Georgia Tech beat Clemson 20-6 on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, and Clemson loses Georgia Tech left the Tigers without an offensive touchdown for the second straight week. The Yellow Jackets entered the game at 2-7 on a four-game losing streak, and they controlled the game on the ground while Clemson lost both of its quarterbacks to injury.
Clemson starting quarterback Tait Reynolds left the game in the second minute with a left knee injury. He went down on the third play after a 24-yard run brought the crowd to its feet, and he later underwent an MRI after his knee locked up during the opening drive. Clemson was already playing without four sidelined offensive starters before Reynolds went down. Christopher Vizzina, who entered despite being limited by an injury, was taken to the hospital from the locker room after a big hit late in the game, and Clemson loses Georgia Tech left the Tigers without a healthy quarterback by the end.
Clemson loses Georgia Tech on the ground
Georgia Tech rushed for 269 yards and two touchdowns, and Clemson loses Georgia Tech came down to the Yellow Jackets’ running game. Justice Haynes ran for 116 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries. The Yellow Jackets outgained Clemson 407-228, and they held the Tigers to 14 first downs while Clemson converted five of 17 chances on third down.
The Tigers put the ball on the turf five times, and Clemson loses Georgia Tech turned on those mistakes. Two fumbles came from Pearman, and one each came from Green, Vizzina and Bryant Wesco Jr. Clemson trailed 13-3 at halftime and managed only two field goals all day. The final margin of two touchdowns was deceptive, because the Yellow Jackets botched two trips deep into scoring territory. Nolan Hauser’s 47-yard field goal made it 20-6, and that was the last time Clemson scored.
Clemson loses Georgia Tech in Swinney’s 250th game
The game was Dabo Swinney’s 250th as Clemson’s head coach, and Clemson loses Georgia Tech ranked among the worst losses of his tenure. Georgia Tech had fired four assistant coaches during the week, and head coach Brent Key had dismissed multiple assistants during a turbulent season. The Yellow Jackets still won their first road game of the season, and their first game in Death Valley since 2008, when Swinney coached his first game for Clemson.
The defeat snapped a 38-game streak in which Clemson had not lost to a team with a losing record at kickoff. Clemson has now dropped nine of its last 11 home games against Power Four opponents, and the loss was the fourth of the season. It is the fourth straight season in which Clemson has lost at least four games. Clemson loses Georgia Tech also marked the first time the Tigers had lost back-to-back games to Georgia Tech since 2008-2009.
After the game, Swinney took the blame for the result. “We got enough to go win the game, and we didn’t get it done,” he said. “It’s my job.” Asked about the injuries and the short week ahead, he added: “Well, it’s difficult, but ain’t nobody coming to save us, so nobody cares. We gotta find a way to get it done.” The buyout on Swinney’s contract is worth $57 million, according to Fox Sports.
What comes next for Clemson
Clemson fell to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, and Clemson loses Georgia Tech ended any realistic path back to the ACC Championship game. The Tigers have a quick turnaround before their conference finale at Duke on Friday, Nov. 20, at 7:30 p.m. on ESPN. Clemson then closes the regular season at home against South Carolina on Saturday, Nov. 28.
Georgia Tech improved to 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the conference with the win. The Yellow Jackets had lost four straight before Saturday, and the win was their first on the road this season. They return home with a result that changes little in the standings but ends a run of four straight losses.