Clemson gets by Georgia Tech, but not without end-game drama
As much as Clemson’s offense struggled, it wasn’t the most bizarre part of the Tigers’ ACC opener against Georgia Tech on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
The game featured two targeting calls, one of which was upheld, one score between the two teams after two quarters, a lightning delay that lasted almost two hours, and a late-game safety for Tech.
The Tigers (2-1), a 29-point favorite in the game, eked out the 14-8 victory over the Yellow Jackets to start conference play 1-0.
“I entered college in 1988, and I have never, ever, ever experienced a game like that,” coach Dabo Swinney said of the delay. “I’ve never come out and had to finish a half and then go right into the third quarter. It was really a crazy day, but man, what an unbelievable effort by our guys. Super, super proud of our team.”
Late goal line stand, then a safety
Georgia Tech hit a field goal late in the fourth quarter to cut Clemson’s lead to 14-6, then recovered an onside kick with 1:19 to play.
The Yellow Jackets picked up momentum after Clemson defensive lineman Ruke Orhorhoro was called for a roughing-the-passer penalty. Tech worked its way to the Clemson 2-yard line, but Clemson’s defense held off multiple attempts to score.
James Skalski combined efforts with Mario Goodrich for a tackle for loss on third down to push the Yellow Jackets back to the 3-yard line. Skalski then had one last burst and held Dylan Denevey out of the end zone to turn the ball over on downs.
More drama followed.
The Tigers’ defense had to save the day again after Tigers freshman running back Will Shipley fumbled the ball in the end zone for a safety. Yellow Jackets quarterback Jordan Yates’ first pass following the ensuing kickoff fell incomplete. Bryan Bresee intercepted Yates’ last-second attempt as the clock hit 0:00, which was later called for an illegal pass penalty. Clemson held on to win 14-8.
For the play that resulted in a safety, Clemson offensive coordinator Tony Elliott was asked afterward why the Tigers ran the play from the 1-yard line with D.J. Uiagalelei in the shotgun formation.
“We’re a shotgun team,” Elliott said. “How many times have you seen us under center? We do what we do. ... We haven’t been much of an under-center team. We just happened to fumble. If we get out of the end zone there, the game is over.”
Elliott said an under-center play there risked a fumbled snap and that coaches also discussed running around in the end zone, running the clock down and taking a safety on purpose.
Shipley said a Georgia Tech player got a helmet on the ball with the goal line fumble.
“That’s a tough play. I honestly don’t want to think about it,” Shipley said. “That’s 100% on me. It’s a rookie mistake. ... I knew when the ball came out that I had to get it back.”
Lightning in Death Valley
The delay came at 5:03 p.m. with 32 seconds left in the first half. Georgia Tech had put together its first big drive, getting down to the Clemson 17 on third-and-two. During the same drive, Clemson sophomore linebacker Trenton Simpson was ejecting for targeting following a hit on Yates, which also moved the visitors down the field 15 yards down to the Clemson 43. Right after that, Tigers defensive tackles Bryan Bresee and Tyler Davis dropped Yates, who was able to throw the incomplete pass instead of taking the sack.
Six plays later, the game was suspended due to lightning in the area. The original restart time was 5:33 p.m., but was extended until 6:55 p.m., lasting 1 hour, 52 minutes.
Tigers’ offensive struggles
Clemson had five series during the first half, but only scored on one. The Tigers rode Shipley on the second drive of the game. It paid off with the running back crunching in a three-yard scoring run with 4:37 left in the opening quarter.
The Tigers came up empty on the next two drives, which included a turnover on downs at fourth-and-two at the Georgia Tech 19 at the 8:43 mark of the second quarter.
Late in the game, after the Tigers’ defense came up with a goal-line stand, Shipley fumbled the ball in the end zone for a safety. The group has had a turnover in all three of its games this season and had four fumbles against Georgia Tech. Shipley ended the night with 88 yards on 21 carries, scoring both of the Tigers’ touchdowns.
By the numbers
0: In three games played, Clemson’s defense has yet to give up a touchdown. Opposing offenses have only been able to score on special teams with a field goal apiece. Georgia Tech had two of 23 and 22 yards on Saturday. The Yellow Jackets threatened to score with less than 20 seconds in the game, only its third time in the red zone on the night.
2,000: Justyn Ross had a 13-yard catch from D.J. Uiagalelei in the fourth quarter, which put him over 2,000 career yards. The redshirt junior has started all three games this season after sitting out of the 2020 season due to surgery related to a congenital fusion in his spine. He had seven total receptions for 61 yards on the night.
13: LaVonta Bentley started in place of Baylon Spector at the Will linebacker spot and totaled team-leading 13 tackles, 2 1/2 for loss, and a quarterback sack for a Clemson defense that only allowed Georgia Tech to reach the red zone three times.
Next Clemson football game
Who: Clemson at NC State
Where: Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh, NC
When: 3:30 p.m. Saturday Sept. 25
TV: ESPN
This story was originally published September 18, 2021 at 8:54 PM.
