Re: Hill Watch...119 days!!! (17 weeks!)

South Carolina Highway 119 is a 5.99 mile state highway that runs from the south end where GA SR 119 ends at the Savannah River and the Georgia state line to the north end at US 321 in Garnett.

Poinsett State Park is a 1,010 acre park established in 1934 in Sumter County near Wedgefield and Sumter that gets about 50,000 visitors annually. It was named after botanist Joel Poinsett who popularized the Poinsettia. It was the first of 16 SC state parks built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. It is located in what is called the High Hills of Santee, a hilly area in western Sumter County north of the Santee River and east of the Wateree River. There is a small lake to swim, fish, paddle, and boat in or hike, bike and camp around.. The park is known for having an odd mix of vegetation from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the Piedmont, and the coastal plain. There are 337 species of flowering plants and 65 species of trees and shrubs including mountain laurel, white oak, black oak, hickory, pine, and dogwood.

Thanks for the idea UpNorthTiger, I mean DownSouthTiger

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119 - Robert ONeal Gained 119 Yards in Interception Returns

May 4, 2024, 5:04 AM

They say it is important to make a good first impression. In his freshman season (1989). Clemson DB Robert O’Neal (1989-1992) introduced himself to college football in amazing style – setting a Clemson record that has been shared but not broken ever since.

At Clemson:

In his freshman season O’Neal took Clemson football - and its opponents - by storm. In 1989, O’Neal set the Clemson record for interceptions in a season at 8. Of note, Clemson played 12 games in 1989: 11 regular season games and one bowl game (Gator Bowl vs West Virgina).

O’Neal held that record by himself until Justin Miller tied the record of 8 interceptions in 2002. Of note: Clemson played 13 games in 2002: 12 regular season games and one bowl game (Tangerine Bowl vs Texas Tech).

DeAndre McDaniel subsequently tied the record of 8 interceptions in 2009. Clemson played 14 games in 2009: 12 regular season games, the ACC Title game, and 1 bowl game (Musci City Bowl vs Kentucky).

The three players (O’Neal, Miller, McDaniel) still share this record today. Only O’Neal was a true freshman the year he set the record (and he did it in fewer games).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clemson_Tigers_football_statistical_leaders

In that stellar freshman season, O’Neal had a total of 9 takeaways – which also set a Clemson season record. According to ClemsonTigers.com:

“O’Neal had eight interceptions and a fumble recovery that year.”

https://clemsontigers.com/clemson-establishes-an-acc-record-for-improvement-this-year/

According to Sports-Referemce.com. Robert O’Neal added four more interceptions in the next three seasons as teams decided not to throw toward him after that freshman season. He returned all those Clemson interceptions for a total of 119 return yards.

O’Neal also returned 44 punts for 400 yards (9.1 average). His biggest season for punt return yardage occurred in 1991 when he returned 15 punts for 156 yards (10.4 average).

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/robert-oneal-2.html

In listing Clemson’s Top 10 DBs, Tigernet adds the following stats regarding Robert O’Neal:

6. Robert O’Neal

O’Neal had one of the finest freshman seasons in school history when he recorded eight interceptions, which is still a single season record. He was a three-time All-ACC selection making the team in 1989, 91, 92. O’Neal and Brian Dawkins are the only two Tigers to be named All-ACC three times. He is tied for seventh in career interceptions with 12.

https://www.tigernet.com/blog/mickey-plyler/Clemsons-Top-Defensive-Backs-16084

After Clemson:

The Miami Dolphins selected Robert O’Neal with the 164th pick in the 1993 NFL Draft. According to Wikipedia, O’Neal recorded the following professional career:

Miami Dolphins

O'Neal was drafted in the sixth round (164) by the Miami Dolphins in the 1993 NFL Draft. But he did not play for them.

Indianapolis Colts

In 1994 he played two games for the Indianapolis Colts.

Amsterdam Admirals

In 1995 he played in NFL Europe for the Amsterdam Admirals. He had one interception in 1995. He remained there until 1997. After 1997 he did not play anymore.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_O%27Neal_(American_football)#cite_note-auto-1

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Clemson: Academic Excellence! Athletic Excellence!

Hill Watch...119 days!!! (17 weeks!)