Moped mishap costly for Tigers' O-line

CLEMSON — Starting left tackle Chris Hairston is definitely out for Saturday's game and might be on the shelf longer after suffering a knee injury in a moped accident Saturday night, according to offensive line coach Brad Scott.

Scott said Hairston, possibly his best lineman and definitely his best pass protector, was thrown from his moped after hitting a bump. The injury has been termed a bruised knee.

"I know there's a law against a boy that big trying to ride a moped," Scott said.

Hairston's absence means right tackle Cory Lambert will move to the left side for Saturday's game against N.C. State. Redshirt freshman Landon Walker and freshman Antoine McClain will battle it out on the right side.

The Tigers (1-1) haven't started three freshmen on the offensive line since 1943, when Clemson's entire junior and senior classes were drafted for World War II. Redshirt freshman guards David Smith and Mason Cloy earned their first collegiate starts in last week's 45-17 win over The Citadel.

That leaves center Thomas Austin as the only remaining lineman who had regular starting experience entering 2008. Right guard Barry Humphries suffered a potentially season-ending knee injury in the opening loss to Alabama.

"Between (Hairston) and Thomas Austin, that was our experience," coach Tommy Bowden said. "That is a lot of freshmen, but somebody's got to step up."

Lambert worked at left tackle during the spring with this scenario in mind, Scott said. Walker backed up Hairston on the left side against The Citadel but said he's much more comfortable on the right side.

Scott said Walker would move back to left tackle if something happened to Lambert.

Hairston was already hurting with a shoulder injury he suffered on the second series Saturday, Scott said.

Bowden said he briefly considered banning players' use of mopeds and scooters after Hairston's accident.

"So many of them got 'em," he said. "It's just a way of transportation."

Bamberg's finest

"Bandit" end Ricky Sapp says he'll be ready to go Saturday, and he said his cousin should be ready to start.

That cousin would be freshman defensive end Da'Quan Bowers, who recorded a sack against The Citadel — the Tigers' only sack through two games. Sapp said Bowers, who'd been backing up Kevin Alexander, ran with the first team Monday.

Bowers had four tackles in 32 snaps Saturday; Alexander had one tackle in 37 snaps.

"I think it's finally time to see the Bamberg duo this Saturday," Sapp said, referring to their hometown.

Sapp said he's "definitely" going to play after sitting out last week's game with a severely bruised knee.

"It's just a little sore," he said. "I think I'm going to be good."

This and that

Freshman tailback Andre Ellington said he's scheduled to meet with coaches today to discuss redshirting. The former Berkeley High standout had been penciled in to play this year, but he didn't see the field against The Citadel … Bowden said an announcement should come today on sophomore tight end Brian Linthicum, who's expected to transfer … Next week's home game against South Carolina State will begin at 1 p.m. and be televised by ESPN 360.