Clemson vs. California
posted by LW, Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Today, he pits Clemson against California (scroll down).
Clemson fans obviously don't have good memories of their last (and only) encounter with the Golden Bears; Cal administered a stunning 37-13 whipping in the 1992 Citrus Bowl.
The Tigers just didn't get their butts handed to them often in those days, so it was quite a surprise to see this team from the West Coast wiping them off the field.
Buchanan has some good categories and good lines in this one:
3. FAMOUS HILLS
Clemson: In what has been described as the most exciting 25 seconds in college football, Clemson players take the field by running down "The Hill" on the east side of Memorial Stadium.
California: Fans too frugal to buy a ticket can watch the game from "Tightwad Hill," which overlooks Memorial Stadium from the east.
EDGE: Clemson.
4. INFAMOUS RETURNS IN BOWL GAMES
California: In the 1929 Rose Bowl, Roy Riegels scooped up a Georgia Tech fumble and ran 69 yards the wrong way and was tackled on Cal's 1-yard line. The gaffe led to a safety, an 8-7 Georgia Tech victory and the dubious nickname "Wrong-Way" Riegels.
Clemson: Nose tackle Charlie Bauman's interception of an Art Schlichter pass clinched a 17-15 win for Clemson in the 1978 Gator Bowl, and it also resulted in the end of Ohio State coach Woody Hayes' career. Hayes punched Bauman on the sideline after the play. The next day, Hayes was fired.
Edge: Clemson. Bauman's play sealed a victory. Riegels' led to a loss.
6. ICONIC FORMER COACH
Clemson: Frank Howard. The Tigers were 165-118-12 in 30 seasons under Howard from 1940-69.
California: Andy Smith. The Bears were 74-16-7 in 10 seasons under Smith from 1916-25.
Edge: Clemson. Nobody ever has heard of Smith's Rock.
Also in the Buchanan link, another reason to like Mike Leach. The piece recounts the most intriguing offseason stories, and I must've missed this one:
24. OUT IN THE COLD: Texas Tech coach Mike Leach often takes an unusual approach to dealing with different issues. He demonstrated that again in March when he forced wide receiver Edward Britton to study … at midfield of Jones Stadium in 30 degree weather with snow flurries. "Ed didn't like showing up and studying at places I felt like he needed to and like the academic people asked him to, so he can study out there on the 50-yard line," Leach said. Britton got the message and was back at practice a few days later.
Rivals also presents Nos. 90-86 of its preseason Top 120 Countdown, and it looks like Vic Koenning and the rest of Kansas State's coaches have their work cut out for them in Manhattan. The Wildcats are No. 89, one spot behind Duke.
Stopping the run projects as a big problem. Last season, the Wildcats allowed 217.7 rushing yards per game to rank 11th in the Big 12 and 112th in the nation in run defense.
Looks like we won't be hearing any of T.K. Wetherell's rants much longer. Florida State's leading windbag is planning to step down.
Jim Young of The ACC Sports Journal offers his ACC winners and losers at the draft deadline, and this is what he has to say about Clemson (he puts the Tigers in the "Draw" category):
CLEMSON: Clearly keeping Trevor Booker is more important than holding on to Terrence Oglesby. But the psychological punch to the gut that Oglesby gave the Tigers must also be considered. Plus, who’s going to shoot 3-pointers next season to keep teams from sagging on Booker? What was once a clear win for the Tigers is now just a draw. And you could probably talk me into calling it a loss.
Paul Strelow of The State weighs in on ACC basketball, putting Duke at No. 1 for 2009-10 and Clemson at No. 6.
I tend to disagree on the Devils, because where's the athleticism after Gerald Henderson's departure? Also think he might've had the Tigers a little too low.
The news on Trevor Adair became official yesterday. Accounts here, here and here.
LW
For questions or comments on this blog entry, please visit The West Zone message board.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Olin Buchanan of Rivals has a fun little matchup deal he's been doing, comparing selected programs and giving the edge in various categories.
Today, he pits Clemson against California (scroll down).
Clemson fans obviously don't have good memories of their last (and only) encounter with the Golden Bears; Cal administered a stunning 37-13 whipping in the 1992 Citrus Bowl.
The Tigers just didn't get their butts handed to them often in those days, so it was quite a surprise to see this team from the West Coast wiping them off the field.
Buchanan has some good categories and good lines in this one:
3. FAMOUS HILLS
Clemson: In what has been described as the most exciting 25 seconds in college football, Clemson players take the field by running down "The Hill" on the east side of Memorial Stadium.
California: Fans too frugal to buy a ticket can watch the game from "Tightwad Hill," which overlooks Memorial Stadium from the east.
EDGE: Clemson.
4. INFAMOUS RETURNS IN BOWL GAMES
California: In the 1929 Rose Bowl, Roy Riegels scooped up a Georgia Tech fumble and ran 69 yards the wrong way and was tackled on Cal's 1-yard line. The gaffe led to a safety, an 8-7 Georgia Tech victory and the dubious nickname "Wrong-Way" Riegels.
Clemson: Nose tackle Charlie Bauman's interception of an Art Schlichter pass clinched a 17-15 win for Clemson in the 1978 Gator Bowl, and it also resulted in the end of Ohio State coach Woody Hayes' career. Hayes punched Bauman on the sideline after the play. The next day, Hayes was fired.
Edge: Clemson. Bauman's play sealed a victory. Riegels' led to a loss.
6. ICONIC FORMER COACH
Clemson: Frank Howard. The Tigers were 165-118-12 in 30 seasons under Howard from 1940-69.
California: Andy Smith. The Bears were 74-16-7 in 10 seasons under Smith from 1916-25.
Edge: Clemson. Nobody ever has heard of Smith's Rock.
Also in the Buchanan link, another reason to like Mike Leach. The piece recounts the most intriguing offseason stories, and I must've missed this one:
24. OUT IN THE COLD: Texas Tech coach Mike Leach often takes an unusual approach to dealing with different issues. He demonstrated that again in March when he forced wide receiver Edward Britton to study … at midfield of Jones Stadium in 30 degree weather with snow flurries. "Ed didn't like showing up and studying at places I felt like he needed to and like the academic people asked him to, so he can study out there on the 50-yard line," Leach said. Britton got the message and was back at practice a few days later.
Rivals also presents Nos. 90-86 of its preseason Top 120 Countdown, and it looks like Vic Koenning and the rest of Kansas State's coaches have their work cut out for them in Manhattan. The Wildcats are No. 89, one spot behind Duke.
Stopping the run projects as a big problem. Last season, the Wildcats allowed 217.7 rushing yards per game to rank 11th in the Big 12 and 112th in the nation in run defense.
Looks like we won't be hearing any of T.K. Wetherell's rants much longer. Florida State's leading windbag is planning to step down.
Jim Young of The ACC Sports Journal offers his ACC winners and losers at the draft deadline, and this is what he has to say about Clemson (he puts the Tigers in the "Draw" category):
CLEMSON: Clearly keeping Trevor Booker is more important than holding on to Terrence Oglesby. But the psychological punch to the gut that Oglesby gave the Tigers must also be considered. Plus, who’s going to shoot 3-pointers next season to keep teams from sagging on Booker? What was once a clear win for the Tigers is now just a draw. And you could probably talk me into calling it a loss.
Paul Strelow of The State weighs in on ACC basketball, putting Duke at No. 1 for 2009-10 and Clemson at No. 6.
I tend to disagree on the Devils, because where's the athleticism after Gerald Henderson's departure? Also think he might've had the Tigers a little too low.
The news on Trevor Adair became official yesterday. Accounts here, here and here.
LW
For questions or comments on this blog entry, please visit The West Zone message board.
Link to this entry - Discuss this entry - Return to Blog Home
Donnie Patterson. Donnie Patterson is the founder of Patterson Tax Service, located in Easley, S.C. He has been active in tax preparation since 1970, and offers a full range of tax and bookkeeping services.
Larry Williams. Larry has covered the daily beat at Clemson since 2004. Williams, who worked for the Charleston Post & Courier from 2004-08, joined Tigerillustrated.com in November of 2008. He may be reached by email at ldubya08(at)gmail.com. Replace (at) with @.