Clemson vs. Georgia Tech: Score and Twitter Reaction

There were lingering questions about the No. 5-ranked Clemson Tigers after early six-point wins against the Auburn Tigers and Troy Trojans, but Clemson's defense provided loud answers in Thursday's ACC clash against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets.

The Tigers went to Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta and walked away with a commanding 26-7 victory over the Yellow Jackets as Clemson's defense kept its previously undefeated foe's triple-option offense in check throughout the contest.

Georgia Tech managed 124 total yards, 95 of which came from the rushing attack. It averaged just 2.5 yards per rush, and quarterback Justin Thomas tallied minus-25 yards on the ground as the point guard of the triple-option. He also threw for just 29 yards on 4-of-13 passing.

Most of Clemson's offensive production came during a 23-point first half, which represented a welcome change after the team's previous five trips to Georgia Tech, as ESPN Stats & Info illustrated:

Deshaun Watson completed 32 of his 48 passes for 304 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, while running back Wayne Gallman finished with 59 rushing yards and a score. Ray-Ray McCloud led the receiving corps with 101 yards through the air and 17 on the ground.

Clemson opened with a methodical nine-play, 75-yard drive that Watson capped off with a perfectly placed fade route to Mike Williams in the corner of the end zone. The Tigers mixed in plenty of misdirection looks, and Georgia Tech forced only one third down on the entire possession.

The Tigers maintained the momentum with a three-and-out on defense, but Brad Senkiw of the Independent Mail noted it came at a price:

The Tigers nearly seized a two-score lead. However, Williams couldn't stay in bounds on a would-be touchdown catch, and Greg Huegel missed a chip-shot field goal. The home team didn't parlay the miss into anything, and Clemson moved ahead by two scores on its next try with a one-yard touchdown by Gallman.

Scott Keepfer of the Greenville News underscored how dire the start was for the Yellow Jackets:

Things turned disastrous for Georgia Tech with two minutes left in the half. Lance Austin intercepted a Watson pass in the end zone and attempted to return it, but he fumbled the ball back into the end zone after his teammate ran into him. The Yellow Jackets pounced on it, but it was a safety. 

"So Clemson throws an ugly interception and gets two points out of it," Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch observed. "Not a bad deal if you can get it."

Dan Wolken of USA Today reacted to the sequence:

Clemson blew it open with a nine-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Jordan Leggett on the next possession. It took a 23-0 lead into the locker room at halftime, and the numbers through the first 30 minutes were ugly for the Yellow Jackets. The Tigers outgained them 347-23 in total yardage, and Georgia Tech threw for minus-three yards.

The Tigers continued to overwhelm the Georgia Tech attack in the third quarter. Wolken called the performance from the defensive line "savage" and acknowledged he had never seen the Yellow Jackets "look this helpless."

Tom Fornelli of CBS Sports recognized similar outings for Clemson would spell trouble for the rest of the nation:

"

Clemson is a fun team to watch without this defense. Clemson is a title contender with it.

— Tom Fornelli (@TomFornelli) September 23, 2016"

Fortunately for Georgia Tech, its defense prevented Clemson's offense from blowing the game open in the third quarter. That effort allowed the Yellow Jackets to cut the deficit to 23-7 with 13:21 remaining in the game off a two-yard scamper by Dedrick Mills.

The touchdown finished an 11-play, 89-yard drive that had Aaron Brenner of the Post & Courier wondering whether the Tigers were in trouble:

Things looked dicey for Clemson after it punted on the next possession, but Van Smith notched a critical interception when Georgia Tech attempted a halfback pass on a trick play. Huegel drilled a 47-yard field goal four plays later to make it a three-score deficit and end any comeback hopes for the Yellow Jackets.

Even with the comfortable lead, David Hale of ESPN.com noted the Tigers' lack of offense in the second half could be partially attributed to problems up front:

There were no problems with the defense, which continued to suffocate Georgia Tech's efforts, forcing a turnover on downs with 2:51 left in the game at the Yellow Jackets' 24-yard line.

The Tigers ran the clock out from there and clinched their first conference win of the season.

What's Next?

Clemson will return home Oct. 1 to square off with Louisville in a game loaded with postseason implications.

The Cardinals are No. 3 in the Associated Press Top 25, and the winner will take early control of the ACC Atlantic Division and make a statement in the battle for a spot in the College Football Playoff. The Tigers also have a showdown at Florida State on Oct. 29, when they can make another impression on the selection committee.

As for Georgia Tech, No. 15 Miami is next on the docket. While that Oct. 1 matchup will prove difficult, it doesn't play Florida State or Louisville this season. Another loss could knock the Yellow Jackets out of ACC title contention, but they could reach a bowl game against a straightforward schedule after those initial challenges, which would represent a drastic improvement after last year's abysmal 3-9 campaign.

Postgame Reaction

Yellow Jackets coach Paul Johnson expressed his disappointment with the offense, per Georgia Tech: “I saw some things encouraging on defense. To say I’m disappointed with our offense would be an understatement.”

Thomas looked at the silver lining coming off the loss, per Georgia Tech: “We’ve still got our whole division to play, so we have to focus on that. There’s still a lot in front of us.”

As for Clemson, coach Dabo Swinney said Jalen Williams’ injury was to the MCL and not of the season-ending variety, per Dan Hope of the USA Today network.

He also discussed the victory, per Brenner: “A place we haven’t won at very much, so mission accomplished. Very happy to get out of here with a W. It’s been long enough.”

The next mission will be even more difficult for the Tigers as they prepare for Lamar Jackson and the undefeated Cardinals.