CLEMSON — After freshman quarterback Willy Korn completed 6-of-8 passes for 49 yards in mop up duty against Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 8, Clemson coach Tommy Bowden alluded to maybe getting Willy Korn in for a series or two during a game with the first-team offense at some point this season.

That opportunity might come next Saturday when the Tigers host Central Michigan in Death Valley.

When asked late Thursday afternoon what is the possibility of Willy Korn seeing significant playing, Bowden said, “Possibly.”

Granted, it wasn’t a confirmed yes or no, but it was enough to get Willy Korn excited about the opportunity.

“It will be exciting and fun to be in there and get back on the field again,” said Willy Korn, who admitted Bowden had not spoken to him about the situation. “It has been since Furman, so I will be excited just to get the opportunity, and hopefully I will make the most of it.”

Some might have thought Willy Korn would have seen more playing time before now, but a bruised shoulder suffered in mop up work against Furman on Sept. 15, and the fact Cullen Harper has been Mr. Consistent, has prevented that from happening.

Clemson offensive coordinator Rob Spence declined to comment on the possibility of Willy Korn playing early against Central Michigan.

It’s easy to see perhaps why Spence declined to comment. There doesn’t seem to be really any good reason to put Willy Korn on the field if Harper continues to play the way he has through the first six weeks of the season. Through the first six games, Harper has completed 61 percent of his passes for 1,530 yards, and his touchdowns thrown to interceptions are 14-3.

Even Willy Korn, who said his shoulder is completely healed, admitted he doesn’t understand why there are boo-birds out there.

“He doesn’t deserve it,” Willy Korn said. “He has done a good job leading our offense and getting our offense in good position, so as far as anyone saying anything negative about him, no he doesn’t deserve it.”

To Harper, it just comes with the territory, but he doesn’t believe the Tigers are 4-2 because it’s his fault or anyone else’s, for that matter.

“You win as a team, and you lose as a team,” he said. “I don’t think it is ever any one guy. I think as a whole we have to get better as an offense, but I don’t think you can put the blame on any one guy.”

Banged up. Clemson still had a lot of players observing practice from the sideline Thursday, but nothing new has changed as far as who is watching.

“It is the same as yesterday,” Bowden said. “Guys that didn’t practice yesterday didn’t practice today.”

One of those guys was wide receiver Aaron Kelly, who said he has a bruised shoulder, but nothing serious. In all, 12 players sat out or had limited contact during Thursday’s practice.

Weekend off. Since they have no Saturday game, Clemson’s players will take the next three days off before picking back up practice for Central Michigan Monday afternoon.

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