Bowden still concerned about lines

CLEMSON — A film review of Saturday's 45-17 mauling of The Citadel left Tommy Bowden with few illusions or delusions about his team and how far it needs to go.

"We're a long ways from being where we need to be right now," the Clemson coach said Sunday.

Bowden's chief concerns are up front on both sides of the ball. The one-sided nature of the game allowed plenty of backup offensive linemen to get some experience, but Bowden said the Tigers (1-1) are "still not where we need to be" on the line.

The suddenly young defensive line has produced one sack in two games — courtesy of freshman Da'Quan Bowers against The Citadel — and Bowden said the front four is still not playing fundamentally sound.

"We've got to get more production," he said. "We've got to find some way to generate some pressure on the quarterback."

The biggest concern right now on the offensive line might be the health of starting left tackle Chris Hairston. Team spokesman Tim Bourret confirmed Hairston suffered injuries in a moped accident Saturday night. Team doctors will evaluate Hairston today and make a determination on his status, Bourret said.

The line has already lost starting right guard Barry Humphries to a possibly season-ending knee injury. Hairston's backup, redshirt freshman Landon Walker, saw his first college action Saturday.

Two other redshirt freshmen, David Smith and Mason Cloy, started against The Citadel. Freshman tackle Antoine McClain played, as did redshirt freshman Wilson Norris.

"They got a lot of work, which is kind of what we need," Bowden said. "I think they'll continue to get better."

Bowden thinks N.C. State's front four could present a stern test despite the Wolfpack's struggles under second-year coach Tom O'Brien. Since the offensive line's development could be a long-term process, Bowden said the coaches will have to "be really creative with how we protect these guys." The quick passing game could be emphasized more, he said, but he'll also be looking for the slack to be picked up in other areas.

The defensive line could give the offense more opportunities by getting opposing offenses off the field more quickly. The Tigers have forced just three three-and-outs against Alabama and The Citadel, and Bowden thinks improvement in that area starts with more of a push and presence from the front four.

The Tigers had just two tackles for loss in the 34-10 defeat to Alabama, and those came from a linebacker (Stanley Hunter) and safety (Sadat Chambers). Clemson had three against The Citadel, including Bowers' first career sack.

The line has been hit hard by injuries, though. Senior tackle Rashaad Jackson is out until at least midseason with a knee injury, and Bowden said the defense misses his quickness inside.

Junior tackle Jamie Cumbie is out for the year with a wrist injury, and junior "bandit" end Ricky Sapp missed Saturday's game with a severely bruised knee.

Six of eight players on the defensive line's two-deep are freshmen or sophomores. Seven of eight entered the season without a career start, senior Dorell Scott the lone exception.

Bowden said the defensive line and linebackers are playing "too high."

"We're not a very fundamentally sound football team right now at those three positions, so we've got to work hard on that this week as we get into conference play."

Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks/