Career Day for Etienne Propels Clemson Past Georgia Tech, 52-14

BOX SCORE

CLEMSON, S.C. – Behind a career-high 205 rushing yards from Travis Etienne, No. 1/1 Clemson defeated Georgia Tech 52-14 at Memorial Stadium on Thursday night. Clemson (1-0, 1-0 ACC) rushed for 411 yards, the most in a season-opener since 1957 and the most allowed by Georgia Tech (0-1, 0-1 ACC) since 1975. The Tigers extended their winning streak to 16 games, which dates back to the start of the 2018 season.

The Thursday night game, which debuted the new ACC Network, was the earliest game in school history. Etienne found the endzone three times, rushing for 205 yards on just 12 carries.

The highlight of the night for both the Tigers and Etienne came on a 90-yard touchdown run in the opening quarter, tied for the longest run in school history and the longest run by a Tiger at Memorial Stadium. Trevor Lawrence opened the scoring for the Tigers with a six-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Lawrence completed 13-23 passes for 168 yards and one touchdown.

Tee Higgins finished with four catches for 98 yards, including a 62-yard touchdown from Lawrence with 4:34 to go in the first half to put Clemson ahead 28-0. Higgins upped his touchdown streak to five-straight games.

The Clemson defense forced four turnovers, with Tanner Muse and Denzel Johnson recording interceptions. The four turnovers were the most the Tigers forced since 2015 against Notre Dame. Isaiah Simmons led the defense with 10 tackles.

Clemson hosts No. 12/11 Texas A&M at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 7 at 3:30 p.m. on ABC.

🔥 Most Exciting 25 Seconds of #GTvsCLEM 🔥#ALLIN pic.twitter.com/39Jh3LA4Eh

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) August 30, 2019

1st HALF 📷

2nd HALF 📷

📈 GAME NOTES

🔁🔁#ALLIN pic.twitter.com/dOKUk57m36

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) August 29, 2019

And now we wait for the 🐅 to 👔 up… #ALLIN pic.twitter.com/xb8sonfo5v

— Clemson Football (@ClemsonFB) August 29, 2019