Clemson Steps Over the Puddles and Beats Georgia Tech

CLEMSON,SC—While the rain that was forecasted fell, and made for a damp and cold Saturday night, Coach Dabo Swinney and the Clemson Tigers were poised for a great matchup ahead with a conference member in Paul Johnson and the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

The #7 Clemson Tigers entered tonight’s game (6-1) overall and (4-1) in ACC play. On primetime television, they welcomed the Jackets who on the season were (4-2, 3-1 ACC).

With a rain shower coming down, Clemson’s defense forced a three-and-out by Georgia Tech on their opening drive. It only took Quarterback Kelly Bryant and the Tiger offense 22 seconds to drive down the field and cap off a drive of 45 yards and two plays with a 30 yard Touchdown pass from Bryant to Deon Cain. Alex Spence’s extra point was good.

After exchanging possessions a few times, Georgia Tech finally got on the scoreboard and dug into Clemson’s lead with a 25 yard Field Goal by Brenton King. With 4:53 left in the first quarter, Clemson led 7-3.

Under two minutes to play in the first quarter, Clemson went 8 plays and 55 yards down the field on a drive that was topped off with a 20 yard Touchdown reception by Milan Richard. That touchdown reception was the first of Richard’s career and he reeled it in in front of his uncle, former Georgia legend, Herschel Walker who was in attendance. Coach Swinney said postgame that it was a “out of body experience” seeing Herschel Walker, a former Georgia Football legend, high-fiving everyone in the locker room with a bright orange shirt on.

Into the late second quarter, Freshman Travis Etienne punched in a touchdown from 2 yards out to put the Tigers up 21-3, a lead they would take into halftime.

Clemson won the coin toss and deferred to the second half, giving the Tigers the second half kickoff. After 11 plays and 75 yards, Redshirt Junior Alex Spence nailed a 29 yard Field Goal to bring the Clemson lead to 24-3 over the Yellow Jackets.

The second half was a stalemate for both teams until Georgia Tech Quarterback TaQuon Marshall ran in a Yellow Jacket 22 yard Touchdown with 4:43 left to play.

Marshall’s run would be the final scoring play of the game as Clemson defeats Georgia Tech 24-10.

Clemson’s offense racked up a total of 428 yards compared to the triple-option attack Georgia Tech’s 230, who was averaging over 300 entering tonight’s game.

Tiger Quarterback Kelly Bryant had himself a nice game after suffering a concussion two weeks ago in a loss to Syracuse throwing 22/33 for 207 yards and 2 touchdowns and also adding 67 yards on 12 carries.

With the victory, Clemson improves to (7-1) overall and (5-1) in ACC play. Georgia Tech falls to (4-3) overall and (3-2) in ACC play.

While the Tigers achieved their 7th win of the season, they will have a tough test next Saturday in Raleigh, North Carolina against a ranked North Carolina State in conference play.

 

 

Image Credit: Clemson Football