Davis Lends Advice To Spiller
CLEMSON -- C.J. Spiller’s frustration might be abated if he’d quit swinging for the fences on every carry, Clemson teammate James Davis suggested.
After rushing for 938 yards as a freshman, Spiller has 201 yards through five games and has averaged 3.5 yards on 56 carries. He had 2 yards on 9 carries in the Tigers’ loss at Georgia Tech, and against Furman netted minus-1 on nine carries.
“I think he’s still trying to make that big play every time,” James Davis said Monday. “I kind of tell him all the time, ‘Hey, just get the small yards first. It’s going to break out for you.’ ”
James Davis has 454 yards and has averaged 6.5 yards per carry, running essentially the same plays.
“C.J. probably does a little more thinking than I do on the field,” he said. “Mainly, I try not to lose any yards.
“If I see that I’m about to lose yards, I’m going to try to take it right there, not lose anything extra.”
Spiller frequently tries to beat defenders to the edge by taking advantage of his sprinter’s speed. James Davis said he sees that Spiller is frustrated, but senses Clemson coaches are growing impatient with him.
“I just think he probably isn’t hitting (the line) like the coaches want him to,” he said. “You got to run in between the tackles, you got to get positive yards.
“He’s a guy who just wants to make the big play. That isn’t his style, just banging it in there.”
Special moments -- Punter Jimmy Maners said he’s confident snapper Colin Leonard will solve the problems that resulted in a couple of dicey snaps against Georgia Tech, but he’s not sure what happened on the blocked punt that set up the Yellow Jackets’ only touchdown.
“We’ve got to get that fixed,” he said.
Maners is averaging 43.5 yards per punt, but the team’s net average is 10 yards less because of two blocks this season.
“It’s over and done with,” he said. “There’s nothing you can do about it after the fact. I can’t sit there and worry about getting another one blocked.”
Bowden said his coaches are looking at making some personnel changes in punt protection. Five coaches assist that area of special teams.
Injury update -- James Davis said he was 100 percent going into the game, but suffered a shoulder stinger that requires treatment this week.
Cornerback Haydrian Lewis will undergo surgery to repair an ACL injury that ends his season.
Wide receiver Rendrick Taylor (hamstring) is doubtful.
Kicking back -- Maners said he’s impressed with kicker Mark Buchholz’s confidence and calm, despite Buchholz’s missed four field goals at Tech.
“He’s as cool as a cucumber all of the time,” Maners said. “His head’s so into the game.”
Bowden said he would meet with men’s soccer coach Trevor Adair today to discuss some changes in Buchholz’s schedule.
“I’ve got to make sure I’m fair to Mark,” Bowden said.
Maners said Buchholz will earn his keep before the season runs its course.
“One day he’ll make a kick to win a game, for sure,” he said. “He’ll make lots of kicks.”
Color purple -- James Davis said he thinks the seniors will decide to break out the purple uniforms for Virginia Tech. Clemson beat Georgia Tech last season in purple.
“We definitely need this win real bad,” James Davis said.
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