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Clemmons honors father in first game
By KEVIN TRAVIS, Sports Editor
After all the sweat, tears and blood he gave up just to be on the scout team, N.C. State sophomore defensive tackle Jamaine Clemmons finally got the taste of a live Division I college football game.
It’s a sweet taste he won’t soon forget.
Clemmons, a former standout at Williamston High School, played in his first college game when the Wolfpack played at Boston College on Sept. 8. He played 29 snaps during the 37-17 loss.
“At first I was nervous that Friday night,” said the former walk-on, who was credited with one hit and one quarterback pressure. “When Saturday came, it was all business. My emotions took over.
“That’s why I practiced -- so I could play. I was living a dream and it was something I always wanted to do. It was a great experience for me.”
The 5-11, 270-pound Clemmons, who wears No. 90, paid tribute to his father, Milton, during the game.
Milton Clemmons died of a heart attack when Jamaine was just 12.
“The highlight of the game came in pre-game,” he said. “I had his initials (MEC) on my eyeblack. I always wanted to do something like that and it was a nice statement I made.”
Clemmons, who had a chance to play baseball at Elizabeth City State University but opted for football at State instead, said his father would have been proud.
“It was emotional,” Clemmons said. “I know he’s in a better place. I know he loves me and wishes the best for me.
“He would have been very proud of me getting a chance to play Division I football. He would have even been proud just to see me walk across the stage when I graduated high school.”
Clemmons got the chance to play against Boston College when a couple regulars went down with injuries. The mechanical engineering major made the most of his opportunity.
“When I came into the season, I had a feeling I would play some this year,” he said. “I just had to be patient and wait my turn. I knew it would be my time when God decided it would be my time.
“The biggest thing was just being patient and staying humble. The coaches said I did a good job.”
Clemmons’ effort earned him more playing time in the Wolfpack’s 38-17 win over Wofford at Carter-Finley Stadium last week. He was credited with an assist and was in on nearly 30 snaps.
“Playing for the first time at home was really fun,” Clemmons said. “To play in front of the student body was just amazing. I had a lot of people come up to me after the game and it was nice to see that people cared and supported me.
“I had family, friends and my girlfriend in the stands. They all made me feel like I was supposed to be out there.”
Clemmons’ mother, Betty Clemmons of Williamston, was on hand for the victory. He credits his mother for helping him stay focused.
“My mom has really supported me,” said Clemmons, who also praised former high school coach Hank Tice for his support and encouragement. “At times I did get frustrated, but she told me my time would come. She has done a lot for me.“
Helping to get the Wolfpack (1-2, 0-1 ACC) into the win column was special for Clemmons.
“Being able to celebrate the win was the highlight,” he said. “It was great to get that first win. It helps build confidence. When you’re on a losing streak, you can get complacent. When you win, you get that swagger and you feel like you can beat anybody.”
The Wolfpack will need that swagger when it plays host to No. 15 Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC) at noon on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a physical game,” Clemmons said. “We’ll have to play for 60 minutes.”
Clemmons, who said he’s put on some 20 pounds of muscle and lost 10 pounds of fat since he’s been at State, wants to see action in that game and the others that follow.
“My goal is to make this team better, whether it be on scout team or working with the varsity defense,” he said. “I do want to play for the rest of the season. I just have to let my practices speak for me.”
Though not looking ahead, Clemmons does relish the thought of playing at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium when the Wolfpack plays the East Carolina Pirates on Oct. 20.
“If I get a chance to travel and play, it will be a dream come true,” Clemmons said. “I have a lot of friends who go to ECU. It would be kind of like being in high school again with all my friends watching me. It’s going to be a different experience and I’ll have to keep my emotions in check.”
While happy that he is seeing playing time, Clemmons isn’t about to slack off now.
“There’s always room for improvement,” he said. “If I get eight tackles or zero tackles, seven sacks or zero sacks, you can always improve. I love to win and I love to play and I want to keep doing that. I feel like I’m moving in the right direction.”
Yes, Jamaine, your father would be proud.
It’s a sweet taste he won’t soon forget.
Clemmons, a former standout at Williamston High School, played in his first college game when the Wolfpack played at Boston College on Sept. 8. He played 29 snaps during the 37-17 loss.
“At first I was nervous that Friday night,” said the former walk-on, who was credited with one hit and one quarterback pressure. “When Saturday came, it was all business. My emotions took over.
“That’s why I practiced -- so I could play. I was living a dream and it was something I always wanted to do. It was a great experience for me.”
The 5-11, 270-pound Clemmons, who wears No. 90, paid tribute to his father, Milton, during the game.
Milton Clemmons died of a heart attack when Jamaine was just 12.
“The highlight of the game came in pre-game,” he said. “I had his initials (MEC) on my eyeblack. I always wanted to do something like that and it was a nice statement I made.”
Clemmons, who had a chance to play baseball at Elizabeth City State University but opted for football at State instead, said his father would have been proud.
“It was emotional,” Clemmons said. “I know he’s in a better place. I know he loves me and wishes the best for me.
“He would have been very proud of me getting a chance to play Division I football. He would have even been proud just to see me walk across the stage when I graduated high school.”
Clemmons got the chance to play against Boston College when a couple regulars went down with injuries. The mechanical engineering major made the most of his opportunity.
“When I came into the season, I had a feeling I would play some this year,” he said. “I just had to be patient and wait my turn. I knew it would be my time when God decided it would be my time.
“The biggest thing was just being patient and staying humble. The coaches said I did a good job.”
Clemmons’ effort earned him more playing time in the Wolfpack’s 38-17 win over Wofford at Carter-Finley Stadium last week. He was credited with an assist and was in on nearly 30 snaps.
“Playing for the first time at home was really fun,” Clemmons said. “To play in front of the student body was just amazing. I had a lot of people come up to me after the game and it was nice to see that people cared and supported me.
“I had family, friends and my girlfriend in the stands. They all made me feel like I was supposed to be out there.”
Clemmons’ mother, Betty Clemmons of Williamston, was on hand for the victory. He credits his mother for helping him stay focused.
“My mom has really supported me,” said Clemmons, who also praised former high school coach Hank Tice for his support and encouragement. “At times I did get frustrated, but she told me my time would come. She has done a lot for me.“
Helping to get the Wolfpack (1-2, 0-1 ACC) into the win column was special for Clemmons.
“Being able to celebrate the win was the highlight,” he said. “It was great to get that first win. It helps build confidence. When you’re on a losing streak, you can get complacent. When you win, you get that swagger and you feel like you can beat anybody.”
The Wolfpack will need that swagger when it plays host to No. 15 Clemson (3-0, 1-0 ACC) at noon on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a physical game,” Clemmons said. “We’ll have to play for 60 minutes.”
Clemmons, who said he’s put on some 20 pounds of muscle and lost 10 pounds of fat since he’s been at State, wants to see action in that game and the others that follow.
“My goal is to make this team better, whether it be on scout team or working with the varsity defense,” he said. “I do want to play for the rest of the season. I just have to let my practices speak for me.”
Though not looking ahead, Clemmons does relish the thought of playing at Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium when the Wolfpack plays the East Carolina Pirates on Oct. 20.
“If I get a chance to travel and play, it will be a dream come true,” Clemmons said. “I have a lot of friends who go to ECU. It would be kind of like being in high school again with all my friends watching me. It’s going to be a different experience and I’ll have to keep my emotions in check.”
While happy that he is seeing playing time, Clemmons isn’t about to slack off now.
“There’s always room for improvement,” he said. “If I get eight tackles or zero tackles, seven sacks or zero sacks, you can always improve. I love to win and I love to play and I want to keep doing that. I feel like I’m moving in the right direction.”
Yes, Jamaine, your father would be proud.
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