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Clemson starts Tait Reynolds in ACC opener vs. North Carolina
Clemson Tigers has adjustments to make beyond what happens at quarterback, coach Dabo Swinney said.
The Tigers face North Carolina Tar Heels on Saturday afternoon in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both teams in Clemson, S.C.
"We've got to show a lot of growth on our end," Swinney said. "The goal is to play our best game to this point, and that's our focus."
Clemson (1-1) claimed a 22-7 home victory against Georgia Southern last week, relying heavily on Nolan Hauser's five field goals.
Tait Reynolds threw for 178 yards in relief of Christopher Vizzina, who departed with an injured left (non-throwing) arm.
Reynolds will be the starting quarterback against North Carolina.
"I think we can win with either one of them," Swinney said. "... We just feel like Tait has moved ahead."
Swinney said Vizzina will wear a protective wrap on his arm and should be available to play.
North Carolina (2-0) will be playing in its first true road game.
"We're heading into a real hostile environment down there," Tar Heels coach Bill Belichick said. "I'm sure we'll get plenty of it. There are crowd-noise situations on offense you have to be ready for and you have to bring your own energy."
Belichick said Reynolds will challenge North Carolina's defense.
"A really athletic kid - very, very productive," Belichick said. "I'm sure he's going to be a really good quarterback in the ACC and in college football."
The Tar Heels aren't expecting Clemson to overhaul its offense.
"I think the offense is going to be the offense," Belichick said. "I don't think the offense is going to change too dramatically. ... The big thing with Clemson is obviously going to be tackling."
Belichick is familiar with Clemson based on past visits, though not in mid-September.
"I spent many spring days at Clemson, looking at their great players and the great players that have come out of there and that program," Belichick said of his time in the NFL.
Last week, Clemson faced Georgia Southern quarterback Max Johnson, who's a transfer from North Carolina.
North Carolina quarterback Billy Edwards Jr. has been steady, though not spectacular, through two games.
He threw for 200-plus yards in each game, both of which were played in wet conditions. He tossed two touchdown passes in last week's 35-3 home win over East Tennessee State.
"Attack the area of the field that's most vulnerable, and he has done a good job of that," Belichick said.
Clemson won 38-10 last year at North Carolina.
--Field Level Media
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| Team Stats | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1st Downs | 0 | 0 |
| Rushing | 0 | 0 |
| Passing | 0 | 0 |
| Penalty | 0 | 0 |
| 3rd Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| 4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Total Net Yards | 5 | 5 |
| Total Plays | 1 | 3 |
| Avg Gain | 5.0 | 1.7 |
| Net Yards Rushing | 5 | 4 |
| Rush Attempts | 1 | 1 |
| Avg Rush Yards | 5.0 | 4.0 |
| Yards Passing | 0 | 1 |
| Comp. - Att. | 0-0 | 1-2 |
| Yards Per Pass | 0.0 | 0.5 |
| Penalties - Yards | 1-5 | 0-0 |
| Touchdowns | 0 | 0 |
| Rushing TDs | 0 | 0 |
| Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 0 |
| Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. Thrown | 0 | 0 |
| Punts - Avg | 0-0.0 | 1-36.0 |
| Return Yards | 0 | 0 |
| Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Int. - Returns | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
|
B. Hall
7 RB
|
B. Hall | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
|
T. Reynolds
2 QB
|
T. Reynolds | 1/2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
|
T. Reynolds
2 QB
|
T. Reynolds | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 |
| Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
|
T. Moore
1 WR
|
T. Moore | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
| Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
| Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
|
J. Smith
89 P
|
J. Smith | 1 | 36.0 | 0 | 36 |
| Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
|
C. Johnson Jr.
16 RB
|
C. Johnson Jr. | 1 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 |
| Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
| 1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 13:21 | CLEM 47 | 0:16 | 1 | 5 |
| 1st | POSS | PLAYS | YDS | RESULT | |
| 15:00 | CLEM 16 | 1:39 | 3 | 5 | Punt |
- Punt (3 plays, 5 yards, 1:39 poss)
| Result | Play |
|---|---|
| Punt | 3 & 5 - CLEM 11 (12:32 - 1st) J.Smith punts 36 yards to CLEM 47 Center-CLEM. Fair catch by T.Kekahuna. |
| +4 YD | 2 & 9 - CLEM 7 (12:52 - 1st) T.Reynolds rushed for 4 yards. Tackled by UNC at CLEM 11. |
| +1 YD | 1 & 10 - CLEM 6 (13:12 - 1st) T.Reynolds pass complete. Catch made by T.Moore for 1 yard. Tackled by UNC at CLEM 7. |
| No Gain | 1 & 10 - CLEM 16 (13:26 - 1st) T.Reynolds steps back to pass. Pass incomplete intended for CLEM. |
| Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) A.Burrell kicks 54 yards from UNC 35 to the CLEM 11. C.Johnson returns the kickoff. Tackled by UNC at CLEM 11. PENALTY on UNC-UNC Offensive Low Block 5 yards accepted. |