A quarter-by-quarter look at Georgia Tech’s 43-24 loss against Clemson on Saturday in Clemson, S.C.
FIRST QUARTER
Big play: On the third play of the game, Clemson running back Wayne Gallman shot down the north sideline and ran untouched for a 66-yard touchdown, a play punctuated by cornerback D.J. White getting overwhelmed on a perimeter block.
Turning point: After Clemson took a 17-3 lead at the 2:52 mark with an 80-yard touchdown drive, Tech went three-and-out and encountered special-teams disaster again. Long snapper Sean Tobin sailed his snap over punter Ryan Rodwell's head, leading to a safety. Clemson raced to another touchdown on the ensuing possession and a 26-3 lead.
Takeaway: The Yellow Jackets did close to nothing right. In a game in which it needed to play solidly in offense, defense and special teams, lapses in all three phases allowed Clemson to take a lead that appeared insurmountable.
Clemson 19, Tech 3
SECOND QUARTER
Big play: Off a fake toss, A-back Clinton Lynch was wide open for a 50-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Justin Thomas. The possession was extended by Chase Alford's 9-yard run on a fake punt. The play was almost half of the Jackets' offense in the half (109 yards).
Turning point: Down 26-10 with 1:36 left in the half, Tech let go of the game by allowing the Tigers to race 70 yards for a touchdown to go ahead 33-10. The Jackets supplied 30 of the yards with a personal foul (defensive tackle Patrick Gamble) and pass-interference (cornerback Lawrence Austin), although the latter likely saved a touchdown.
Takeaway: After the Lynch touchdown and two consecutive three-and-outs by the Tech defense, the Jackets had the ball on their 22 with 4:32 left. The Jackets' light flickered. A Tech five-and-out and a Clemson touchdown drive effectively extinguished Tech. On the Jackets' possession, as was the case for much of the game, Clemson defensive ends Kevin Dodd and Shaq Lawson got the better of Tech offensive tackles Errin Joe and Bryan Chamberlain.
Clemson 33, Tech 10
THIRD QUARTER
Big play: With his team down 33-10 and needing a spark, linebacker Brant Mitchell made his first career interception to give the Jackets two consecutive stops to start the second half. The Jackets followed by losing eight yards on three plays and punting. It made Tech 0-for-10 on third downs.
Turning point: Following that three-and-out, Tech's fourth of the game, the defense was blown out on the Tigers' four-play, 70-yard touchdown drive to push the lead to 40-10. Running back Zac Brooks finished the drive with a 35-yard run in which he raced untouched to the end zone.
Takeaway: Tech ran 20 third-quarter plays and half were either for no gain or a loss, evidence of Clemson's dominance. Even defensive tackle Adam Gotsis' first career touchdown, off a botched shotgun snap that rolled into the end zone, couldn't stem the Tigers.
Clemson 40, Tech 17
FOURTH QUARTER
Big play: Wide receiver Ricky Jeune, wide open, scored on an easy 46-yard touchdown pass from Thomas. It closed the score to 43-24.
Turning point: The quarter began 40-14. The only turning point in this quarter was fans leaving Memorial Stadium.
Takeaway: Easily one of the most decisive losses of coach Paul Johnson's tenure. The Jackets didn't give in, but were overpowered in losing their fourth game in a row for the first time since 1996.
Clemson 43, Tech 24
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