ATLANTA – Clemson’s defense registered seven tackles for loss and allowed just 237 yards as the Tigers won their season-opener, 41-10, over Georgia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Labor Day. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei was 19-for-32 for 209 total yards and a touchdown through the air and on the ground, while Clemson rushed a total of 127 yards, capped by a pair of touchdowns from sophomore Will Shipley.
The Tigers have now won each of their last eight conference openers since 2015, the longest conference-opener winning streak in school history.
“Every championship team we’ve had since I’ve been here, we’ve won the opener. So it’s a big night for us,” said Head Coach Dabo Swinney. “Just a great team effort and we played four quarters of Clemson football.”
Clemson’s defense made an impact on the game’s first play from scrimmage, as pressure from defensive end K.J. Henry resulted in safety Andrew Mukuba’s first career interception. Henry harassed Georgia Tech quarterback Jeff Sims for most of the game and finished the contest with 7 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, a sack and a forced fumble.
After a scoreless first quarter, Clemson’s special teams made a momentum-changing play early in the second quarter, with safety Carson Donnelly blocking a punt that was returned by Brannon Spector to the Georgia Tech 5-yard line. Clemson opened the scoring on the ensuing possession on a one-yard touchdown run by running back Will Shipley.
Clemson’s defense followed the touchdown with a three-and-out, and on Clemson’s next possession, Clemson drove 67 yards in eight plays and extended the lead on a six-yard touchdown pass from quarterback DJ Uiagalelei to wide receiver Beaux Collins. Clemson would carry a 14-3 lead into halftime.
Georgia Tech struck back on their first possession in the third quarter, drawing to within four on a 13-yard touchdown pass by Sims to EJ Jenkins. The Tiger offense provided a quick answer to take a 17-10 lead, as B.T. Potter hit a 29-yard field goal with 5:41 to play in the third quarter, capping a 12-play, 63-yard drive.
After the defense forced another punt, Uiagalelei kept a drive alive on 3rd and 2, avoiding a sack and finding Shipley in the backfield, who took it ten yards for a first down. Uiagalelei then hit his next three passes for 16 yards to Davis Allen, seven yards to Antonio Williams, and found Williams again for 16 yards to bring Clemson into the red zone, and scored…