CLEMSON, S.C. – The new Clemson starting quarterback had an easy way for the third-ranked Tigers to keep winning the next several years — recruit more Bryants.
Kelly Bryant, Clemson's first-year starter, ran for two touchdowns after a scary hit knocked him to the ground and defensive end Austin Bryant had four of the Tigers' 11 sacks in a 14-6 victory over No. 13 Auburn on Saturday.
"The Bryant guys were pretty good," said Kelly, who is not related to Austin. "We've got to keep it going."
If they do, the defending champion Tigers (2-0) might be playing in their third consecutive title game.
The game was hyped as an early season test of power between two teams with hopes of the College Football Playoffs. But the Clemson defense showed its strength early before Kelly Bryant got the offense rolling before halftime.
Bryant, facing his first Power Five opponent after sitting behind two-time Heisman Trophy finalist Deshaun Watson the past two years, went down hard on a tackle by Dontavius Russell. Bryant lay on the ground motionless before his legs flapped around, and it appeared to most of the 80,000 at Death Valley that he was hurt badly.
Instead, Bryant just needed to regain his breath.
Once Bryant returned, he led an 88-yard drive right before halftime that he ended with a 3-yard scoring run to give Clemson the lead for good, 7-6. "That drive," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said, "was a thing of beauty."
