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Defensive coordinator Jay Bateman and the Ball State defense have caught a fortunate break for the team's second game of the season.
Clemson announced Friday that coach Dabo Swinney had suspended starting wide receiver Sammy Watkins for the first two games of the season due to Watkins' drug arrest this spring.
The suspension includes Clemson's game against Ball State on Sept. 8.
Watkins is coming off a stellar 2011 true freshman season. He recorded 82 receptions, 1219 yards and 12 touchdowns, leading to an eventual selection as an AP first-team All-American. Watkins was also recently named as the only unanimous selection to the 2012 preseason All-ACC team.
The star wide receiver accounted for 23.5 percent of Clemson's total offensive yards last season.
Watkins' absence puts slightly less pressure on Ball State's defense, which is coming off a season in which it gave up a Mid-American Conference worst 510.3 yards per game.
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