Tigers can ill afford further injuries to offensive linemen

CLEMSON — A month ago, Clemson's coaching staff viewed the early season schedule as an opportunity to develop an inexperienced offensive line.

But cultivating cohesion and continuity isn't easy when injuries are striking on an almost weekly basis. Starting left guard David Smith suffered a sprained ankle in Saturday's 54-0 win over S.C. State, and coach Tommy Bowden indicated he's expected to miss at least some time.

Smith's status will be clearer today. But it's already safe to say a rash of injuries is the last thing this line needs as it gears up for the most difficult games on the schedule.

"That's where they need the most work, working together," Bowden said Sunday. "They need to hear the same guy and work next to the same guy week after week."

Continuity on the line has been difficult to come by for the No. 20 Tigers (3-1, 1-0 ACC). They entered the season with four new starters up front, and they lost their second-most experienced player in the opener against Alabama when starting right guard Barry Humphries suffered a knee injury.

Starting left tackle Chris Hairston — perhaps the team's best lineman — suffered a bruised knee in a Sept. 6 moped accident and has missed the past two games. He said last week he was expecting to return for Saturday's noon home game against Maryland (3-1).

Against N.C. State and S.C. State, the Tigers started three redshirt freshman linemen. That hadn't happened since 1943.

Smith was one of those freshmen. He had already missed extensive practice time in August with a dislocated toe.

Junior center Thomas Austin missed some time Saturday with asthma-related problems, and his fill-in was walk-on Ben Ramsey. Senior Bobby Hutchinson couldn't play there because he was at left guard in Smith's spot. Redshirt freshman Mason Cloy couldn't because he's at right guard.

"Of all the areas where you wouldn't like to have them," Bowden said of the injuries. "We had four new guys up there anyway who didn't have a whole lot of experience. The only way you can get it is if they stay healthy."

After Saturday, the Tigers get a week off before playing at Wake Forest on Thursday, Oct. 9. Georgia Tech visits on Oct 18, then Clemson has an open date before back-to-back road games against Boston College and Florida State.

Notes

--Bowden said he's happy with starting quarterback Cullen Harper and has no plans to get backup Willy Korn more meaningful playing time.

Harper threw interceptions on back-to-back first quarter possessions and has three touchdowns and four interceptions in four games, but Bowden said there's still significant separation between the two.

"He's a proven product," he said.

Bowden still remembers 2006, when Maryland came to Clemson and beat the heavily-favored Tigers 13-12. The loss ultimately denied Clemson a trip to the ACC title game.

"I'm hoping this team doesn't need that type of motivation with what's already happened this year," he said, referencing the 34-10 defeat to Alabama.

--Bowden said he's still concerned about the offense in short-yardage situations.

"Of the four games, that would be one of the areas that we have struggled the most," he said. "And our competition only gets tougher."

--The status of linebacker Stanley Hunter (sprained ankle) will be announced today.

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