DATE: Saturday, October 11, 1997            TAG: 9710110522

SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C3   EDITION: FINAL 

SOURCE: BY FRANK VEHORN, STAFF WRITERS 

DATELINE: CLEMSON, S.C.                     LENGTH:   69 lines

FASTEN YOUR SEAT BELTS FOR AIR CLEMSON THE ONCE-PREDICTABLE TIGERS, WHO HOST U.VA. TODAY, HAVE TAKEN WING THIS SEASON.

The once-predictable Tigers, who host

U.Va. today, have taken wing this season.

Watching Clemson game film for so many years was almost as predictable as those old ``I Love Lucy'' reruns on television.

The Clemson offense seldom changed from year to year. They Tigers simply lined up and tried to clobber foes with a power running game.

Most of the time it worked, too, and it was that kind of smash-mouth football that Tommy West yearned to restore when he took over the task of rebuilding the program four years ago.

In the preseason, West often appeased critics who wanted a more exciting offense with promises to throw the ball. But once West got into the season, he went back to his old ways of trying to overpower the opposition.

This year, though, Clemson is really throwing the ball, and it is something Virginia must deal with today.

For the first time in school history, Clemson is passing for more yards per game (242.2) than rushing (155.6).

``I'm sure some people are still skeptical when they hear we are passing the ball so much,'' West said, ``but it is something we have to do to be successful.''

The reason is because most good college defenses currently are stacked to stop the run and force teams to throw the ball.

West says he finally got the message.

``We are not hardheaded. When defenses are stacked like that, we are going to throw the ball,'' he said. ``And we think we can do it very well.''

West said he wanted a more balanced offense last season, but it didn't work out.

The man who has made it click is new offensive coordinator Steve Emsminger, fomerly of Texas A&M.

``We are totally committed to throwing the ball,'' West said.

Virginia coach George Welsh said the Tigers still have a dangerous running game, with tailback Raymond Priester, the league's top rusher, averaging 97 yards per game. But the strength in the passing game.

``I think Tommy has been trying to throw the ball for a few years and now he has a quarterback (Nealon Greene) who can make it happen,'' Welsh said.

Despite being slowed in two games by a painful toe sprain, Greene is third in the league in passing efficiency, completing 62 percent of his passes for 1,139 yards and nine touchdowns.

Receiver Tony Horne leads the league with 39 receptions for 504 yards and five touchdowns.

Greene's ability to scramble and to mix in an occasional option play makes him especially difficult to defend, Welsh said.

Virginia tightened its pass defense last week for a win over Wake Forest by rushing only three players and dropping an extra player back in coverage.

It was the same defense the Cavaliers sprang on Florida State two years ago to upset the Seminoles in Charlottesville.

Welsh said Wake Forest seemed surprised by the defense, too, but he expects Clemson to be prepared for it.

``They've seen it (on film) now, so it won't surprise them,'' Welsh said. ``I don't know if we will use it again or not, but it is in our package.''

Today's game is homecoming for the Tigers, and that could be another problem for Virginia, which has won only once in Memorial Stadium. Clemson 29-1-2 in homecoming games. ILLUSTRATION: Photo

Nealon Green has hit 62 percent of his passes this year.

Send Suggestions or Comments to webmaster@scholar.lib.vt.edu