Clemson-Georgia Tech: Inside the box score

By Ken Sugiura

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Stopping Spiller: Clemson running back C.J. Spiller lined up as a tailback, in a one-back formation, out wide and went in motion, all in an attempt to free him. Clemson even had him throw a pass on a halfback option, which fell incomplete. Clemson’s ploys worked fairly well, as Spiller ran 20 times for 87 yards. The killer for Tech was a 63-yard touchdown reception in which Spiller slipped out of the backfield and was isolated against Tech safety Cooper Taylor.

Losing focus: Five days after the Jackets’ listless play in their win over Jacksonville State alarmed coach Paul Johnson, the same malaise bogged them down after they went up 24-0 in the second quarter. After going up 24-0, they went scoreless in eight consecutive possessions before tying the score at 27 in the fourth quarter. The defense, after giving up 146 yards in the first half, gave up 200 in the third quarter alone.

Improving special teams: Jerrard Tarrant returned a punt for a score for the second time in as many games. Punter Chandler Anderson kicked better, averaging 36.7 yards on six punts, only one of which was returned. Kicker Scott Blair made the two most clutch field goals of his Tech career, nailing a 34-yard field goal late to tie the game at 27 with 5:46 left in the game and the 36-yard game-winner with 57 seconds left.

By the numbers

418 -- Total number of yards gained by Georgia Tech.

24 -- The deficit that Clemson rallied from, with 27 consecutive points.

3-14 -- Tech’s third-down conversion numbers. The only third downs Tech converted in the game were on its final two drives.

63, 77 -- Distances of Clemson’s two longest touchdown passes. Both were longer than the longest pass given up last season by the Jackets (49 yards)

21-71 -- Rush attempts and yards gained by Tech in its eight consecutive scoreless possessions before its final two scoring drives.

Injury report

Sean Bedford: The center left the game midway through the third quarter with what appeared to be a leg cramp, returned and then left the game again.

Plays of the day

● On Tech’s second play from scrimmage, A-back Anthony Allen took Josh Nesbitt’s option pitch and sprinted to the south end zone for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

● The Jackets caught Clemson sleeping, failing to defend wide receiver Demaryius Thomas on a fake field-goal attempt, leading to an easy 34-yard touchdown pass from kicker Scott Blair.

● Thomas’ leaping 39-yard reception on third-and-11 from the Tech 34 on Tech’s game-winning drive.

● Cornerback Jerrard Tarrant broke up a long pass on Clemson’s final drive from Kyle Parker to C.J. Spiller.