per the Atl. Journal-Constitution...

Clemson QB warned: Protect ball or sit

What's not to love? The Clemson quarterback can be dazzling at times. Two weeks ago, he embarrassed Florida State's secondary.

But Bowden has given Simmons an ultimatum going into Saturday's game with Wake Forest: Take care of the ball, young man, or you'll be on the sideline with me.

Simmons had turnovers on Clemson's final two possessions of a 22-17 loss to Virginia on Saturday. In their past two games, the Tigers are minus-5 in the all-important giveaway-vs.-takeaway stat. Bowden preached about turnovers all summer but nothing's improved.

"Willie's offensive numbers have been going up every week, so that's a positive," Bowden said. "But he just keeps carrying the ball loose. We can't have that."

If Simmons sits, the ball goes to Charlie Whitehurst, the redshirt freshman from Duluth's Chattahoochee High School. Behind the scenes, Bowden has been praising the dependability of Whitehurst, who came off the bench against Virginia to complete all seven of his passes on a fourth-quarter touchdown drive.

"I don't like rotating quarterbacks, but Charlie is getting to the point where he might deserve some more time," Bowden said.

Why this sense of urgency? Simple. At 3-3, Clemson's season will be defined by what happens Saturday against Wake Forest and five days later against N.C. State. Cut down on the tunovers and Clemson is probably 5-1 right now. Bowden knows that. Simmons may have to learn the hard way.

By the way, JJ, it ain't hard at all to embarrass the Noles secondary. The only ones who haven't done that this year, is Maryland. They'll are all young and seem to forgot where they are suppose to be on any given play. Oops, maybe since we haven't played ya'll, I'm giving away secrets... hehehe :eek: