Clemson Tigers kept Georgia Tech at arm’s length and dominated in the game’s final 25 minutes to defeat the Yellow Jackets 41-10 and extend their series-best winning streak to eight games, albeit it wasn’t a return to the exhilarating heights of Clemson’s offensive dominance.
The Tigers, who were playing their first game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, drew away from Georgia Tech with the help of effective special teams, efficient offense drives, and strong defense.
The special teams gave Clemson’s offense a boost early in the second quarter when safety Carson Donnelly blocked a punt that Brannon Spector recovered and returned to the 5-yard line for an immediate possession in the end zone.
Will Shipley’s rushing touchdown on the Tigers’ fourth and goal from the one-yard line gave Clemson their first touchdown of the year.
Following that, the Tigers put together their strongest drive of the first half, an eight-play, 67-yard scoring drive that culminated with sophomore Beaux Collins being discovered on the back line by DJ Uiagalelei as he scrambled to his right. The Tigers went into halftime up 14-3.
Georgia Tech reduced the Tigers’ advantage to 14-10 on their opening possession of the second half when quarterback Jeff Sims connected with South Carolina transfer EJ Jenkins for a 13-yard touchdown.
A 29-yard field goal by BT Potter and a 9-yard rushing score by Uiagalelei from Clemson’s next two scoring drives, though, gave the Tigers an unstoppable 24-10 lead.
After Potter kicked a field goal from 31 yards out, rookie linebacker Wade Woodaz stopped a Georgia Tech punt, giving the Tigers another short field and allowing Shipley to score his second touchdown of the game.
After a shaky start, Uiagalelei went on to complete 19 of 32 passes for 209 yards and a touchdown while also rushing for another score.
