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Clemson football report card vs. Georgia Tech: Here's how we graded the Tigers' 41-10 win

todd shanesy, greenville news
·2 min read
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Clemson football opened its season Monday night with a 41-10 win against Georgia Tech. Here's how we graded the Tigers' performance.

Offense

Although Clemson had a slow start behind quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, he finished with an efficient 19-of-32 for 209 yards and a touchdown to lead the Tigers to an easy victory and should get credit. Clemson's offense didn't reach 20 points last season in regulation against an FBS team until the eighth game of the season.

Grade: B

Defense

Clemson has one of the best defenses in the country, and it showed. The Tigers never gave Georgia Tech's offense a realistic shot at getting in the game. Even when it was 14-10, it never felt like Georgia Tech had a chance. The Yellow Jackets were 2-for-16 on third downs and had only 237 total yards.

Grade: A

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Special teams

Clemson blocked two punts for the first time since a 2007 game against South Carolina. Carson Donnelly had a clean block in the second quarter and Wade Woodaz tipped one in the fourth. B.T. Potter made all of his kicks and Aidan Swanson averaged 42.7 yards on his six punts.

Grade: A

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts after Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz (17) blocked a punt, the team's second of the night, during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia Monday, September 5, 2022.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts after Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz (17) blocked a punt, the team's second of the night, during the fourth quarter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia Monday, September 5, 2022.

Coaching

The biggest and best decision by the Clemson coaches was sticking with Uiagalelei through his first-quarter struggles. Unlike last year, there is an alternative, a fall-back option in freshman Cade Klubnik. But the Tigers need Uiagalelei and they need him to be good. His confidence level took a big step forward by the end of this game.

Grade: A

Overall

Clemson did what it needed to do. The Tigers overwhelmed Georgia Tech and will take a good feeling into the next two games at home against Furman and Louisiana Tech. There are still things to improve, but this was a good tone-setter and the Tigers should feel great going into early season ACC tests against Wake Forest and N.C. State.

Grade: B+

Todd Shanesy covers Clemson athletics for the USA TODAY Network.

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Here's how we graded Clemson football's 41-10 win against Georgia Tech