Clemson vs. Georgia Tech postgame notes

by CU Athletic Communications - Fri Sep 23 00:29:20 GMT-04:00 2016

Clemson Team Notes

Tonight marks the first time Clemson has left Grant Field with a perfect record since 1903. Previously, the Tigers lost their last 11 times when entering the game in Atlanta against the Yellow Jackets with a perfect record.

The Tigers snapped a five-game losing skid in the series in Bobby Dodd Stadium. Clemson’s last win in Atlanta prior to Thursday came in 2003, when co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott was a senior wide receiver for the Tigers.

Clemson scored a safety for the second straight year against Georgia Tech. In the 2015 game at Memorial Stadium, Jadar Johnson blocked a punt in the Tigers’ 43-24 win.

Clemson ran 56 plays in the opening half, compared to just 21 for Georgia Tech.

The Tigers held the Yellow Jackets to just 124 yards of total offense Thursday, lowest figure by a Paul Johnson coached Georgia Tech team.

Clemson is now 71-6 under head coach Dabo Swinney win outgaining the opponent in total offense.

The Tigers are now 65-7 all time under Swinney when leading at halftime and 70-4 when leading heading into the fourth quarter.

Clemson Individual Notes

Deshaun Watson passed for a season-high 304 yards Thursday, on 32 completions.

Watson led the Tigers to a touchdown on their opening possession, making it nine straight over the course of Clemson’s three games. The streak ended on a missed field goal on Clemson’s second possession.

Watson completed his 500th career pass in the second quarter to Mike Williams.

Watson now has a 22-2 record as Clemson’s starting quarterback.

Williams scored his first touchdown of the season on a perfect four-yard fade on Clemson’s opening possession.

It was his first score since the opening possession of the 2015 season, when he suffered a neck injury that forced him to miss the season.

Ray-Ray McCloud posted the first 100-yard receiving game of his career, matching his previous best with eight catches Thursday.

Jordan Leggett entered the game with just one catch on the season, but had four in the first half of play, including his first touchdown on a nine-yard strike from Watson.

Leggett tied John Mcmakin (1969-71), Dwayne Allen (2009-11) and Brandon Ford (2009-12) for the Clemson tight end record with his 12th career touchdown catch.

Freshman wideout Cornell Powell caught a season-high five passes.

Wayne Gallman scored his 20th career rushing touchdown in the first quarter.

Adam Choice had his top rush of the season, a 16-yard scamper in the second quarter.

Carlos Watkins’ first-quarter sack was the 500th tackle for loss recorded under defensive coordinator Brent

Venables, who joined the Clemson coaching staff in 2012.

Dorian O’Daniel recorded his first sack of the season, and first since the 2014 season. Both sacks have come against Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

Van Smith intercepted his first pass of the season in the fourth quarter, returning it into Georgia Tech territory.

Greg Huegel matched his career long with a 47-yard field goal.