Defending Champion Clemson cruizes past Kent State 56-3

CLEMSON,SC— Coming off a National Championship season sets the standards to an all-time high for any team. The now two-time National Champion Clemson Tigers took the field for the first time since January on Saturday for their season opener against the Kent State Golden Flashes. Entering the game as a forty-one point favorite to begin the season just as they left it, with a victory and Tiger Rag playing in the background.

After almost nine months off, it only took the Tigers 1:18 to punch in the first touchdown of the 2017 season with a 26 yard run by redshirt junior, C.J. Fuller. After a defensive stop by a front four that is viewed by most as one of, if not the best defensive line unit in the country, Clemson began their next drive on their own 30 yard line. Kelly Bryant was able to display his passing abilities with a 61 yard touchdown throw that landed perfectly in Deon Cain’s awaiting hands to cap off a drive that took only 42 seconds off the clock. Later on in the first quarter of play, Adam Choice ran it in for a three yard score to put Clemson up 21-0.

Kent State showed some promise early in the second quarter moving the ball well and eventually setting up for a 37 yard field goal by Shane Hynes to put the Golden Flashes on the scoreboard for the first and only time of the game. Just before halftime, Bryant displayed his athleticism with his legs going in for the 8 yard score.

The second half went by rather quickly with many of Clemson’s reserves touching the field in place of the starting eleven. In the closing 30 minutes, C.J. Fuller notched his second touchdown of the game with a 3 yard score, Tavien Feaster broke free of the Golden Flashes for a 47 yard touchdown, Redshirt Freshman Zerrick Cooper recorded his first career passing touchdown in the third quarter on a 14 yard pass to Cornell Powell, which was also his first career receiving touchdown. The final score of the game came from a true freshman in Travis Etienne, who impressed many late in the game in his first appearance in Death Valley, on a 4 yard run into the end zone.

Etienne’s quick explosiveness drew the attention of numerous on-lookers in Saturday’s opener including Head Coach Dabo Swinney who said, “He’s gonna be something.” Coach Swinney also said postgame that Etienne is a very confident back who has displayed the same toughness as former Tiger, now New York Giant, Wayne Gallman. Etienne who had most of his touches in the second half on 8 carries for 81 yards and a score, with the highlight being a 54 yard breakaway run to set the Tiger offense in great scoring position.

This year’s team began this season with many question marks at many different positions. Most everyone’s main worry was replacing record-setting Clemson legend Deshaun Watson after three years of leading the team under center. Former Wren High School standout dual-threat Quarterback Kelly Bryant, now a junior at Clemson, put most of the worries to rest in his first career start on Saturday. Bryant on the day went 16-22 for 236 yards to go along with a touchdown and an interception through the air. Also on the ground, Bryant ran the ball well on 7 carries for 77 yards and a score.

Coach Swinney was very happy about his team’s all around clean performance after Saturday’s win. After playing 91 different Tigers, Swinney said he thought that the team has started off on a better foot than they did last season.

The Tigers will have to continue playing at a high level, as what we will be a top fifteen matchup in Death Valley next weekend with #12 Auburn. Kickoff is set for 7 pm.

 

Image credit to Clemson Football.