Clemson Tigers @ Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets Football Recap

Georgia Tech 31, Clemson 17

Lights on – national spotlight, and a chance to make a statement – one was made Saturday night in Atlanta, just not quite what we expected

Georgia Tech coach Paul Johnson’s spread-option attack can still dominate.

The No. 6 Tigers fell behind 24-3 at the half, and second-half turnovers foiled their comeback attempt to a 31-17 road loss at Georgia Tech – dropping to 8-1 (5-1 ACC) and dashing any realistic hopes for their first national title since 1981.

Scuffling coming on in a two-game losing streak, the Yellow Jackets (7-2, 4-2 ACC) enforced their will via Johnson’s run-centered attack early and often – kick-started by a Clemson fumble inside their own 20, where on fourth and goal from the one – Georgia Tech running back Orwin Smith eased into the endzone on the pitch for a 7-3 first quarter lead.

Clemson’s prolific offense, on the other hand, struggled – outgained 244 to 132 yards by Georgia Tech at the half – after a field goal on the Tigers’ opening drive, Clemson proceeded to fumble, punt twice, miss a field goal and take a sack at the end of the half on their next five.

Georgia Tech kept the pressure on with a 10-play, 80-yard touchdown drive capped by Orwin Smith’s second touchdown rush of game from three yards out, and a nine-play, 78-yard scoring-drive culminating in quarterback Tevin Washington punching it in for a 24-3 Yellow Jackets’ lead at the half. Washington broke the Georgia Tech school record for quarterback rushing yards with 27 carries for 176 yards.

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The top-ranked Tigers overcame twin 18-point deficits on the road at Maryland in a 56-45 win in mid-October, but their chances for another road comeback hit a wall early.

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd hit star freshman receiver Sammy Watkins for a 48-yard touchdown connection to start the third quarter, only to have Washington break a career-long 56-yard run, setting up an 11-yard touchdown run through the middle of the Clemson defense by Yellow Jackets running back David Sims for a 31-10 Georgia Tech lead with 11:30 to go in the third quarter.

The Yellow Jackets cruised by the 300 rushing yard mark midway through the third quarter, and were poised to take a four-touchdown lead until a fumble at Clemson’s goal-line, where the Tigers appeared to be offsides but no call was made.

Clemson didn’t waste the opportunity – mounting a 10-play, 97 yard touchdown drive to get within two possessions with 14:47 left in the fourth quarter.

Then, Georgia Tech got a little greedy, where after running the ball all day on the Tigers – tried a first-down pass, which Clemson safety Rashard Hall picked and returned to the Yellow Jackets’ nine-yard line.

With 10:39 to go, Clemson had an opportunity to cut the lead to a single-possession, but it wasn’t to be, as miscommunication between Boyd and Watkins resulted in an easy interception on the fade by Georgia Tech cornerback Jemea Thomas one play later to effectively seal it.

The Yellow Jackets' offense got back to the basics and finished off the game with a patented, grinding drive going 16 plays in over nine minutes to put the nail in the coffin.

Though the trip to New Orleans was put on hold, Clemson has a bye week before hosting Wake Forest in two weeks for a spot in the ACC Championship Game as the Atlantic Division winner.

Georgia Tech takes a rest this week as well before Virginia Tech comes to town for a crucial Coastal clash on a Thursday, most likely deciding the representative on the other side of the ACC in Charlotte come December.

By: Brandon Rink
DFN Sports Staff Writer