Clemson And Wolfpack Begin Practice

Clemson and NC State Sports Information Excerpts:

Clemson held what should be its only Sunday practice of the year on August 3, as the Tigers worked for three hours on the practice fields behind the Jervey Athletic Center. The NCAA has specific rules concerning the first five days of practice, so continuing practice on Sunday was necessary.

The Tigers worked in shoulder pads and shorts and helmets on Sunday, the third of nine consecutive days of practice to open the preseason. Clemson will continue in that gear on Monday. "We have had a good first three days, "said Head Coach Tommy Bowden, who is in his 10th season with Clemson. "We were able to be a bit more physical today in that we had some pads on."

Bowden singled out the play of the defense on Sunday evening after practice. "We had a passing drill in the middle of practice and on the first play of that drill you could see a burst of white (the defense wears white jerseys) rush to the ball. That was good too see. It was the first real team situation we had and it is evident we have a chance to have some speed on defense this year."

FSU plays Clemson at Tallahassee on November 8.

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Thursday, at the Wolfpack’s first preseason practice of the fall, junior tailback Toney Baker declared himself to be 100 percent.

Baker, lost for the year in last year’s season-opener against Central Florida, participated in 10 of the 28 five-minute periods in Thursday’s opening practice and will gradually work his way to full participation, according to Wolfpack coach Tom O’Brien.

“It had been almost a year since [Baker] had been on the field and I thought he did well,” O’Brien said. “We stopped him midway through practice because we don’t want to rush and let him re-injure himself. We are going to gradually work him back into it.

NC State head coach Tom O'Brien also released the names of six players who are currently injured and not participating in preseason drills: Mario Carter (knee), Colby Jackson (knee), linebacker Terrell Manning (knee), Gary Grant (pelvis stress fracture) and defensive back Javon Walker (knee). The coach announced that Mike Golder Jr. (knee injury) has been disqualified from competing in athletics.

FSU plays NC State at NC State on Thursday, October 16.