S.W.A.T. Team, No. 7 Clemson's defense drills Georgia Tech in 24-10 win
It didn't take long for Clemson (7-1, 5-1) to get things going on a rain-soaked Memorial Stadium turf. Mother Nature rained down early, and on the fourth play of the night, Georgia Tech (4-3, 3-2) turned the ball over in Clemson territory, and the Tigers didn't hesitate to strike.
Kelly Bryant hooked up with Deon Cain on back to back plays, and the Tigers were in the end zone before there was even a chance to evaluate the ankle of Clemson's quarterback.
Cain's first reception of the game gave him 31 consecutive games with a grab; his second of the night would give Clemson a lead they would never relinquish taking a 7-0 lead just twenty-two seconds later.
Paul Johnson's squad would answer a couple of possessions later as KirVonte Benson would gallop 65 yards, putting the Jackets inside the Clemson ten. But the Tiger defense would hold firm, and Tech settled for a field goal from twenty-five yards out making it 7-3.
Clemson extended their lead on the following drive as Bryant his Milan Richard on a play-action pass as Richard got lose in the seam for an easy pitch and catch making it 14-3 Tigers.
From that point through halftime, Clemson's defense dominated and held Georgia Tech to just 40 yards and five consecutive punts throughout the remainder of the first half.
The Tigers would score one final time before the half following a ten play, 71-yard drive capped by Travis Etienne's 2-yard touchdown run giving Clemson a 21-3 lead that they would take into the half.
The Tigers got the ball following the break and promptly put three more points on the board as Alex Spence knocked through a 29-yard field goal to the delight of Tiger fans making the score 24-3 with 10:32 left in the third quarter.
Following that field goal, for most of the second half, the scoring, and thankfully the rain, came to a screeching halt for fans in attendance.
Georgia Tech would piece together a scoring drive late in the contest as quarterback TaQuon Marshall made plays through the air and on the ground during a 12 play scoring drive making it 24-10 with just 4:43 remaining.
Clemson's defense lived in the Georgia Tech backfield throughout the night as the Tigers racked up 11 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Georgia Tech's TaQuon Marshall, who had given teams fits this season was ineffective against the Tiger defense throughout the game. On the night Marshall was 3 of 13 passing for 32 yards. On the ground, he didn't fare much better, gaining 23 yards on 15 attempts, twenty-two of which came on his late touchdown run.
As for Bryant, his ankle didn't seem to give him any trouble going 22-33 for 207 yards and two touchdowns through the air. He also amassed 67 yards on twelve attempts on the ground. His mobility was much improved after hobbling around on his ankle two weeks ago in Syracuse before being knocked unconscious.
Clemson would close out the game with backup quarterback Hunter Johnson getting a few reps and the Tigers managed to chew up the clock to close out the 24-10 victory.
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