Clemson blows out Kent Sate in season opener

Kent State quarterback Nick Holley dodges a tackle in the first half of Kent State’s matchup against No. 5 Clemson.

Scott Lendak

The Clemson Tigers played host to the Kent State Golden Flashes in what would be a 56-3 victory for the Tigers. 

Clemson’s offense couldn’t be stopped out of the gates as they scored three first-quarter touchdowns to go up 21-0.  

To start the game, Clemson running back C.J. Fuller rushed for a 26-yard touchdown.

Then, quarterback Kelly Bryant connected with receiver Deon Cain for a 61-yard touchdown. With 3:18 left in the first quarter, running back Adam Choice rushed for a 3-yard touchdown.

The Flashes answered with a Shane Hynes 37-yard field goal early in the second quarter.  

The second quarter was fairly even until Bryant ran in a touchdown from eight yards out to make it 28-3 at the half.  

The Tigers would open up the second half with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Fuller. Clemson would tack on another touchdown from running back Tavien Feaster on a 47-yard run midway through the third. 

Clemson then made it 49-3 with a 14-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Zerrick Cooper to receiver Cornell Powell to end the third quarter, and the Tigers added one last touchdown when Travis Etienne ran it in from four yards out to make it 56-3.

Quarterbacks Nick Holley and George Bollas combined to go 1-5 passing for one total yard. Holley led the Flashes with 53 yards rushing. 

Quan Robinson recorded an interception of Clemson’s Bryant in the first half when we recovered a ball that was tipped by cornerback Demetrius Monday.

Scott Lendak is a sports reporter. Contact him at [email protected].