Davis hoping to squeeze success out of bleak second-half forecast

CLEMSON — Asked if he's accepted the notion that running the ball is going to be a tall order for Clemson this season, James Davis produced an expression that suggested he didn't know whether to break out in laughter or tears.

"Yes," he said. "As you can see."

When the running game choked and sputtered earlier this season, Davis professed confidence that things would eventually turn around as the Tigers' offensive line developed.

Now, that confidence has turned into resignation that things probably won't get much better in the regular season's last five games. But Davis, who planned for great things when he decided to return for his senior year, says he's not going to pout about it.

"I know what the team is going through right now," he said. "It's just part of the game, and you've got to learn to accept it. You've got to be able to help your team in any way you can."

Entering the season, Davis needed just 837 rushing yards to surpass Raymond Priester as Clemson's all-time leading rusher. Given that he rushed for more than 1,000 yards as a sophomore and junior, it seemed only a matter of time before he'd swipe the record.

But it hasn't been that easy — not even close. Davis has rushed for 426 yards thus far, and getting the 411 he needs for the record could be difficult because the remaining schedule features plenty of good defenses — Florida State, Boston College and South Carolina rank 34th or better nationally in rushing defense.

The past two games have been an exercise in frustration for Davis, who earned first-team All-ACC honors as a sophomore and junior. After totaling 126 yards and a touchdown on the ground in a loss to Maryland, he has rushed for 51 yards on 20 carries in defeats to Wake Forest and Georgia Tech.

The biggest impediment to individual and team rushing success has been Clemson's inexperienced and injury-prone offensive line. With four starters gone from last year's unit, it was a problem area from the beginning. But seven of the top 10 players have suffered injuries in one form or another, a key development in the Tigers' distressing 3-4 start (1-3 ACC).

Clemson ranks seventh in the ACC in rushing with 128 yards per game, but in five games against upper-division opponents the Tigers have averaged 91.8 yards.

The line struggles have hamstrung the offense, which has mustered just three touchdowns over the past 10 quarters. And they've really disrupted Davis' plans for closing his career with a flourish.

Davis said the rushing record doesn't concern him nearly as much as the team's losing record. The Tigers need four wins in the last five games simply to qualify for a bowl.

"Second in Clemson history? I'm OK with that," he said. "I've had a lot of rushing yards in my career. I'm trying to have a winning season. The disappointing part is, I've never been 3-4 in my career in football."

Davis, whose team has this weekend off before embarking on back-to-back road trips to No. 23 Boston College and No. 24 Florida State, says there's some hope for improvement despite the bleak outlook.

His backfield mate, C.J. Spiller, is hoping to return against Boston College after missing the past six quarters with a slightly torn hamstring suffered in the second quarter of the 12-7 loss at Wake Forest.

And the offensive line is getting healthier. Fourth-year junior Barry Humphries, who entered the season as the starter at right guard, played in last week's loss to Georgia Tech after missing five games with a partially torn ACL.

And redshirt freshman David Smith said he hopes to return against Boston College after missing two games with a high ankle sprain.

"We've got to figure out a way to run it somehow," Davis said. "That's the only way we're going to be able to open up games and have successful games."

Swinney pulls surprise

Clemson's practice fields were unexpectedly empty Wednesday — unexpected to everyone but interim coach Dabo Swinney and a few others.

Swinney surprised the team by calling off practice and shuttling the Tigers to visit the Greenville Children's Hospital.

"It's a day I'll never forget, just seeing the looks on a lot of people's faces at the hospital, but also on our players' faces," Swinney said.

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