Korn finally high enough
Second-year QB holds job, Tigers’ hopes
By
Larry Hartstein
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Since he picked Clemson before his junior season of high school, Willy Korn has been the heir apparent.
He was the highest-rated quarterback Tommy Bowden ever landed. The one Tigers fans have been clamoring for. The one Georgia Tech will face Saturday in his first career start.
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<!--startclickprintinclude--><!--begintext-->Bowden may be gone, but interim coach Dabo Swinney said the entire staff agreed with Bowden’s decision to replace senior Cullen Harper with Korn, a redshirt freshman.
“I have all the confidence in the world that Willy Korn is going to do a great job,” Swinney said. “He has been here two years now and knows the offense. He is a good runner.
“I also have confidence in Cullen. He has to be ready to go into a game and win it. I challenged both of them in front of the team. We’re going to be a family. There are no agendas. Everyone is going to be unified and playing as one.”
Harper, a Sequoyah High graduate, said Tuesday that his strong reaction to Bowden’s departure was misconstrued.
Of course he was upset when Bowden benched him the day after Clemson’s 12-7 loss to Wake Forest.
But when Harper sent a text message to ESPN stating, “It’s what he deserved,” he said he was referring to Swinney’s appointment, not Bowden’s resignation.
Damage control or not, Harper said Swinney has given the Tigers a fresh start.
“It was tough around here the past couple of weeks,” Harper said. “People were hanging their heads a little bit. Hopefully, this will be a spark and we can turn the season around. We’ve still got six games left, and it can be something we remember for the rest of our lives.”
Harper thinks he’ll get another chance to play.
“There still might be an opportunity for me to prove myself,” he said. “Nothing is going to change from the standpoint of how I prepare. I’m going to stay positive and support my team.”
Korn (6-2, 215 pounds) is more mobile than Harper, but Tech coach Paul Johnson said the defensive game plan won’t change much. The Jackets also face a new play-caller: Swinney took over after dismissing offensive coordinator Rob Spence.
“We’re preparing for both quarterbacks,” Johnson said. “We’re preparing for their offense. … I doubt very seriously they’re going to change the whole thing in three days, so it’ll be kind of a semblance of what they do with some wrinkles.”
Tech leads the nation in tackles for loss (9.3 per game) and ranks fourth in points allowed (10.7), sixth in total defense (255.5 yards) and seventh in sacks (3.2 per game).
“They’ve got as good a front as we’ve played,” Swinney said. “Derrick Morgan is a baller. He’s going to bring it every play. Michael Johnson is probably a top-10 draft pick talent. He’s a great player. Those two guys are where it starts.”
It’s a daunting assignment for a quarterback who has yet to face Division I-A opposition this year.
Korn entered Clemson after leading powerhouse Byrnes High to a 39-3 record and two state championships. He played in two games early last season, then hurt his shoulder and took a redshirt.
In spot duty this season against The Citadel and South Carolina State, he completed 14-of-18 throws for 157 yards and a touchdown.
Korn said he doesn’t feel any extra pressure this week.
“I really don’t,” he said. “I forget who said it, but there is a famous quote, ‘If you’re not good under pressure, you’re probably not that good at all.’ “
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opcorn:
!!!!
