It was an inauspicious start for the Clemson Tigers against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets. On military appreciation day at Death Valley, the Tigers came out sluggish. Clemson found themselves trailing 7-0 early after a head-scratching fake punt decision, but the Tigers have rebounded and are beginning to find their groove offensively. It has not been a perfect effort by any stretch coming off last week’s monumental victory over Notre Dame, but the Tigers are setting themselves up for another home win with a 21-7 halftime lead. Here are five reactions from the first half from Memorial Stadium.
What are you thinking?
Georgia Tech scored their first points five minutes into the ballgame after what could only be described as an early Christmas present from Clemson. Facing 4th and 10 with the ball at their own 20, punter Aiden Swanson took the snap and took off running. He was predictably stopped five yards short of the first down marker, giving the Yellow Jackets possession at the Clemson 25. Four plays later, Georgia Tech quarterback Haynes King punched it in from four yards and the game’s first touchdown. Whether it was a called fake, or Swanson called his own number, it was a poor decision and situational awareness by the Tigers.
Fourth down clutch
With the offense slow to get going, Clemson has gone for it on fourth down four times. The Tigers have converted all four. Klubnik put passes right in the hands of Jake Briningstool and Beaux Collins, while Phil Mafah and Will Shipley have converted on power runs as well. Thanks to their prowess on fourth down, Clemson has scored two touchdowns. It was just the shot in the arm the offense needed.
Contain Jamal Haynes
Georgia Tech running back Jamal Haynes is finding some success on the ground, and the fact that he has gashed the Clemson front seven at times is atypical of the Tigers’ defense. Haynes is a talented back, but has eight carries for 80 yards, including a long run of 40. Haynes King has been held in check passing the ball for the Yellow Jackets, and if the Tigers can bottle up Haynes in the second half, do not look for Georgia Tech to do too much offensively.
Offensive line
After playing their best game of the season against Notre Dame, and with five guys up front that seemed to gel together, the offensive line has been a mixed bag in the first half. At times, that unit has been solid and opened up holes for Mafah and Will Shipley in the run game, but in others have allowed a weak Georgia Tech defensive front to put lots of pressure on Klubnik. Clemson leads 21-7 at the break, so this is nit-picking a bit, but Dabo Swinney would love to see more consistency in pass blocking in the second half.
Welcome back Will Shipley
After missing the Notre Dame game after suffering a concussion against N.C. State, junior running back Will Shipley is back and has played like a man on a mission through the first two quarters. Shipley has 87 all-purpose yards in the first half, rushing eight times for 66 yards and catching two passes for 21. Shipley broke free down the left sideline with just over a minute to play in the half, scoring on a 32-yard electrifying run that put the Tigers up 21-7. After being maligned at times this season, it has been great to see Shipley bust loose in his return to the field.
