Web posted December 28, 1997

By Andy Johnston
Staff Writer

CLEMSON, S.C. - Tommy West wasn't about to get into comparing Nealon Greene and Auburn's Dameyune Craig. No way. He didn't want anything to do with that.

``Craig is a special athlete who can do a lot of things,'' Clemson's coach said of Auburn's quarterback. ``He's gotten a lot of people's attention, and he's similar to Nealon in several ways, but they're also very different. I don't know where we'd be without Nealon. He means a lot to this program.''

Greene, Clemson's much-maligned quarterback for much of the past four seasons, will play his final game for the Tigers (7-4) when they take on Auburn (9-3) in the Peach Bowl on Jan. 2 (3 p.m., ESPN) at the Georgia Dome. He enters with 30 school records, more than any other Clemson player ever, and will be looking to end a two-game bowl losing streak.

``A victory will certainly help us in getting over the hump, as a program,'' Greene said. ``We would all love to win this game. If not, I still had a great time here.''

Despite holding school records for passing yardage, completions, completion percentage, passing yards per game, touchdown passes and total offense, perhaps no man, with the exception of West, has been scrutinized more by Clemson fans.

They have clamored for backups Brandon Streeter and Billy Luckie on several occasions, but Greene always managed to hold them off, despite various injuries to his shoulder, ankle and heel.

``Everybody is always quick to criticize Nealon,'' senior nose tackle Raymond White said, ``but they don't seem to realize everything he's done here. He's done everything he can to help us succeed. It'll be tough for this school to replace a guy like Nealon.''

This season, Greene, playing for his third offensive coordinator in four years, completed 169 of 265 passes for 2,126 yards, 16 touchdowns and eight interceptions. In his career, he's thrown for 5,633 yards and 35 touchdowns, more than any other past Clemson quarterback, including the revered Steve Fuller or Homer Jordan, who led the Tigers to the 1981 National Championship.

Greene has done all that despite playing with fellow senior Raymond Priester, who will leave as the school's all-time leading rusher.

``He's made so many big plays,'' West said. ``If the game's close, we know we can put the ball in his hands. He's come through often for us. He really wants to win this game and end his career on a high note.''