Auburn Tigers vs Clemson Tigers Match Player Stats On Sep 09, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Sep 9, 2017

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Quarterback Kelly Bryant ran for two touchdowns and Clemson's defense took care of the rest as the third-ranked Tigers held off No. 13 Auburn 14-6 Saturday night.

On a night when defense ruled, Bryant provided the defending national champions with just enough offensive spark to improve to 2-0 heading into next Saturday's game at No. 17 Louisville.

Bryant completed 19 of 29 passes for 181 yards, but it was his running ability that keyed the victory.

Bryant, who rushed for 68 yards on 19 attempts, scored on a 3-yard run with 48 seconds left in the first half, then scampered 27 yards for Clemson's second touchdown with 11:47 left in the third quarter to provide the Tigers with all the points they would need.

Clemson's defense repeatedly stiffened in the red zone, holding Auburn to zero yards on six plays inside the 10-yard line in the first half and forcing field goals in both instances.

After surrendering 110 yards to Auburn (1-1) in the first half, Clemson's defense allowed only seven yards in the final 30 minutes. Clemson, which has led the nation in total tackles for loss each of the past four seasons, had 14 tackles for loss, including 11 sacks.

Auburn outgained Clemson 74-6 in the first quarter and Clemson had only 40 yards of offense with four minutes left in the first half, but Clemson struck late to grab a 7-6 halftime lead.

Bryant shrugged off a hard hit that knocked him out of the game for a series midway through the second quarter and guided Clemson 88 yards for the go-ahead score with 48 seconds left in the half, capping the 12-play drive by darting up the middle for a 3-yard touchdown.

Until that score, Auburn held the upper hand for much of the half. Auburn scored on its opening possession of the game, becoming just the second opponent to do that against Clemson in the last 18 games.

Auburn converted three third downs and one fourth down in a 15-play, 69-yard drive that ended with Daniel Carlson's 24-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead with 7:13 left in the first quarter.

That lead swelled to 6-0 on the second play of the second quarter as Auburn capitalized on a fumble by Clemson's Ray-Ray McCloud at his own 10-yard line. Auburn settled for another Carlson field goal, this time from 28 yards out, after driving to the Clemson 6.

Auburn running back Kerryon Johnson, who suffered a hamstring injury in last week's season-opening win against Georgia Southern, did not dress out for the game, but starter Kamryn Pettway did and was the Tigers' early workhorse, carrying 16 times for 59 yards in the first half and finishing with 74 yards on 22 carries. Quarterback Jarrett Stidham was pressured much of the night and completed 13 of 24 passes for 79 yards.

Wide receiver Hunter Renfrow led Clemson with nine receptions for 62 yards.

NOTES: Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney is 10-6 as a player and coach against Auburn. ... WR Deon Cain has 15 touchdowns on only 76 career receptions, which translates to a score every 4.93 catches. ... Junior PK Greg Huegel already ranks ninth on Clemson's career scoring list with 258 career points. ... Auburn PK Daniel Carlson is the school's all-time scoring leader with 371 points and holds 12 Auburn kicking records. ...RB Kamryn Pettway, who led the SEC with a 122.4 yards per game average last season, is the top returner rusher nationally. ... CB Carlton Davis led Auburn with five first-half tackles, all solo efforts, and also broke up a pass.