Death Valley Salutes: Clemson Honors Seniors with Victory over The Citadel

In a game that honored both seniors and military service members, the Clemson Tigers demonstrated their powerhouse status with a commanding 51-14 victory over The Citadel Bulldogs. Despite early flashes of promise from the visitors, Death Valley proved once again why it's one of college football's most intimidating venues.

The afternoon began with The Citadel showing unexpected poise, mounting an impressive opening drive that threatened to silence the Death Valley crowd. However, a series of self-inflicted wounds – including costly penalties and a missed opportunity for an early touchdown – would foreshadow the Bulldogs' struggles throughout the day.

Tigers doing their game day walk of Champions before kickoff. Photo property of Clemson FB (Instagram)

Clemson wasted no time capitalizing on The Citadel's missed opportunities. In a lightning-fast drive lasting just 1:47, the Tigers struck first with a 30-yard touchdown reception, igniting the home crowd. The defensive fireworks followed shortly after when senior tackle Peyton Page, wearing number 55, electrified Death Valley with a pick-six that pushed the Tigers' lead to 14-0.

The game's turning point came when Wesco Junior, left inexplicably uncovered by The Citadel's defense, hauled in a spectacular 55-yard touchdown pass. This score, making it 21-0 with 10:49 left in the half, seemed to break the Bulldogs' early resilience. Jay Haynes then took center stage, punching in two consecutive touchdowns to extend Clemson's lead to 35-0 before halftime.

The Citadel's Jonathan Bennett provided a bright spot for the Bulldogs in the third quarter, finally breaking through Clemson's defense to put his team on the board at 42-7. However, the Tigers' depth proved overwhelming, as even their backup players maintained control of the game's tempo and added to the scoring tally.

Despite facing an insurmountable deficit, The Citadel showed commendable fight, managing another touchdown to make it 45-14. However, their offensive inconsistencies – marked by shifting schemes and execution problems – prevented any serious comeback attempt. Clemson's opportunistic defense capitalized on every Bulldog mistake, leading to the final score of 51-14.

Looking ahead, the Tigers face a crucial test against their ranked in-state rivals, the South Carolina Gamecocks. With ACC Championship implications hanging in the balance, this victory serves as valuable momentum heading into rivalry week.

Key Statistics:

• - Clemson's offense scored in every quarter

• - Multiple touchdown performance by Jay Haynes

• - Payton Page's pick-six highlighted the defensive effort

• - The Citadel managed two second-half touchdowns despite the deficit

The Tigers' dominant performance not only honored their seniors and military appreciation day but also sent a clear message to their upcoming rivals: Death Valley remains one of college football's most formidable fortresses.