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Clemson keeps things simple

By IRA KAUFMAN UPI Sports Writer

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- It's becoming increasingly apparent Danny Ford's image as a country bumpkin masks one of the slickest coaching minds in college football.

Saturday night's 27-7 rout of West Virginia in the Gator Bowl improved Ford's bowl record to 6-2 as the No. 13 Tigers finished 10-2 for the third straight year. It was Ford's fourth consecutive bowl triumph.

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'This group of seniors has won more ball games (38-8-2) than any senior group in our history,' Ford said. 'That's something they'll cherish for a long time to come.'

Ford's option offense keeps the ball on the ground three-quarters of the time. Quarterback Chris Morocco ran for a career-high 65 yards as Clemson finished the year 9-0 when controlling the ball at least 32 minutes.

With a swarming defense annually led by some of the nation's quickest linebackers, Ford figures the best formula for victory is the simplest: force turnovers, make few mistakes. Against No. 17 West Virginia, Clemson turned the ball over just once and forced four straight second-half turnovers by star quarterback Major Harris.

'Clemson is very good, a darn fine football team,' West Virginia Coach Don Nehlen said. 'They ran us down from behind and everywhere else. They're very basic. They really pound you and they beat us in the trenches.'

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Chris Gardocki, the nation's 10th-leading punter, averaged 46 yards in four punts against the Mountaineers. He also kicked two field goals, falling short on a 61-yard attempt at the halftime gun.

'He is a super talent and I'm just happy we have him for two more years,' Ford said. 'I wished he had made the 61-yarder to break the record, but we're just happy he's on our side.'

Clemson's 3-year reign as Atlantic Coast Conference champion ended this season, but fret not for Ford's future. The nation's No. 5 defense loses just two seniors and the Tigers will return in 1990 to keep things simple and successful.

'They beat us at every position,' said a battered Harris, who scrambled for just 17 yards in 11 carries while throwing for 119 yards. 'They're a smart defense. They'd give us the underneath stuff, but then if we don't hit it, they were right there.'

Harris, who finished third in Heisman Trophy voting, downplayed speculation he will skip his senior year to turn pro. Rumors also swirl concerning Nehlen's plans, with reports linking him to the coaching vacancy at Wisconsin.

Even Ford hasn't escaped the rumor mill. One television analyst last week claimed Ford is thinking about leaving Clemson after the Gator Bowl. School officials would undoubtedly make every effort to keep Ford and his .758 winning percentage over 12 years.

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'One thing concerns me about Clemson above all,' said Nehlen the day before the Gator Bowl. 'They are just so well-coached. Those guys know exactly what they want to do and when they want to do it.'

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