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Legend [17786]
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On This Date: 2001 (25)Clemson-47 (9)Georgia Tech-44 F/OT
Sep 29, 2020, 8:59 AM
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09/29/2001 Atlanta, GA
September 29, 2001 was the scene for one of the most exciting Clemson Football games of the last 20 years. 2 plays defined the game for Clemson fans, and those 2 plays have gone down as two of the most iconic CUFB plays of the 21st century. A wild back-and-forth second half was merely an appetizer for the final two minutes of the game. Georgia Tech had a 38-34 lead with the clock ticking down to two minutes remaining. Facing fourth-and-13 from their own 37-yard line, Dantzler heaved a beautiful pass that fell in the arms of J.J. McKelvey who trotted into the end zone to put the Tigers up 41-38 with 1:58 remaining in the game:
After a Georgia Tech field goal, Dantzler saved his best trick for last. On third-and-six at the Georgia Tech 11-yard line, ABC announcer Sean McDonough described it like only he could. “Dantzler…keeps it….Dantzler…Touchdown! Clemson wins.” The Dantzler touchdown-run gave Clemson the 47-44 win in overtime. Dantzler was a magician, passing for 254 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 164 yards and two touchdowns.
Tigers Shock No. 9 Yellow Jackets
USA TODAY
ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Quarterback Woodrow Dantzler's 11-yard touchdown run on the second possession of the first overtime lifted 25th-ranked Clemson to a wild 47-44 Atlantic Coast Conference victory over No. 11 Georgia Tech.
After Luke Manget booted a 33-yard field goal to open overtime, Dantzler called his own number and went straight up the middle to give Tommy Bowden one of his biggest wins in three years at Clemson (3-1, 1-1 ACC).
"It was a big win," Bowden said. "A win in the conference is always a big win. But the people back home will get a blast out of this. "At the very least, it was the Tigers biggest road victory since topping then-No. 8 North Carolina, 10-8, in 1981. "Let me say that it is probably the biggest road win for Clemson in 20 years," added Bowden, whose team lost to Virginia last week. "That was a big win for this team as far as making a statement."
It was the fourth touchdown of the day for Dantzler, who also scored on a 38-yard run on the last play of the first half while throwing for scores of 55 and 63 yards, respectively, after the intermission.
Travis Zachery rushed for a pair of TDs for Clemson, which trailed, 19-7, with 2:28 remaining in the opening half following a one-yard TD run by Georgia Tech's Joe Burns and a two-point conversion. Burns rushed 30 times for 126 yards.
However, Dantzler's 38-yard TD scamper cut the deficit to five points entering the locker room, giving the visitors a chance to complete the comeback over the final 30-plus minutes. Dantzler completed 18-of-32 passes for 254 yards. Although he was sacked six times, he still led the Tigers in rushing with 164 yards on 25 carries. Zachery added 79 yards on 22 attempts.
"I wasn't sure how this team would respond after losing last week," said Bowden. "This is a defining game that makes a statement about this team and your ability to draw some strength from within."
It marked the sixth straight year the Georgia Tech-Clemson game was decided by three points.
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All-TigerNet [12030]
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Watched it with a GT fan...he was p1ssed.
Sep 29, 2020, 10:00 AM
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I'll never forget...TOUCHDOWN!...MCKELVEY!!!
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All-TigerNet [12879]
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Re: On This Date: 2001 (25)Clemson-47 (9)Georgia Tech-44 F/OT
Sep 29, 2020, 10:09 AM
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Easily one of the most exciting games in Clemson history! Especially if you don't count championship games and Carolina slaughters.
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All-TigerNet [12879]
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Re: On This Date: 2001 (25)Clemson-47 (9)Georgia Tech-44 F/OT
Sep 29, 2020, 10:13 AM
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I'll go as far to say the last play of the first half was as exciting as any play I've ever seen. Especially considering it was the last play. You'd almost always see a hail Mary attempt in that situation but a 38 yard QB scramble. UNREAL
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Legend [17786]
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HUGE play. Made it 19-14 (vs 19-7) at HT, then on 4th play
Sep 29, 2020, 10:48 AM
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of the 2H, we score another TD on the quick-throw/missed tackle/long run by Matt Bailey. Instead of 19-7 Tech, its 21-19 Clemson before GT ever got the ball back.
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Orange Blooded [2379]
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Re: On This Date: 2001 (25)Clemson-47 (9)Georgia Tech-44 F/OT
Sep 29, 2020, 10:21 AM
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I was there and remember it like it was yesterday. That was the first game post 9/11, so it had that powerful element about it as well.
"Tailgated" at JR Crickets (which is now gone) across the street from the Varsity. Great day!
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Orange Blooded [4757]
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Re: On This Date: 2001 (25)Clemson-47 (9)Georgia Tech-44 F/OT
Sep 29, 2020, 10:56 AM
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I was in Raleigh surrounded by NCSU fans while that game was on, watching it on a little TV while a party was going on. When Dantzler scored and ended the game I literally shouted in joy (and relief) right in the middle of the party. It was pretty funny.
Just a few weeks later was the Clemson-NCSU game where Dantzler singlehandedly beat their entire team. I was there for that game--on the sidelines, matter of fact--and had a LOT of fun. That's the game where I learned about NCSU's student section and their awful behavior. That reputation is well-earned.
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All-TigerNet [10498]
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One of the most fun games I've ever seen***
Sep 29, 2020, 11:25 AM
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All-In [27366]
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A friend asked me to go to that game and I told him no.
Sep 29, 2020, 2:32 PM
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I hated Atlanta, hated tech, and hated to see us lose. He begged and begged and so I changed my mind and drove down there with him.
One of the best games and one of the best drives home I ever had.
Glad I relented and went.
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