Clemson vs. Georgia Tech Postgame Notes

Sept. 29, 2007

Bobby Dodd Stadium September 29, 2007

Team Notes *Clemson had a six-yard scoring pass from Cullen Harper to C.J. Spiller called back by a personal foul penalty in the first half. It marked the second consecutive trip to Georgia Tech that Clemson had a touchdown called back by a penalty. Two years ago, Charlie Whitehurst completed a 22-yard scoring pass to Thomas Hunter in the same area of the same endzone, but that touchdown was called back because of an illegal formation against Clemson. Tech won that game 10-9. It was Clemson’s only loss over the last seven games of the 2005 season.

*Clemson has scored seven touchdowns over its last two games against Georgia Tech at Clemson and no touchdowns over its last two games at Georgia Tech.

*This was the first time Clemson has failed to score a touchdown since last year’s 13-12 loss to Maryland when the Tigers kicked four field goals.

*Spiller and Davis combined for just 62 yards rushing. After they gained 280 combined rushing yards last week against NC State, their second highest combined total, they had their second lowest combined total today. They had just 57 yards combined against Furman earlier this year. Their record high for a game is the 332 against Georgia Tech last year.

*Clemson was off to a 4-0 start this year and the streak was stopped by Georgia Tech. The only other time since 1989 Clemson had started 4-0 the Tigers had an 8-0 start in 2000. Georgia Tech ended that streak as well with a 31-28 win at Clemson.

*Georgia Tech won a “home redemption game today”. That is they defeated a team at home after losing to that squad on the road the previous year. Clemson plays Virginia Tech next week in a “home redemption game.” Clemson has won nine consecutive “home redemption games” dating to 2003 (loss to Georgia at home after road loss at Athens in 2002) and is 14-5 in that situation under Tommy Bowden.

*Clemson meets Virginia Tech next week, a team that will be ranked in the top 25 of both polls. Clemson has won five straight against top 25 teams, tying a school record (also accomplished under Danny Ford from 1988-89. So a victory next week would establish a school record for consecutive wins over top 25 teams.

Player Notes *Aaron Kelly’s 22-yard pass reception in the second period was the 100th of his career. The native of Marietta, GA has now had at least on reception in 29 of his 30 career games. The only game he has failed to make a reception was a Clemson victory against Louisiana Tech last year. Kelly finished today’s game with 6-53.

*Michael Hamlin has had one interception in three consecutive games. He is the first Tiger to do that since C.J. Gaddis in 2005.

*Jacoby Ford had a 20-yard punt return in the first quarter. It was the longest punt return of the year against the Yellow Jackets. Ford finished the game with 141 all-purpose yards.

*Mark Buchholz booted a 48-yard field goal in the first half, his longest field goal of the season. Last night he had two assists in Clemson’s 4-2 loss in men’s soccer against Duke. Buchholz is in his fourth year as a starting midfielder on the Clemson soccer team. Buchholz has missed six field goals in the last two games, but four of the misses are from 47-50 yards out.

*Cullen Harper saw his streak of consecutive passes without and interception end when he threw an interception in the fourth quarter. His streak was stopped after 165 consecutive passes without a pick. Harper’s interception was the first Clemson offensive turnover since a fumble by C.J. Spiller against Florida State in the first game of the year. Ford had a fumble lost on a kickoff return in the second half.

*James Davis went over the 2500 yard rushing mark for his career in today’s loss. He had 60 yards rushing and now has 2520 for his career. He is the seventh Clemson player to go over 2500 yards in his career. He will need 52 yards against Virginia Tech to move past Buddy Gore for sixth place.