MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — Joe Milton tossed three touchdown passes to lead the Tennessee Volunteers to a 31-14 win over the Clemson Tigers in the Orange Bowl on Thursday night.
Milton, who was thrusted back into the starting role when Hendon Hooker got injured during the South Carolina game, lead a Tennessee team to one of it's best seasons in a long time. He completed 19 of his 28 pass attempts for 251 yards to earn MVP honors.
Tennessee (11-2) built up a 14-0 lead behind a 16-yard touchdown pass from Milton to Bru McCoy and a touchdown run by Jabari Small.
Coming into the game, the Volunteers led the nation in yards and points per game during the regular season. But while it wasn't their best performance of the season, it wasn't necessary.
Cade Klubnik completed 30 of 54 passes for 320 yards with two interceptions in his very first start as a Tiger. Clemson's offense ran 101 plays for 484 yards, but kept coming up empty on scoring chances.
The Tigers made it into Tennessee territory on nine of its first 10 possessions, but only managed two field goals.
Klubnik would lead Clemson on a 72-yard drive and call his own number on a four-yard touchdown run to get the Tigers within 21-14 with 10:01 left, but that would be the closet Dabo Sweeny's team would get.
Milton would toss a 46-yard strike to Keyton Tennessee's next possession to make it a two-score game. Then the Volunteers defense would intercept Klubnik on a desperation fourth-down pass and pretty much seal the win for the Vols.
Squirrel White, Bru McCoy and Ramel Keyton caught a touchdown for the Volunteers. Jaylen Wright led all rushers with 89 yards.
Tennessee 7 7 7 10 = 31
Clemson 0 3 3 8 = 14
First Quarter TENN—Bru McCoy 16 pass from Joe Milton III (Chase McGrath kick), 5:17. Second Quarter TENN—Jabari Small 2 run (Chase McGrath kick), 9:03. CLEM—B.T. Potter 31 field goal, 5:11. Third Quarter CLEM—B.T. Potter 40 field goal, 10:57. CLEM—Squirrel White 14 pass from Joe Milton III (Chase McGrath kick), 0:05. Fourth Quarter CLEM—Cade Klubnik 4 run (Will Shipley run), 10:01. TENN—Ramel Keyton 46 pass from Joe Milton III (Chase McGrath kick), 8:34. TENN—Chase McGrath 32 field goal, 3:07.
Comments