ATLANTA — For much of the first half on Saturday, the Clemson offense did not play well.

The Tigers were only able to accumulate 72 yards in the air and 86 on the ground in the first half of Georgia Tech’s 24-21 win over No. 12 Clemson. The struggles, however, went beyond the snaps. Multiple turnovers, sluggish execution at times, and dropped passes plagued the Tigers for most of the game.

Luckily, the Tigers (1-1) have a serviceable defense, and their contribution kept them in the game and gave them a chance to win. Unfortunately, the defense could not stop Haynes King and the Tech offense in the end, as Aidan Birr drilled a 55-yard field goal as time expired to secure the win.

Though the ending was disappointing, the defense did its job for most of the day.

On their opening offensive drive, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik kept the ball on a run-pass option and took it up the field before having the ball knocked loose, as Georgia Tech’s Zachary Tobe came up with the ball at the Clemson 30-yard line.

Despite the bad circumstances, the Tiger defense held Georgia Tech to a fourth-and-three after pressure forced an incomplete pass. The Yellow Jackets were forced to attempt a 40-yard field goal, which they made for a 3-0 lead.

The Tigers continued to come up empty, and the Yellow Jackets were able to sustain a drive and score a touchdown in the second quarter. With another Clemson punt, Georgia Tech found themselves up 10-0 with another drive to score. After nine plays, they faced a fourth-and-11 and were stopped from taking a three-score lead.

Clemson ended the half with some life on offense, but their woes returned when Klubnik threw an interception at the 8-yard line, and Georgia Tech returned it all the way into Tiger territory. With great field position for King and his team, the Tigers forced a three-and-out, including a fumble that was recovered by the Yellow Jackets.

The defense continued to fight hard, and the offense picked up near the end of the first half to keep the Tigers neck-and-neck with Georgia Tech. With a final drive, Clemson’s defense kept the Yellow Jackets from getting too deep into their territory, forcing them to take a 55-yard field goal.

Without the efforts of the defensive line getting pressure and the secondary holding strong, Clemson could’ve been in a much deeper hole than they were in.

Clemson’s Sammy Brown and Will Heldt led the defense with two tackles-for-loss each, and Avieon Terrell made an impact with his forced fumble alongside his seven tackles. Even though they weren’t perfect, their consistency helped keep the Tigers close when they could’ve been far behind.

Photo by Bart Boatwright