#3 Clemson VS Georgia Tech
Clemson takes the drive up I-85 takes and in workman like fashion takes out Georgia Tech 49-21. Clemson started out slow and stalled on its initial drive after Georgia Tech took the opening kick and drove the length of the field, taking almost 8 minutes of clock and came away empty handed after a missed field goal attempt sailed wide right.
Today Clemson fans and college football may have witnessed the Trevor Lawrence coming out party. The Cartersville, GA native showed off his arm talent today, and clearly showed why the young man was so highly thought-of in the recruiting process. Lawrence, was 13 out of 18 for 176 yards and four touchdowns in the game. With a long of 53 yards and a touchdown to fellow freshman Justyn Ross.
Kelly Bryant who started the game for the Tigers finished the game going 6 out of 10 for 56 yards with a long of 20 yards. Bryant who played sparingly in the second half of this game, was not as affective as the freshman. From all the evidence on the field and what we could gather from post game interviews in the locker room. The freshman may have ascended to the starting role next week against an undefeated Syracuse team when they roll into Death Valley.
The Clemson defense was again the Tech nemesis, stifling and stopping the nations top rushing offense over and over all afternoon. Georgia Tech, who had been averaging over 300 yards a game on the ground, was held to 146 yards on 56 carries for an average of 2.6 yards a carry.
The Tigers defensive front was the main culprit, harassing the Georgia Tech quarterback and running backs all day. After success moving the ball on their initial drive . . .the Yellow Jackets found hards times looking for running room along the Clemson front. JD Davis, who was playing in place of the injured Kendall Joseph had a great game in the middle and with 10 total tackles, 1 sack and a tackle for loss. Add to that, Freshman Xavier Thomas added 4 Un-assisted tackles along with Tre Lamar and Nyles Pickney both accounting four tackles on the day.
Offensively the Tigers managed to rack up 480 total yards on the afternoon, amassing 232 in passing yards plus an additional 248 in rushing. Travis Etienne led all ball carriers on the day with 122 yards coming on 11 carries for 11.1 per carry average. Tavien Feaster who also had a productive day, added 75 yards on 8 carries for a 9.4 yard per carry average on the day.
Clemson scored 28 first half points to take a 28-7 lead into the locker room. Coming out of the locker room… Taking the opening kick the Tigers marched right down the field to start the second half and scored again after a Tavien Feaster 27 yard touchdown run made it 35-7. The Jackets were unable to score and Clemson reciprocated with another long drive and a Travis Etienne 3 yard touchdown on a shuttle pass. Tigers led at this point 42-7 and the reserves started flooding the field. Swinney mentioned to the gathered media they traveled 72 players to Atlanta and all 72 saw action on this afternoon on the flats of Georgia Tech.
Georgia Tech managed to get a couple late scores on the Clemson defensive reserves. But it was never going to be enough as the deficit was too much to overcome with the option base offense. Clemson put the first team offense back in with 6 minutes left and they drove right down the field and Lawrence connected with Higgins from 30 yards out and there was there in was the final score of the night. . . Clemson dominates the Jackets on the “flats” and moves to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the ACC.
Clemson 49. Georgia Tech 21.
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