Tigers Take Down Tech in 2019 Opener
Clemson Romps Over Visiting Yellow Jackets 52-14
The Clemson Tigers had a big night on Thursday. They began by officially noting and celebrating the 2018 national
championship title they won back in January for their 2nd title in the last 3 years. In case anyone in attendance did not already know that, Thursday’s game ticket was embossed with a picture of Dabo Swinney kissing the most recent trophy . It all made sense because one of the many privileges earned by the champs is to make your visitors sit through your own celebration of your prior mastery of them. So just add that mandate to the list of things Georgia Tech was trying to overcome in their 2019 opener. The other unfriendly factors were more directly football-related and had been well-documented by gametime Thursday night. You know the list: first game, new coach, new system, young team, unsure on QB, on the road, awe-inspiring opponent and opposing coach,etc.
It all proved to be too much for the Jackets, who fell 52-14 in Game One of the Geoff Collins era. The Tigers had twice as much total offense, including several long touchdowns. And yet, despite the big margin, there were some things to be encouraged about for Georgia Tech, who definitely played better than the score indicated. The Yellow Jacket defense was problematic for Trevor Lawrence, who went 13 of 23 and threw 2 interceptions, after having only 4 in all of 2018. Too, the Jackets generally held up versus the Tiger running game, but for several (very) major breakdowns. As Collins lamented post-game, “… the explosive plays….limit those and it’s a different game.” He was referring to 2 long runs by Travis Etienne totaling 138 of his 205 yard total. Add to those a Lawrence pass to Tee Higgins for a 62 yard touchdown late in the 1st half. Those 3 plays accounted for a third of the Tigers’ total.
Tech’s offense, by contrast was throttled by the Tigers’ typically athletic defense. The Jackets gained 294 yards on the night, averaging 3.5 yards per rush on 45 attempts, led by Jordan Mason’s 72 yards on 13 carries and a touchdown.
Jordan Mason scores for Georgia Tech in the 3rd quarter
But the Tech offense had fallen short in a big moment earlier in the game after a Tre Swilling INT of a Lawrence pass set them up inside the Clemson 3 yard line. 3 consecutive running plays failed to gain and then Tobias Oliver threw a desperation INT on 4th down to add to the frustration. Shortly thereafter Etienne burst free for a 14 yard TD as the Tigers built momentum.
Clemson took a 28-0 lead into the half. Tiger starters played only a few more series as Swinney emptied his bench, getting game action for an impressive 91 players by game’s end.
Even with the subs , Clemson outscored Tech 24-14 in the 2nd half. Tech’s offense produced scores by Mason and on a 28 yard pass from James Graham to Ahmarean Brown late in the 4th quarter.
Graham came on in the second half to spell Tobias Oliver who had been proficient running the ball, but much less so passing (3 of 9 with 2 INT’s). Graham hit 4 of 7 for 72 yards, admittedly against some of the many subs Dabo sent out, but he looked comfortable running the offense. Lucas Johnson also took a few snaps at quarterback for Tech, with minimal results.
The game began in a fashion that pleased the Tech faithful. The Jackets kicked off and held the Tigers to a quick 3 and out, forcing a punt. Juanyeh Thomas muffed the kick at his own 16, handing the Tigers a golden opportunity–which they promptly cashed in, just over 3 minutes into the game.Lawrence ran it in from 6 yards out. It was precisely the kind of mistake Tech could not make if they were to challenge the Tigers this night.
As Collins said later, “the story of the game was the big plays”. Tech’s D was akin to a baseball pitcher who pitches effectively overall, but gives up several big home runs. There is reason for hope, especially since so many young Techsters (22 freshmen played) were involved in competition literally at the highest level of college football.
The renovated front of Memorial Stadium shows off the 2 recent titles Clemson has earned. Many predict that another addition to the sign will be needed in January 2020
Perhaps Collins and crew can draw inspiration from Dabo Swinney himself, whose first game as head coach back in 2008 ended in a loss to…Georgia Tech. It took Swinney a few more seasons to hit his stride, and he has now made Clemson into the epicenter of the college football world. The Tigers have won the ACC 4 consecutive years and they are heavy favorites to repeat. They have become a fixture in the CFP , and Swinney has become the highest paid college coach in history. Quite a climb, and there is nothing on the horizon to suggest the Tigers will fall from their lofty perch any time soon.
The Tigers will host Texas A&M in their next game. Georgia Tech returns home to face the University of South Florida, who fell 49-0 last weekend to Wisconsin.
Patrick Conarro
RamblinSports