Clemson's Davis undergoes surgery

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Clemson running back James Davis had surgery Friday on a fractured left wrist that could sideline him up to a month.<br> <br> Davis rushed for two touchdowns and 143 yards Clemson&#39;s best single-game performance in four years in just more than a half of Thursday night&#39;s 31-10 victory at North Carolina State. Davis left the game early in the third quarter when he said someone stepped on his wrist.<br> <br> Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said it was doubtful Davis, who entered the game as the Atlantic Coast Conference&#39;s leading rusher among freshmen, would be ready in time for the Tigers&#39; next league game at Georgia Tech on Oct. 29.<br> <br> Clemson (3-3, 2-3 ACC) returns home for an Oct. 22 game against Temple.<br> <br> ``James will probably want to push it,&#39;&#39; Bowden said. ``I seriously doubt it ... depends on how many times he&#39;s been to church.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Bowden said Davis, who has 433 yards and four touchdowns this year, would probably need three to four weeks to recover.<br> <br> On the sidelines in street clothes during the second half Thursday night, Davis said he wanted to be back to play the Yellow Jackets in his hometown of Atlanta.<br> <br> ``I wanted to have a 200-yard game, but we got the win, and that&#39;s the most important thing,&#39;&#39; Davis said after the game.<br> <br> Reggie Merriweather, the team&#39;s top rusher a year ago, likely will start in Davis&#39; place. Bowden said he would search for another back to step into the rotation.<br> <br> Possible candidates include fullback Cliff Harrell; Duane Coleman, a tailback who was switched to the secondary last month after Davis&#39; emergence; and first-year player Demerick Chancellor, who was likely to be redshirted this season, Bowden said.<br> <br> Davis&#39; loss came in a game where Bowden said things his team had worked with new coordinators Rob Spence on offense and Vic Koenning on defense had finally begun bear fruit.<br> <br> A big part was the play of Davis and his injury tempered Bowden&#39;s excitement about ending the Tigers three-game losing streak this season and snapping an 0-6 mark on Thursday nights.<br> <br> ``You&#39;re going to lose right now, our biggest weapon back there,&#39;&#39; Bowden said. ``That&#39;s the most productive we&#39;ve had a guy run since I&#39;ve been here. We&#39;re going to miss that. ... Pretty significant at this point in time.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Davis was one of Clemson&#39;s most talked about recruits in Bowden&#39;s seven years. He caused a stir when he briefly left training camp this summer to return home to Atlanta in what Bowden called a bout of homesickness.<br> <br> But Davis returned shortly thereafter and rejoined the team in good standing.<br> <br> The first taste of what he could do came in Clemson&#39;s opener against Texas A Trailing the Aggies 24-22 in the final quarter, Davis had eight straight carries to the A 25 that set up Jad Dean&#39;s school-record sixth field goal with 2 seconds remaining in Clemson&#39;s 25-24 win.<br> <br> Davis looked his best in the first half at North Carolina State, moving with ease and effectiveness, Clemson&#39;s sports information staff prepared a note about Tiger runner Don King, pressed into backfield service against Fordham in 1952 because of injuries who gained 234 yards against the Rams the third highest one-game total in Clemson history and never played tailback again.<br> <br> Bowden said Davis&#39; return is strictly up to Clemson&#39;s medical staff. If it takes a month, Davis could be back when Florida State comes to Death Valley on Nov. 12.<br> <br> For now, Bowden will deal with life minus his young star.<br> <br> ``That happens, and you march on,&#39;&#39; Bowden said of the injury. ``We&#39;re sitting here 3-3 with five games left with a chance to either win or lose them all. ... James gives you more aces in your hand. We&#39;ll have to pull another hand.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)