Saturday, Oct. 31, 2009

Coastal Carolina-Clemson notebook: Cramer makes the most of his chance

CLEMSON -- The player who previously couldn't get on the field got Coastal Carolina on the scoreboard Saturday.

Third-string quarterback Justin Cramer took the field early in the fourth quarter and mounted the Chanticleers' only scoring drive against Clemson's second and third stringers. In fact, neither starter Jamie Childers nor Zach MacDowall managed to lead a drive into Clemson territory.

MacDowall is still recovering from an ankle sprain, and Childers left with a cramp in the second half, giving Cramer an opportunity to take the field.

"I wasn't really counting on playing," Cramer said. "I was a little nervous at first. It's been four years since I've had any meaningful snaps. But when you get out there, football is still football."

Cramer completed 2-of-3 passes for 15 yards and rushing four times for 15 yards on the drive. Though he was sacked twice, he had runs of nine and 13 yards and completed an 11-yard pass to tight end David Duran that set up Justin Durham's field goal.

"It was fun being out there moving the ball, even if it was on the third team," Cramer said.

For several weeks during preseason camp, it appeared Cramer might help the Chants at slot receiver. That hasn't happened, because Coastal has tried to get its younger receivers as much experience as possible.

Stop Spiller

A week after Clemson's C.J. Spiller ran wild at Miami, the Chants walked their linebackers up to the line of scrimmage early and often on Saturday.

"Just stop Spiller," Coastal linebacker Desmond Steward said. "That was the plan."

Spiller wasn't a big factor, but that was more because of his lack of playing time. He rushed five times for 27 yards and did not catch a pass before leaving the game for good in the second quarter.

But the Chants couldn't stop his backups. Andre Ellington rushed for 88 yards, including a 55-yard score, and Jamie Harper had 76 yards.

"We did some good things in the first half," Coastal defensive coordinator Curtis Walker said. "Their depth proved to be the difference for sure. They were able to keep going at that same pace. We substituted and had some guys that are still a little green in there. It shows we've got to get better from the bottom up, the first team to the last team."

Wild Chant

For the first time this season, Coastal utilized the Wildcat formation Saturday, inserting tailback Jeremy Height to take the direct snap from center in the second quarter. Considering the result, Height's days in the shotgun may be limited.

The true freshman took the snap at the Coastal 39 midway through the second quarter, but fumbled it away before falling on the ball for a 5-yard loss. Coastal ran the play again in the second half, but Height was held to a minimal gain.

Bowers' powers

Sophomore defensive end Da'Quan Bowers said MRI results showed he did not suffer serious injury when a teammate rolled onto his leg after Clemson's first defensive play.

Bowers said he suffered a sprained posterior cruciate ligament in his right leg and should be fine for the FSU game. His right foot was in a walking boot after Saturday's game and he walked with the aid of crutches, although he is able to move without the crutches if he so chooses.

"I knew it wasn't too bad because I didn't hear it pop," Bowers said.

Odds and ends

Rain fell for much of the first half before the sun briefly appeared after the break. ... Coastal tailback Eric O'Neal sprained an ankle in the first half, and kick returner Jake Owen pulled a hamstring. ... The announced attendance was 71,500, though much of the upper decks at Memorial Stadium were empty. ... Loris native Jonathan Willard, a Clemson linebacker, didn't see significant time on defense, but he made a big hit on a third-quarter kickoff. He and teammate Sadat Chambers leveled Coastal's Tre Henderson after a 13-yard return. Willard finished with four tackles. ... Myrtle Beach native Spencer Benton fulfilled his normal role as Clemson's kickoff specialist, and entered the game in the third quarter to kick an extra point. ... Coastal corner Josh Norman and Steward shared the team lead with six tackles apiece.

- McClatchy Newspapers Paul Strelow contributed to this story.