Tigers Focus On 40-Second Play Clock

Team adjusting to new timing rules

By: Pete Yanity | News Channel 7
Published: August 14, 2008

Clemson, SC-The Clemson Tigers had another long day on the practice fields behind the Jervey Athletic Center, as Tommy Bowden put his troops through 40 five-minute periods over the two practices. The Tigers were fortunate however in that the weather was cool and the humidity was low.
Clemson was in full pads in the morning and worked for 22 periods. The practice concluded with a third-and-short and fourth-and-short scrimmage that lasted for 15 minutes. Jamie Harper ran well in the drills as the freshman repeatedly picked up the first down for the offense. James Davis also played well and had a 20-yard run on a fourth-and-one situation.
The Tigers worked in shorts and shoulder pads during the evening. The team ran their first two-minute drill at the conclusion of the practice. “I was disappointed in that both kickers (Mark Buchholz and Richard Jackson) missed field goals at the end of the drill,” said Bowden.
Bowden talked about the impact of the 40-second clock on the game this fall. The college rule has adopted the pro rule whereby a 40-second play clock will begin as soon as the play is over. “We used the 40-second clock rule in our scrimmage last Saturday and we will again this Saturday. It was a lot quicker than I expected. We will run some plays from the box (press box) this Saturday so we get the system down.”
Bowden also talked about the leadership of his front four on defense. “Jamie Cumbie suffered a broken hand on Tuesday, but he went the entire day on Wednesday. I saw him in pain a few times today, but he didn’t take himself out. He never put on a yellow jersey. Dorell Scott had leg cramps at the end of practice on Tuesday, but he still did most of the conditioning run. He was running with straight legs at the end, but he was still going. “
It was a good day from an injury standpoint. The only player out of action was Rashaad Jackson, who had knee surgery on Tuesday and he will be out until at least mid-season. No one was in a yellow or green jersey. Jamie Cumbie and Brandon Thompson, who both suffered broken hands earlier in the week, went through every drill. Matt Sanders and Jock McKissic, who had missed time due to concussions earlier in the week, were back at practice on Wednesday.