The No. 1 Clemson Tigers started the college football year the same way they ended last year, with a convincing win. The Tigers (1-0) defeated the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0-1) 52-14 in both teams opener Thursday night.
Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence had an up and down night, however, running back Travis Etienne stole the show running 12 times for 205 yards and three touchdowns. Etienne scored on runs of 90, 14, and 48 yards.
The Tigers scored double-digit points in every quarter. Lawrence scored on a six-yard run in the first quarter along with Etienne’s 90-yard run to bring the score to 14-0. In the 2nd, Etienne scored on his 14-yard run, and Tee Higgins caught a 62-yard touchdown from Lawrence for a 28-0 led at the half.
Etienne scored his final time in the third quarter with the 48-yard run. Lyn-J Dixon scored on an 18-yard run. In the fourth, Frank Ladson Jr. caught a 21-yard pass from backup QB Chase Brice for the touchdown. A 51-yard field goal by B.T. Potter was the final score for the Tigers.
For the Yellow Jackets, their first score came in the third quarter when Jordan Mason ran for seven yards. By that time, the score was already 35-7 Tigers. Ahmarean Brown caught a 28-yard pass from James Graham in the fourth quarter for the Yellow Jackets.
Lawrence finished 13/23 for 168 and a touchdown but also threw two interceptions. Higgins had four receptions for 98 yards and the score.
Clemson rushed for 411 yards, its the is the most in a season-opener since 1957. Clemson extended their winning streak to 16 games, dating back to the 2018 season.
The Clemson defense did its part, forcing four turnovers. Denzel Johnson and Tanner Muse both had interceptions. It was the most turnovers forced for the Tigers since 2015 against Notre Dame. Isaiah Simmons had ten tackles which led the defense.
Clemson hosts No. 12 Texas A&M at Memorial Stadium on September 7th at 3:30 PM on ABC.
Written by Garin Turner
