Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: WEDNESDAY, August 24, 1994 TAG: 9408250049
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: B-2 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: CLEMSON, S.C. LENGTH: Medium
``I'd give anything if I knew who he was right now because it would save me time,'' West said Tuesday at the team's annual Atlantic Coast Conference media day. ``What's happened at tailback is we've now made the decision that we're going to go with a freshman.''
But which one?
Clemson boasts four standout first-year runners - Anthony Downs, James Jenkins, Lamont Pegues and Raymond Priester - who have all made an impression on the coaching staff.
``All four are in the race because nobody's had a bad day,'' West said. ``They've all had some days that were better than others, but nobody's had a poor showing.''
Their emergence pushed the Tigers' top three tailbacks coming out of spring practice to other positions. Sophomore Antwuan Wyatt, a running back at Daytona Beach (Fla.) High School, was moved to wide receiver. Tony DeSue, another sophomore, switched to fullback, while Milt Shaw has dropped from sight.
West said he may learn more from today's third and final scrimmage of training camp.
``We've got to narrow it down,'' he said.
The earlier scrimmages provided few clues. Pegues was the top gainer in the first controlled scrimmage on Aug.17 with 52 yards on 13 carries. Downs was next with 48 yards on 11 attempts.
So at the second scrimmage last Saturday, who opened at the featured spot? No one. Clemson came out in a four wide-receiver formation. In the end, Priester was the top rusher among the four with 40 yards on nine carries.
Not even the rest of the offense seems to know which way this is going to go.
``They're all running pretty well back there right now,'' quarterback Patrick Sapp said.
The focus on tailback blends with Clemson's football history. The Tigers routinely ground out yardage and run over opponents. However, under West the emphasis will move to more passing and more surprises.
``The pressure won't be on one person's success,'' said Sapp, who's completed 12 of 17 passes for 128 yards in the two scrimmages. ``All 11 of us will have to do our part in the offense.''
Downs and Pegues were the more heralded running backs at signing time. Downs ran for 2,190 yards and 23 touchdowns at Berea in 1993, while Pegues' 6,232 yards at Thomasville (N.C.) High School were third on the state career list.
West said the offensive changes are simply a matter of personnel assessment. College football, with its freeform attacks and quick strike capabilities, is past the days a team can depend on one part of its offense, he said.
``Plus, with the holes in our line and at tailback, we're not the type of team that can do that anymore,'' West said.
Whoever gets the tailback job will be running behind a sometimes porous line. Left guard Will Young is the only starter with serious experience. Three other projected starters - center Trevor Putnam, freshman tackle Jim Bundren and freshman guard Glenn Roundtree - did not play a down for the Tigers in 1993.
Sapp, though, thinks the current line is making strides at reducing last Year's 27 sacks.
by CNB