Sunday, Sep. 07, 2008

Quarter-by-quarter breakdown

First quarter

Clemson 7, The Citadel 0

KEY MOMENT: On a second-down play, Clemson running back James Davis breaks through a hole on the right side and races untouched down the sideline for a 38-yard touchdown. It was Davis’ 37th career touchdown.

THE MAN: Davis rushes for 93 yards on 10 carries as the Clemson running game bounces back from its poor performance against Alabama to finish the quarter with 134 yards on the ground.

TIME OF POSSESSION: Clemson 8:02, The Citadel 6:58

Second quarter

Clemson 21, The Citadel 7

KEY MOMENT: With The Citadel driving at the Clemson 22, defensive end Kourtnei Brown pressures quarterback Bart Blanchard, forcing him to throw a wobbly pass toward the end zone. Safety Michael Hamlin intercepts and returns 29 yards to end the half.

THE MAN: Bulldog wide receiver Andre Roberts has three catches for 93 yards in the quarter, including a 41-yard scoring pass from Blanchard. Roberts finishes the first half with 6 catches for 140 yards.

TIME OF POSSESSION: The Citadel 8:26, Clemson 6:34

Third quarter

Clemson 35, The Citadel 7

KEY MOMENT: Hamlin records his third interception and returns it 12 yards to The Citadel 26, setting up Cullen Harper’s 26-yard touchdown pass to tight end Michael Palmer on the next play.

THE MAN: Hamlin’s two third-quarter interceptions give him three, tying a Clemson record for picks in a game. It is the first time since 2000 that a player records three interceptions in a game.

TIME OF POSSESSION: The Citadel 9:32, Clemson 5:28

Fourth quarter

Clemson 45, The Citadel 17

KEY MOMENT: Freshman running back Jamie Harper scampers 13 yards for his first career touchdown, giving the Tigers a 42-7 lead with 13:44 to play.

THE MAN: Clemson backup quarterback Willy Korn completes 6 of 9 passes for 70 yards, including a 36-yard pass to tight end Durrell Barry. The pass to Barry leads to a 21-yard Mark Buchholz field goal.

TIME OF POSSESSION: The Citadel 8:17, Clemson 6:43

—Will Vandervort