Harper tries to shake criticism of recent play
Richard Shiro
AP
Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper is 3-1 as a starter this year, but his numbers pale in comparison to last season's.
CLEMSON — Cullen Harper would like to say that, years from now, he'll look back on his time at Clemson and smile.
At this point, he has some doubts as to whether that'll actually happen.
"You've just got to learn that it really doesn't matter what people are saying around you," the Tigers' senior quarterback said Tuesday. "It's the people who are in your corner and in your group and really care about you and know exactly what's going on — it's their opinions that really count."
In 2006, Harper had to deal with the opinion from his coaches that he wasn't capable of replacing Will Proctor as the season unraveled. Before and during last season, he had to deal with the opinion from fans that incoming freshman Willy Korn was going to take the starting job he'd worked long and hard to earn.
Now, with his numbers less than stellar during a 3-1 start, Harper is dealing with more criticism — and, yes, more calls for Korn to be given an opportunity to do better.
Harper, who was voted preseason player of the year in the ACC, said he can deal with all of the outside stuff. But it appears to be wearing on him as the No. 20 Tigers prepare for Saturday's home game against Maryland.
"You look at most places, and it seems like most people are always praising the quarterback and stuff like that," Harper said. "But every throw I make is going to be judged and scrutinized. But that's just the way it is here."
It hasn't helped that his 10-year-old sister heard fans saying derisive things about her brother during last week's 54-0 win over South Carolina State at Death Valley.
"It makes it tough on my family sometimes to sit up there in the stands and have to listen to other people saying stuff," he said. "I'm 22 years old, and I can handle it. My dad can handle it. My little sister, I don't know if she can."
Harper's four interceptions thus far — he'd thrown none last year through four games — have drawn concern, and so has the injury to his throwing shoulder. Harper suffered a first-degree sprain of his AC joint in an opening loss to Alabama, but he says the shoulder is just fine now.
Actually, Harper says, he feels like he's throwing the ball better than he was last year, when he threw 27 touchdowns and six interceptions while earning second-team All-ACC honors behind Boston College's Matt Ryan.
Fans began to worry when he threw an interception for a touchdown on the first play in a 27-9 victory over North Carolina State. They became even more alarmed when he threw interceptions on back-to-back possessions in the first quarter last week against S.C. State.
He still completed 35 of 52 passes (67 percent) in those games while totaling 413 yards through the air.
Harper led the ACC in passing efficiency last season but is sixth so far this year. His passing average has dropped from 230 yards per game to 198. He's thrown three touchdown passes after throwing 12 through four games in 2007.
"Maybe my stats aren't as good this time this year as they were last year, but I feel like I'm a better quarterback," he said. "I'm throwing the ball better. I'm just not getting some of the breaks I got last year. But I feel like I'm playing well."
Harper is operating behind an inexperienced offensive line that seems to be suffering injuries by the week. In addition to that, he says, defenses are now devoting more attention to his favorite target, senior Aaron Kelly.
Coach Tommy Bowden has stood behind his fifth-year senior, saying repeatedly there are no considerations to play Korn more. He did wonder, though, whether Harper might've been affected by the accolades that came before the season.
Harper, who has been invited to the Senior Bowl, entered the year regarded as the top senior quarterback in college football by NFL scouting services.
"You can't prepare a guy for that," Bowden said. "And I think he's like anybody else. He wants to do well. He's a competitor, and he wants to make every play."
Worth noting:
--Left tackle Chris Hairston (bruised knee) said he improved "by leaps and bounds" during Tuesday's practice. He said he's hoping to play, though line coach Brad Scott said Monday he doesn't anticipate him doing so.
--Defensive coordinator Vic Koenning isn't happy with senior safeties Michael Hamlin and Chris Clemons. He said he's spoken with Bowden about moving cornerback Marcus Gilchrist to safety in an effort to make teams pay for throwing over the middle.
Koenning could also play freshman Rashard Hall, who's been told he's redshirting this season barring injury at the safety position.
Overall, Koenning said, the defense is "so far away from our expectations."
"They've got it in them. We've just got to find it. And hopefully it's this year. And hopefully it's Saturday. But if we don't, we're going to have a long year."
--Linebacker Stanley Hunter (sprained ankle) said he's hoping to play Saturday. He was limited during Tuesday's practice and was unsure whether he'll be full-go today.
Reach Larry Williams at lwilliams@postandcourier.com and check out the Clemson blog at www.charleston.net/blogs/tiger_tracks
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Comments
This article has 17 comment(s)
Posted by bigriver1 on September 24, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Harper is a very good qb and will play in the NFL. Fans always want the # 2 qb, he is always the most popular, in this case the # 2 probably will be a lot better than Harper in time. The lines are the problem at Clemson. They are young and will get a lot better, most are 4 and 5 star recruits, just young.
Posted by drock4484 on September 24, 2008 at 9:42 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Cullen needs to stop the whining. If he's tired of criticism, then he needs to play better. He's acting like such a prima donna right now. He read too much of the hype in the preseason. Contrary to what he thinks, the criticism is justified. He has played horribly. 3TD's to 4 INT's is horrible. He's constantly underthrowing deep routes, overthrowing intermediate routes, throwing behind recievers, staring down receivers, not looking off safeties. He's just playing very bad right now. If we werent playing some high school teams, Clemson would probably be 1-3 right now.
Posted by rnichols on September 24, 2008 at 10:13 a.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree that Harper needs to keep his mouth shut. I think he has done pretty well the last couple of years. If he shuts his mouth, I guarantee that he will improve. Tommy, put a gag order on him.
Posted by sbs920 on September 24, 2008 at 11:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)
big douche! you really are an idiot!
Harper in the NFL! Please... stop... my sides are hurting! get off mom's computer, chump!
hey, remember all the tiggers that were on most of the preseason "watch lists" How many are still on the list?
I'm betting about as many as big douche's IQ and the same number of rushing yards for CU vs. the Alabama Slamas
ZERO!
Buy a vowel, get a clue, you oxygen theif!
Posted by durantc on September 24, 2008 at 11:39 a.m. (Suggest removal)
So most places don't criticize their QB after 2 picks? Come on Cullen. I'm sure UGA fans would be loving on you right now. Only at Clemson does a starting QB face criticism from the fanbase. Maybe Dan Hawkins needs to remind you that "this is division 1 football!!"
Posted by ashleyriver on September 24, 2008 at 12:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Is there anything stupider or more moronic than a lyin' gamecock fan like sbs920 criticizing the quarterback of ANY other team???........Take a long look at the losers with their hands stuck up the gamecock center's butt you idiot and you'll have plenty to boo and 3 reasons to sob like the little girl you are.
Posted by sbs920 on September 24, 2008 at 1:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
ashleyditch, whatta punk you are. . Harper is stinking up dump valley, and everyone of you Esso Idiots know it. quit whining you little wus, you are starting to sound like little cullen. . . Smelley and Beacher stink. . . we all know it! deal with it DumbAss! Don't make me post the "Sea of Mediocracy" again. It just raises the fur of all the orange orangatangs out there. Sad. . . But true. . .
"Fear the Turtle" LOL!
Posted by ashleyriver on September 24, 2008 at 1:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sbs920, you're a bigger loser than you are a liar, and that's going quite a distance. Post anything you like about Clemson and I'll make sure the readers not only get a lengthy synopsis of miserable history of gamecock football (which for 100 years has been trying to attain mediocrity), but I'll include for their benefit and yours once again the sordid history of the assorted felons that have made up what you sadly refer to as a football team.
"Smelley and Beecher stink"....glad you're finally admitting some aspect of the truth because history of gamecock football is eerily the same. Now, run on to the powderroom and freshen up----isn't your boyfriend picking you up this evening? Loser.
Posted by bigriver1 on September 24, 2008 at 1:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Wow, 100 years of losing is really getting to sbs. Sad. really sad.
Posted by sbs920 on September 24, 2008 at 4:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
truth hurts on both sides huh little tiggers/cocks fans.
here's another one for you. . .
"Sad. . . But True. . ."
Both teams always have high expectations at the start of every season. Both programs are mediocre, at best.
poor play calling, poor coaching, bad players, bad decisions with both teams runs rampant. One wears orange, One wears garnet with full support from their fan bases.
CU thinks they are better than USC, USC thinks they are better than CU. (regardless of records) So spewing out records from back in the early 1900's is a joke. People from outside the state must laugh their asses off at all of us. We both are the little engines that could but never do. . . I don't know what is worse: having very good players and playing poorly against mediocre competition or poor playing against good teams and not so good teams. Both equate to very average teams year in and year out. Its gonna take something really big for any of these programs to step it up and take it to the next level and more important to be able to stay at that level. Look at the record of both teams, in just the last 2 years against ranked teams combined, its gotta be pathetic. Its a sissy fight boys and nobody is really winning. Do you get it? I do.
Posted by notafan on September 24, 2008 at 4:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
According to ashleyriver Clemson football players never have runins with the law. Except for the one guy who beat up his girlfriend and was not punished at all. Selective memory is a wonderful thing.
What's worse getting into a fight with men in a bar or choking your girlfriend and drag her down a flight of stairs??
ashleyriver obviously thinks the former is worse. I just hope this clown does not have any daughters. If so I feel bad for them. They must be proud of him.
Domestic abuse is not right and should never be tolerated, even at Clemson.
Posted by youmanyo on September 24, 2008 at 5:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Everyone loves the second string QB .
Posted by sbs920 on September 25, 2008 at 11:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)
"you-wo-man-you"
did you think that one up all by yourself. . .
we are all so proud of you.
okay boys and girls its color time. . . . LOL!
Posted by fjms on September 25, 2008 at 12:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
sbs920, what is wrong with you? You sound like a spaz!
Posted by sbs920 on September 25, 2008 at 2:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)
little too much caffine. . . sorry
fjms, please do a spell check for me
Posted by fjms on September 25, 2008 at 4:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Please tell me what I spelled wrong.
Posted by magoo on September 25, 2008 at 7:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The only two good teams in South Carolina are any team that plays USC OR CU.,and you cant spell suck with out either team. NUFF SAID