ing 4-4 in the ACC and 7-5 overall. With the loss of 12 starters this year, Clemson must rebuild to keep itself out of the bottom third in the conference. Tiger coach Tommy West faces the daunting task of replacing the school’s all time leading pass- Junior linebacker Rahim Abdullah has three career TDs and was fifth on the team in tackles in 1997 with 70. RESERVE OFFICERS' TRAINING CORPS 11||| - ' ||||, . Nv japP* • "\‘ i^ ,r i " PREREQUISITE: ADRENALINE Drive. Intensity. Those aren’t words you’re likely to see in many course requirements. Then again, Army ROTC is unlike any other elective. It’s hands-on excitement. ROTC will challenge you mentally and phys ically through intense leadership training. Training that builds charac- THE SMARTEST COLLEGE COURSE YOU CAN TAKE. For more information, Contact Captain Patrick Sheffield, 962-5546 or (800) 305-6687. er Nealon Greene, all-time leading rusher Raymond Priester, All-American linebacker Anthony Simmons and record-setting receiver Tony Home. “We have certainly lost some of Clemson’s top players of the last decade,” West said. The Tigers will have to make do with talented but much less experienced players that will have to step up in order for Clemson to be a force this season. “We will have to count on some new players, especially offensively, who have not had to carry the load,” West said. “I don’t think there will be a drop-off in tal ent, but there will be a drop-off in expe rience.” At quarterback, Clemson will turn to junior Brandon Streeter to replace Greene, a four-year starter who passed for more than 2,000 yards last season. As the only quarterback on the team with any playing experience, Streeter’s recovery from a separated shoulder last season and a fractured ankle last spring is crucial to the team’s success. At running back, redshirt freshman Travis Zachery will likely replace Priester, who was the ACC’s third-lead ing rusher last season with 894 yards. Much of the success of the running game will depend on how well the offen sive line recovers from the loss of All- ter, self-confidence and decision-making skills. Again, words other courses sel dom use. But they're the credits you need to succeed in life. ROTC is open to freshmen and sophomores without obligation and requires about 4 hours per week. Register this term for Army ROTC. ARMY ROTC Football '9B Clemson '9B Schedule Sept. 5 Furman Sept 12 Virginia Tech Sept 19 at Virginia Sept, 26 Wake Forest Oct 3 atUNC Oct. 10 Maryland Oct. 17 at Florida State Oct. 24 at Duke Oct. 31 N.C. State N0v.12 Georgia Tech Nov. 21 S. Carolina American tackle Jim Bundren and All- ACC guard Glenn Rountree. Despite the loss of Home, who set a single-season record last season with 70 receptions, the receiving corps will be strong, featuring juniors Brian Wofford and Mai Lawyer who combined for 56 receptions and 772 yards. The Tigers’ nationally-ranked punter #£# Clemson 1997 record: 7-5 (4-4 in ACC) Head Coach: Tommy West (32-27 overall, 28- 20 at Clemson) Home field: Memorial Stadium (81,474) Returning Starters: 5 offense, 6 defense Key Returnees: LB Rahim Abdullah, S DeMarco Fox, C Jason Gamble, QB Brandon Streeter Key Losses: QB Nealon Greene, WR Tony Home, RB Raymond Priester, IB Anthony Simmons Strengths: Running die football has been a traditional strength, and Ttavis Zachery looks to fill the hole left by Priester. Abdullah had 2 blocked punts and a sack in the Peach Bowl against Auburn. Weaknesses: The Tigers mist replace key performers at skill positions. Simmons was an All-American linebacker, and Clemson won't be as good at his spot this season. Keys to season: Defense must be successful early, giving the offense time to adjust Clemson must keep Streeter healthy and find a go-to receiver. Key Game: Nov. 21 vs. South Carolina Kevin Laird and kicker David Richardson make Clemson’s special teams one of the conference’s best. Defensively, the biggest challenge will be filling the gap left by Simmons. Simmons was a finalist for the Butkus Award and was the ACC’s leading tack ier with 144 hits. “You can’t replace Anthony Simmons,” West said of the linebacker, RECEIVERS From Page 6 receivers’ success is the pressure put on them everyday in practice by the cor nerbacks, including two-time consensus All-America comerback Dre’ Bly. “I think going against Dre’ makes each and every one of us a better receiv er,” Peace said. “And I think in turn we make him a better comer.” UNC needs its three main receivers to produce from the start in order to take the heat off the young and devel oping running game. TIGHT ENDS From Page 6 should also see ample playing time. The Tar Heels will need multiple players to fill the vacancy left when Crumpler went down with a tom ante rior cruciate and medial collateral liga ments and cartilage damage in his left knee on March 26. Crumpler caught 24 passes for 278 yards as sophomore in 1997 and was named AH-ACC. “We lost a great one when we lost Alge Crumpler,” head coach Carl s —-v An unexpected pregnancy is hard to face, f V" N That's why we're here. 1 j • Pregnancy Tests J • Complete information on All Options • Support Services \ j • Medical & Community Referrals All Services Free & Confidential PREGNANCY 431 W. Franklin St., 3500 Westgate Dr. ci Suite 23, Chape) Hill Suite4ol, Durham bUrPCjKI SbKVmbb 942-7318 I-8QQ.395.HE1P 490-0203, ahe Daily War Hrrl Tommy West who was ait NFL first-round pick But linebackers Rahim Abdullah, a 6-foot-6 230-pound junior, who notched 73 tackles last season and was the team’s MVP in their Peach Bowl loss to Auburn returns to try to fill the gap. The defensive backfield should be a strength as well, with comers Antwan Edwards and DoMarco Fox leading the way. “It seems like it would be a little pres sure, but we’ve done it before so we really don’t feel any,” Brown said. “We just have to do the things we’ve been doing and hopefully the running game will come along.” Although the receivers have the potential to be the best in the nation, Moody said the group needs to improve certain technical aspects of their game. “I’d like them to get more productive after they catch the football,” Moody said. “If they go through the natural matur ing process, they should have another productive year.” Torbush said. “He’s a great player, one of the best athletes we had on the team, so we hate to lose him.” But Torbush is not disappointed at all when it comes to tight end coach Terry Lewis’ new starting selection. Torbush recruited Mogridge out of high school and knows he has the ability to adjust to new situations. “I’m glad to see him get the role, to tell you the truth,” Torbush said. “He’s just a great young man who works hard every day. He’ll give you everything he’s got and it will be hard to take his (starting) job.”
Daily Tar Heel (Chapel Hill, N.C.)
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Sept. 4, 1998, edition 1
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