Instant Halftime Analysis: Clemson 27, Georgia Tech 21

by David Hood - Senior Writer - Sat Oct 06 17:14:09 GMT-04:00 2012

CLEMSON - Instant Halftime Analysis: Clemson 27, Georgia Tech 21

What went right: The Tigers scored on five straight possessions after a punt on the first possession of the game.

The Clemson defense also held Georgia Tech on the Jackets’ first possession – Georgia Tech had a 4th-and-1 at their own 37-yard line on the drive, but the Tiger defense snuffed quarterback Tevin Washington on the play and the offense took over.

Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro
RS Jr. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 195
Greenville, SC
View Full Profile hit two more field goals, adding to his school record of consecutive field goals made. He has now made 18 in a row dating back to last season.

Clemson converted a 4th-and-1 of its own in the second quarter.

Boyd escaped pressure on a second-down play with just over three minutes remaining in the half, dodged one defensive linemen and looked like he would escape to run. The safety came up, leaving Nuk Hopkins all alone and Boyd hit Hopkins for a 58-yard touchdown.

What went wrong: Clemson’s safeties continued to look lost. Jonathan MeeksJonathan Meeks
Sr. Safety
#5 6-1, 210
Rock Hill, SC
View Full Profile missed a huge tackle on Georgia Tech’s first scoring drive. The Jackets also managed to throw three times on the drive, all successfully, covering 83 yards in just four plays.

Boyd was not in rhythm in the early part of the first half – several of his throws were high and generally off-target.

Facing a third down at the Georgia Tech 3-yard line late in the second quarter, offensive coordinator Chad MorrisChad Morris
Offensive Coordinator / QBs
View Full Profile opted for a trick play, having wide receiver Nuk Hopkins attempt a pass to tight end Brandon FordBrandon Ford
Gr. Tight End
#80 6-4, 240
Wando, SC
View Full Profile . The pass was off-target, and the Tigers had to settle for a field goal.

The linebackers are not getting wide enough on the pitch plays, allowing Georgia to get chunks of yards.

The Jackets rushed for 197 yards in the first half.

Turning Point of the Half::Boyd escaping pressure and hitting Hopkins for the 58-yard touchdown. That TD not only gave the Tigers the lead, but was Hopkins’ 16th of his career, four shy of the Clemson record. The TD toss was also the 50th of Boyd’s career, giving him first place on Clemson’s all-time list, one ahead of Charlie WhitehurstCharlie Whitehurst
Quarterback
#6 6-4, 225
Duluth, GA
View Full Profile .