The Clemson Tigers opened their season lighting up the scoreboard in a thrilling 56-3 victory over Kent State in Death Valley as they celebrated their National Championship during pregame festivities.
Fast was an understatement of how quickly this one got out of hand. However, a big question before he game that everyone wanted to know was, how would new quarterback Kelly Bryant fill the shoes of DeShaun Watson. He quickly put that question to bed starting off the game with a 12 yard run to get things started. Then connected with Milan Richard to put the Tigers inside the Kent State 30. Running back C.J. Fuller would finish off the drive with a 26 yard TD run to make it 7-0 just a minute and 18 seconds into the game.
After a quick three and out by the Golden Flashes, it was again Bryant’s turn to get to work. This time it took just two plays for the tigers to find the endzone as Bryant connected with Deon Cain for a 61 yard TD to make it 14-0 with 10:47 still left in the first quarter.
After another 3 and out by Kent State, the Tigers would methodically march down the field to blow this game out of the water with a 21-0 lead and 3:18 still left to be played in the quarter. Then the Golden Flashes would get their only points of the game with a 37-yard field goal.
Now the entire 1st half wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Bryant. In fact, after being forced into a 3 and out by Kent State on their ensuing possession, the Tigers next possession would end just as quickly. Bryant was intercepted inside the redzone, ending the Tigers drive.
Before the half however, Bryant was able to show off his Watson like skills, running in for a 8 yard touchdown to make it 28-3 before the half.
In the second half, Bryant would only see 1 drive, which he again led the Tigers down field. The highlight of that drive for Bryant was a 44-yard completion to Milan Richard that would put the Tigers into Kent State territory. C.J. Fuller would again cap f the drive, this time with a 2 yard TD run.
After that Bryant’s day was over, completing 16 of 22 passes for 236 yards with 1 TD through the air. On the ground he was able to tally up 77 yards on 7 carries and 1 rushing TD.
The Tigers would then keep things rolling without Bryant under center, scoring touchdowns on their next three possession’s making it 56-3 with just 11:04 left in the fourth quarter. This would be the end of the rout as the Tigers took their foot off the gas.
Clemson would finish the game with 665 total yards, compared to just 120 coming from the Golden Flashes. However, the only turnover in the game by ant team was the 1st half interception thrown by Kelly Bryant.
With this game being anything but just a warm up for the Tigers, many questions will be answered for them in week two. They will welcome the Top 15 ranked Auburn Tigers to Memorial Stadium. Last years meeting in Auburn was one that wasn’t decided until the final minutes. A win in that matchup for Clemson would solidify their title defense and throw away any questions about if this team can be as good as last years.
