Clemson suffers loss without taking field
11/2/2009 12:34 AM
By TRAVIS SAWCHIK
The (Charleston) Post and Courier
CLEMSON -- The most damaging setback of the weekend for Clemson came courtesy of an MRI exam. Clemson will likely face the high-octane Florida State offense Saturday without defensive end Da'Quan Bowers. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Bowers is "very doubtful" for Saturday's 7:45 p.m. Atlantic Coast Conference showdown on ESPN.
Bowers had to be helped from the field during the first quarter of Clemson's win over Coastal Carolina on Saturday, favoring his left leg. He returned to the sideline in the second half with crutches but said he would play against Florida State.
Swinney originally said the sophomore end suffered only a PCL strain. However, an MRI revealed an additional MCL strain. Swinney didn't offer a timetable for Bowers' return on Sunday but did say it wasn't a season-ending injury. He didn't indicate if surgery was necessary.
"It could be a couple games," Swinney said. "I would say he is doubtful. The information initially was he had a sprained PCL. He even told me that."
The injury sustained against an FCS opponent comes at a costly time. Though the Tigers and preseason Atlantic Division favorite Seminoles took circuitous routes to this week's pivotal game at Death Valley, it could very well determine which team advances to Tampa Bay for the ACC title game.
Clemson (5-3, 3-2 ACC) is tied atop the division with Boston College but holds a tiebreaker with the Eagles. The Seminoles (4-4, 2-3) are a game back of the Tigers and Eagles but would own the tiebreaker over Clemson with a win.
Both teams close with favorable schedules, placing greater importance on Saturday's meeting.
Quarterback Christian Ponder and the Florida State offense have built "momentum" according to Swinney with two straight conference wins against North Carolina and N.C. State. Ponder suffered bruised ribs Saturday, but Swinney expects the junior quarterback to play.
Ponder has thrown for nearly as many yards the last four weeks (1,371) as Kyle Parker (1,423) has thrown for this season. Florida State scored 45 points at N.C. State, 30 at North Carolina and 44 at Georgia Tech.
"It's as good an offense as we have played," Swinney said. "They are throwing ball and catching the ball as well as anyone.
"Ponder is a very, very good quarterback. He loves to run the ball and runs the ball with passion and toughness. They are as good as we have played."
The praise is high considering the Tigers have played top offenses in Georgia Tech and Miami this season.
While the Seminoles have been defensively challenged, they have linebacker Dekoda Watson back healthy and corner Patrick Robinson could force a Clemson receiver besides Jacoby Ford to make plays.
Said Swinney: "It's the biggest game of the year for us."
11/2/2009 12:34 AM
By TRAVIS SAWCHIK
The (Charleston) Post and Courier
CLEMSON -- The most damaging setback of the weekend for Clemson came courtesy of an MRI exam. Clemson will likely face the high-octane Florida State offense Saturday without defensive end Da'Quan Bowers. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Bowers is "very doubtful" for Saturday's 7:45 p.m. Atlantic Coast Conference showdown on ESPN.
Bowers had to be helped from the field during the first quarter of Clemson's win over Coastal Carolina on Saturday, favoring his left leg. He returned to the sideline in the second half with crutches but said he would play against Florida State.
Swinney originally said the sophomore end suffered only a PCL strain. However, an MRI revealed an additional MCL strain. Swinney didn't offer a timetable for Bowers' return on Sunday but did say it wasn't a season-ending injury. He didn't indicate if surgery was necessary.
"It could be a couple games," Swinney said. "I would say he is doubtful. The information initially was he had a sprained PCL. He even told me that."
The injury sustained against an FCS opponent comes at a costly time. Though the Tigers and preseason Atlantic Division favorite Seminoles took circuitous routes to this week's pivotal game at Death Valley, it could very well determine which team advances to Tampa Bay for the ACC title game.
Clemson (5-3, 3-2 ACC) is tied atop the division with Boston College but holds a tiebreaker with the Eagles. The Seminoles (4-4, 2-3) are a game back of the Tigers and Eagles but would own the tiebreaker over Clemson with a win.
Both teams close with favorable schedules, placing greater importance on Saturday's meeting.
Quarterback Christian Ponder and the Florida State offense have built "momentum" according to Swinney with two straight conference wins against North Carolina and N.C. State. Ponder suffered bruised ribs Saturday, but Swinney expects the junior quarterback to play.
Ponder has thrown for nearly as many yards the last four weeks (1,371) as Kyle Parker (1,423) has thrown for this season. Florida State scored 45 points at N.C. State, 30 at North Carolina and 44 at Georgia Tech.
"It's as good an offense as we have played," Swinney said. "They are throwing ball and catching the ball as well as anyone.
"Ponder is a very, very good quarterback. He loves to run the ball and runs the ball with passion and toughness. They are as good as we have played."
The praise is high considering the Tigers have played top offenses in Georgia Tech and Miami this season.
While the Seminoles have been defensively challenged, they have linebacker Dekoda Watson back healthy and corner Patrick Robinson could force a Clemson receiver besides Jacoby Ford to make plays.
Said Swinney: "It's the biggest game of the year for us."
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