Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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GAME n Clemson at USC Saturday, Nov. 22 Columbia, S.C. BY BRAD SENKIW THE GAMECOCK When it comes to coaches on the hot seat this season, Clemson head coach Tommy Bowden's name continues to sur face among the experts. Despite going to a bowl game every year that Bowden has been with the Tigers, Clemson is looking for a breakout season in 2003 after last sea son's 7-6 record. “Although we have gone to a bowl game each of the last four years, we certainly aspire to win more games and eventually challenge for the ACC championship and a BCS bowl,” Bowden said. “We should be better across the board.” In 2002 the Tigers had big wins against Georgia Tech, Wake Forest and USC, but were blown out in the Tangerine Bowl by Texas Tech. This season, Clemson returns eight starters on offense including quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who replaced Willie Simmons last season. Whitehurst, a soph omore, finished 2002 with 1,554 yards and 10 touchdowns, both school records for freshmen. “Charlie is our starting quarterback,” Bowden said. “He had an outstanding freshman year. He beat out a veteran Willie Simmons at midseason and was very impressive in three victories at the end of the season.” Although the Tigers bring back solid running backs in Yusef Kelly and Chad Jasmin, the real playmakers on offense come from the receiving corps. Junior Derrick Hamilton, who's also a return spe cialist, picked up over 600 yards receiving last season and is joined by Kevin Youngblood, who caught 591 yards, while speedster Airese Currie grabbed three touchdown receptions. On defense, where the Tigers improved from the 2001 season, Clemson will have to rely on players who didn't start much last season but saw plenty of action on the field. “On defense, we return just five starters, but we played a lot of backups,” Bowden said. “As a result, we have four of our top six linebackers returning, six of our top seven defensive ends and six de fensive backs who helped us make signif icant improvement in the secondary last year.” Clemson defensive stars are linebacker John Leake and comerback Justin Miller. Leake returns as the team's leading tackier with 169, which ranked him fourth nationally. “John Leake has gone from a special teams player as a freshman to our top tackier,” Bowden said. “He is an out standing leader of our defense in the mid dle. I look for John to have an all-confer ♦ CLEMSON, SEEPAGE 14 PHOTO SPECIAL TO THE THE GAMECOCK Charlie Whitehurst threw for 1,554 yards and 10 touchdowns as a freshman for the Clemson Tigers In 2002. Join Air Force ROTC at the University of South Carolina GREAT careers Pilot Nurse Engineer INI a vl gator More Great benefits Travel Full Medical a Dental Care Build Leadership & Management Skills Starting Salary a Allowances: $35,000 30 Days Vacation with Pay Tuition Assistance for Graduate Degrees Job Security ... and you may be eligible for one of our scholarships! For more information, call 777-3450 or visit the Air Force ROTC web site www.afrotc.com .. .. - . .si® CoflusrvXia, > S^ectiorv sf/eAn '3,'tacM&<^ TLo On& r—i ■ Initially Yours coumrain LUGGF1GC 1111 Lady St. 765-9010 (Next to Chick-Fil-A)