COLLEGE FOOTBALL / DAILY REPORT : Clemson and Syracuse Match Youth
Two young teams with 8-3 records, Clemson and Syracuse, meet in today’s Gator Bowl at Jacksonville, Fla.
“I guess it is odd for us to be so young,” said defensive end Chris Marques, one of seven Syracuse senior starters.
No. 23 Clemson is just as inexperienced, starting only eight seniors and only two on offense. The offensive leaders, quarterback Nealon Greene and fullback Raymond Priester, are sophomores. Both started as freshmen.
On defense, linebacker Anthony Simmons, a freshman, led Clemson with 142 tackles and was chosen a third-team All-American.
Syracuse is led by freshman quarterback Donovan McNabb, who completed 61.8% of his passes for 1,991 yards and 16 touchdowns and was selected to the all-Big East first team.
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