Heard in the Press Box: No. 7 Clemson 24, Georgia Tech 10
Clemson stifled Georgia Tech's vaunted rushing attack for a third consecutive season in Clemson's 24-10 victory in a rain-soaked Death Valley. The Tigers took advantage of an early Yellow Jacket turnover, and they never looked back after taking a 7-0 lead.
Georgia Tech Notes:
- Georgia Tech's defeat was only its third in its last 11 games and fourth in its last 14 contests.
- Georgia Tech fell to Clemson for the fifth time in its last six meetings.
- Georgia Tech dropped its fifth-straight decision at Clemson's Memorial Stadium.
- Georgia Tech failed to score at least 24 points for the first time in its last 11 games. The Yellow Jackets entered the game as one of only 11 NCAA Division I FBS teams to score at least 24 points in every game this season.
- Georgia Tech's 32 passing yards were its fewest since it had 29 in last season's 26-7 loss to Clemson (Sept. 22, 2016).
- Georgia Tech's fumble on the first drive was its first turnover in 160 plays and 26 offensive possessions, dating back to a fumble in the third quarter of its 33-7 win over North Carolina on Sept. 30.
Heard in the Press Box:
Quote: "You would think Georgia Tech's style of offense would travel, but it doesn't." The Yellow Jackets are now 1-10 against ranked ACC teams on the road since 2009.
Rumbled: Coming into the game, Clemson and Georgia Tech were statistically equals regarding total yards per game. If you read Our Take, you know how close it was. How the two teams produced those numbers, however, was entirely different.
Clemson came into the game as one of the most balanced teams in America. Georgia Tech was the polar opposite.
Clemson's balance (207 passing, 221 rushing) ruled over Tech's imbalance (32 passing, 198 rushing) and the versatility of Clemson's offense with Kelly Bryant being healthy was vital.
Stumbled: In the first half, Kendall Joseph slipped on the wet turf opening up a running lane for KirVonte Benson who gashed the Tigers for a 65-yard run. The big run set up the Yellow Jackets for their first points of the night, a 25-yard field goal.
Turning point: Just five plays into the game, Clemson's defense forced a turnover, and the Tiger offense went on the attack. Clemson scored in just two plays as Kelly Bryant hooked up twice with Deon Cain to give Clemson an early advantage.
Unsung hero: Can we talk about the job of Clemson's punter Will Spiers again. Give this young man credit, the conditions were terrible, and he still had a nice night.
A rain-slicked ball can be tough to handle, and Spiers did well with that aspect of his job. On his seven punts, he averaged 38.9 yards with a long of 47 yards and placed one inside the ten-yard line.
Key stat: TaQuon Marshall entered the game against Clemson as an offensive weapon. Marshall led Georgia Tech in rushing yards this season averaging 117 yards per game on the ground. During tonight's contest, the Yellow Jackets quarterback managed just 23 yards on 15 carries.
Marshall wasn't any better through the air as he was 3-13 through the air for just 32 yards.
Scoring Summary:
First quarter
12:51 CLEM: TD - Deon Cain 38-yard reception: Drive: 2 plays, 45 yards, 0:22 - Clemson 7 - Georgia Tech 0
04:53 GT: FG - Brenton King 25-yard field goal: Drive: 5 plays, 66 yards, 2:51 - Clemson 7 - Georgia Tech 3
01:56 CLEM: TD - Milan Richard 20-yard reception: Drive: 8 plays, 55 yards, 2:50 - Clemson 14 - Georgia Tech 3
Second quarter
03:36 CLEM: TD - Travis Etienne 2-yard run: Drive: 10 plays, 71 yards, 3:19 - Clemson 21 - Georgia Tech 3
Third quarter
10:32 CLEM: FG - Alex Spence 29-yard field goal: Drive: 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:23 - Clemson 24 - Georgia Tech 3
Fourth quarter
4:43 GT: TD - TaQuon Marshall 22-yard run: Drive: 12 plays, 79 yards, 4:24 - Clemson 24 - Georgia Tech 10
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