ATLANTA _ Clemson put to rest any concerns that it might struggle to be ready for Georgia Tech on a short week or have any lingering thoughts about past failures at Bobby Dodd Stadium in a hurry Thursday night, racing out to a 23-0 halftime lead and cruising to a 26-7 win over the Yellow Jackets.
The fifth-ranked Tigers dominated on both sides of the ball in the first half, outgaining Georgia Tech 347-22.
Clemson's offense did not produce much in the second half after Deshaun Watson accounted for 289 yards and two scores in the opening two quarters, and it didn't need to as Brent Venables' unit kept the clamps on Georgia Tech.
The Yellow Jackets finished with only 124 total yards with less than 100 of those coming on the ground.
Linebackers Ben Boulware and Dorian O'Daniel led the way for the Clemson defense with Boulware recording 10 tackles and O'Daniel nine. O'Daniel added two tackles for loss and a sack.
The win sets up a potential top-five showdown with Louisville next Saturday at Death Valley.
