CLEMSON, S.C. - No. 2 Clemson scored on its first five possessions to build a big, early lead and hand The Citadel a 61-3 loss in the Bulldogs' season finale on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium.
Clemson (10-1) racked up 662 yards of offense to make things difficult for The Citadel's ball-control option offense to keep pace. The Bulldogs finish their season at 5-6.
Clemson capitalized through the air with a jump ball touchdown on third-and-long on its opening drive that set the tone for the day. The Tigers threw for 335 yards and four touchdowns. The Bulldogs held the ball for five minutes on their opening possession and were poised to stop the Tigers prior to Cain working free on the deep ball on third-and-long.
"I'm proud of our guys," Citadel head coach
Brent Thompson said following the game. "We played hard and were in position to make plays, but offensively, we struggled to block them inside to get
our ground game going. Defensively, when ball was in the air, their guys found ways to come down with it."
Clemson wide out
Tee Higgins had an acrobatic reception on a 35-yard touchdown pass that was deflected by corner
Tyus Carter Jr. before Higgins squeezed it off the carom just before the half.
The play signified that Senior Day for Clemson definitely belonged to the Tigers, but the opening drive had a different feel, if only briefly.
The Bulldogs picked up two initial first downs on their opening drive to move into Clemson territory. The Tigers would hold the Bulldogs on fourth and short to end the opening threat, pinning down
Lorenzo Ward a yard short.
Clemson would capitalize on the short field as quarterback
Kelly Bryant found
Deon Cain for 53 yards for the game's opening score and a 7-0 lead.
The Bulldogs' score came off a 30-yard field goal from
Jacob Godek late. Quarterback
Jordan Black found
Raleigh Webb for 61 yards to set the Bulldogs up with a short field.
Linebacker
Myles Pierce led The Citadel with eight tackles and a sack in his final game. Safety
Khafari Buffalo had seven stops and a tackle for loss.
Grant Drakeford led The Citadel with 46 yards rushing.
Lorenzo Ward added 40 tough yards between the tackles.
Bryant finished 11-for-17 with three touchdowns and 230 yard through the air.
Travis Etienne rushed for 62 yards and two scores.
-CitadelSports-
