Turnovers troubling for Tigers

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden says he's worried by the team's turnover margin. It's currently -.67 per game; last season it was +.15 per game.

FATHERFOOD FOR KELLY: Clemson running back Yusef Kelly, who has yet to play this season because of injuries, is expected to become a father on Saturday. That's also when he's expected to see his first playing time of the season, in a crucial ACC game against Georgia Tech.

We really need Kelly back in the lineup. He was our leading rusher last season.

TECH FINDS ITS STING: The Anderson Independent-Mail looks at Georgia Tech's surprisingly strong performance in the early stages of the season. And Tony Barnhart of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution says much the same thing here.

BENEFITS OF THE CUPCAKE DIET: The Anderson Independent-Mail's John Brasier has a column about Clemson's improvement over the past two games following the season-opening debacle against Georgia. Easier opponents have definitely helped the team at least feel better about itself.

A CLEMSON FAMILY REUNION: Saturday's game will be a chance for former Clemson athletic director Bobby Robinson, who recently accepted a job as Georgia Tech's associate athletic director, to reunite with folks from the school he worked at for 17 years. The State has a story; so does the Anderson Independent-Mail.

NOTEBOOK TIME: The Greenville News has one. It includes an update on Justin Miller, who will play through the pain of his hip pointer injury.

ROLL THE TAPE: Tigernet has posted video highlights from the Middle Tennessee State game. Very cool. Check 'em out.

LISTEN TO PHILLIPS: Tigernet also has a selection of great calls by Jim Phillips. Give them a listen.

AROUND THE ACC: The State has a notebook, including nervous glances from league coaches as Hurricane Isabel makes landfall. Hey, I'm in the D.C. area, and I'm watching it, too. This thing could seriously interfere with my football blogging, dammit!

Currie is heating up the Tiger Nation

There are a couple of stories examining the impact receiver Airese Currie has made this season. He's nationally ranked in a couple of statistical categories, and is currently rated the No. 2 receiver in the ACC. Here's The State's look at Currie, and here's the Anderson Independent-Mail's.

NO-HUDDLE SCUTTLEBUT: The State has a couple of stories about Clemson's return to the fast-paced no-huddle offense. The first says it's an offensive feature that's here to stay; the second is a column by Ron Morris.

NOTEBOOK TIME: The Greenville News has a notebook that includes the promising news that defensive back Justin Miller will play Saturday against Georgia Tech. (Miller's status is also mentioned in The State story on the no-huddle offense in the previous item.)

PREPPING FOR TECH: The Yellowjackets have rallied behind embattled coach Chan Gailey, and it shows on the field; a 17-3 upset of Auburn and a close, 14-13 loss to Florida State in Tallahassee.

Meanwhile, Clemson coach Tommy Bowden is worried as he prepares for Georgia Tech. (More here.) And Greenville News columnist Bart Wright makes the accurate observation that the Georgia Tech game will answer a lot of questions about this football team.

ANOTHER PHILLIPS TRIBUTE: Here's a column about longtime Clemson broadcaster Jim Phillips that's written by Robert Bradley, the son of legendary Clemson sports information director Bob Bradley.

CU-GT MEMORIES: The official Clemson site has posted video highlights of the 2001 Clemson-Georgia Tech game, a thrilling 47-41 overtime victory for the Tigers. Check it out.

Miller's game status could be last-minute decision

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden says he may have to wait until the absolute last minute to decide whether all-star defensive back Justin Miller will play in Saturday's critical ACC game at Georgia Tech. Miller, who suffered a hip pointer last week against Middle Tennessee State, would be replaced by sophomore Tye Hill.

NO-HUDDLE IN-DEPTH: The Anderson Independent-Mail has a detailed story about Clemson's return to a no-huddle offense. Well worth the time. For more on the no-huddle offense, here's a shorter story from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

THIS WRECK CAN RAMBLE: Georgia Tech's powerful running game will be a serious test for Clemson's defense, according to The Greenville News. And here are five questions for the Jackets from the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

MORE ON TECH: The State has a good story on the Clemson-Georgia Tech rivalry, which may be the most important ACC game for both teams each year. There certainly have been some great contests in the series. (The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has more here.)

A.D. ON BOWDEN: Clemson athletic director Terry Don Phillips spoke in Sumter, S.C., on Monday and said he's taking a wait-and-see attitude toward coach Tommy Bowden:

�It would be unfair to say this is a make-or-break season for Tommy,� said Phillips, who spoke to the Sumter Rotary Club Monday at Sunset Country Club. �I really respect Tommy and his staff, the way they go about their jobs. He is the kind of man you want your program run by.�

Interesting.

NEW ANNOUNCER NAMED: Clemson has selected Pete Yanity to serve as interim play-by-play announcer for the football season. I'm sure they'll go nationwide in their search for a full-time replacement, but they should hire Don Munson. He's a damn good announcer.

NOTEBOOK: The Greenville News has a notebook full of notebook-like things. Check it out.

(UPDATED at 5:22 p.m.)

Whitehurst on road to several school records

Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst is having a great year so far:

(He's) on pace to break Brandon Streeter's season completion percentage record, ranks 19th in the nation in passing efficiency and is performing up to Clemson's expectations at quarterback.

By completing 23 passes in 28 attempts for 298 yards and four touchdowns Saturday in Clemson's 37-14 victory against Middle Tennessee State, Whitehurst reinforced his reputation as an accurate passer.

He certainly did.

THAT RUNNING GAME: Clemson coach Tommy Bowden, who went with a no-huddle, pass-happy offense in the win against Middle Tennessee State, still wants the running game to become a bigger part of the offense.

CU-GT NOTES: The volumnious pregame notes for Saturday's Georgia Tech game have been posted. Give them a look.

MILLER OUT: All-star defensive back Justin Miller will miss today's practice session after suffering a hip pointer, according to this notebook item from the Greenville News. There was no word on his status for this week's crucial ACC game at Georgia Tech. Speaking of the Tech game, here's a flashback to the 2001 contest in Atlanta, when Woodrow Dantzler accounted for 418 yards of total offense in a 47-44 victory over the Yellowjackets, who were ranked ninth in the country at the time.

ROTATING LINE: The Anderson Independent-Mail leads off its notebook with an item on Clemson making more substitutions on the offensive line to prevent fatigue. There's also a fairly entertaining "conventional wisdom" watch.

THE PUKER TALKS: Clemson center Tommy Sharpe, who gathered some unfortunate attention during the Georgia game for puking on the football, is the subject of this AP story.

PALMETTO STATE FOOTBALL SUCKS: And Georgia is great. That's the thrust of this column by the Augusta Chronicle's Scott Michaux. I hope he realizes that sucess in college football can be fleeting. (Ray Goff, anyone?)

STATS WATCH: Here are Clemson's updated rankings in various NCAA statistical categories. The Tigers are 13th in the nation in kickoff returns, 16th in the nation in pass defense, 38th in passing offense and 43rd in total defense.

Charlie Whitehurst ranks 19th in the NCAA in passing efficiency (good enough for second in the ACC) and 22nd in total offense. Derrick Hamilton is 11th in kickoff returns, and Airese Currie is 23rd in receptions per game and 39th in receiving yards per game.

Additionally, it's worth noting that Clemson has three receivers in the top 10 in the league (so does N.C. State, which leads the nation in passing).

(UPDATED at 6:15 p.m.)

Miller may miss Georgia Tech game

Tigernet is reporting that all-star defensive back Justin Miller suffered a hip pointer in Saturday's victory against Middle Tennessee State. He won't practice Monday, and he's currently listed as questionable for next Saturday's key ACC matchup against Georgia Tech. I'll post more developments Monday.

TIGERS ROLL: Clemson went with a no-huddle offense in stacking up some impressive numbers against Middle Tennessee State in the 37-14 victory. Let's go to the media.

GAME STORIES: "No huddle needed," says The State; "Tigers cruise past MTSU," says the Greenville News; "Whitehurst thrives in Tigers' return to no-huddle offense," says the Anderson Independent-Mail; "MTSU's woes continue in loss to Clemson," says the Tennessean.

THE STATS: Here's a complete statistical summary of the game.

GAME ANALYSIS: The fine rushing performance of Kyle Browning is highlighted here, as is the good job by the offensive line -- and another puking incident by center Tommy Sharpe. The State also grades the keys to victory, and has a little trivia feature called "high five."

The Greenville News examines receiver Airese Currie's record-breaking day, and offers up an exceptionally long notebook. Here's another story on Currie. It's from the Anderson Independent-Mail, which also examines the offensive changes Clemson implemented for this game.

REMEMBERING PHILLIPS: There were plenty of tributes to the late Jim Phillips on Saturday. Here's a column from The State's Bob Spear. The Tennessean has a story on Phillips, and here's the AP's version.

AROUND THE ACC: Florida State survived a scare from Georgia Tech to go to 3-0 in league play, but the story of the day was N.C. State's three-overtime loss to No. 3 Ohio State. The Wolfpack came within a foot of a huge upset.

One wheel came off the Wake Forest bandwagon following the loss to Purdue. Elsewhere, Duke squeaked past Rice, Virginia whipped Western Michigan and Maryland demolished a Willie Simmons-led Citadel.

And how good is Georgia? Pretty damn good, judging by the whipping they applied to the Gamecocks. I still think our offense played pathetically against the Dawgs, but seeing them dominate South Carolina makes me feel a little better about that season-opening loss. In other words, Clemson may end up being OK after all. We'll find out next week, when the Tigers travel to Atlanta to face a Georgia Tech team that seems to be better than advertised in the preseason.

DANTZLER HAPPY TO HAVE JOB: Former Clemson quarterback Woodrow Dantzler is happy to have landed with the Atlanta Falcons after being cut by the Dallas Cowboys.

(UPDATED at 8:30 p.m.)

Another big passing day for Whitehurst in win

Quarterback Charlie Whitehurst was 23-of-28 for 298 yards and four touchdowns as Clemson defeated Middle Tennessee State 37-14 Saturday in a game where the Tigers paid homage to broadcaster Jim Phillips, who died Tuesday. Airese Currie caught 12 passes for 133 yards and a TD, and the Tigers finally found a running game, racking up 183 yards on the ground. I'll post the meda reaction on Sunday. As for right now, I'm happy with the win. Thai food for everyone!!!!

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Clemson plays Middle Tennessee State today

I guess this will always be remembered as the "Jim Phillips game," because it sounds like the whole day will be dedicated to the memory of Clemson's longtime radio announcer, who died Tuesday. His funeral was held Friday in Simpsonville, and there's coverage of it here, here and here.

Clemson sports information director Tim Bourret will handle radio duties for today's game,

Kickoff is at 5 p.m. There's no TV coverage. Go Tigers!

GAME PREVIEWS: From The Anderson Independent-Mail, The Greenville News, (and a game capsule), The Charleston Post and Courier, and The Tennessean.

The State does its usual "quick glance" coverage. There's "the edge," the keys to victory, a look at how Clemson might stop shifty MTSU quarterback Andrico Hines, and a Q&A with Clemson receiver Kevin Youngblood.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: The State rates the weekend's other games involving ACC teams, and has a selection of quotes from N.C. State coach Chuck Amato regarding the Wolfpack's preparations for today's big game at No. 3 Ohio State.

And let's don't forget that the hated Gamecocks play Georgia today.

(UPDATED at 4:42 p.m.)

Memorials for Phillips keep rolling in

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Tony Barnhart has penned a wonderful tribute to longtime Clemson broadcaster Jim Phillips, who died this week. Perhaps Barnhart will mention Phillips' passing on College Gameday this week.

Late Friday afternoon, word came down that longtime Gamecock broadcaster Bob Fulton will call the first series of Saturday's Middle Tennessee State game as a tribute to his friend. Here's a story about the celebrations of Phillips' life scheduled for Saturday's game, and here's another Bart Wright column that mentions Phillips (as well as former Clemson star Brentson Buckner).

CURRIE FAVORED: Receiver Airese Currie has become Clemson's go-to receiver this season, and coach Tommy Bowden says he may start designing plays around him.

WHO WILL RUN? Bowden also says he still hasn't decided who will start at tailback Saturday against Middle Tennessee State.

TOP OF THE HILL: Here's a look at the outstanding performance of linebacker Leroy Hill, who leads the ACC in tackles and tackles for loss.

PLUG FOR WHITEHURST: The Nashville Tennessean has a staff-written profile of Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, left. There's nothing in the story that Clemson fans don't know already, but it's good to see Charlie getting some publicity in the middle of Vols country.

PROFESSOR HENRY: The State profiles offensive tackle William Henry, who is just a couple of credits short of a master's degree.

TOUGH ROAD FOR RAIDERS: Middle Tennessee State is playing a grueling schedule. I wish them luck, just not this week.

MIAMI-FSU OPENER: The Canes and the Noles will kick off the expanded ACC football season in 2004 with a Monday night game in the Orange Bowl. But there's no decision yet on whether the league will split into two divisions, or add a 12th team.

ACC PREVIEW: Here's a quick look at the other games in the ACC this weekend.

KEEP ASKING HIM STUFF: The State's Ken Tysiac is still answering your questions. Check 'em out.

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.

Memorials pour in for legendary Clemson broadcaster

There are tons of remembrance stories about Jim Phillips, the longtime Clemson sports broadcaster who died Tuesday at the age of 69.

The State's Clemson beat writer, Ken Tysiac, has an updated obituary story with more details than Tuesday's rush job. Here's the Greenville News' update.

The State offers a couple of unsigned pieces, plus a remembrance by columnist Ron Morris.

The Greenville News has a couple of other remembrance stories here and here, and a nice column by Bart Wright.

The Anderson Independent-Mail has a memorial story, a look at who could follow in Phillips' footsteps, and quotes about Phillips from fellow sportscasters.

The Greenwood Index-Journal offers the memories of fans.

Tigernet has a couple of memorials, here and here.

Even Gamecock fans have tributes. Here's a longish one from Gamecock Central.

And finally, here's a photo gallery showing Phillips through the years.

So long, Jim. Godspeed. And now on to more mundane matters.

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OFFICIATING PROBLEMS: Clemson coach Tommy Bowden has complained to the ACC office about officiating. (More here and here.) Good. I've long thought the league had the worst referees in Division I football.

KILLER INSTINCT: Bowden also says he hopes his team finds a killer instinct this Saturday against Middle Tennessee State. Consistency, too.