Thin Clemson secondary grows thinner; Clemson president Barker admonishes fans

CLEMSON — Clemson announced Tuesday starting cornerback Bashaud Breeland is questionable for the Wake Forest game at 7:30 p.m. Thursday with an abdominal strain. Reserve defensive back Jerrodd Williams broke a leg in practice and is out for the season.

The injuries come days after Clemson lost starting cornerback Darius Robinson for the rest of the regular season with a broken ankle.

Clemson could be without both of its starting cornerbacks against the Demon Deacons, who expect to have their top receiver Michael Campanaro back after he missed several weeks with a broken hand.

Barker admonishes fans
Clemson president James Barker sent a letter to students and faculty Tuesday admonishing the behavior of some fans during Clemson’s victory over Virginia Tech on Saturday.

During a break in the game, a number of cadets were sworn into military service, and a reference to the office of the U.S. President was booed during the oath. Wrote Barker:

“(Military Appreciation Day) was marred by bad behavior from some fans. During the ceremony inducting ROTC cadets into the military, a number of fans booed during the section of the oath they take to obey the President of the United States. … Many Clemson people have contacted me to express their sadness and disappointment at this public display of disrespect for the office of the President and the young people taking a solemn oath that day. I share those sentiments.”

Lights off
Over the last five years, Clemson has played 17 night games at road and neutral venues and just three night games at home.

Part of the issue is the Clemson administration does not want Thursday night ESPN games to be hosted on campus because of the disruption it causes the university on a school day and also the travel concerns associated with fans traveling across the state.

Clemson is 2-9 on Thursday night games in its history.

Freeman’s small task
Clemson center Dalton Freeman will face the shortest opponent he’ll see all season in 5-11, 260-pound Wake defensive tackle Nikita Whitlock. Whitlock is one of the nation’s quickest tackles and had 10½ tackles for loss last season.

“He’s an unbelievable talent. I think he was a 5A state player of the year in Texas, which if you know anything about high school football in Texas, that’s an outstanding accomplishment,” Freeman said. “He’ll never stay still.”