Georgia Tech loses big to Clemson in a wet night on the road

CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 28: Kelly Bryant
CLEMSON, SC - OCTOBER 28: Kelly Bryant

The Yellow Jackets traveled to Clemson Saturday, with a tough task ahead facing the defending national champion Tigers in a soggy game.

Georgia Tech (4-3) started strong on offense, but a key turnover and a failure to score in the red zone squandered any slight chance the Jackets may have had to beat the Tigers, losing 24-10.

Tech’s troubles started when KirVonte Benson coughed up the ball to end what would have been a nice gain. Clemson put it in the endzone on their second offensive play following the fumble on a 38-yard pass to go up 7-0 with the extra point.

The Jackets drove deep into Clemson territory on their next series, but failed to get a touchdown after getting near the Tigers’ five yard line. Tech settled for a field goal, bringing the score to 7-3.

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Clemson scored again in the first quarter on another Kelly Bryant touchdown, this time a 20-yard pass. The extra point made it 14-3 Tigers.

The Tigers’ next score came on a short two-yard run late in the second quarter, putting Clemson up 21-3 going into the half.

An otherwise stagnant Tech offense was highlighted by a 12 carry, 120 yard first half effort from KirVonte Benson.

Clemson received the football out of halftime and other than a 29-yard field goal early in the third quarter, Tech’s defense held up pretty well in the second half.

For a short time, Paul Johnson sent in backup quarterback Matthew Jordan to replace Marshall, but the senior left with an apparent injury shortly after making a few positive rushes.

TaQuon Marshall, who had otherwise had a rough outing, finally found his stride late in the fourth quarter with a 22-yard touchdown run. The score capped a drive saved earlier by a Ricky Jeune catch on fourth down to keep Tech alive. Tech cut the lead to 24-10 with 4:43 left in the game.

Georgia Tech’s defense stepped up throughout the second half, holding Clemson to only the only field goal. A relatively stagnant Tech offense, however, was the deciding factor in a 24-10 loss.

Next: Recruiting: Julius Welschof commits to Yellow Jackets

Georgia Tech gets back to action next Saturday with a 3:00 p.m. kickoff on the road at Virginia in ACC Coastal play.