Tigers Today: Clemson underclassmen ready for electric atmosphere
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Clemson underclassmen ready for electric atmosphere
Clemson opens the season Saturday night in Charlotte against longtime rival Georgia. But it also marks a return to normalcy in college football.
Bank of America Stadium is expected to be sold out — the stadium seats 75,412 fans. The ride from Athens, Georgia to Charlotte is under four hours, and the ride from Clemson to Bank of America Stadium is less than three. The environment should be rowdy and will be far and away the largest crowd Clemson has played in front of since the national championship game in New Orleans in January of 2020.
That’s exciting for the Clemson veterans who have experienced the atmosphere for massive matchups. But due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Saturday’s top-five matchup will be the first time many current players have experienced anything close to a big-time environment.
“We’ve got two classes that this will be a whole new experience for, but that’s exciting. That’s what you come to a place like Clemson for,” Dabo Swinney said on Wednesday.
Clemson is excited for the matchup. It’s an opportunity to make a statement to the college football world in primetime in front of a packed house.
Report: Georgia sports medicine director has COVID-19
Ron Courson, Georgia football’s Executive Associate Athletic Director and director of sports medicine, has tested positive for COVID-19, according to a report from the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
Courson will miss Saturday night’s matchup against Clemson in Charlotte, but the impact of his diagnosis could affect the entire Bulldogs team and potentially, the entire athletic department.
Ron Courson’s role puts him in physical contact with almost every member of the Georgia program, especially players who are injured. No players have tested positive this week, according to the report. Contact tracing could present an issue.
Clemson forward lands on College Soccer News team of the week
Forward Isaiah Reid was named to the College Soccer News Team of the Week, the outlet announced Tuesday. Reid scored three goals in Clemson’s first two games, including the equalizer in the Tigers’ 2-1 victory over St. John’s.
He netted two goals in Clemson’s 5-0 win over USC Upstate on Sunday. His goal against St. John’s came from his left foot, and he used his head and right foot to score against USC Upstate.
Big fall ahead for 4-star Drayk Bowen, who plans to play two sports in college
Drayk Bowen is only a junior, but he has all the offers he needs. Over two dozen schools offered the four-star and on August 9, Merriville (Ind.) Andrean linebacker cut his list to five schools.
The 6-foot-2, 215-pound junior is down to Auburn, Clemson, Indiana, LSU and Notre Dame.
On3’s director of recruiting Chad Simmons sat down with Drayk Bowen to talk Clemson and what this fall will look like for him.
Healthy James Skalski key to Clemson defense improving
Game week has finally arrived. Clemson kicks off the season Saturday night in Charlotte against Georgia.
ClemsonSports.com senior writer Matt Connolly is helping you get ready for the upcoming season by counting down the most important 25 players for Clemson in 2021. Up Wednesday was No. 4: James Skalski.
Click here to read why James Skalski ranks as one of the top 25 most important players on Clemson’s roster.
Counting down
- Clemson vs. Georgia (season opener): 2 days
- Clemson at South Carolina: 86 days
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