SPORTS TICKER Ligety to retire after worlds By Pat Graham The Associated Press Ted Ligety’s young son recently brought home a medal he earned at ski school and won- dered if dad had any of his own. The two-time Olym- pic champion rummaged around to locate his medals. They then proudly paraded around the house with them. Moregoldenmoments like that with the family is reason No. 1 why Ligety plans to retire from the World Cup circuit, effective after the world champion- ships currently going on in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy. Ligety’s final race will be the giant slalom on Feb. 19. D.J. Uiagalelei, right, is expected to take over as Clemson’s starting quarterback next season. [JOSH MORGAN/USA TODAY SPORTS] “I feel really lucky to havedonewhatI’vedone and be in a place in my life and my career where I’m able to walk away on a happy note,” Ligety Renovation project said in an interview with The Associated Press. “I’m just excited for that next step. It’s going to be Clemson forced to retool offense as stars head to NFL scary and different and all those things, but it’s definitely exciting.” By Scott Keepfer out of the backfield that Eti- Known for his smooth, The Greenville News enne showcased each of his technical racing, Ligety USA TODAY NETWORK final two seasons. captured a surprise gold Elliott is convinced that medal in the combined at GREENVILLE, S.C. — Dixon will be eager to com- the 2006 Turin Olym- Dabo Swinney has been in pete this spring and stake pics and then another this position before. his claim to Etienne’s vacant gold medal eight years It was just four years ago post. later in the giant slalom that his team had to say “You’ve got to believe in at the Sochi Games as the goodbye to aremarkable col- the process and keep work- favorite. lection of skill player talent ing,keep grinding,” Dixon His storied career also with the departures of quar- said late last season. “Just includes five wins at terback Deshaun Watson, know one day it’ll all pay off.” world championships, running back Wayne Gall- So who will replace Rod- 25 World Cup victories man and the team’s top two gers and Powell, who both and five season-long wide receivers in Mike Wil- posted career-best years in World Cup giant slalom liams and Artavis Scott. Clemson running back Lyn-J Dixon, right, should see a bigger role 2020 as Clemson set a pro- titles. Ligety’s domi- This year, Swinney faces in 2021. [MATTHEW EMMONS/USA TODAY SPORTS] gram record for the highest nance in the giant slalom an almost identical rebuild. passing yard average per once led Austrian skiing The Tigers lose quarterback Lawrence last season when likely to enter the spring as game? great Marcel Hirscher Trevor Lawrence, running Lawrence was sidelined the No. 1 running back on the Take your pick. to pronounce him “Mr. back Travis Etienne and top by COVID-19 protocol, depth chart, several players Rodgers had 77 recep- GS.” wide receivers Amari Rodg- Uiagalelei stepped in and will get extensive looks in tions for 1,020 yards while Now, “Mr. GS” ers and Cornell Powell. displayed why he was March, including Chez Mel- Powell had 53 catches for 882 simply wants to be Replacing a skill position regarded as the nation’s top lusi, Darien Rencher, Kobe yards. They each had seven known as “Dad.” player here or there is never dual-threat quarterback as a Pace and five-star mid-year touchdown receptions, so The 36-year-old an easy task, but compensat- high school senior. enrollee Will Shipley. replacing their production Ligety’s retirement ing for theloss of a team’s “He’s huge,” Lawrence Dixon has paid his dues. It won’t be easy. plans include spend- top four offensive weap- said last season of his 6-5, appeared that Dixon would Yet second-year receiv- ing more time with ons in a single year could 250-pound understudy. get his long-awaited turn as ers coach Tyler Grisham is his wife, Mia, and kids be considered a downright “And he’s got a cannon. He a starter last year until Eti- blessed with the deepest at home in Park City, daunting task. can sling it.” enne surprisingly decided to position group on the team, Utah. He has a nearly Yet thanks to highly Uiagalelei proved as much remain for another season. assuming its members are 4-year-old son, Jax, regarded recruiting classes in his two starts in Law- So, too, did Dixon. able to remain healthy. who’s already showing in recent years, Swinney is rence’s stead, passing for 781 “Really, really proud of The return of Justyn Ross, his talent in ski school, blessed with enough talent yards and four touchdowns Lyn-J, because the easi- who missed last season along with twin boys, to potentially fill in the and running for two more est thing to do would have while recovering from neck Alec and Will, who are gaps and keep the Tigers scores. been to pack up his bags and surgery, gives the group 7 months old. firmly entrenched as one of He showed mettle in lead- move,” Clemson offensive instant credibility. Ross is Ligety’s desire to dart the nation’s most prolific ing the biggest comeback in coordinator Tony Elliott a proven playmaker and cut off to Europe to race offenses. the history of Death Valley said. “But he decided that, from an imposing physical and train has dwindled Last year, Clemson’s in a win against Boston Col- ‘You know what, I’m going mold reminiscent of many next to the prospects offense averaged more than lege, then posted the most to step back. I’m going to of the Tigers’ top receivers of being home for the 43 points and 500 yards per passing yards by an opposing see this as an opportunity to of recent vintage, includ- milestones of his kids. game, ranking third and 10th quarterback in the history of mature and grow and play ing Mike Williams and Tee “It’s been a really in the country, respectively. Notre Dame Stadium in an with a pro and learn how to Higgins. cool career,” Ligety That production could overtime loss to the Fight- prepare like a pro. And not The 6-4 Ross totaled 112 said. “I’m psyched at be traced for the most part ing Irish the following week. worry so much about the receptions for 1,865 yards what I’ve done and to the Tigers’ “Big Four.” Uiagalelei also arrived quantity of reps I get, but with 17 touchdowns in his also the relationships Collectively, Lawrence, on campus last year with a rather the quality.’ ” first two seasons and should along the way and the Etienne, Rodgers and Powell positive attitude, knowing Dixon rushed for almost be an All-ACC candidate this friends I’ve made. I’m accounted for 82 percent of that Lawrence’s presence 1,200 yards and averaged 7.1 fall. Based on experience and just happy to be where Clemson’s yardage in 2020 meant that he’d be biding his yards per carry in his fresh- his proven dependability, I am and to have done and 48 of the team’s 64 time as a backup for at least man and sophomore seasons Ross is expected to retain what I’ve done.” offensive touchdowns. a season. He was content in combined, but had only 190 his starting position from He made his World Will the Tigers be able that, accepting his role and yards and averaged 4.5 yards Day 1 of camp, but the other Cup debut on Nov. 22, to keep the touchdowns gleaning as much knowledge per attempt last season. two receiving posts are up 2003, during a giant coming in 2021? as possible from Lawrence. But he did close with a for grabs. slalom race in Park The answers may begin “Best in the business flourish, totaling 83 yards Frank Ladson and Joseph City. He didn’t qualify to unfold in spring practice, – nothing else to say,” Uiag- and two touchdowns in Ngata, both of whom missed for a second run that which kicks off later this alelei said. back-to-back wins against much of last season because day in an event won by month. Now it’s Uiagalelei’s turn. Pitt and Virginia Tech to of injuries, are potential Bode Miller. His last name may not be While Uiagalelei is a given end the regular season. He starters while freshman E.J. His last World Cup the easiest to pronounce, as Lawrence’s replacement, finished as the Tigers’ sec- Williams – Ross’s former race was Jan. 9 during but it’s easy to see why D.J. the frontrunner to replace ond-leading rusher among high school teammate – a giant slalom event in Uiagalelei is the heir appar- Etienne is considerably less running backs for a third flashed in multiple games Adelboden, Switzer- ent to Lawrence. defined. consecutive year, but has yet and wound up with 306 land. He didn’t qualify While filling in for Although Lyn-J Dixon is to exhibit the receiving skills yards and two touchdowns. for a second run..