Written by Adrian Beecher
Orlando, FL - Deshaun Watsons 14 of 19 passing for 117 yards through the air, has the Tigers up on Virginia Tech 21-14 at the half. Despite the lead, the Hokies have been holding their own throughout the entire game and have forced consecutive punts on the tigers last two possessions of the first half.
Clemson started with possession and they got things going with a 3-yard rush from Deshaun Watson. Then 8 plays and 72 yards later, it was Watson finishing off the drive just like he started it with a 3 yard rushing TD to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 11:47 left in the 1st quarter.
Va. Tech was unable to move the ball at al on their opening possession as they were forced into a quick three and out. Then Clemson went back to work. Again going 9 plays on the scoring drive for 83 yards. The drive was capped off with a 21 yard TD pass from Watson to a wide open Jordan Leggett to make it 14-0 with 5:57 left in the 1st quarter.
The Hokies 2nd drive looked to be over quickly as well, until a 15 yard targeting penalty on 3rd down extended their drive. Then on the next set of downs, they faked a punt on 4th down to pick up a 1st down. Then a 15-yard pass interference call against Clemson made it a 1st and 10 at he Tiger 27 for the Hokies. Then 5 plays later they capped off the drive with a 1-yard rush from Travon McMillian to make it 14-7 with 51 seconds left in the 1st quarter.
Watson and the Tigers answered right back with another Watson to Leggett connection. This time it was for 10 yards to make it 21-7 with 11:46 left in the 1st half. The Hokies were not able to keep their momentum and after 1 first down they were forced to punt.
The Hokies defense was finally able to get the Tigers off the field for the 1st time of the night. This then led to an epic drive for VA. Tech. On the first play from scrimmage, Jerod Evans found Isaiah Ford for a 53 yard TD connection to make it 1st and 10 at the Clemson 17 yard line. 4 plays later it was Evans doing it with his legs on an 11-yard TD run to make it 21-14 with 4:09 left in the first half.
Va. Tech’s defense rode the momentum and stood tall, forcing Clemson to punt for a second consecutive drive. This gave the Hokies the ball 1st and 10 at their own 26 yard line with 1:16 left in the 1st half. They would be unable to put anything together and were forced to punt with 13 seconds left and the Tigers took over with just 6 seconds left on the clock. They would take a knee and the lead into the locker room at the half.
Clemson started with possession and they got things going with a 3-yard rush from Deshaun Watson. Then 8 plays and 72 yards later, it was Watson finishing off the drive just like he started it with a 3 yard rushing TD to give the Tigers a 7-0 lead with 11:47 left in the 1st quarter.
Va. Tech was unable to move the ball at al on their opening possession as they were forced into a quick three and out. Then Clemson went back to work. Again going 9 plays on the scoring drive for 83 yards. The drive was capped off with a 21 yard TD pass from Watson to a wide open Jordan Leggett to make it 14-0 with 5:57 left in the 1st quarter.
The Hokies 2nd drive looked to be over quickly as well, until a 15 yard targeting penalty on 3rd down extended their drive. Then on the next set of downs, they faked a punt on 4th down to pick up a 1st down. Then a 15-yard pass interference call against Clemson made it a 1st and 10 at he Tiger 27 for the Hokies. Then 5 plays later they capped off the drive with a 1-yard rush from Travon McMillian to make it 14-7 with 51 seconds left in the 1st quarter.
Watson and the Tigers answered right back with another Watson to Leggett connection. This time it was for 10 yards to make it 21-7 with 11:46 left in the 1st half. The Hokies were not able to keep their momentum and after 1 first down they were forced to punt.
The Hokies defense was finally able to get the Tigers off the field for the 1st time of the night. This then led to an epic drive for VA. Tech. On the first play from scrimmage, Jerod Evans found Isaiah Ford for a 53 yard TD connection to make it 1st and 10 at the Clemson 17 yard line. 4 plays later it was Evans doing it with his legs on an 11-yard TD run to make it 21-14 with 4:09 left in the first half.
Va. Tech’s defense rode the momentum and stood tall, forcing Clemson to punt for a second consecutive drive. This gave the Hokies the ball 1st and 10 at their own 26 yard line with 1:16 left in the 1st half. They would be unable to put anything together and were forced to punt with 13 seconds left and the Tigers took over with just 6 seconds left on the clock. They would take a knee and the lead into the locker room at the half.