Monday 01/01/2001
Jan. 1, 2001
FIRST QUARTERKey Stat – Clemson Offense:14 plays, 17 yards. The Tigers were unable to move the ball in the first quarter against a stingy Virginia Tech defense that did not allow Clemson to move the ball past midfield.
Key Play (13:28) – A bad snap on Clemson’s first punt attempt gives the Hokies the ball first and 10 on the Clemson 23. Michael Vick and the Hokies take advantage of the opportunity scoring on their first offensive play of the game. The touchdown was a 23-yard pass from Vick to fullback Jarrett Ferguson. It marked the first time ever Virginia Tech scored on its first play in a bowl game. Virginia Tech 7, Clemson 0.
SECOND QUARTERKey Stat – Clemson Offense: 27 plays, 166 yards. The Tigers began to establish their offense in the second quarter. Clemson was able to pick up 10 first downs after only recording one in the first quarter.
Key Play (13:34) – Woodrow Dantzler passing off his back foot hits Travis Zachery for a 23-yard touchdown. On the previous play, Dantzler hit Justin Watts on a 27-yard pass that moved Clemson into Virginia Tech territory for the first time in the game. Virginia Tech 14, Clemson 7.
Other Notes – The first touchdown of the game for Clemson was costly as Zachery broke his foot on the play and did not return…the Gator Bowl marked the second bowl game in a row that Zachery incurred a game-ending injury…in 1999, Zachery left the Peach Bowl after five plays with a dislocated elbow.
Missed Opportunity – Fifth-year senior wide receiver Justin Watts has been searching for the end zone during his career at Clemson…coming into the Gator Bowl, Watts had 47 career receptions but none for a touchdown…on 3rd and one at the Tech 28, Dantzler faked a sneak and rolled out…Watts was wide open as he streaked down the left side moving toward the middle of the field and the end zone…unfortunately, Dantzler was rolling right and was unable to see Watts who was behind his back…Dantzler was eventually sacked on the play for a loss of three yards.
THIRD QUARTERKey Stat – Down 21-10 at halftime, Clemson was outscored 13-3 by the Hokies in the third quarter. In 12 games, the Gator Bowl marked only the second time Clemson has been outscored in the third quarter this season. The only other time Clemson was outscored was against Florida State. If you take away the Gator Bowl and the Florida State game, Clemson dominated the third quarter in 2000. The Tigers outscored their opponents 104-16 in those 10 contests.
Key Play – On fourth and one on their own 29 yard line, Virginia Tech punted, but Clemson received a roughing the kicker penalty. With an automatic first down, the Hokies capitalized on the very next play as Vick connected with Andre Davis on a 55-yard pass play that gave Virginia Tech first and goal at the Clemson one yard line. Lee Suggs went up the middle for a touchdown on the next play. Virginia Tech 27, Clemson 10.
Other Notes – On the final play of the quarter, Robert Carswell intercepted a Michael Vick pass to the end zone…with two interceptions last year against Virginia Tech, Carswell has intercepted Vick three times in his career.
FOURTH QUARTERKey Play – Willie Simmons hits Rod Gardner on a fade pattern in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown. This play capped an 11-play, 71 yard drive in which Simmons led the Tigers down the field. The drive was crucial in building confidence in the freshman quarterback. In Simmons’ first series in the third quarter, he was sacked on consecutive plays for losses of five and 11 yards and threw an incompletion to go three and out. On the first play of his second series he threw an interception.
December 8, 2024
