Senior Hutchinson making the most of his opportunity

CLEMSON — Bobby Hutchinson has alternated between two residences during his career as a Clemson offensive lineman: His apartment in Clemson and his summer/fall home in Brad Scott's doghouse.

Somehow, Hutchinson has managed to persevere enough to still be wearing a uniform as a fifth-year senior for the Tigers.

"Being a senior, you only have so many more opportunities to make them count," he said. "And you want to be able to go out there and give what you've got. So it does feel good."

Hutchinson was pressed into duty in last week's 27-21 victory over Boston College, starting at center to allow Thomas Austin to give the Tigers a better matchup at guard. Hutchinson held up well; his only glitches were a holding call and one poor snap. And he's slated to start Saturday's game at No. 24 Florida State.

Simply being on the field is a feat in itself for Hutchinson. Over the summer, with dim prospects for playing time in his final season, he decided he wanted to become a student assistant under Scott and get a jump start on his planned career in coaching.

When Barry Humphries went down with a knee injury in the opener against Alabama, Hutchinson was forced back into action. He is still seen as a liability on the offensive line, but his effort against Boston College left people impressed.

"I think he understood this year that coach Scott had put other guys in front of him," said redshirt freshman guard Mason Cloy. "But being able to come back and not let that affect his pride this year, I think it was a huge thing for him to be able to do. Because I know a lot of people wouldn't be able to do that because their pride would be hurt so bad."

Saturday's game represents a homecoming for the 6-3, 305-pound Hutchinson. He grew up in Greenville, Fla., 30 minutes away from Tallahassee.

"Now that I'm playing, everybody's been calling me and trying to get tickets," he said.

McDaniel making his move

Another player returning home Saturday is linebacker DeAndre McDaniel, who's from Tallahassee. McDaniel's recent play indicates he might give the home folks something to cheer about.

The sophomore has solidified the starting role at strong-side linebacker, totaling 22 tackles in the past three games. He had nine stops in 65 snaps against Boston College and forced a key fumble late.

"He's a contact player, and he's in a position right now where he can kind of fly around," said interim coach Dabo Swinney. "They've freed him up a little bit where he can cut it loose. And he's just playing a lot more. I would expect for you to see more plays coming from him. He's starting to get really comfortable."

McDaniel's chief competition, Scotty Cooper, has moved to weak-side linebacker. Freshman Daniel Andrews backed up McDaniel for two snaps at Boston College.

No fear

Clemson's seniors have an opportunity to become the first ACC senior class to beat the Seminoles four straight years. The Tigers have won three straight and four of the last five.

Clemson became the first conference school to beat the Seminoles three years in a row with last year's 24-18 victory. Wake Forest matched that feat earlier this season with a win in Tallahassee.

"Anytime you beat a team three years in a row, it gives you confidence," said senior receiver Aaron Kelly. "And maybe there's a little doubt in their minds."