By Rick Bonnell
rbonnell@charlotteobserver.com
CLEMSON, S.C. -- Defensive end Kourtnei Brown returned an interception and a fumble recovery for touchdowns Saturday to lead Clemson to a 59-38 victory over North Carolina at Death Valley.
Brown, a senior from Charlotte’s Victory Christian High, ran in a fumble 14 yards to give the Tigers a 59-24 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The victory kept the eighth-ranked Tigers undefeated at 8-0 (5-0 in the ACC). The Tar Heels lost their second straight to fall to 5-3 overall, 1-3 in the ACC.
The Tigers pulled away with three touchdowns in the first five minutes of the second half. The last of those came on a 42-yard touchdown catch by spectacular freshman Sammy Watkins. That was Watkins’ ninth touchdown reception of the season, tying an ACC freshman record.
Clemson’s previous two touchdowns came in a span of 15 seconds. First, quarterback Tajh Boyd (five touchdown passes) ran a one-yard keeper for a score, then North Carolina’s Charles Brown fumbled the ensuing kickoff, giving the Tigers possession 12 yards from the end zone. Boyd found Brandon Ford the next play for the touchdown to make it a 38-17 Clemson lead.
North Carolina responded with T.J. Thorpe’s 100-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, before Watkins’ touchdown catch.
The Tar Heels committed two turnovers in the second quarter to trail 24-17 at halftime.
The first of those turnovers, an interception against North Carolina quarterback Bryn Renner, led directly to Clemson’s last score of the half. Kourtnei Brown tipped Renner’s pass at the line of scrimmage, pulled it in and ran the 20 yards to the end zone for a 24-10 lead.
Renner made up for that mistake on the ensuing drive, finding wide receiver Jheranie Boyd with a 58-yard touchdown pass, to close the gap to seven.
The Tar Heels had another promising drive before the half’s conclusion, but wide receiver Erik Highsmith fumbled at midfield, giving Clemson possession with just over a minute left. A pass-interference penalty against UNC’s Tim Scott moved the ball to the 32-yard line, but that’s where Clemson’s drive stalled.
Placekicker Chandler Catanzano missed a 46-yard field goal attempt -- his first miss in 10 tries -- with 35 seconds left before halftime.
Renner, who entered the game with a 75 percent completion rate, finished the half with two interceptions.
Comments
Flashing back
Mon, 10/24/2011 - 14:34 — JPDOhioSaw most of the 3rd quarter meltdown. UNC literally handed the game to Clemson. I couldn't help but be reminded of NC State under Amato, especially in his last year. Talent all over the field, but mistake after mistake just killing them.
The Tar Heels seem to be reeling right now, but I would love to see them regroup to upset Wake this weekend. The Deacs look ripe for the taking after surviving a scare at Duke last weekend.
I don't think I'm over-reacting
Tue, 10/25/2011 - 19:27 — gvillegatrI am truly worried UNC will lose the rest of their games. What exactly do they have going for them besides Gio ?
Over-reacting
Wed, 10/26/2011 - 11:36 — JPDOhioI think you probably are, but there is no doubt that UNC is in desperate need of someone to step up and provide some on-field leadership to pull them together. Losing Merletti doesn't help in that regard. Nor does having players run their mouths and then underperform in games (which is where I see the similarity to Chucky Chest's teams).
I did notice that UNC is a 7 point favorite over Wake, which kind of surprised me. Not that UNC was the favorite, but the margin seems high to me. Also, is it my imagination or has Ryan Houston just disappeared? I understand that Bernard is really good, but it seems like Houston is being under-utilized and could provide some balance in the attack. Scratching my head about that.
favorite
Wed, 10/26/2011 - 12:06 — SurferI will say it, I am surprised that UNC is the favorite at all. Must be tied to playing at home but even then, I just don't see it.
re:favorite
Thu, 10/27/2011 - 14:59 — mad_maxEh, I can understand the -7 line for the Heels. I actually think they will win by 7-10 points. Of course, I hope all you guys are right to be worried hah.
Another interesting point-spread
Thu, 10/27/2011 - 09:51 — JPDOhioI also am surprised that Fla State is a 19 point favorite over State. That's seems to be twice what I would consider reasonable.
Sure, it will be tough for the Pack to pull an upset in Tallahassee, especially the way that FSU has played lately and with the revenge factor. But State is playing better and has their backs to the wall.
Could FSU come out flat as a heavy favorite following two big wins? Wouldn't be the first time. Personally, I think the game will be closer than many think, but I too have been wrong before.
maybe
Thu, 10/27/2011 - 11:45 — SurferYou could be right, but NCSU must bring their A game and hope that FSU is a little flat.
melting down
Tue, 10/25/2011 - 11:28 — SurferYep, I was watching at home and had a few diversions (thankfully). Certainly a bad pass here and a fumble there were costly, but the beating was in large part to how well Clemson played, esp in the 3rd qtr. This weekend's game is kinda like State's vs UVA last week, a much needed win, cause the only easy games remaining on the schedule are State and Dook ;)
Reeling indeed. Gut check
Mon, 10/24/2011 - 15:09 — unc098Reeling indeed. Gut check time for this team. Hopefully they can pull it together for Wake. No easy games left.
Hhhmmmmm
Sat, 10/22/2011 - 23:58 — gvillegatrHeels got their asses handed to 'em today. They basically escorted Clemson to victory. Not even sure where to begin ? My highlights are another fumbled kickoff and another Highsmith fumble after a catch. Pathetic really. Congrats to the Clemson Tigers and the entire ABC Community.
Congratulations...
Sat, 10/22/2011 - 22:24 — UNC1998to Clemson, it's coaches, players, and fans on a thorough defeat of my precious. I saw it live with my own eyes, and could do nothing but walk to my van and drive 4.5 hours back to my nest. The mistakes were too numerous for me to remember. It was all a house of horrors. I figured it would be a tough day with UNC's first series. The INT was eggregious, and seemed to portend the overall theme of the game. UNC is not good enough to overcome the volume of errors. INT's, fumbles, penalties, missed tackles, bad defensive reads, missed passes, dropped passes, etc.. UNC can do them all. I certainly haven't given up on this team, but I must wonder with the news of a new AD, and the obvious next steps with respect to head coach if the team may be "checking out". I certainly hope not.
I will not be able to make any more road games this year, but must say the Clemson fans I met today were top notch. My wife and I were welcomed by all, and it was an absolute pleasure visiting. Outside of the game's result.. a perfect day. We were even thanked after the game for visiting, and offered the condolences of many. Some even attempted to "cheer me up" by offering their admiration of UNC and it's overall athletic acheivements. I must admit when reading the banners of Clemson's athletic feats (and seeing the banners on light poles often repeated due to the relative lack thereof) it made me proud to be a Tar Heel. Even today.
To many turnovers, missed
Sat, 10/22/2011 - 17:38 — unc098To many turnovers, missed blocking assignments, it was just butt ugly......It will be hard to salvage anything positive out of that trip to DV. It will take a major regrouping to finish strong. Hard to say what the rest of the season holds.
DV
Sat, 10/22/2011 - 17:13 — SurferHey, they don't call it Death Valley for nothing.
Wow
Sat, 10/22/2011 - 14:55 — mad_maxClemson put up 35 in the third quarter! This one has gotten ugly, and I'm loving it! Looks like that 10-2 season is going out the window...
huh?
Sat, 10/22/2011 - 17:15 — SurferSo, just which 2 teams did you think Clemson would lose to?
Lol
Sun, 10/23/2011 - 03:25 — mad_maxI see what you did there...nice one.
UNC can't play with the Big
Sat, 10/22/2011 - 14:50 — BrowniegirlUNC can't play with the Big Boys!!