CLEMSON - Clemson walked into Death Valley looking for an easy afternoon against a struggling opponent. Instead, the Tigers spent the first half trying to keep the whole thing from slipping away.
Georgia Tech, a 15.5-point underdog entering the day, went to halftime with a 13-3 lead and had Clemson on the ropes.
The biggest reason the Tigers are still within striking distance is Christopher Vizzina, who could barely walk but still gave Clemson a pulse. The veteran signal caller, who was not the backup quarterback for today because of injury, stepped in and completed six of seven passes for 80 yards. It wasn’t clean, but it was enough to give Clemson something to build on after a rough opening stretch.
That stretch belonged to Trent Pearman, who struggled badly in relief before Dabo Swinney had no choice but to turn to Vizzina. Once Vizzina entered, Clemson finally looked capable of moving the ball. He showed the ability to read the field and deliver the right throws, and he helped put together a scoring drive in his first series with the team.
Even with that spark, the Tigers have been fighting uphill all afternoon. Reynolds’ absence has taken a major toll on the offense, and Clemson’s run game has not found any rhythm.
That includes a near-disastrous fumble by Jarvis Green. Clemson’s leading rusher is Tait Reynolds, who left in the middle of the first Clemson series.
There was also no real push downfield during Pearman’s time running the offense, and Georgia Tech defended accordingly. The Yellow Jackets have also done damage with chunk plays, which is a big reason they’ve built the halftime cushion. They have outgained Clemson 228-115.
Clemson’s defense hasn’t been able to sustain the ferocity it showed on the road, either. Up front, the unit that was supposed to make life miserable for opposing quarterbacks has not been able to keep Georgia Tech in check.
There was at least one bright spot in the first half. With Clemson’s lone make, Hauser now owns the all-time regular-season record for field goals made with 28, and he still has two games and change to add to it. He’s been Clemson’s MVP all season, and that record is a fitting marker for the year he’s putting together.
If Clemson is going to pull this out, the formula is simple: stops and scores. The Tigers need to eliminate the chunk plays and get a much better second-half plan from Chad Morris. On offense, they’ll have to climb out of a multi-possession hole, something this group hasn’t been able to do all season.
In Other News...
Clemsons Georgia Tech Loss Exposed A Much Bigger Problem
Clemsons trip to Georgia Tech turned into more than just a frustrating 20-6 loss, because the offense again spent the afternoon searching for answers after Tait Reynolds was injured early and did not return. Christopher Vizzina took over at quarterback, but the Tigers never found the kind of rhythm they needed, and the result was another game without an offensive touchdown.
Nolan Hauser at least gave the Tigers a small bright spot by setting the program record for field goals made in a single season, but even that milestone underscored how much the offense has been leaning on the kicking game. For a team with bigger goals, the concern now is not just one bad outing in Atlanta, but a second straight week without an offensive touchdown and the uncertainty that comes with Reynolds status moving forward. [Read more 🡒]
Clemson Suddenly Has A Bigger QB Concern Than Fans Expected
Clemsons quarterback depth took an immediate hit against Georgia Tech when freshman Tait Reynolds went down with a left knee injury on the opening drive and had to leave the game. Reynolds was later seen wearing a brace on his left leg and did not return, forcing the Tigers to turn to third-string quarterback Trent Pearman much earlier than expected.
Christopher Vizzina, Clemsons usual backup, remains available but is still not fully healthy after a recent ankle sprain, which leaves the Tigers with more uncertainty behind center than they likely anticipated. Dabo Swinney was set to offer an injury update at halftime, and for a team trying to settle its quarterback situation, the next few hours could matter a great deal. [Read more 🡒]
Clemsons QB Situation Just Got More Concerning After Vizzinas Exit
Clemsons quarterback depth took another hit in the loss to Georgia Tech, and Christopher Vizzinas night ended in far more troubling fashion than the ankle sprain he had been managing. The backup still fought through the game, finishing with 133 passing yards, one interception and 18 rushing yards on six carries, but his availability became a concern again late when he absorbed a head and neck injury and had to be taken to the hospital.
Dabo Swinney said the injury was more serious than the ankle issue Vizzina entered the game with, a development that only adds to the uncertainty around Clemsons quarterback room. Swinney also pointed to Vizzinas effort in a tough spot, noting that he kept competing despite having already dealt with multiple injuries, but the bigger question now is how long the Tigers may be without him. [Read more 🡒]