Clemson Rolls Over Missouri, 62-9 |
CLEMSON, SC - Death Valley's scoreboard got a facelift over the summer and the
biggest workout it's seen in nearly 20 years Saturday. Clemson (2-0) turned a 14-9 lead late in the first half into a 62-9 rout of Missouri (1-1) in front of 73,000 at Memorial Stadium. Clemson's 62 points was the most by the Tigers since 1981's 82-24 Halloween massacre of Wake Forest. The scoreboard stayed on late into the night Saturday as if to show off its new look - but it shouldn't think that this won't happen again anytime soon. "We still have room for improvement," said Clemson quarterback Woody Dantzler, who threw for two touchdowns, both to Rod Gardner. "It's amazing what the offense and defense can do when both are clicking. We tell them give us the ball we'll put it in." That's exactly what happened with about five minutes left in the first half. Clemson took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter, but Missouri scored on a 76-yard drive. Clemson's Joe Don Reames fumbled on the kickoff return and Missouri added a field goal to cut the lead to 14-9. That's when Clemson started its offensive and defensive onslaught. Clemson's offense scored on a 70-yard drive to make the score 21-9. Two plays into Missouri's next drive, Brian Mance recovered a fumble on the Missouri 27-yard line. Clemson scored five plays later on a 14-yard run by Dantzler to give Clemson a 28-9 halftime lead. Missouri quarterback Kirk Farmer was intercepted by Charley Hafley at the Missouri 27-yard line on the second play of the second half. Hafley returned the interception for a touchdown to put Clemson up 34-9. Robert Carswell recovered a fumble three plays into Missouri's next drive, again leading to a Clemson score, this time a 27-yard pass from Dantzler to Rod Gardner. Farmer was intercepted by Mance on Missouri's next drive and Clemson scored on a 2-yard run by Travis Zachery with 8:54 left in the third quarter and Clemson led 48-9. Clemson scored 34 points in 8:33 to put an end to any worrying about Missouri's All-American defensive end Justin Smith. Smith argued that he was held on Clemson's second touchdown run, but little was heard from Smith the rest of the night. "They were talking pre-game, when we were running down the Hill they were screaming at us," said Gardner. "We kept our calm." Clemson's second-team also had success against Missouri. Willie Simmons led Clemson on a late touchdown drive. Clemson coach Tommy Bowden is reserving judgement on just how good his offense is. "I think now you need to be productive when you elevate the talent level," he said. "We struggled against Wake Forest, which had a very good defense, Virginia Tech and Marshall. And then Mississippi State. Three of those four were in the top six in defense. "When you ask what else can we do offensively, when we play a really good defense, we'll see how productive we can be. That's going to be the key. Can we execute against a highly ranked, really talented defense." Just as interesting will be how Missouri's defense does against Michigan State and Nebraska in the next two weeks. "This is a complete humiliation to every play and coach on this team," said Missouri coach Larry Smith. "We'll have to regroup and get going for next week against Michigan State." Clemson's scoreboard will be waiting to tell the story. BOXSCORE
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