'Swag Surfing' No. 7 Clemson Bounces Back and Kills Yellow Jacket's Buzz
With 6:48 left in the third quarter after a change of possession, Clemson’s defensive line came on to the field and began “swag surfing’” in unison while rain fell. They awaited Georgia Tech to break the huddle.
What was the result of that possession for the Yellow Jackets?
A two-yard loss.
That’s how easy it was for Brent Venables’ defense. They weren’t concerned with what Georgia Tech was going to run on the next play. It didn’t matter.
In a 24-10 victory that was even more dominating than the score indicated, Clemson (7-1, 5-1) was able to get back on track after its loss to Syracuse by defeating Georgia Tech (4-3, 3-2).
The Tigers spent the last two weeks having to answer questions about who they are as a team after a loss. They came out Saturday looking like a team that won its first six games of the season.
Clemson’s offense was not rusty at all after having the last two weeks off. The offense played with a sense of urgency similar to what helped the Tigers jump out to early leads at Virginia Tech and Louisville.
It didn’t take long to get going. Twenty-two seconds to be exact.
After a Georgia Tech fumble, Deon Cain, who was scrutinized a lot during the bye week to get more involved, took Clemson’s second offensive play to the house for 38 yards.
“This game was about getting our momentum back,” co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said after the game.
While rain was pouring for all of the first half, a different kind of downpour occurred on the field for Clemson’s offense as quarterback Kelly Bryant poured it on the Yellow Jackets.
Bryant led two of Clemson’s first three offensive drives for touchdowns. The second came on a 20-yard completion to Milan Richard, the first of his career.
Fittingly enough, Richard’s uncle Herschel Walker was in attendance to see him score against the Yellow Jackets.
Those 14 quick points were all Clemson needed.
Chalk up another dominating performance for Brent Venables and his defense who seem to defend the option to a perfect science.
Venables said earlier in the week that the catalyst for Georgia Tech's offense is that they make you “bleed to death.” Tonight, it was the other way around.
Clemson’s defense smelled blood all evening long.
In the first half, Georgia Tech had two rushes that combined for 86 yards, but their other 25 plays only accumulated for 30 yards.
Georgia Tech quarterback TaQuon Marshall had -1 rushing yard in the first half and -6 yards passing. That’s the least amount of passing yards in a half for an FBS team since 2009.
Marshall came into the game averaging 117 yards on the ground. Tonight, Marshall had 23 yards rushing, but 22 of them came on a touchdown run late in the game.
Otherwise, one single yard rushing.
Georgia Tech’s offense was as sloppy as the playing conditions in Death Valley on the rainy, mucky October night.
Clemson’s defense accounted for 12 tackles for loss and four sacks. Marshall’s jersey was so muddy after halftime that Paul Johnson may even hand him a brand new one next week.
The Yellow Jackets had just four first downs on offense through three quarters, and their fourth came with a backup quarterback as time expired in the third.
"Our guys were locked in and had a tremendous amount of pride," Venables said. "They recognized the challenge, and they responded."
The defense took away the dive play up the middle and was too talented and athletic up front for Georgia Tech to get the ball to the edge.
When Venables was asked about his players dancing on the field between plays, he said he wasn’t a fan, but “when they play like that, they can do whatever they want. I love seeing them smile.”
On the other side of the ball, Kelly Bryant was all smiles as well.
Bryant was tired of facing question after question about his injured ankle and general health the past couple of weeks. He finished 22 of 33 for 207 yards passing and two touchdowns.
His ankle looked great as Bryant bounced around for 67 yards on the ground on 12 carries, a sight that was sore to Clemson fan’s eyes.
“That was the Kelly Bryant we all know and love,” Dorian O’Daniel said.
The Tigers were balanced offensively and once again passed and rushed for over 200 yards a piece. Clemson was able to out-gain Georgia Tech 428-230 in total yards.
O’Daniel and Austin Bryant said after the game that Swinney’s primary focus this week was to get their swagger back.
On a wet night in Death Valley, Clemson got its groove back and “swag surfed” its way back into the College Football Playoff picture.