|
|
KENTST |
CLEM |
Bryant shines in debut as No. 5 Clemson beats Kent St 56-3
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Clemson coaches insist the Tigers success is about more than just a few individual stars. Just because they sent their quarterback, leading receiver and leading rusher to the NFL after winning the national championship does not mean Clemson cannot get back to the playoff for a third straight season.
New Tigers starting quarterback Kelly Bryant stepped into his new role with 236 yards passing and a touchdown and 77 yards rushing in his first start to lead No. 5 Clemson (1-0) to a 56-3 victory over Kent State on Saturday.
The game was much closer to an exhibition than a true test. The Tigers gained 665 yards to 120 yards for the Golden Flashes (0-1), who seemed more intent on getting back to Ohio unharmed, passing the ball just five times with one completion for one yard.
But it was an important confidence booster for Bryant , the junior who never had any serious playing time his first two seasons backing up Deshaun Watson.
Bryant had a perfectly placed 61-yard touchdown pass to Deon Cain on his second drive. He mirrored Watson's running ability, taking off for a 47-yard run after all his receivers were covered. And he showed the ''swag'' that coach Dabo Swinney promised to fans skittish about Watson's departure.
''That's what I was hoping to see,'' coach Dabo Swinney said about his new starter. ''That's what I have seen in practice for a while.''
Bryant led Clemson on an 89-yard touchdown drive that put Clemson ahead 35-3 to start the second half, and then Swinney played his backups.
''I wasn't surprised. I knew the type of player I was,'' said Bryant, who was so loose he made sure he put an official's hat back on his head after accidentally knocking it off.
Bryant had a rough spring game and Swinney didn't commit to him starting until about halfway through opening practices in August. But the coach left little doubt where his mind is now.
When asked if they were happy that Clemson's backup quarterbacks got to play, Swinney and the other coaches quickly insisted Bryant was the undisputed starter.
''It was special for everybody else to see what we've been seeing. Sometimes you maybe don't believe the coaches when we talk about all the success we've had during fall camp,'' co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said.
THE TAKEAWAY
Kent State: The Golden Flashes did not attempt a pass in 25 first-half plays, despite facing a third-and-28 at one point. Their quarterbacks completed one pass in five attempts for a yard. Kent State used four quarterbacks last year, averaging just 141.7 yards a game passing. Only seven other Football Bowl Subdivision teams threw for less.
''We wanted to utilize the clock as much as we could in our favor,'' said offensive coordinator Don Treadwell, who is filling in while head coach Paul Haynes is on medical leave.
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said he was stunned Kent State didn't pass it more since The Tigers stuffed run-first teams last year, including holding Georgia Tech's option offensive to 95 rushing yards.
''They must not have watched that Georgia Tech film,'' Venables said.
Clemson: The Tigers' 665 yards were more than they did in any game in the 2016 season. Sure, it was against Kent State but after losing top receiver Mike Williams and rusher Wayne Gallman the opener gave Clemson fans nothing to worry about.
''The standard doesn't change,'' Scott said.
PAYDAY
The Golden Flashes were paid $800,000 to play Clemson. Interim coach Don Treadwell said he would talk to Haynes when he got back to Ohio to see what might need changing. This is the second year in a row Kent State has played the defending national champions. The Golden Flashes lost to Alabama 48-0 in 2016.
CELEBRATION TIME
The Tigers celebrated their second national title one last time before the game and at halftime. The Tiger mascot ran the championship trophy down the hill before the game, the school unveiled three different signs around the stadium marking the playoff appearance and title, and the band did a ''31-0" formation to honor the score in Clemson's demolition of Ohio State in the national semifinals.
UP NEXT
Kent State: The Golden Flashes host Football Championship Subdivision Howard next Saturday.
Clemson: The Tigers host No. 12 Auburn. Swinney is 11-8 all-time against SEC teams (with five of those losses to South Carolina) and 5-2 against the SEC since the start of 2014.
---
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Copyright 2017 by STATS. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of STATS is strictly prohibited.
Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Passing | 0 | 0 |
Penalty | 0 | 0 |
3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Total Net Yards | 0 | 0 |
Total Plays | 0 | 0 |
Avg Gain | 0 | 0 |
Net Yards Rushing | 0 | 0 |
Rush Attempts | 0 | 0 |
Avg Rush Yards | 0 | 0 |
Yards Passing | 0 | 0 |
Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Yards Per Pass | 0 | 0 |
Penalties - Yards | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Touchdowns | ||
Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | ||
Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
Punts - Avg | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Return Yards | ||
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
N. HolleyÂ
4 QB
|
N. Holley | 10 | 53 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. GambleÂ
34 LB
|
K. Gamble | 5 | 21 | 0 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. RankinÂ
11 RB
|
J. Rankin | 7 | 11 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. WashingtonÂ
26 RB
|
M. Washington | 9 | 10 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. CarriganÂ
87 WR
|
M. Carrigan | 1 | 9 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
W. MatthewsÂ
21 RB
|
W. Matthews | 6 | 8 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
G. BollasÂ
2 QB
|
G. Bollas | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. SingletonÂ
6 RB
|
K. Singleton | 2 | 5 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ra. JamesÂ
24 RB
|
Ra. James | 1 | -1 | 0 | -1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. HibblerÂ
22 RB
|
M. Hibbler | 1 | -4 | 0 | -4 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. RankinÂ
11 RB
|
J. Rankin | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. HarrellÂ
5 WR
|
T. Harrell | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. WoodsÂ
80 WR
|
J. Woods | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
M. BahrÂ
29 LB
|
M. Bahr | 7-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. PhillipsÂ
37 LB
|
C. Phillips | 5-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ParkerÂ
7 CB
|
J. Parker | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. Lawrence-BurkeÂ
28 S
|
M. Lawrence-Burke | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. CunninghamÂ
90 DT
|
J. Cunningham | 4-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. DanielÂ
39 DB
|
M. Daniel | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. FosterÂ
23 CB
|
J. Foster | 3-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. FaulknerÂ
17 DE
|
N. Faulkner | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. RobinsonÂ
55 DE
|
J. Robinson | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. PickettÂ
6 S
|
C. Pickett | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. JonesÂ
22 LB
|
J. Jones | 2-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. MondayÂ
21 CB
|
D. Monday | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. AlexanderÂ
5 LB
|
J. Alexander | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. PetersÂ
31 S
|
A. Peters | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Q. Robinson Jr.Â
10 S
|
Q. Robinson Jr. | 1-1 | 0.0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. SimpsonÂ
2 S
|
E. Simpson | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. McRaeÂ
1 S
|
J. McRae | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. GambleÂ
34 LB
|
K. Gamble | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. EboigbeÂ
58 DE
|
T. Eboigbe | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. PriceÂ
10 WR
|
K. Price | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. HillÂ
98 DL
|
D. Hill | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. HinesÂ
8 DB
|
E. Hines | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. HoagÂ
53 DE
|
A. Hoag | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. ThomasÂ
35 LB
|
S. Thomas | 1-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. ByrdÂ
56 DT
|
J. Byrd | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. McKayÂ
52 DT
|
A. McKay | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. BellÂ
93 DL
|
M. Bell | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. SheraldÂ
15 CB
|
K. Sherald | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. GregoireÂ
75 OL
|
A. Gregoire | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
S. HynesÂ
57 K
|
S. Hynes | 1/1 | 37 | 0/0 | 3 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
D. AdamsÂ
96 P
|
D. Adams | 11 | 46.5 | 2 | 66 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
K. BryantÂ
2 QB
|
K. Bryant | 16/22 | 236 | 1 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
H. JohnsonÂ
15 QB
|
H. Johnson | 5/6 | 39 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Z. CooperÂ
6 QB
|
Z. Cooper | 4/6 | 37 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
T. EtienneÂ
9 RB
|
T. Etienne | 8 | 81 | 1 | 54 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. BryantÂ
2 QB
|
K. Bryant | 7 | 77 | 1 | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. FeasterÂ
28 RB
|
T. Feaster | 6 | 69 | 1 | 47 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. FullerÂ
27 RB
|
C. Fuller | 7 | 51 | 2 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. ThomasonÂ
35 RB
|
T. Thomason | 4 | 32 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. RencherÂ
21 RB
|
D. Rencher | 4 | 27 | 0 | 21 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. ChoiceÂ
26 RB
|
A. Choice | 4 | 20 | 1 | 10 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Z. CooperÂ
6 QB
|
Z. Cooper | 1 | 11 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. FosterÂ
35 DE
|
J. Foster | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Mac LainÂ
37 RB
|
R. Mac Lain | 1 | -2 | 0 | -2 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
M. RichardÂ
80 TE
|
M. Richard | 0 | 2 | 70 | 0 | 44 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. CainÂ
8 WR
|
D. Cain | 0 | 2 | 70 | 1 | 61 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. McCloudÂ
34 WR
|
R. McCloud | 0 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. RodgersÂ
3 WR
|
A. Rodgers | 0 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. ChalkÂ
25 TE
|
J. Chalk | 0 | 2 | 19 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. HigginsÂ
5 WR
|
T. Higgins | 0 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. RenfrowÂ
13 WR
|
H. Renfrow | 0 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. PowellÂ
17 WR
|
C. Powell | 0 | 1 | 14 | 1 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. ThompsonÂ
1 WR
|
T. Thompson | 0 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 14 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. FullerÂ
27 RB
|
C. Fuller | 0 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. OvertonÂ
14 WR
|
D. Overton | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. BellÂ
11 TE
|
S. Bell | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. ChoiceÂ
26 RB
|
A. Choice | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Ca. GroomesÂ
83 WR
|
Ca. Groomes | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. HopperÂ
88 WR
|
J. Hopper | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. MullenÂ
1 CB
|
T. Mullen | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
C. FerrellÂ
99 DE
|
C. Ferrell | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. MuseÂ
19 S
|
T. Muse | 5-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. BryantÂ
7 DE
|
A. Bryant | 5-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
JD. DavisÂ
33 LB
|
JD. Davis | 4-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
I. SimmonsÂ
11 S
|
I. Simmons | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. JohnsonÂ
93 DT
|
S. Johnson | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ja. WilliamsÂ
30 LB
|
Ja. Williams | 3-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. JosephÂ
34 LB
|
K. Joseph | 3-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
L. RudolphÂ
54 DE
|
L. Rudolph | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. HugginsÂ
67 DT
|
A. Huggins | 2-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ju. DavisÂ
36 LB
|
Ju. Davis | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Ch. SmithÂ
43 LB
|
Ch. Smith | 2-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. LawrenceÂ
90 DT
|
D. Lawrence | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. O'DanielÂ
6 LB
|
D. O'Daniel | 1-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. MullenÂ
1 CB
|
T. Mullen | 1-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. FosterÂ
35 DE
|
J. Foster | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. WilkinsÂ
42 DL
|
C. Wilkins | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. WallaceÂ
12 DB
|
K. Wallace | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
S. SmithÂ
5 LB
|
S. Smith | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. SkalskiÂ
47 LB
|
J. Skalski | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. LamarÂ
57 LB
|
T. Lamar | 0-2 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
N. PinckneyÂ
44 DT
|
N. Pinckney | 0-3 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. TerrellÂ
8 CB
|
A. Terrell | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. EdmondÂ
29 CB
|
M. Edmond | 0-1 | 0.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. HuegelÂ
92 K
|
G. Huegel | 0/0 | 0 | 7/7 | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
Al. SpenceÂ
47 K
|
Al. Spence | 0/0 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
C. PowellÂ
17 WR
|
C. Powell | 1 | 22.0 | 22 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
R. McCloud 34 WR
|
R. McCloud | 2 | 7.0 | 9 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Rodgers 3 WR
|
A. Rodgers | 1 | 7.0 | 7 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. Trapp 38 CB
|
A. Trapp | 1 | 9.0 | 9 | 0 |