The #5 Clemson Tigers (1-0, 1-0 ACC) managed to pull away in the second half outscoring its opponent, the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (0-1, 0-1 ACC) 27-7 after a sluggish first half en route to a 41-10 Chick-fil-A Kickoff win.
Clemson QB DJ Uiagalelei scored twice, once on a pass and another on the ground, in what he hopes is a bounce-back year. He finished the game with 209 passing yards along with the score. He added 28 yards on the ground and the score. Will Shipley added two more touchdowns via the ground game and finished with 42 yards.
After a scoreless first quarter, Clemson scored 14 points. Shipley punched it in from one yard out, followed by a six-yard Uiagalelei pass to Beaux Collins (three receptions, 54 yards). The Yellow Jackets connected on a 45-yard field goal with 1:15 left in the first half to bring the score to 14-3.
Georgia Tech would make it interesting for a while after a 13-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Sims to E.J. Jenkins to bring the Yellow Jackets within one score 17-10. The Tigers stiffened up on defense and exploded on offense scoring 27 unanswered points. Georgia Tech went 2/16 on third down and only ran for 73 yards. Penalties also hurt the Yellow Jackets as they had 10 for 86 yards, while the Tigers only committed three for 10 yards.
Sims threw for 164 yards and the score and was the leading rusher for the Yellow Jackets with 41 yards on 13 carries. Jenkins had three receptions for 54 yards and the score. The Yellow Jackets are trying to avoid its fourth straight three-win season. Clemson also got help from special teams, going 2 for 2 on field goals, and Clemson blocked two punts.
Clemson takes on Furman on Saturday. Furman is part of the FCS Southern Conference. It will be the home opener for the Tigers.
Georgia Tech also hosts its home opener this Saturday against Western Carolina.
Written by Garin Turner
