Photo by © Jeremy Brevard-USA TODAY Sports
Clemson Football
Clemson sacks Auburn 14-6 under the Death Valley lights
September 12, 2017
955
Clemson's defense spent most of the first quarter on the field as Auburn's offense would control the clock in the early goings. After that, Clemson's defensive line flexed its muscles and spent the remaining three quarters in the Auburn backfield sacking quarterback Jarrett Stidham 11 times Saturday.
Auburn would get on the board first with a 24-yard field goal capping an opening drive that took 15 plays and 7:47 seconds off the clock. Chewing up over half of the first quarter and aided by a couple of pass interference calls, the Tigers from 'The Plains' would take advantage and a 3-0 lead.
Clemson's offense could do little early on and Auburn would blow a huge opportunity for six as Clemson's Ray-Ray McCloud would cough up the football at 11 yard line.
Needing just a few yards for a touchdown, Auburn stalled as Clemson's defense would only yield three points. Auburn would lead 6-0, but with 14:17 remaining in the second quarter, Auburn was done scoring for the night.
Clemson's offense would continue to find themselves coming up short and after 10 play 25 yard drive, Clemson's Greg Huegel would miss a 46 yard field goal with just 6:47 seconds left in the first half.
Brent Venables' defense would give the offense one final chance to have the ball before halftime and Clemson would capitalize on the opportunity. Taking over at their own 12 yard line, Kelly Bryant hit Deon Cain on 3rd and 2 for a big 20 yard gain.
After a scramble for 9 yards by Bryant, Clemson was out near midfield. Eventually, Dabo Swinney's team would face a 3rd and 10 at the 38 yard line and Ray-Ray McCloud would make up for his earlier fumble with a 29 yard grab giving the Tigers a first and goal at the nine yard line.
Kelly Bryant would hit Hunter Renfrow for a three yard reception. After a Clemson timeout with 48 seconds left in the half, Bryant would power his way into the end zone and give Clemson the lead 7-6 just before halftime.
Clemson's offense opened the second half with the ball and marched on an 8 play 79 yard drive for their final score of the night. Once again, Ray-Ray McCloud would put his stamp on the drive with a 33 yard reception giving Clemson a big first down.
On 1st and 15 from the 27 yard line, Kelly Bryant would show off his strength, speed, and athleticism as he was hit just beyond the line of scrimmage. Bryant would bounce off the Auburn defender, spin, and keep his balance before sprinting towards pay dirt, giving Clemson a 14-6 lead.
Following the Tigers touchdown, the two defenses would begin to assert their will. In a match up featuring two offenses that have been known to move the ball and rack up points, it was an old school donnybrook. Clemson's interior defensive linemen Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence would control the line of scrimmage throughout the night, but it was Austin Bryant's four sacks that became the story.
Auburn's last real threat to Clemson took place in the third quarter with 5:39 remaining. Auburn, facing a 4th and 3 would go for it at the Clemson 37. Sophomore linebacker Tre Lamar would be left unblocked and in a one on one situation with Stidham. After the game Tre Lamar told reporters that his only thought was, "Don't miss." The talented linebacker wouldn't miss, and his sack of Stidham would represent Auburn's last play in Clemson territory.
Neither offense would do much after that, but behind Clemson's defense the 14 points were more than against the SEC's Tigers. Kelly Bryant stared down a tough defense for four quarters which was something Clemson needed to see. Auburn may be the toughest defensive challenge of the season, and his ability to rush the football is an added dimension for the Clemson offense.
Kelly Bryant proved that he can survive a stout defense. While Clemson's offense didn't exactly move the ball well- the Tigers 281 yards felt, by comparison to Auburn's 117 yards, like a Texas Tech offensive performance.
Now the question becomes can Clemson's new signal caller keep up with the offensive prowess of their next opponent, Louisville?
Auburn would get on the board first with a 24-yard field goal capping an opening drive that took 15 plays and 7:47 seconds off the clock. Chewing up over half of the first quarter and aided by a couple of pass interference calls, the Tigers from 'The Plains' would take advantage and a 3-0 lead.
Clemson's offense could do little early on and Auburn would blow a huge opportunity for six as Clemson's Ray-Ray McCloud would cough up the football at 11 yard line.
Needing just a few yards for a touchdown, Auburn stalled as Clemson's defense would only yield three points. Auburn would lead 6-0, but with 14:17 remaining in the second quarter, Auburn was done scoring for the night.
Clemson's offense would continue to find themselves coming up short and after 10 play 25 yard drive, Clemson's Greg Huegel would miss a 46 yard field goal with just 6:47 seconds left in the first half.
Brent Venables' defense would give the offense one final chance to have the ball before halftime and Clemson would capitalize on the opportunity. Taking over at their own 12 yard line, Kelly Bryant hit Deon Cain on 3rd and 2 for a big 20 yard gain.
After a scramble for 9 yards by Bryant, Clemson was out near midfield. Eventually, Dabo Swinney's team would face a 3rd and 10 at the 38 yard line and Ray-Ray McCloud would make up for his earlier fumble with a 29 yard grab giving the Tigers a first and goal at the nine yard line.
Kelly Bryant would hit Hunter Renfrow for a three yard reception. After a Clemson timeout with 48 seconds left in the half, Bryant would power his way into the end zone and give Clemson the lead 7-6 just before halftime.
Clemson's offense opened the second half with the ball and marched on an 8 play 79 yard drive for their final score of the night. Once again, Ray-Ray McCloud would put his stamp on the drive with a 33 yard reception giving Clemson a big first down.
On 1st and 15 from the 27 yard line, Kelly Bryant would show off his strength, speed, and athleticism as he was hit just beyond the line of scrimmage. Bryant would bounce off the Auburn defender, spin, and keep his balance before sprinting towards pay dirt, giving Clemson a 14-6 lead.
Following the Tigers touchdown, the two defenses would begin to assert their will. In a match up featuring two offenses that have been known to move the ball and rack up points, it was an old school donnybrook. Clemson's interior defensive linemen Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence would control the line of scrimmage throughout the night, but it was Austin Bryant's four sacks that became the story.
Auburn's last real threat to Clemson took place in the third quarter with 5:39 remaining. Auburn, facing a 4th and 3 would go for it at the Clemson 37. Sophomore linebacker Tre Lamar would be left unblocked and in a one on one situation with Stidham. After the game Tre Lamar told reporters that his only thought was, "Don't miss." The talented linebacker wouldn't miss, and his sack of Stidham would represent Auburn's last play in Clemson territory.
Neither offense would do much after that, but behind Clemson's defense the 14 points were more than against the SEC's Tigers. Kelly Bryant stared down a tough defense for four quarters which was something Clemson needed to see. Auburn may be the toughest defensive challenge of the season, and his ability to rush the football is an added dimension for the Clemson offense.
Kelly Bryant proved that he can survive a stout defense. While Clemson's offense didn't exactly move the ball well- the Tigers 281 yards felt, by comparison to Auburn's 117 yards, like a Texas Tech offensive performance.
Now the question becomes can Clemson's new signal caller keep up with the offensive prowess of their next opponent, Louisville?
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