Courtesy Clemson

Athletic Communications

news@thepccourier.com

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — The sixth-ranked Clemson Tigers tied a school record for victory margin in an ACC game and handed one of

college football’s most storied programs its worst loss ever in a 58-0 win at Miami on Saturday.

The Tigers led 42-0 at halftime and never looked back in moving to 7-0 (4-0 ACC) on the season. Miami fell to 4-3 overall and 1-2 in league play. The Hurricanes fired fifth-year head coach Al Golden

Kerry Gilstrap/Courier
Clemson senior running back Zac Brooks, seen here carrying the ball against Boston College on Oct. 17, scored a touchdown for the third week in a row in the Tigers’ 58-0 win at Miami.

the day after the loss.

Wayne Gallman and Deshaun Watson led a heavy rushing attack Saturday afternoon, as the Tigers accumulated a season-high 567 yards against the Hurricanes. Clemson rushed for 416 yards, its highest total since a 2000 game against Wake Forest.

Watson accounted for 241 total yards, including 98 on the ground. He was able to watch comfortably from the bench in the third quarter after the lead reached 45-0. He threw for a touchdown and scored one with his feet. Gallman ran for 118, his fourth 100-plus rushing yardage effort of 2015.

The Tigers jumped out to a quick 21-0 lead in the opening quarter behind a fluid offense and suffocating defense. Watson threw a 34-yard touchdown to Jordan Leggett on the opening drive, giving the junior a school record for a tight end with a scoring grab in his fifth straight game. Watson set the Tigers up for a second touchdown after unleashing a career-long 63-yard run that led to Gallman scoring from five yards out. The third score was put on the board when Zac Brooks got in on the action, scoring on a one-yard plunge.

The Tigers duplicated the feat with 21 more points in the second frame. It culminated when Watson scampered in from six yards out and then Cordrea Tankersley returned an interception for a touchdown on the next offensive play by the ‘Canes to push the advantage to 42-0. Tankersley’s pick was his third of the season, most by a Tiger.

The second half featured a glimpse into the future of the Clemson program, as Tigers coach Dabo Swinney was able to give his reserves plenty of playing time on both sides of the ball. Freshman backup quarterback Kelly Bryant was a highlight, scoring on two touchdown runs to continue to build the Tiger cushion. Bryant scored on a 59-yard run, the longest of his career.

Clemson will return to action Saturday at N.C. State. The Tigers and Wolfpack will meet at 3:30 p.m. at Carter-Finley Stadium in Raleigh in a game set to be televised by ABC.