First-Half Flop Downs Clemson

Staring down the barrel of an embarrassing 24-0 first half deficit to Georgia Tech, Clemson had two choices -- go down in flames, as has been its pattern in recent years, or muscle up and do something about it. Clemson chose the latter, and nearly staged an epic comeback. The Tigers surged back with 27 straight points to take the lead before the Yellow Jackets booted a pair of field goals, one with just under a minute left, to claim the 30-27 home victory.

Things started out poorly as the Clemson defense let 230-pound Georgia Tech tailback Anthony Allen take a simple short-side option pitch 82 yards for the game's first score. Later, the Tigers lined up for a 57-yard field goal. Kicker Richard Jackson instead punted the ball, but the home team was ready, and returnman Jerrard Tarrant fielded the punt and raced nearly untouched for an 85-yard return in one of the dumbest moments of this young season. Tragedy turned to comedy when Georgia Tech then faked its own field goal, with kicker Scott Blair throwing a 34-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Demaryius Thomas for the 21-nothing lead.

From there Clemson steadily rallied. The offense wasn't all that impressive, but broke through with long touchdowns passes of 63 yards to back C.J. Spiller and 77 yards to speedy receiver Jacoby Ford. The rally was nearly complete when Jackson lined up for -- and nailed -- another long field goal, this time from 53 yards to start the fourth quarter.

Georgia Tech's offense was stymied after a brilliant first half, and in the postgame interview Yellow Jacket coach Paul Johnson credited Clemson's twin terror defensive ends Da'Quan Bowers and Ricky Sapp for suffocating his option attack.

That said, the Jackets toughed it out at the end, driving for 69 and 47 yards to get in position to connect on a pair of field goals in the game's last six minutes.

Both secondaries were active, snagging four interceptions and keeping both passers under 50% completions. 2008 Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year Jonathan Dwyer was particularly limited, netting just 66 yards for a 3.7 average. His team ground its way to 300 rushing yards on the night, but Louisville transfer Anthony Allen was the breakout player, pulling in 127 yards and the long touchdown on his five carries. Quarterback Josh Nesbitt looked battered after a 91 yard, 18 carry effort.

The game's other star was Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan who absolutely dominated Clemson's tackles in the early going, netting three tackles for loss in the first quarter including a third and short stop on Spiller to go with a sack.

Overall this game lacked the back-and-forth drama of Monday's epic battle between Miami and Florida State, but it left a modestly positive impression of ACC football. Georgia Tech has proven Johnson's option attack can work in a major conference and win tight, physical games. Clemson showcased its terrifyingly fast, maturing offensive pieces Jacoby Ford and C.J. Spiller. Neither looks like national title contenders but a season spent within the top 25 rankings is certainly possible.