By Will Vandervort.

Each week TCI takes a look back at what went right and what went wrong in Clemson’s 28-6 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday.

Quarterback: F

Deshaun Watson had the offense clicking before he went down with a knee injury  late in the first quarter. He completed 5-7 passes for 27 yards and ran the ball 7 times for 40, including a 12-yard gain that set up the Tigers’ first field goal. After that it went downhill fast. Cole Stoudt was horrible and it was very obvious he was not prepared to play. He threw three interceptions, which led to 16 Georgia Tech points, two of which were returned for touchdowns. Stoudt finished the game 3-11 for 19 yards and was once twice as well. Nick Schuessler came in for Stoudt in the fourth quarter and played okay, completing all four of his passes for 19 yards.

Running back: B

Wayne Gallman continues to play well. He ran for 82 yards on 14 carries Saturday, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. Included in those running stats was a 34-yard run to set up Ammon Lakip’s 32-yard field goal in the third quarter. Gallman also had four receptions for 14 yards.

Wide receiver: C

No one really did anything, but that is more to blame on Stoudt than anyone else. Scott had three catches for 19 yards, while Charone Peake made his second comeback of the season as he caught one pass for 11 yards.

Offensive line: C

Though they gave up just two sacks, Clemson’s quarterbacks were harassed all day, but the blocking in the running game was good, especially when Watson was in the game and was running zone reads and quarterback draws. However, the moment David Beasley left the game with a knee injury, the production on the ground slowed down.

Defensive line: C

With the exception of two plays, the Tigers defensive front played well against Georgia Tech. But the dive position did run for 101 yards as Synjyn Days and Zach Laskey combined for the yardage there. The biggest plays came on Broderick Snoddy’s 46-yard run that led to a field goal and quarterback Justin Thomas’ 65-yard run on the first play of the second half, which led to a touchdown. Clemson, however, did hold Tech without a rushing touchdown – the first time that has happened to the Yellow Jackets since 2011. Grady Jarrett finished the game with seven tackles, while Vic Beasley had two tackles for loss.

Linebackers: C

Dorian O’Daniel led the Tigers with nine tackles, including a sack after coming in for the injured B.J. Goodson. Stephone Anthony recorded five tackles but forced one fumble and recovered another. Ben Boulware had six tackles. Goodson also forced a fumble and had five tackles.

Secondary: C

Thomas really picked at freshman Mackensie Alexander, the first quarterback this year to do so as he consistently completed those passes on third-and-long plays. Thomas was an efficient 8 of 11 in the passing game for 102 yards. Besides that, the secondary played well on the edges and in run support in limiting Tech’s triple-option attack to 251 yards on the ground – 85 yards below its season average. Though he was suspend for the first half, Robert Smith had five tackles, while Jayron Kearse had a sack.

Special Teams: B

Lakip connected on both of his field goals from 27 and 32 yards, while punter Bradley Pinion averaged 41.7 yards on six punts, but he failed to put one down inside the 20. Kick returner T.J. Green has his best day of the season as he averaged 27 yards on two returns. The kick and punt coverage were very good.

Coaching: D

Clemson came out ready to play and I really believe had Watson not been injured the Tigers would have won this game. There is no doubt in my mind. That brings up these questions. Why is Watson that much of a difference for the Clemson offense? Why was it so hard to adjust? Why wasn’t Stoudt more prepared? It’s not like Georgia Tech’s defense was the ’85 Bears? But regardless, offensive coordinator Chad Morris could not and did not adjust to the sudden change at the quarterback position and it cost Clemson. The defense played well enough to win the game and that’s a shame. The Tigers held Georgia Tech to 353 yards of total offense, its lowest output of the season, and forced two turnovers.