In the first game of the season, DJ Uiagalelie scored twice, once via the air and once on the ground, helping No. 4 Clemson defeat Georgia Tech 41-10 on Monday night.
Including a 6-yard scoring pass to Beaux Collins that gave the Tigers a two-touchdown lead in the first half, Uiagalelie completed 19 of 32 attempts for 209 yards.
Georgia Tech kept it closer than anticipated for a large portion of the game in an effort to improve upon three consecutive three-win seasons that have put coach Geoff Collins under pressure.
Two punts were blocked, but the Yellow Jackets were unable to recover because Will Shipley scored on two quick touchdown runs.
When Jeff Sims completed a 13-yard touchdown throw to 6-foot-7 transfer E.J. Jenkins,
Georgia Tech's stirring third-quarter drive brought the score to 14-10.
However, Uiagalelie appeared to be headed for a sack when he was cornered by two Georgia Tech defenders on the third-and-4, in what was perhaps the play of the game.
A lateral was flipped to Shipley, who rumbled 10 yards to keep the Clemson offence on the field, but the quarterback only managed to stay upright for a brief period of time.
According to Uiagalelie, "I was attempting to get out of the pocket, trying to gain some time to get the ball away."
"I noticed Shipley there as I was falling to the ground and turned to my left. I merely presented it to him. He ran quite well."