A pause to reflect on a terrible anniversary

Today is the second anniversary of the worst terrorist attacks in history. Football blogging seems rather silly amid memorials to that great tragedy, but I think it's important to both honor the dead AND carry on with life as usual. In my own small way, I'm going to try to do both.

For a great perspective on the Sept. 11 anniversary, here's uber-blogger Andrew Sullivan's post for today, here's a memorable piece he wrote for the Sunday Times of London on Sept. 16, 2001, and here's a column he wrote for The New York Times, titled, appropriately enough, "This is what a day means."

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And now, back to your regularly scheduled football blogging

BLAME THE REFS: Clemson coach Tommy Bowden says he's looked at the tape from the Furman game, and he still can't understand how his team was whistled for 111 yards in penalties.

LITTLEJOHN COMES HOME: Middle Tennessee State defensive tackle Jeff Littlejohn, who was the target of a recruiting investigation at Clemson in 2001 and chose to sign with another school, says he harbors no ill feelings toward the Tigers. (More here.)

HUNT MAY GET THE BOOT: Clemson placekicker Aaron Hunt is 0-for-3 on field goal attempts this season, and he could be replaced by freshman Jad Dean, who has boomed some impressive kickoffs in the first two games.

PHILLIPS TRIBUTE: Saturday's game will feature a tribute to Clemson broadcaster Jim Phillips, who died Tuesday. Earlier stories have noted that Clemson players will wear a "JP" sticker on their helmets during the game.

NOTEBOOK TIME: The Greenville News' notebook leads off with some facts about Middle Tennessee State, which was a Division I-AA program until 1999.

ACC MEETING: The league's athletic directors met Wednesday to discuss football and basketball scheduling plans in preparation for the addition of Miami and Virginia Tech next season.

ACC NOTES: Here's a quick look at what's making news around the league.