The Last Straw

Well that sure sucked. For the second time this season, the Clemson Tigers laid an egg on national television. This time, it was one of the worst offensive performances in recent memory against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons on Thursday night. Despite posting negative yards after the first quarter (How is that possible?), the Tigers were actually in position to win the game after one good scoring drive put them up 7-6 going into the fourth quarter. After standing strong all game, the Clemson defense could not put the game away, allowing Wake to convert a 3rd and 24 from the shadow of its own goal line. The conversion changed the momentum of the game and sparked a drive that would lead to the go-ahead touchdown. Struggling Quarterback Cullen Harper (now his official name), again failed to come through at the end of the game, and the Tigers dropped their third contest of the season. The team is now a disgraceful 1-3 against FCS opponents after being a near-unanimous pick to win the ACC.

On the bright side, this might have finally been the straw that broke the camel's back regarding Tommy Bowden's career at Clemson. Based on the Internet chatter over the weekend, the Board of Trustees and Athletic Department may finally be fed up with Bowden's underachieving. Rumors of secret meetings to discuss Bowden's future were flying around Clemson, SC this weekend. Chat rooms and message boards were flooded with speculations of when Bowden and offensive coordinator Rob Spence would be terminated and who would be their respective replacements. In a last-ditch attempt to save his job, Bowden has named redshirt freshmen quarterback Willy Korn as the start for next week. Looks like it will be too little too late.

Next week's game kicks off at noon (woo hoo!) against conference foe Georgia Tech in Death Valley. At least Clemson still knows how to tailgate.