A tale of two Bryants leads Tigers to win

NO. 3 CLEMSON 14, NO. 13 AUBURN 6

CLEMSON, S.C.» Kelly Bryant ran for two touchdowns after getting knocked hard to the ground, and defensive end Austin Bryant had four of Clemson’s 11 sacks in the No. 3 Tigers’ 14-6 victory over Auburn on Saturday night.

This was billed as an early showcase between elite teams with dreams of the College Football Playoffs. Instead, Clemson’s Bryants never gave Auburn (1-1) much of a chance.

Bryant, making his second career start at quarterback for defending national champion Clemson, appeared to be seriously hurt after he remained on the ground on a hit by Dontavius Russell. But after a few moments in the medical tent, Bryant returned to direct a pair of touchdown drives that gave Clemson (2-0) the lead for good.

“I just had the wind knocked out of me. I was fine,” Kelly Bryant said. “I wasn’t going to go out like that.”

Bryant’s 3-yard run right before halftime put Clemson ahead 7-6. He finished the next possession with a spinning, 27-yard burst.

Clemson’s defense squashed any chance of an Auburn comeback. Bryant was nearly unblockable and created havoc for quarterback Jarrett Stidham and Auburn, which was held to 117 yards.

Austin Byrant sacked Stidham on Auburn’s final two plays as the Baylor transfer desperately tried to get the ball downfield. Byrant threw for 181 yards on 19-of-29 passing. He also rushed for 68 yards.

“Football players are toughminded people,” Austin Bryant said. “This just shows we were the most prepared team.”