February 9, 2012

Former Clemson quarterback Randy Anderson dead at 46

Randy Anderson takes a snap against USC

Former Clemson quarterback Randy Anderson died Feb. 7 in Houston, TX after a long fight against cancer. Anderson, who was 46 at the time of his death, played for the Tigers from 1984-87. Clemson won ACC Championships in 1986 and 1987 during his career.

Anderson was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the plasma cells, in 2006, and underwent a double stem cell transplant later that year. Complications led to leukemia, however.

During the period in which he was undergoing his initial treatments, Anderson founded By His Stripes Ministry – a sports-centered Christian outreach project – and remained active in the ministry for the rest of his life.

Anderson was back on Clemson’s campus last April, when he participated in the annual alumni Son’s Game prior to the Tigers’ Orange-White spring game.

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On this day it was decreed that USC and Clemson don’t have to play

There will be no law requiring USC and Clemson to play eachother

Apparently things are going so well with jobs, education and infrastructure in South Carolina that our lawmakers decided it was time to focus on important issues like making sure a game that has taken place every year for more than a century doesn’t suddenly disappear. Today a House subcommittee nixed a bill that would make it a state law requiring USC and Clemson to play in football each year. Keep in mind there has been no talk from either school to discontinue the game that has been played for 103 straight years.

The bill was introduced by Republican Nathan Ballentine. He said he was worried the game would disappear because of the wave of conference expansion and realignment. Democrat Lester Branham was the chairman of the subcommittee that voted 7-0 to deny the bill. He made the obvious point that the government should not be get involved in the football scheduling process.

That’s your tax dollars at work, folks.

Darrin Horn to USC fans: I feel your pain (AUDIO)

Darrin Horn remains confident the program is improving

USC hoops coach Darrin Horn understands fans are not pleased with the results in his fourth year at the helm of the program. Saturday night Kentucky fans outnumbered the Gamecock faithful in Colonial Life Arena. Earlier this season Ohio State fans did the same thing. The once strong and proud Garnet Army has seen a lot of defections over the course of the past three seasons. Horn wants the fans to know they aren’t the only ones upset with how things are playing out.

AUDIO: Darrin Horn responds to fan apathy

“Rightfully so, fans aren’t going to be happy unless there’s wins,” Horn said Tuesday. “We totally understand that. I think the one thing that I would say is we all want the same thing. I think sometimes, when the record’s not what people want it to be and there’s frustration, there’s like maybe this perception that we’re not frustrated or we don’t want it as bad as they do. And nothing could be further from the truth with that.”

With one more SEC loss the Gamecocks will clinch a third straight losing record in the conference. Horn’s first team won 10 league games, the following year they won six and last year five. This year’s team is 1-7, seemingly on track to continue the downward trend in conference play.

Despite the poor showing in the SEC, Horn still believes his program is moving in the right direction.

“I think a lot of those foundational things are continuing to be laid. I think you look at our freshmen and sophomores, I don’t think there’s any doubt we’ve got high-level SEC-caliber guys that are going to continue to get better and grow. That’s been our focus from day one, and we’re going to continue that process.”

USC plays at Tennessee tonight. The Gamecocks have lost nine straight to the Vols. Their last win against UT was five years ago in Columbia. They have not won in Knoxville since 2002.

Shell shocked: Clemson loses another ACC heartbreaker vs Terps (AUDIO)

Clemson drops its second straight game by a two point margin

 Clemson followed an all too familiar script in its latest near miss in ACC play, losing 64-62 to Maryland Tuesday night in front of a sparse crowd at Littlejohn Coliseum. Just like they have done in practically every one of their six conference losses, the Tigers rallied back from a double digit lead only to fall just

The Tigers have now lost four ACC games by three points or less, including each of their past two.

“We were on the edge of the cliff fighting, we just couldn’t hang on,” said Tigers coach Brad Brownell. “It’s tough when you are scratching and clawing your way back.”

AUDIO: Brad Brownell postgame

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Not again! Another close road loss for Clemson (AUDIO)

Brad Brownell suffers another close ACC loss

Story from Clemson SID:

Clemson rallied from a 17-point deficit and had the ball with a chance to tie or win in the final seconds, but Tanner Smith’s baseline shot fell off the rim and Virginia Tech escaped with a 67-65 victory on Saturday at Cassell Coliseum. The Hokies improved to 13-10 overall, 2-6 in the ACC. The Tigers dropped to 11-11 on the season, 3-5 in conference play.

AUDIO: Brad Brownell postgame interview with Pete Yanity

K.J. McDaniels almost single-handedly put the Tigers on his back in the second half, as he scored eight of his team-high 14 points to lead Clemson’s gritty effort after a horrid offensive start to the game. He made 7-of-11 field goals, which included five dunks. He also had five rebounds and five blocked shots in a career-high 28 minutes of action.

The Tigers had four players in double figures. Andre Young also posted 14 points, 10 in the second half. He struggled shooting the ball from the field, making only four of 13 attempts. But, he was perfect from the charity stripe in four tries. Devin Booker added 11 points and 11 rebounds, his third double-double of the season. Tanner Smith also reached double figures with 10.

Virginia Tech was led by Jarell Eddie, who scored a game-high 15 points. He was supported by 12 points from freshman Dorian Finney-Smith and 10 from Erick Green.

The Tigers return to action at home on Tuesday, Feb. 7 against the Maryland Terrapins. Tipoff is set for 7:00 PM at Littlejohn Coliseum in a game that will be televised by ESPNU.