White Team Scores 14 Unanswered Points to Earn 14-13 Comeback Win
CLEMSON, S.C. — Clemson conducted its annual Orange vs. White Spring Game on Saturday, with the White team scoring 14 unanswered second-half points to overcome a 13-0 halftime deficit for a 14-13 victory. Wide Receivers Coach Tyler Grisham earned the victory as acting head coach of the White team, defeating the Orange squad led by Defensive Ends Coach Lemanski Hall.
The contest provided the public its first look at Clemson’s 2021 squad, which completed its 15-session spring practice schedule as the Tigers prepare to seek a seventh consecutive ACC Championship this year. Seven more signees from Clemson’s 2021 recruiting class will arrive to join the team this summer in advance of fall camp in August.
The Orange squad opened the scoring on the game’s opening drive, as quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei engineered an eight-play, 73-yard drive that culminated in a 14-yard touchdown pass to midyear enrollee Beaux Collins, Uiagalelei’s former high school teammate at St. John Bosco in California.
The Orange team added to its lead in the final minute of the first half when placekicker B.T. Potter converted on a 54-yard field goal. The kick exceeded his official career long of 52 yards and gave the Orange squad a 10-0 lead at the break.
Potter added another field goal early in the third quarter to push the score to 13-0. The White team responded with its first points of the day early in the fourth quarter when quarterback Taisun Phommachanh connected with wide receiver Ajou Ajou on a 16-yard scoring pass.
The White team took its first lead with 1:58 remaining in the game, as running back Phil Mafah’s four-yard touchdown run capped an 11-play, 70-yard game-winning drive. The White team defense forced a turnover on downs on the ensuing drive to seal the victory.
Collectively, the two defenses combined to produce three takeaways on the day. Cornerback Sheridan Jones, who had a pick-six in his Spring Game debut two years ago, recorded the game’s first takeaway, recovering a fumbled lateral. Safety R.J. Mickens (Orange) and linebacker Sergio Allen (White) each added an interception for their respective teams.
The units also combined for 11 sacks, including six by the White team and five by the Orange team. Safety Tyler Venables led the White squad with 3.5 sacks, while defensive tackle Ruke Orhorhoro paced the Orange squad with two sacks.
Clemson will open the 2021 season with one of the most-anticipated non-conference showdowns of the season when it faces Georgia on Saturday, Sept. 4 in Charlotte. Clemson will return to Death Valley for its home opener a week later when it hosts South Carolina State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 11.
Season ticket requests for the upcoming season are now open, as fans are encouraged to come back home to Clemson for the 2021 campaign. Fans can request tickets at ClemsonTigers.com/FootballTickets and learn more about the upcoming 2021 season at ClemsonTigers.com/BackHome2021.
Prior to the contest, Clemson honored its team award-winners from the 2020 season. A full list of those award-winners is included below. Departed seniors from Clemson’s 2020 squad in attendance also received their 2020 ACC Championship rings at that time.
Danny Lee Ford Scholarship Awards: Max May, David Cote, Elijah Turner
Brandon Streeter Award (2020 award for 2019 season): Amari Rodgers
Bank of America — Hamilton Offensive MVP Award: Travis Etienne, Trevor Lawrence, Cornell Powell, Amari Rodgers
Morrow-Wiley Defensive MVP Award: Nolan Turner, James Skalski, Baylon Spector
Joe Francis Football Leadership Award: Trevor Lawrence, James Skalski, Nolan Turner
Renwick-Flanders Most Improved Football Players Award: Lannden Zanders, Jake Venables, Justin Mascoll, Baylon Spector, Andrew Booth Jr., Jordan McFadden, Chez Mellusi, Cornell Powell, Will Putnam, Jack Maddox
Coffman Cup, presented by the Nieri Family Student-Athlete Enrichment Center: Offense