by Nikki Steele -- Staff Writer - Monday, December 31, 2012 9:16 PM

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ATLANTA - Instant Halftime Analysis: Clemson 14 , LSU 13

What went right: Malliciah GoodmanMalliciah Goodman
Sr. Defensive End
#97 6-4, 270
Florence, SC
View Full Profile has been quiet most of the season, but came up with two huge sacks in the first quarter.

Freshman D.J. ReaderD.J. Reader
Fr. Defensive Tackle
#48 6-3, 335
Greensboro, NC
View Full Profile played like a seasoned veteran, pushing the LSU right guard nine yards backwards and opening a hole for linebacker Quandon ChristianQuandon Christian
RS Jr. Linebacker
#34 6-2, 225
Lake View, SC
View Full Profile to sack LSU quarterback Zach Mettenberger.

Clemson sacked Mettenberger four times in the opening quarter.

Quarterback Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile rushed for 23 yards on Clemson’s second drive of the game, a drive that culminated with an 11-yard touchdown run to tie the game.

LSU had the ball on third-and-one on its own 29 and the Clemson defense- led by Reader- stuffed the run to force an LSU punt.

Clemson wide receiver Nuk Hopkins caught an 11-yard touchdown in second quarter, giving him a touchdown in 10 straight games- an ACC record. The previous record was held by Virginia’s Herman Moore.

Travis BlanksTravis Blanks
Fr. Defensive Back
#11 6-1, 190
Tallahassee, FL
View Full Profile picked of Mettenberger’s pass with less than a minute remaining in the half.

What went wrong: On the second play of the game, Clemson wide receiver Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
So. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL
View Full Profile took a handoff from Boyd and ran right up the middle, fumbled the ball and suffered a game-ending ankle injury.

After consecutive three-and-outs, LSU drove 65 yards for their second touchdown of the game. The drive was aided by a 15-yard roughing the passer penalty on Christian.

Right tackle Giff Timothy went out with a leg injury late in the first quarter.

After Clemson’s second touchdown, LSU blocked the extra point.

On fourth-and-10 and with Clemson driving late in the second quarter, Clemson elected to go for it with Boyd running after being flushed from the pocket, but he came up a half-yard short.

Turning Point of the Half: Boyd rushed for an 11-yard touchdown to give Clemson its first score of the game. With that touchdown, Clemson set the tone for the game re-energized both sides of the football after the loss of Watkins.

Stat of the Half: The Clemson offense outgained LSU 248-106, held the ball for 18 minutes and eclipsed 50 plays.

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Nikki Steele can be reached at nikki@tigernet.com

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