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"Escape from Death Valley" gives Jackets a last-second win By Phil Ramos Has a lot to learn ATLANTA November 20, 1998
 ESPN advertised last Thursday's game against the Clemson Tigers as a made for television movie called "The Man" starring Jacket quarterback Joe Hamilton.
Playing against a weak Clemson team, the Jackets might have interpreted this to be another football comedy. However, as the movie unfolded they soon realized that what they were watching could turn into a horror show entitled "I Know What Tech's Not Doing for New Year's.''
With an overall record of 2-7 and nothing to lose, the Clemson Tigers played the role of villain trying to dispose of Tech's ACC championship and Gator Bowl chances. But like any other movie, the good guys always manage to prevail. While keeping their audience at the edge of their seats, "The Man" and his supporting cast were able to tame the Tigers and silence "Death Valley" with a score of 24-21.
The normally explosive passing offense has struggled of late. The 300 yard passing games seen at Duke , N.C. State, and Virginia have vanished. Coming into the game the offense had averaged 119 yards of passing in the last two games.
The Tigers were first to the scoreboard pounding the Jacket defense on their opening drive and marching into the endzone with a 10- yard run by Travis Zachary.
The Jacket offense could not find their rhythm in the first half. A fumble and some dropped passes led to a couple of three and out series on their first two drives. A defensive stop deep in Clemson territory gave the offense great field position and a good opportunity to score. The running of Charlie Rogers and Joe Burns helped the Jackets move deep into Clemson territory giving the Jackets a chance to even up the score. However, the Jackets had to settle for a field goal after a wide open Dez White dropped a 23 yard Hamilton pass in the end zone.
The passing woes of the previous two games continued as Tech only passed for 44 yards in the first half.
Abandoning the passing game for a while, the Jackets took to the ground in the second quarter. On their first drive, Tech rambled down the field, led by Hamilton's feet.. He had runs of 14 and 8 yards on the drive which culminated with his 9- yard touchdown on the quarterback keeper. The score and consistent defensive play gave the Jackets an uncomfortable 10-7 lead at halftime.
The second half began with the teams exchanging touchdowns. The Tigers took the post-halftime kickoff and marched down the field behind the running of Zachary. Brandon Streeter connected with wide receiver Rod Gardner for a 3 yard touchdown pass to give Clemson the lead 14-10.
The Jackets responded immediately. A false start penalty and a sack had them facing a 3rd and 21, but Hamilton found Sheridan with a 20 yard completion. Tech then converted 4th and 1 on a sneak by Hamilton. Rogers continued to be impressive with the option, taking it a couple times as Tech moved downfield. Philip Rogers ended the drive by scoring on a 1- yard touchdown run, as Tech regained the lead 17-14
The Jackets blew some chances to extend their lead, and the third quarter ended with Tech clinging to a three point lead.
With upset still on their minds, the Tigers opened the fourth quarter with a quick score. Streeter completed a 27- yard pass to Zachary to move into Tech territory and then launched a 48- yard bomb to Brian Wofford who streaked behind the secondary for a touchdown giving Clemson a four point lead.
With time running out and the offense unable to move down the field, Jacket fans started to wonder if "The Man" and his team could pull off the win, especially when Tech was forced to punt the ball with three minutes and one second to go in the game.
But the Tech defense came up with one of the biggest stops of the season as their defensive wall stopped Clemson on three consecutive plays, forcing a punt with two minutes and thirty seconds to go in the game. Tech took over on offense with excellent field position, starting at their own 47 yard line.
However, the Jackets appeared as if they were going to waste the opportunity by dropping passes on first and second down. A 28- yard pass to Charlie Rogers and a 15- yard pass to Dez White gave the Jackets a first and goal on the 4 yard line. The Jackets then took the lead for good with a 1- yard touchdown run by Joe Burns.
The Tigers tried to pull out a miracle with a minute to go, but a sack by Felipe Claybrooks and a Tiger penalty killed their chances. Although ugly, the game was a solid road win.
"Clemson was a tough place to play," said Coach O'Leary, "we were fortunate to get out of there."
While Hamilton's 17 for 33, 190 yard passing performance was not Academy Award winning, teammate Charlie Rogers might get a nomination for best supporting actor. In his first start since his injury, Rogers ran for 81 yards and played a key role in Tech's game winning drive.
What's next for "The Man" and his cast? A live performance at Bobby Dodd Stadium against Wake Forest. A win will put an exclamation point on the Jackets' season as it will crown them co-champions with Florida State.
Most importantly, it would allow the Gator Bowl committee to fill in one blank on their invitations. With the game against the Bulldogs a week away, the Jackets must not overlook the seventh place Demon Deacons.
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Copyright © 1998 by Gregory S. Scherrer, Editor and by the Student Publications Board
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