No. 4/4 Clemson Tops Georgia Tech 41-10 In Season Opener

GAME NOTES

ATLANTA, GA–  Clemson’s protection registered seven tackles for loss and allowed simply 237 yards because the Tigers gained their season-opener, 41-10, over Georgia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Labor Day. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was 19-for-32 for 209 whole yards and a landing by way of the air and on the bottom, whereas Clemson rushed a complete of 127 yards, capped by a pair of touchdowns from sophomore Will Shipley. 

The Tigers have now gained every of their final eight convention openers since 2015, the longest conference-opener successful streak in class historical past. 

“Each championship staff we’ve had since I’ve been right here, we’ve gained the opener. So it’s a giant evening for us,” stated Head Coach Dabo Swinney. “Only a nice staff effort and we performed 4 quarters of Clemson soccer.” 

Clemson’s protection made an influence on the sport’s first play from scrimmage, as stress from defensive finish Okay.J. Henry resulted in security Andrew Mukuba’s first profession interception. Henry harassed Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims for a lot of the sport and completed the competition with 7 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a compelled fumble. 

After a scoreless first quarter, Clemson’s particular groups made a momentum-changing play early within the second quarter, with security Carson Donnelly blocking a punt that was returned by Brannon Spector to the Georgia Tech 5-yard line. Clemson opened the scoring on the following possession on a one-yard landing run by operating again Will Shipley. 

Clemson’s protection adopted the landing with a three-and-out, and on Clemson’s subsequent possession, Clemson drove 67 yards in eight performs and prolonged the lead on a six-yard landing go from quarterback DJ Uiagalelei to extensive receiver Beaux Collins. Clemson would carry a 14-3 lead into halftime.

Georgia Tech struck again on their first possession within the third quarter, drawing to inside 4 on a 13-yard landing go by Sims to EJ Jenkins. The Tiger offense offered a fast reply to take a 17-10 lead, as B.T. Potter hit a 29-yard discipline objective with 5:41 to play within the third quarter, capping a 12-play, 63-yard drive.

After the protection compelled one other punt, Uiagalelei stored a drive alive on third and a couple of, avoiding a sack and discovering Shipley within the backfield, who took it ten yards for a primary down. Uiagalelei then hit his subsequent three passes for 16 yards to Davis Allen, seven yards to Antonio Williams, and located Williams once more for 16 yards to convey Clemson into the pink zone, and scored three performs afterward a quarterback draw, capping a 9-play, 76-yard drive with a 9-yard landing run with 1:18 to play within the third quarter. 

Clemson’s protection compelled Georgia Tech to show the ball over on downs, and Uiagalelei led the Tigers 26 yards down the sphere. Potter extends Clemson’s result in 27-10 with a 31-yard discipline objective halfway by way of the fourth quarter. 

Following one other defensive stand by Clemson, freshman Wade Woodaz got here up with Clemson’s second blocked punt of the evening with LaVonta Bentley recovering the ball and taking it 10 yards to Georgia Tech’s 15-yard line, giving Clemson two blocked punts in a sport for the primary time since 2007 towards South Carolina. The Tigers capitalized as Shipley earned one other speeding landing with a 3-yard run, making the rating 34-10.

True freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik made his collegiate debut with roughly 5 minutes left within the sport. He led Clemson 66 yards down the sphere and located Will Taylor ultimately zone for a three-yard landing go, pushing the ultimate margin to 41-10. 

Following a brief turnaround, Clemson’s subsequent sport motion will come on Saturday, Sept. 10 when the Tigers host their house opener towards the Furman Paladins. That sport, which has been designated as First Responders Day, will kick off at 3:30 p.m. ET on ACC Community. Tickets for the competition stay obtainable at ClemsonTigers.com.