Associated Press
CLEMSON, S.C. ó Oh, brother, what a crazy week for two sets of siblings who’ll face each other for the first time when No. 23 Clemson takes on South Carolina State.
Bulldogs run game coordinator Joe Blackwell will have to pick apart a Tiger defense trained in part by younger brother David, Clemson’s linebacker coach. Tigers safety Michael Hamlin can’t answer his cellphone this week without a smile, knowing its probably younger brothers Markee or Marquais running their mouths about the upset South Carolina State has planned.
“The only one I feel for is the mother,” Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said. “The brothers will have a lot of fun out of it.”
Clemson’s Hamlin can’t wait for his younger brothers to see the Tigers up close.
“This will probably be the talk for the rest of our lives,” he said.
It won’t be as fun for the Blackwells, coaching brothers who understand that along with the joy felt by one side will be dejection endured by the other. “It’s different,” David said. “It’s not something you enjoy a whole lot. Today, someone’s having a bad weekend.”
Family gatherings are old hat for Clemson football.
So far, the Blackwells and Hamlins are taking things playfully.
David called his brother Tuesday around noon, Joe saying he was off to lunch. “Oh, we’re still here working and you’re headed to lunch. You must have us all figured out,” David said.