No. 1 Clemson shuts out The Citadel in Tigers’ 2020 home debut
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said leading up to this week’s game against The Citadel that the FCS Bulldogs could “embarrass” Clemson if the Tigers didn’t show up ready to play.
Swinney’s team made it clear in the opening minutes Saturday afternoon that there would be no letdown in Clemson’s home opener.
The Tigers led 28-0 after the first quarter on their way to a 49-0 victory and improved to 2-0 on the season. Clemson scored all 49 points in the first half while subbing regularly from the second quarter on.
“Really proud of our team today,” Swinney said. “Talked all week about just respect for the preparation process, regardless of who you play. Good to see that maturity today and the leadership. Our guys’ mindsets, I mean they were ready to go.”
The game was played in front of a socially-distanced crowd of 18,609 fans due to COVID-19. Clemson was able to continue several of its traditions, including riding the buses around the stadium in pregame and running down the hill. Swinney was his usual energetic self at the top of the hill in pregame, with the only noticeable difference being he was wearing a mask.
However, the band was not on the field as it normally is, instead it was located in the east end zone. And Clemson students were placed in the upper deck in what was a strange and unique environment.
“Really appreciate our fans. It was awesome to see so many people there and to have such a wonderful atmosphere,” Swinney said. “This is the best game day environment in normal times. And this is the best environment in pandemic times. Our fans were awesome, and the event staff did an amazing job.”
Heisman favorite Trevor Lawrence accounted for four touchdowns before leaving the game in the second quarter, tossing three and running for one. His favorite target was sophomore Frank Ladson, who caught three passes for 87 yards and two scores.
Backup QB D.J. Uiagalelei also rushed for a pair of scores, while linebacker James Skalski returned a fumble for a touchdown.
Clemson outgained The Citadel 405-162 but finished with only 107 yards in the second half. The Tigers also turned the ball over twice in the final two quarters.
Still, it was a successful home debut for the Tigers, particularly Clemson’s defense.
Brent Venables’ unit subbed regularly but still pitched a shutout for the first time since 2016.
“To me, defensively, that was the story of the day. To hold those guys out of the end zone for four quarters is almost impossible,” Swinney said. “They create a lot of problems, a lot of stress. You have to be very disciplined… To see our backups go in and really play at a high level and continue to keep them out of the end zone, that really excites me.”
When is the next Clemson football game?
Who: Clemson vs. Virginia
Where: Memorial Stadium in Clemson
When: Oct. 3, time TBD
TV: TBD
Clemson-Citadel scoring, player stats
First quarter scoring
CLE—Ladson 17 pass from Lawrence (Potter kick), 12:36.
CLE—Rodgers 44 pass from Lawrence (Potter kick), 9:41.
CLE—Lawrence 2 run (Potter kick), 2:00.
CLE—Skalski 17 fumble return (Potter kick), 1:51.
Second quarter scoring
CLE—Uiagalelei 1 run (Potter kick), 13:00.
CLE—Ladson 54 pass from Lawrence (Potter kick), 9:55.
CLE—Uiagalelei 6 run (Weitz kick), 5:31.
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING—The Citadel, Adams 11-52, K.White 5-20, Nwanze 11-20, Hampton 1-11, Brechtel 3-5, Sessions 3-(minus 1), Rainey 10-(minus 8), Wallace 3-(minus 11). Clemson, Etienne 8-68, Rencher 4-28, Mellusi 4-25, Phommachanh 2-13, Dixon 3-10, Bowman 3-10, Dukes 2-8, Uiagalelei 3-6, Lawrence 1-2, Pace 1-2, (Team) 1-(minus 2), Helms 1-(minus 9).
PASSING—The Citadel, Webb 1-1-0-38, Adams 0-1-0-0, Rainey 2-9-0-38. Clemson, Lawrence 8-9-0-168, Uiagalelei 8-11-0-75, Phommachanh 1-5-0-(minus 1), Helms 2-2-0-1.
RECEIVING—The Citadel, McCarthy 1-38, Webb 1-22, Sessions 1-16. Clemson, Ladson 3-87, E.Williams 3-58, Powell 2-25, D.Swinney 2-6, Pace 2-0, Rodgers 1-44, Etienne 1-11, W.Brown 1-8, W.Swinney 1-3, D.Allen 1-2, Chalk 1-0, Mellusi 1-(minus 1).
MISSED FIELD GOALS—The Citadel, Kintner 47.
This story was originally published September 19, 2020 at 7:06 PM.
