Clemson hopes for complete performance at Georgia Tech

Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant looks to pass under pressure from Georgia Southern's Lane Ecton during a 38-7 home win last Saturday. The Tigers are on the road for their ACC opener today against Georgia Tech.
Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant looks to pass under pressure from Georgia Southern's Lane Ecton during a 38-7 home win last Saturday. The Tigers are on the road for their ACC opener today against Georgia Tech.
photo Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant looks to pass under pressure from Georgia Southern's Lane Ecton during a 38-7 home win last Saturday. The Tigers are on the road for their ACC opener today against Georgia Tech.
photo Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence drops back to pass as Gage Cervenka during last week's home win against Georgia Southern.

ATLANTA - Despite their high ranking, the Clemson Tigers have not turned in a thoroughly dominating performance this season.

Don't blame it on the quarterback shuffle.

The Tigers (3-0), ranked second by coaches and third by The Associated Press, remain committed to playing both incumbent starter Kelly Bryant and highly rated freshman Trevor Lawrence in their Atlantic Coast Conference opener Saturday at struggling Georgia Tech (1-2, 0-1).

Bryant is a dual threat: He has completed 68.2 percent of his passes for 405 yards and a pair of touchdowns, and he has rushed for 125 yards and two scores. Lawrence, who is more inclined to sit in the pocket, has completed just less than 62 percent for 424 yards with five touchdowns and one interception.

The effectiveness of the combo makes things tough on a defense, and on Saturday the Yellow Jackets will have to make sure they're aware of who's on the field.

"The two quarterbacks bring different things to the game," Georgia Tech linebacker Brant Mitchell said. "They've each got their own skill sets. One is more a runner, the other is more of a passer."

Lawrence got a taste of what it will be like to go against the Jackets' 3-4 defense in last week's 38-7 victory over Georgia Southern, which runs a similar scheme, and he hopes it's an advantage. He is looking forward to playing about 45 minutes from his hometown of Cartersville.

"Definitely adds an extra bit of excitement," he said. "I've got some friends and a bunch of family coming, so it's going to be cool for them to see us play."

The Jackets are on the verge of falling into a deep hole after consecutive losses to South Florida and Pittsburgh, two games they easily could've won. Now they're trying to avoid their first 1-3 start since 2003.

Mitchell is looking forward to the challenge. Tech has pulled off some major upsets at Bobby Dodd Stadium, most notably knocking off then-No. 9 Florida State for its only ACC win in 2015 - a memorable game that ended with the Jackets returning a blocked field-goal attempt for the winning touchdown.

"A big opportunity," Mitchell said. "This team is highly ranked. Obviously, we're the underdog. I love that. I'd rather be the underdog any day."

Clemson turned over the ball three times against Georgia Southern and needed a late stop to hold off Texas A&M the week before, leaving the Tigers a bit frustrated as they try to stay on track for their fourth straight appearance in the College Football Playoff.

"If we protect the ball, we're hard to stop," Clemson co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said. "I think that's part of that frustration."

Tech has averaged a nation-leading 392 yards per game this season, but quarterback TaQuon Marshall has struggled when going to the air. The senior has connected on just 47 percent of his passes, with four interceptions and two touchdowns.

Clemson's defense appears to have a huge advantage with four upperclassmen who could be high NFL draft picks starting up front - ends Austin Bryant (6-foot-5, 265 pounds) and Clelin Ferrell (6-5, 260) and tackles Dexter Lawrence (6-4, 340) and Christian Wilkins (6-4, 300).

Tech's flexbone offense - which is built around triple-option plays, misdirection and cut blocks - is no easy test, though.

"They're a very difficult system to defense," Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. "They went up and down the field all three games this year, and we're going to need a great effort."

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