McDuffie likely to miss BC game

CLEMSON — Chris McDuffie had already suffered injuries to his left knee and left ankle this season.

Now it's a torn ligament in his left elbow, an ailment he thinks will keep him out of Saturday's game against No. 18 Boston College.

"Good Lord, I know all things happen for a reason," said McDuffie, a senior left guard. "But it seems like the left side of my body hasn't been cooperating with me. I don't know what it is."

McDuffie shook off a sprained ankle to start last week's 44-10 win over Wake Forest. In the third quarter, he was engaged with a defensive lineman when the helmet of left tackle Barry Richardson smashed into his arm, which was extended.

McDuffie said the impact hyperextended his elbow and tore a ligament. "I heard it pop," he said.

McDuffie said there's little hope he'll be cleared by the team's medical staff this week. Brandon Pilgrim and Jamarcus Grant practiced at his position Monday. "I want to play so bad," he said. "Last home game, Senior Day. I just feel like I haven't played much this year. It doesn't look too good right now."

Title talk

Though it's been 16 years since Clemson claimed a conference championship, tailback James Davis is already thinking national championship.

Davis thinks the No. 15 Tigers will be primed for one next year after losing just six senior starters from this year's team. He said his title dreams could be enough to keep him from making an early jump to the NFL.

Davis is hoping some other potential early departures share his vision. Defensive end Phillip Merling and safety Michael Hamlin, both juniors, could have difficult decisions to make in January. A few other juniors might also ponder putting their names into the draft mix. Davis said he's "leaning real strong" toward remaining for his senior year. "If everybody was to come back, we'd have a real good shot to win the national championship," he said.

Fast track

A week after undergoing minor knee surgery, freshman LB Scotty Cooper said he's hoping to play Saturday. Cooper began some light running Monday and said he experienced some pain. He anticipates being cleared to play, though defensive coordinator Vic Koenning wasn't as optimistic.

This and that

Receiver Tyler Grisham missed Monday's practice with a sprained ankle but said he anticipates returning tonight and will play Saturday. ... Merling and kicker Mark Buchholz were named ACC players of the week at their respective positions.