Thursday September 06, 2007

Louisiana-Monroe; Hero; Hall of Fame

Louisiana-Monroe
I have to admit that I am really looking forward to this game Saturday. I may be the only one but I am ready to see the Tigers again. Monday night got me energized about the program and I can’t wait to get back in the Valley.

I think Saturday is much more about Clemson and the Tigers’ ability to come off of a short week and a huge win. If they can regain their legs and refocus their energy then this one should not be close.

In my opinion the fans become just as important as the team Saturday. I am hoping Clemson fans will be there and be loud to show this team how much they appreciate the effort against FSU. This team needs the fans to help with the energy and I think the fans want to give it back.

Short turn arounds are tough. Last season FSU beat Miami on Labor Day and needed a late touchdown to beat Troy just a few days later. The staff at Clemson had to re-work the practice schedule and the players will need to find some energy.

What should we expect from the Warhawks Saturday? Louisiana-Monroe is coming off of a disappointing loss at home to Tulsa last weekend that saw the Warhawks fall 35-17.

La-Monroe allowed 523 yards including 307 yards through the air and 216 on the ground. All five Tulsa touchdown drives were at least 55 yards.

Calvin Dawson was one of the few bright spots for the Warhawks as he rushed for 150 yards on 24 carries. It was the ninth 100-yard rushing game of Dawson’s career. The other bright spot is the fact that La-Monroe was winning the game 17-14 at the half before allowing three second half touchdowns.

La-Monroe played its opener on a Thursday which means they had eight days to prepare for Clemson while the Tigers had four days.

Louisiana-Monroe is coached by Charlie Weatherbie who is in his fifth season at the school.

Kinsmon Lancaster is the junior quarterback that started last season and completed 57% of his passes for 1,789 yards and seven touchdowns but did throw 14 interceptions. Against Tulsa he was just 7 of 21 for 66 yards with one touchdown and no picks. Lancaster also had 14 carries for 44 yards.

Monroe returns all 11 on an offense that averaged 21.8 points per game, 155 yards rushing per game and 193 yards passing per contest a year ago. Their offensive line has three all-conference prospects including center Adam Hill, guard Aaron Schultz and tackle Kyle Cunningham.

LaGregory Sapp is an all-conference wide receiver who caught 43 passes a year ago for 796 yards but was held to three catches for 23 yards last Thursday. Tight end Zeek Zachahrie is another all-conference candidate.

In the Tulsa contest Matthew Freeman scored on a 46-yard fumble return for the defense but they could not stop the Golden Hurricane attack and squared the lead in the second half. The strength of the Warhawk defense is the linebacker combination of Cardia Jackson and Josh Thompson

Perhaps the best player is placekicker Cole Wilson who went 14-14 on field goals inside of 50 yards last season.

The Warhawks have another ranked opponent on the road next weekend when they travel to College Station, TX to face the Aggies but this is a program that has faced Alabama, Kansas, Kentucky, Georgia, Arkansas, Auburn, LSU, Ole Miss and Wyoming in the last four years under Weatherbie.

Hero
I never had the pleasure of meeting Clark Bynum but I have always admired him and hope his family finds comfort in knowing his suffering is over.

As a teenager I remember the day Bynum signed with Clemson. He was a McDonald’s All-American from a private school in Sumter and his Clemson career was a success. Bynum went on to a very successful career after college but a number of families all over the world lost a hero when he lost his long battle to cancer this week.

Many have heard but Bynum and his good friend were on a flight to Uganda a few years ago. The gentlemen were going there for a mission trip but the flight took on a sudden scare. A terrorist tried to storm the cockpit and take down the plane and its 398 passengers but Bynum was among those heroes that day that thwarted the attempt and all 398 people landed safely.

I heard sometime last year that Bynum had cancer and the prognosis was not good for long-term survival. Since that day I whenever I heard or read his name I always thought about how many families he affected when he saved the plane that day.

The State of South Carolina awarded him with the Order of the Palmetto for the heroic effort but I have a feeling he received his ultimate reward earlier this week.

A gentleman, a Tiger and hero will always be remembered.

Hall of Fame Weekend
There might be someone out there that is considering staying home this weekend because of the opponent but let me give you a few reasons to make the trip. The Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame will be inducting eight new members this weekend and I would not miss it for the world.

Lester Brown was the “Rubber Duck” and this star running back gave me many thrills as a kid growing up watching his electrifying runs. Who could ever forget Nelson Welch’s field goal in Virginia or his great career? Woody Dantzler played the greatest game I have ever seen in person when he shredded NC State’s defense in Raleigh and I enjoyed his record setting time in Tigertown. Khalil Greene had perhaps the greatest season ever in a Clemson baseball uniform and I always stop to watch his at-bats on MLB’s Extra Inning package much like I do when Lucas Glover gets in contention on the PGA Tour. Come to Tigertown this weekend to let Boogie McIntyre know how much we appreciated his work on the hardwood. Kerry Robinson was before my time but I have been in Littlejohn for many of Amy Geren’s three-pointers.

So I hope it safe to say we will see you this weekend because who would want to miss this opportunity? Oh yeah, the James Davis and C.J. Spiller highlight reel will add a few plays Saturday as well.

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