CLEMSON, S.C. — Georgia Tech went into Memorial Stadium on a four-game losing streak and came out with one of its most satisfying wins in years, grinding out a 20-6 victory over Clemson on Saturday for its first win at Death Valley since 2008.
The Yellow Jackets had dropped eight straight trips to Clemson. Saturday’s win, paired with last season’s 24-21 home victory, gives Georgia Tech wins over the Tigers in back-to-back years for the first time since the 2008 and 2009 seasons. The Jackets are now 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the Atlantic Coast Conference, while Clemson slipped to 6-4 and 4-3.
The game turned early. Clemson quarterback Tait Reynolds, a freshman who had started the previous seven games, was hurt sliding at the end of a run on the opening drive and did not return. He later came back to the sideline wearing a brace on his left knee.
Georgia Tech took over from there by leaning on its running game. Grady Adamson opened the scoring with a 3-yard touchdown run in the first quarter and finished with a career-best 87 rushing yards on 19 carries. Justice Haynes then broke a 53-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, the play that effectively decided the game, and finished with 116 yards, his third 100-yard outing of the season.
The Jackets piled up 269 rushing yards and outgained Clemson 407-228 overall. Alberto Mendoza added 138 passing yards as part of a two-quarterback approach.
The defense was just as sharp. Clemson managed only two field goals, and Georgia Tech recorded four sacks and six tackles for loss. Linebacker Cayman Spaulding led the way with 11 tackles, nearly double his previous career high, along with a sack and a forced fumble. It was the first time Clemson had been held to single digits in 35 games.
Georgia Tech closes its home schedule Nov. 21 against No. 11 Wake Forest at Bobby Dodd Stadium before finishing the regular season against top-ranked Georgia.
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