Clemson overcomes rain, Georgia Tech to secure victory

CLEMSON Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said this week that it is never easy to play against Georgia Tech’s option offense, but the Tigers certainly made it look easy Saturday night.

Clemson earned its third consecutive win against the Yellow Jackets with a 24-10 victory in a rain-soaked game at Death Valley.

Georgia Tech was held to 3 points and less than 150 yards of offense through the first three quarters before finding some success against Clemson’s backups late as the seventh-ranked Tigers rebounded from a tough loss at Syracuse with an impressive victory.

“I’m really proud of our team. Everything is about how you respond. Good teams respond, and great teams respond like we did,” Swinney said. “I can’t tell you how proud of I am of our team and our staff. We were better tonight than we probably have been at any point this season.”

Clemson (7-1, 5-1) jumped to a quick lead as Georgia Tech’s KirVonte Benson fumbled on the Yellow Jackets’ first series and the Tigers quickly turned the turnover into points.

The fumble was forced by Clemson linebacker Kendall Joseph and was recovered by Tigers safety Van Smith.

Clemson needed two plays to travel 45 yards and score as Kelly Bryant completed back-to-back passes to Deon Cain with the second resulting in a 38-yard touchdown.

“I thought we got off to a fast start. Guys didn't let the weather be a factor,” co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said. “We talk a lot about mind over matter and focus to get off to a fast start and that’s something we pride ourselves on. We did a really good job of driving tempo and we got back to the true identity of our offense.”

Bryant added another touchdown pass to Milan Richard in the first quarter as Clemson led 14-3 after 1.

Tigers freshman running back Travis Etienne added a 2-yard touchdown run late in the first half to give the Tigers a 21-3 lead at the break.

Bryant, who injured his ankle against Wake Forest on Oct. 7 and left the Syracuse game on Oct. 13 with a concussion, appeared to be close to 100 percent.

“We felt like we weren’t going to hold anything back,” Bryant said. “I told the coaches I was ready to go and it didn’t feel like I was in strain. I didn’t feel like I was going to be limping out there. That was the game plan and we ran with it.”

The junior led Clemson in rushing with 67 yards and was 22 of 33 passing for 207 yards and two scores. It was the first multi-touchdown passing game of his career.

Clemson kicker Alex Spence made a 29-yard field goal in the third quarter, while Georgia Tech’s TaQuon Marshall finished off the scoring with a 22-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers defense was led by sophomore linebacker Tre Lamar, who finished with a game-high 11 tackles and also had two sacks.

Van Smith and Kendall Joseph each added nine tackles with Smith recording a tackle for loss and Joseph forcing a fumble.

“Our guys played really well. We had a little over a week to get ready for them, so that always helps, getting the game plan down and getting the technique down,” defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “I’m really proud of our players and coaches.”

THREE POINTS

Star of the game: Kelly Bryant. The junior got off to a fast start, accounting for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns in the first half. Bryant made plays in the running game and passing game while playing one of the best games of his career.

Play of the game: Bryant completed a pass to Deon Cain for a 38-yard touchdown on Clemson’s second play. That was just about all the scoring the Tigers would need.

Stat of the game: 8. Georgia Tech had eight three-and-outs on of its 13 drives.

OBSERVATIONS

Healthy Bryant makes a difference: Clemson’s starting quarterback did not look bothered by his ankle after being hampered the last time out against Syracuse.

Venables has Johnson’s number: Brent Venables shut down Paul Johnson’s option offense for a third consecutive year.

Weather favored Clemson: The Tigers didn’t need much help, but the constant rain certainly didn’t hurt Clemson’s performance.

NEXT

Who: N.C. State

When: Saturday, Nov. 4, 3:30 p.m.

Where: Raleigh, N.C.

TV: ABC

This story was originally published October 28, 2017 at 11:17 PM with the headline "Clemson overcomes rain, Georgia Tech to secure victory."