A Tiger question: Should Clemson go long more?

Posted 4:20PM on Tuesday 27th September 2005 ( 19 years ago )

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Clemson coach Tommy Bowden has heard the question almost everywhere this week, including in his own home why don't the Tigers pass downfield more? ``My wife asked me that,'' Bowden said Tuesday. Seems like a reasonable query, especially with NFL prospect and polished record-setting senior Charlie Whitehurst under center. Bowden's answer to wife Linda and Clemson fans? Remember last year. That's when Whitehurst would rear back for the game-changing bomb several times a contest. The early results were disastrous with 11 interceptions, six touchdowns and the Tigers' worst start in Bowden's tenure at 1-4. Now, in the system of new offensive coordinator Rob Spence, Whitehurst has thrown fewer touchdowns four but made fewer mistakes with only one interception in Clemson's 2-2 start. ``I like what we're doing now as opposed to throwing a few more downfield and losing by 20 to Virginia and losing by 20 to Texas A Bowden said of 2004. ``I feel pretty comfortable that I won't fall for the bait.'' Still, a couple of well-timed, nicely executed long balls by Whitehurst he holds Clemson's career mark with 42 touchdown passes might've meant the difference between the Tigers' .500 record and victories over the Hurricanes and Eagles. As it stands, Clemson's biggest play so far came against Miami a 65-yard surprise run by Whitehurst that set up an 8-yard TD pass to tight end Cole Downer. Whitehurst said he gets asked about his team's changed offensive style all the time, from friends, family members and fans. He sounds much like his coach in response. ``I think we've experimented with that in the past,'' Whitehurst said. ``It works good sometimes. But you get beat bad that way, too.'' It worked very well for Whitehurst, who has equaled this season's TD total in a game four times in his career. But after throwing 17 interceptions and only seven touchdowns in 2004, Whitehurst knew he needed a change. Whitehurst watched film from his new offensive coordinator's old job at Toledo and saw how productive a team could be with more balance between passing and rushing. ``It didn't take long'' to buy into Spence's system, Whitehurst said. Center Dustin Fry thought Clemson had established itself as an improved running team in victories over Texas A and Maryland at the start of the season. ``Miami kind of took that away from us,'' Fry said. Clemson gained only 90 yards on the ground in that 36-30 triple overtime loss. It managed only 102 yards rushing last Saturday in a 16-13 defeat. So what is Clemson's offensive identity? ``It's funny, I hear that a lot,'' Whitehurst said. ``The great offenses don't have an identity. Everything works.'' Whitehurst, a 6-foot-5, 215 pounder, doesn't mind surrendering some gaudier numbers on his resume if it improves Clemson's bottom line for victories. Look at a year ago, he said. After the 1-4 start, the Tigers rebounded to win six of their final seven games. Whitehurst threw only one touchdown pass during that stretch. Whitehurst was helped by such past Clemson stars as receivers Derrick Hamilton and Airese Currie. Freshman Aaron Kelly said this year's young group, which includes fellow freshmen Tyler Grisham and Rendrick Taylor, are prepared for when the Tigers stretch the field. Clemson's offense hasn't totally found its way. While its 329 yards a game is more than last season's average (a decade low 294 yards), Clemson stands seventh in Atlantic Coast Conference passing and eighth in league rushing. ``I think we're more methodical right now. We're still figuring this thing out,'' Whitehurst said. ``We're only four games in. ... When it all gels, I think we'll be all right.'' Bowden has told his team not to play the ``what-if'' game. ``I don't know how many touchdown passes (Whitehurst) threw last year,'' Bowden said. ``But I bet you by the end of the year we'll have more.'' (Copyright 2005 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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