ZACHERY, SMITH ARRESTS DISTRESS TIGERS PLAYERS

CLEMSON - The dismissals of Akil Smith and Travis Zachery have hit hard at
Clemson, where players expressed anguish Friday over the arrests of their
teammates.

"When I first heard about it, I was sick," offensive guard Will Merritt
said. "It literally makes you nauseous when you hear that, for a couple of
different reasons. One, because you've invested so much time with them on
the field, and then Akil, we have become good friends off the field, as
well as Travis."

Smith and Zachery were arrested on drug charges on Dec. 4 and subsequently
dismissed from the team by coach Tommy Bowden. Smith was charged with three
counts of selling marijuana, and Zachery was charged with one count of
marijuana distribution.

They were such fixtures that their teammates have had difficulty adjusting
to the idea that they won't be at practice today when the Tigers begin
preparing for the Humanitarian Bowl.

Smith had started at left offensive tackle for two of the past three
seasons. Zachery had 990 total yards (576 rushing, 414 receiving) this season.

When talking about how Clemson's rushers would attack Louisiana Tech's
defense, center Kyle Young began to speak the word "Travis" before catching
his mistake.

"It was tough," Young said of the arrests. "It was. Those are guys we have
been with for a long time, and you just hate to see that happen."

Merritt said he has talked to Smith twice since the arrests and has
encouraged Smith to focus on the future. Merritt said he told Smith that
it's important to face his mistake, take his punishment and get through it.

How Smith and Zachery overcome their adversity will be the ultimate test of
their character, Merritt said.

"This isn't the time to abandon them," Merritt said. "If ever there was a
time to be their friend, it's time to be their friend now."

Those friendships are over on the field. Smith and Zachery won't be present
when Clemson's players practice today. At first, the absence of Smith and
Zachery might exact a toll that is emotional as well as physical.

The players' minds will be on Louisiana Tech and a Dec. 31 bowl game in
Boise, but they also will be thinking of Smith and Zachery.

"They made mistakes just like everybody else does, and it gives you a
gut-wrenching feeling," Merritt said. "You wish you could have a do-over
for them, because you know they wouldn't make the same decision again. I
just hurt for those guys. All we can do now is just pray for them and get
through it."