Kent State Golden Flashes vs Clemson Tigers Match Player Stats On Sep 02, 2017

The Sports Xchange
Sep 2, 2017

CLEMSON, S.C. -- No. 5 Clemson amassed 665 yards of offense en route to a 56-3 victory against Kent State in the season opener for both teams on Saturday.

Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant passed for 236 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 77 yards and a score in the first start of his career.

The defending national champion Tigers dominated from the outset, scoring on their first three possessions to set the tone in front of 80,121 at Clemson's Memorial Stadium.

While Clemson's offense wasted little time in getting untracked, the Tigers' defense also appeared to be in midseason form, limiting the Golden Flashes of the Mid-American Conference to 120 yards.

Clemson outgained Kent State 326-54 in the first half in building a 28-3 lead.

Junior running back C.J. Fuller capped a four-play, 65-yard drive with a 26-yard run up the middle for Clemson's first touchdown. It took the Tigers just two plays to score on their ensuing possession as Bryant connected with wide receiver Deon Cain for a 61-yard touchdown.

Running back Adam Choice added a 3-yard scoring run with 3:18 left in the first quarter to finish a 10-play, 54-yard drive and provide a 21-0 lead.

Kent State picked up its initial first down on a 7-yard run by quarterback Nick Holley with 1:48 left in the first quarter and the Golden Flashes proceeded to march 55 yards to the Clemson 20-yard line before settling for a 37-yard field goal by Shane Hynes on the fifth play of the second quarter.

But that would be about the only threat the Golden Flashes could muster on a day when Clemson allowed its second- and third-team players to play extensively. Nine players had at least one rushing attempt for the Tigers and 15 players caught at least one pass.

NOTES: Clemson junior tight end Milan Richard had two receptions for 70 yards, including a 44-yard gain. ... Clemson's leading rusher was freshman RB Travis Etienne, who had 81 yards on just eight carries. ... Sophomore RB Tavien Feaster added 69 yards on six carries, including a 47-yard touchdown. ... Kent State LB Matt Bahr led all defenders with nine tackles, including one tackle for loss. ... Kent State's Derek Adams averaged 46.5 yards on 11 punts and had four punts of 50 yards or more, including a 66-yarder. ... QB Nick Holley, who led the Golden Flashes with 920 yards rushing last season, was the team's leading rusher Saturday with 53 yards on 10 attempts.