FINAL: No 2. Clemson 38, Georgia Southern 7
The skies over Death Valley remained clear for most of the afternoon as No. 2 Clemson topped Georgia Southern 38-7 in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. The Tigers were led by Travis Etienne's career day carrying the ball 16 times for 162 yards and two touchdowns.
Starter Kelly Bryant didn't play in the second half after suffering an undisclosed injury late in the first half. We hope to have more on that development following postgame coverage.
The Tigers opening drive looked promising as the offense quickly moved into Georgia Southern territory. Following a nice pass from Bryant to freshmen tight end Braden Galloway, the Tigers looked to be clicking. However, on the following play, Bryant tried to hit Justyn Ross on a screen pass, but Eagle defender Kindel Vildor stepped in front of the pass, intercepting the football resulting in Clemson's first turnover of the season.
The Tiger defense forced a quick Eagle possession and following a punt Clemson had the football back at their own 12-yard line. Bryant again guided the Tigers toward the red zone, this time on the ground, but Greg Huegel missed a field goal from 40-yards out leaving the score 0-0 with 4:48 left in the first quarter. It wouldn't be the last time Clemson would leave points on the board Saturday.
Brent Venables defense once again forced a Georgia Southern punt and with 2:04 left in the first quarter Trevor Lawrence entered the game For the third consecutive possession, the Clemson drive was derailed, this time by an Adam Choice fumble near midfield.
Another short possession for the Eagles gave Clemson and Lawrence the ball back deep in their own territory at the seven-yard line.
Needing a momentum shift, the Tigers took to the air as Lawrence went 4-for-4 on the drive capped by a fourth down power run to the end zone from one yard out by Travis Etienne giving Clemson a 7-0 lead with 8:43 left in the first half.
On Clemson's next drive, Bryant was knocked out of the game and for the first time ever, the two Tiger quarterbacks switched out in the midst of a drive. Two plays later, Lawrence delivered a strike to freshman wideout Justyn Ross who made two men miss in the open field for a 57-yard touchdown reception.
Following another Eagle punt, Bryant returned and guided Clemson to their third score of the game. The eight-play scoring drive consisted of seven rushes as Etienne hit on runs of 35, 13, and 13 en route to Tavien Feaster pushing the ball into the end zone from one yard our making it 21-0 with just 53 seconds left in the half.
The Eagles failed to pick up a first down during their first drive of the second half. Trevor Lawrence got the nod to start the half as Bryant was kept in the locker room following the hard blow he took late in the second quarter.
Lawrence helped push Clemson's lead to 24-0 after a seven-play, 24-yard scoring drive. The Tigers had the ball on the one-yard line but were forced to settle for a field goal after a questionable personal foul was called on Matt Bockhorst.
On Clemson's next possession Lawrence hit Ross again, this time for 29 yards on 3rd and 4 as the freshman duo continued to work over the Eagle secondary, but a second missed field goal from Huegel ended any scoring opportunity.
Following a Georgia Southern fumble, Lawrence had a pass tipped high into the air which was caught by an awaiting defender, essentially making the two turnovers cancel each other out. It would be Lawrence's first career turnover as the Cartersville, GA star finished the game 12-for-19 for 194 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
On their next play, Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Wertz threw the ball behind the line of scrimmage to Obe Fortune who then tossed the ball deep downfield to Wesley Kennedy for a 40-yard pickup down to the Clemson six. Wertz then bounded into the end zone for the first score for the boys from Statesboro making it 24-7 with 13:54 left in the contest.
Clemson's next opportunity was short lived as the Tigers went three-and-out for the first time during the game, but the defense stood up giving Clemson the ball back with just under seven minutes to play following a Clelin Ferrell sack on 4th down.
Following a six-yard carry by Etienne, the Jennings, LA native got a second opportunity, breaking towards the sideline, then racing 40-yards to paydirt extending the Tigers' lead to 31-7.
Chase Brice made an appearance at quarterback, leading a scoring drive late giving Clemson the final 38-7 margin after an Adam Choice touchdown run.
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