Spiller's best move? Maybe choosing Clemson

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — C.J. Spiller says his best move at Clemson was a touchdown run last Saturday called by back by penalty. For Tigers coaches, teammates and fans, his greatest move of all may have been coming there in the first place.

For the previous two seasons as part of Clemson's "Thunder and Lightning" backfield with James Davis, Spiller has put on a remarkable show of jukes, stutter-steps and stop-and-go moves that have left defenders clutching at air or gasping to catch up.

Now, as a junior, Spiller has found another, even more remarkable gear, breaking out of the Tigers formidable rushing duo to a starring spot of his own. He's accounted for six of Clemson's 10 TDs this season, and already shown off the same eye-popping moves that have been on display, and all over YouTube.com, since 2006.

Spiller has long had the amazing skills. This year, Spiller says, he has freed himself from the worries that come from trying to top himself game after game.

"It's maturity, a sense of urgency," said Spiller, a junior. "I'm one of the leaders on this team, so I have to make sure my play is at the highest level it can be each and every Saturday."

So far, no Tiger's been better. Spiller showed Clemson's only firepower with an electrifying, 96-yard kickoff in the 34-10 loss to Alabama, then ran for touchdowns on half of his six carries in a victory over The Citadel the next week.

Spiller continued against North Carolina State, scoring on a 28-yard touchdown catch, and a 12-yard TD run that wrapped up the Tigers' 27-9 victory.

If you listen to Spiller, his best one of all didn't count.

It was a simple handoff to Spiller that appeared dead in the backfield, but a quick step back and surge around right end and Spiller was off for a 21-yard, fourth quarter scoring run.

"I don't know how he missed the tackle," Spiller says, his voice a mix of bravado and concern about the defender's technique. "I just used my quickness to get past him. Then the safety was coming down too fast, (I) gave him an inside-out move and used my speed the rest of the way."

The play was wiped out when tight end Michael Palmer was flagged for holding.

No matter. Spiller got his rushing TD on Clemson's final series.

That's been his formula at Clemson the past few seasons. Hold a block for a few seconds and Spiller's gone. "That's a good feeling, especially when you start with some pretty bad yardage, to see him making plays," offensive lineman Mason Cloy said.

Spiller was a sensation at Union County High in Lake Butler, Fla. Southern Cal coach Pete Carroll wanted Spiller to fill the Trojans' do-everything role formerly held by Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. On signing day, Spiller was considered a lock to stay near home at Florida or Florida State.

That's when Spiller first showed off his jaw-dropping college moves, pulling out a Clemson hat.

He didn't disappoint, finishing his freshman season with six scoring plays of 50 yards or better. He gained national attention midway through that 2006 season in a 31-7 win over Georgia Tech.

Spiller remembers how he and Davis combined for 332 yards rushing. What viewers probably recall most was Spiller's stunning stop-and-go moves along the sideline to slip by two Tech defenders on the back's 50-yard touchdown catch.

"Its just something I had in the bag of tricks," he said proudly.

Still, when Clemson lost four of its final five games that season, Spiller was pulled on by many who hoped he would transfer to new national champion Florida. Rumors had Spiller joining the Gators and even attending classes.

Spiller and his family decided he'd succeed or fail with Clemson.

The struggles weren't over, though.

Yards became harder to gain and defenders more difficult to juke as Spiller heard from critics who complained he danced too often in the backfield, searching for holes that had long closed and would've been open had he exploded straight ahead.

The talk wore on the young runner, who appeared less self-assured and more cautious as a sophomore. "It got really hard on my mom. She got tired of hearing that," he said.

As a junior, and with NFL scouts taking a harder look, Spiller knew it was time to put aside worries and play with a confidence of a leader.

Spiller is about Clemson's only offensive star living up to preseason hype. Davis leads the team with 154 yards to Spiller's 143. Davis has had nearly double the carries, 33-to-18.

As for potential dissension between Thunder and Lightning, don't count on it. Davis, a senior who declared for the NFL draft only to return to Clemson, says he's happy to see Spiller's game improve.

"He's definitely stepping his game up, and that's going to make him a better back," Davis said. "He knows what the NFL wants."

Clemson coach Tommy Bowden says Spiller's gotten older, wiser and driven by what's out there for him after Clemson. "Which is not a bad thing," Bowden said.

The pros can wait, Spiller says. He's enjoying himself too much right now.

"It's probably the most fun I've had since my freshman year or my high school days," Spiller said. "If I can just keep doing that, I think this team will be very successful."