Good News for Clemson's Offense

CLEMSON — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney had some good news for the offense during his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

Swinney reported the 21st-ranked Tigers will get offensive linemen Marcus Tate and Trent Howard back for Saturday’s noon kickoff (ABC) against NC State.

Swinney said Tate was ready to go for the Appalachian State game, but they did not need him. As for Howard, Saturday will be his first action this season as he missed the first two games of the year with an injury.

“We do have him back, so that is a positive,” Swinney said. “He is one of those guys where the off week was huge for him. So, that is a shot in the arm for us. We get a veteran guy back that can snap and play guard for us.”

The news of getting Tate and Howard back was big considering the Tigers lost reserve guard Dietrick Pennington for the season. The redshirt junior will have to undergo surgery after partially tearing his ACL against App State on Sept. 7.