Clemson beats Georgia Southern 22-7: Vizzina injury, offensive woes loom over victory

CLEMSON — Clemson got its first win of the season Saturday night — technically Sunday morning — but left Memorial Stadium with a potentially significant question at quarterback.

Christopher Vizzina exited Clemson’s 22-7 win over Georgia Southern with an injury to his left arm, forcing freshman Tait Reynolds into extended action as the Tigers leaned on their defense and placekicker Nolan Hauser to improve to 1-1.

Vizzina completed 4-of-7 passes for 19 yards with a touchdown and an interception before leaving in the first quarter. Reynolds entered with 7:30 remaining in the period and handled the offense the rest of the way, completing 16-of-27 passes for 178 yards while rushing for 38 yards on 14 carries.

Afterward, Dabo Swinney said Vizzina had lost feeling in his left arm.

"I don't know. I mean, again, we wanted to get him back in there. But he couldn't. His left arm was numb, basically. He was still going to go. I'm like, 'no, no. I mean, we need, like, two arms'.

"So we'll see. Hopefully it's nothing bad.

Fortunately, Clemson didn't need much offense to beat Georgia Southern, because they certainly didn’t generate much for the second week in a row.

The Tigers finished with 347 total yards but were just 2-of-14 on third down. They also committed 10 penalties for 100 yards and turned the ball over twice.

Hauser’s leg compensated for many of those struggles.

The junior tied his career high with five field goals, accounting for 15 of Clemson's 22 points. He connected from 20, 34, 38, 50 and 49 yards, with the final two coming in the fourth quarter to turn a 16-7 game into a 15-point victory.

Clemson's defense did the rest.

Georgia Southern managed 266 total yards and only 22 rushing yards on 18 attempts. The Tigers forced eight three-and-outs, held the Eagles to 4-of-17 on third down and stopped both of their fourth-down attempts.

Will Heldt led that effort with three tackles for loss and two sacks, while Ashton Hampton recorded three pass breakups and nearly had his second interception of the season.

Clemson initially went three-and-out after the lengthy weather delay, but Georgia Southern muffed the ensuing punt and Jackson Reach recovered it to give the Tigers another opportunity.

Vizzina capitalized with a 10-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Moore for a 7-0 lead with 11:01 remaining in the first quarter.

Vizzina was intercepted on Clemson's next possession before Reynolds took over.

The freshman's first drive ended with a fumble after he moved Clemson inside the Georgia Southern 10, but Swinney stuck with him. Reynolds eventually settled in and produced one of his best throws in the second quarter, connecting with Moore for 45 yards to set up a Hauser field goal.

Moore was Clemson's most productive offensive player, finishing with seven catches for 103 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Brown added four receptions for 44 yards, while Bryant Wesco Jr. caught six passes for 35 yards.

The Tigers also rushed for 150 yards. Gideon Davidson led Clemson with 62 yards on 14 carries, while Chris Johnson Jr. provided 53 yards on seven attempts, though it still felt like things were disjointed.

Georgia Southern's only touchdown came in the second quarter when Max Johnson connected with Ashton Hollins for a 42-yard score. Hollins finished with five catches for 97 yards, while Johnson completed 27-of-47 passes for 244 yards.

Clemson led 16-7 at halftime, and neither team scored in the third quarter.

Hauser finally provided some separation with a 50-yard field goal with 6:26 remaining before drilling a 49-yarder with 3:10 left to establish the final margin.

Georgia Southern reached Clemson's 3-yard line on its final possession, but the Tigers stopped the Eagles on fourth down and Reynolds kneeled out what remained of the clock.

Now the focus turns to Vizzina's health, and how prepared Reynolds might be if he has to be the guy against the Tar Heels next Saturday at noon.