Clemson opens up big lead and gets Game 1 win over Georgia Tech in Atlanta
Clemson football is in the national spotlight Monday night when the No. 4 Tigers take on Georgia Tech at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The game broadcast starts at 8 p.m. on ESPN. Below are in-game updates.
What is the Clemson Georgia Tech score right now?
Clemson 41, Georgia Tech 10: Cade Klubnik first TD
Five-star freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik got his first snaps as a college football player with 5:15 to go in the game and Clemson up 34-10. He ended his first drive with a touchdown pass to Will Taylor.
Clemson 34, Georgia Tech 10: Will Shipley TD
Tailback Will Shipley scores in the fourth quarter moments after a second blocked punt for Clemson.
Clemson 27, Georgia Tech 10: BT Potter field goal
Clemson kicker BT Potter hits his second field goal of the game, this time from 31 yards out with about nine minutes left in the game.
Clemson 24, Georgia Tech 10: DJ Uiagalelei scores
Clemson quarterback kept this drive alive with a nifty pitch to tailback Will Shipley to convert a third down. Uiagalelei kept the ball and scored from 9 yards out late in the third.
Clemson 17, Georgia Tech 10: BT Potter field goal
Clemson kicker BT Potter connected for a 29-yard field goal with under six minutes to go in the third. The score capped a 12 play, 63-yard drive.
Charlie Thomas ejected for targeting
Senior Georgia Tech linebacker Charlie Thomas was ejected for targeting in the third quarter after a hit on Clemson tight end Jake Briningstool.
Clemson 14, GT 10: EJ Jenkins touchdown
Georgia Tech gets its first touchdown of the game with a 13-yard pass from QB Jeff Sims to wide receiver EJ Jenkins — Jenkins played last season with the South Carolina Gamecocks.
Clemson 14, GT 3: Halftime score
Clemson’s offense sputtered around midfield in a one-minute drill after a Georgia Tech targeting penalty was reversed. Aidan Swanson’s fourth punt of the night ends the half with Clemson up two scores. Decent response by DJ Uiagalelei in the second quarter.
Clemson 14, GT 3: Jude Kelley field goal
Georgia Tech gets on the board with a 45-yard Jude Kelley field goal at the 1:15 mark in the second quarter. Kelley had missed from 50 yards out earlier in the quarter and was 1-7 in his career before that make.
Clemson 14, GT 0: Beaux Collins touchdown
After recording a 26-yard catch earlier in the drive, sophomore wide receiver Beaux Collins gives Clemson its second score of the night. DJ Uiagalelei scrambles right and finds Collins in the back of the end zone from six yards out. That nine-play, 42-yard drive was Clemson’s best of the night by far.
Clemson 7, GT 0: Will Shipley scores
Clemson’s on the board for the first time this game and this season. Sophomore Will Shipley punches it in from one yard out on fourth and goal to give Clemson a 7-0 lead with 9:53 until halftime. Clemson capitalizes on a blocked punt.
Clemson blocks a punt
Backup safety Carson Donnelly blocked a punt early in the second quarter.
QB DJ Uiagalelei struggles early
Quite the slugfest on Labor Day so far. Clemson and Georgia Tech are tied at 0-0 after one quarter. The Tigers’ defense has been as good as advertised, while the offense has some work to do (3.6 yards per play, two three-and-outs, one turnover in plus territory). DJ Uiagalelei (pronounced “oo-ee-ahn-gah-leh-LAY”) is 2-of-3 for 25 yards, one fumble, one drive-ending sack taken.
Clemson injury update
Clemson released its travel roster about 90 minutes before kickoff. As expected, the only two two-deep starters who didn’t make the trip were senior defensive end Xavier Thomas (foot) and wide receiver Adam Randall (recovering from torn ACL in spring). Both are expected to return later this season.
Why is the upper deck closed?
Georgia Tech officials proposed the attendance cap after having a “great experience” hosting UNC in the same set-up last season in Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Peach Bowl CEO and president Gary Stokan told The State.
Under the lower bowl-only configuration, Clemson and Georgia Tech will play in front of about 45,000 fans Monday. Georgia and Oregon played in a full, 72,000-seat configuration Saturday.
Final betting line
Clemson is favored by 24 points, according to the VegasInsider consensus line. The over-under for the game is 51 points.
Clemson vs Georgia Tech TV coverage, stream tonight
Who: No. 4 Clemson (0-0, 0-0 ACC) at Georgia Tech (0-0, 0-0 ACC)
When: 8 p.m. Monday
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
TV: ESPN
Broadcast crew: Dave Pasch, Dusty Dvoracek, Tom Luginbill
Stream: via ESPN or on the ESPN app
Radio: 105.5 FM in the Clemson area (see all Clemson radio affiliates here)
Satellite radio: Sirius 84, XM 84, Internet/App 84
Series history: GT leads 51-34-2; Clemson has won last seven
This story was originally published September 5, 2022 at 6:35 PM with the headline "Clemson opens up big lead and gets Game 1 win over Georgia Tech in Atlanta."
