Crosby gets some first-team work

Minor injuries to other players allowed receiver Roscoe Crosby to practice with the first team Thursday. Coach Tommy Bowden said Crosby ran well, but was a little rusty in his pass-catching technique.

ROLLING IN RECEIVERS: Everyone knows Clemson is loaded at that position. But didn't the Tigers spend spring and fall practice trying to improve the running game? The Charleston Post and Courier asks Bowden what he's got in mind:

"We've got a very talented group of wide receivers and I think Charlie Whitehurst is a very good quarterback," Bowden said. "It would be dumb on our parts to ignore one of the strengths of our team. We'll still throw the ball. But I think to get where we want to go, we've got to be able to run the ball. We have to be productive in both areas."

Bowden said Clemson's opponents will dictate much of the Tigers' play calling this season.

"If (the defense) has eight or nine guys at the line of scrimmage trying to stop the run, then we're going to throw the ball more," Bowden said. "If they've got eight or nine guys in coverage, then we're going to run it. Whatever the defense gives us is what we're going to take. That's why we've got to be able to be productive running and throwing the ball."

Sounds like a plan.

WHO GETS TO START: The battle for a starting job between cornerbacks Toure Francis and Tye Hill is so close, Bowden says he won't be making a final decision until 48 hours before the Georgia game.

FOUNTAINS OF DUANE: The Anderson Independent Mail introduces you to sophomore running back Duane Coleman. Stop by and say hi.

LEAKE ON BUTKUS LIST: Clemson linebacker John Leake is a preseason Butkus Award candidate. Congratulations, John.

NO REDSHIRT FOR YOU: Freshman offensive linemen Brandon Pilgrim and Marion Dukes have played so well in fall practice that they won't be redshirted.

THAT'S THE TICKET: The Clemson-Georgia game is officially sold out. No surprise here.

PACKMAN'S COMING: The Southern Fried Football Tour, a fun promotion run by Charlotte radio personality Mark Packer (son of longtime basketball broadcaster Billy Packer), is coming to Tigertown for the Aug. 30 Clemson-Georgia game. They'll return for the Nov. 15 Florida State contest, and will roll into Columbia on Nov. 22 for the South Carolina game.

KEEP 'EM COMING: The State's Ken Tysiac has new questions posted. Check it out.