Spiller OK after injury in Tigers' win

CLEMSON — There’s nothing for Clemson to worry about: C.J. Spiller plans to finish this season the way he started.

The Tigers star tailback opened the year with 96-yard kickoff return in the Tigers 37-14 victory over Middle Tennessee on Saturday night. And despite not playing much after the opening quarter because of injury, Spiller says he’s OK and feeling ready for Clemson’s Atlantic Coast Conference opener at Georgia Tech on Thursday.

Spiller said he tweaked his hamstring on a 50-yard punt return to start the second quarter for the Tigers (1-0). He guaranteed he’d be on the field to face the Yellow Jackets.

“I’m fine,” Spiller said. “We’ve got such a short turnaround, they’d rather have me fresh for next week.”

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Spiller had “a bruised toe or something.” He said his star senior, who passed up the NFL and a likely first-round draft spot for college, could’ve played if the Blue Raiders had tightened things up.

As it was, Spiller’s speedy teammates like receiver Jacoby Ford and the Tiger defense handled things just fine.

Ford added a 61-yard punt return score and a 43-yard TD pass from freshman quarterback Kyle Parker.

Tiger defenders put up three sacks, had three interceptions and held Middle Tennessee (0-1) to 92 yards rushing.

It was just the second time in school history Clemson had scores on a kickoff and a punt return. “We have a saying around here on special teams that jokers are wild and they sure were tonight,” said Swinney, who won his first opener since earning Clemson’s fulltime coaching job last December.

Middle Tennessee coach Rick Stockstill had planned to punt out of bounds and sky the kickoffs to prevent problems. “We didn’t do a very good job of that,” he said.

Spiller returned to the Tigers for his senior season for one last crack at an Atlantic Coast Conference championship. He showed off that desire — along with some blazing speed — as he broke through the Blue Raiders for his school-record fourth career return for a touchdown.

However, Spiller appeared to come up funny after his 50-yard punt return in the second quarter. He returned for a couple of snaps after that and jogged to the locker room with about 3 minutes left in the quarter.

Spiller returned early in the third to watch the rest of the game from the sidelines.

Ford picked up where Spiller left off, striking for a 61-yard punt return score. Ford also added a 43-yard touchdown catch.

Ford, an NCAA 60-meter sprint champion, drew some early boos from the Death Valley crowd with two third-down drops. Even Swinney told him after the punt-return score he wasn’t fully off the hook.

“I think we’re even now, though,” Ford said with a laugh.

The Blue Raiders also struggled with Clemson’s defensive speed. They didn’t pass midfield in the opening half and fell to 1-7 all-time against ACC opponents.

Spiller looked like he was on his way to second return score, sprinting 50-yards down the sidelines with a Middle Tennessee punt to start the second quarter. But kicker Alan Gendreau got in front of Spiller and slowed him just enough for the Blue Raiders to catch up.

Spiller tested his legs on the side during the Tigers next two offensive series. He finally persuaded Swinney to let him back on, but he did not touch the ball.

With about 3 minutes left before halftime, Spiller jogged to the locker room. He came out after the third-quarter kickoff and did not go back in.
Spiller ended with 12 yards on four rushes.

Even without Spiller, Middle Tennessee couldn’t catch up to the Tigers.

Ford’s punt return score made it 20-7, then spun through the Blue Raider defense for his 43-yard touchdown reception.

There was plenty left to work out for Clemson’s retooled offense. Parker, an all-ACC performer in baseball, is the first freshman quarterback to start a season opener since 1945. He finished 9 of 20 passing with 159 yards, two TDs and no interceptions.

His backup, the more experienced Willy Korn, fumbled on his only series, leading to Chris McCoy’s 68-yard return for Middle Tennessee’ only first-half score.
The Tigers defense, led by first-year coordinator Kevin Steele, showed its muscle throughout.

Blue Raiders quarterback Dwight Dasher was picked off twice in the opening quarter. Middle Tennessee had minus 9 yards rushing for the half.

Stockstill was a Clemson assistant from 1989-2002 and knew what to expect from the Tigers. He said his team’s mistakes cost them. “We just need to be a little more consistent overall,” he said.