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CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) – A week-long worry in Clemson, in second place, following a massive storm, ended in a victory at a packed house at Memorial Stadium.
The Tigers (3-0) earned a career-best 162-yard career and two Travis Etienne touchdowns to defeat Georgia Southern 38-7 on Saturday, ending an unusual week for Clemson – the only major college team in the Carolinas and Virginia. do not cancel his game because of Florence.
Coach Dabo Swinney was grateful that the weather held up and the fans showed up.
"I really did not know what to expect," Swinney said. "We almost had a full house." Elsewhere in South Carolina, the slow-moving tropical storm was displacing people and destroying property.
"There is still a lot of damage that people are facing," said Swinney. "But I told our guys, maybe we could forget the things they're going through today."
In her first meeting with Georgia Southern (2-1) of the Sun Belt conference, Trevor Lawrence rushed for 194 yards, including 57 yards for fellow freshman Justyn Ross.
Clemson officials moved the game until noon instead of 3:30 pm. AND begin with deference in Florence, which was at one point a category 4 hurricane.
Co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott thought his players were stuck in training this week and was not worried about the approaching storm. "In general, I did not really feel that there were a lot of distractions," he said. "Coach Swinney was convinced we would have the opportunity to play."
At the send-off, however, the crowd of 79,844 spectators had sunny skies and light breezes for the backs, as did many football Saturdays. Conditions changed at half-time with bands of gray clouds above the stadium and the wind rising. Florence's torrential rains are expected to hit the area later in the evening and Sunday.
The week has been long, tiring, do they go or do not go? With people wondering if Clemson should even do it.
The departure of the Tigers did not seem concentrated. Clemson had two of his three turnovers in the first quarter when Kelly Bryant intercepted Adam Adam's tackle. Greg Huegel's field goal – his first of two in the day – was missed and the Tigers were tied 0-0 against an opponent they had preferred to beat by five touchdowns after the first quarter.
Clemson's attack was finally started in the second quarter as Etienne closed a 93-yard TD fourth and final goal.
Lawrence followed with his long touchdown throw and Bryant returned to a series later to lead a tryout with Tavien Feaster's 1-yard touchdown.
Clemson's defense ended the attack on the Georgia Southern option. The Eagles placed fourth in the country averaging 326 yards per run and played their first two games. They managed only 20 yards and a first the first two quarters.
Clemson beat Georgia Southern 595 at 140. The Tigers' defense ended with five sacks, including two by Austin Austin.
Bryant said his side of the ball was not frustrated early in the game, scoring chances missed by Clemson. "We were desperate to help our teammates," he said. "We played hard, but we only touched the surface."
Players received a boost from the crowd, Scott said.
"Earlier in the week, you did not know who was going to show up," he said. "As coaches and team, we were not surprised (with the crowd) .This is rare."
Georgia Southern quarterback Shai Werts of Clinton, about 90 minutes southeast of Clemson, was delighted that the Eagles worked hard throughout the loss. "It's something we can learn outside of the week and improve," he said.
THE TAKEAWAY
Georgia Southern: The Eagles do not have enough association with Power Five teams like the Tigers yet. The next victory for Georgia Southern, however, will exceed its total of victories last year.
Clemson: The Tigers had very little to gain in this match, except perhaps by preserving their mid-season rest week by not having to cancel the match with Georgia Southern in Florence.
INJURY
Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant did not return for the second half after falling in the second quarter. Bryant returned in the period, but was taken to the locker room. Clemson coach, Dabo Swinney, told ESPN that Bryant had told him that he was breathing heavily.
Swinney said after the match that Bryant had a bruise on his chest and he was fine.
FOLLOWING
Georgia Southern is absent next week before the start of the Sun Belt conference against Arkansas State on Sept. 29.
Clemson opens the Atlantic Coast Conference game at Georgia Tech next Saturday.
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