On This Date: 1986 (21)Clemson- 27 (20)Stanford- 21

Dec 27, 2020, 8:26 PM

12/27/1986
Gator Bowl
Orlando, FL

NO COLLAPSE -- CLEMSON GRABS GATOR 27-21

THE ORLANDO SENTINEL

Before 80,104 mostly Clemson fans in Jacksonville's Gator Bowl stadium, the Tigers blew out Stanford in the first half, 27-0, but got complacent in the second and preserved the victory only by bearing down and stopping the Cardinal on a fourth-and-4 at Stanford's 35-yard line with 1:24 remaining.

"I told our guys at halftime that we were going to do either one of two things," Clemson Coach Danny Ford said. "We were either going to set an NCAA record of being ahead at halftime and losing, or we'll go out and score a bunch of points and win going away.

"It came awfully close to being the first one."

Ford said he was happy the team may have learned an important lesson without having to lose. "They came close to making us believers," Ford said. "We need to learn how to put people away."

Stanford players blamed the slow start on a lack of rhythm, specifically that of sophomore quarterback Greg Ennis, making his first start after starter John Paye underwent shoulder surgery last week.

It seemed a bad omen at the start when one of the five parachutists who landed in the Gator Bowl before the game -- the one carrying the Stanford flag -- missed the stadium and dropped out of sight.

"It was weird," Ennis said. "In the first half, I felt like we weren't really there yet."

Clemson, however, was ready and waiting, jumping all over the Cardinal for 181 yards rushing on 37 carries to Stanford's 39 on seven carries, and 101 passing yards to Stanford's 18.

After fooling around with the pass on its first possession, Clemson went to its reliable running attack, specifically the option, and scored on its next five possessions.

Fullback Chris Lancaster scored on a 5-yard run for Clemson's first touchdown after a 13-play, 80-yard drive.

Quarterback Rod Williams scored on the Tigers' next possession, sneaking up the middle from 1 yard out. Clemson led, 14-0. More importantly though, the Tigers were consuming time, controlling the ball in the first half with 20:30 on offense to Stanford's 9:30.

David Treadwell kicked a 22-yard field goal on Clemson's next possession and following a fumble by Stanford and recovery by Tyler Grimes on the kickoff return, receiver Ray Williams scored his touchdown, a 14-yarder on a flanker reverse.

Treadwell closed Clemson's scoring, and the first half, with a 46-yard field goal to give the Tigers a 27-0 lead.

"At that point," Stanford fullback Brian Morris said, "I thought, it can't possibly get any worse than this."

Stanford slinked back slowly, scoring its first points with 6:44 left in the third quarter on the first of three touchdowns by the Cardinal's most valuable player, tailback Brad Muster.

Muster blew through left tackle for a 1-yard touchdown following a drive that began on the Clemson 41.

He scored his second touchdown to open the fourth quarter -- a 13-yard pass from Ennis.

"All we did was make some minor adjustments with the blocking scheme up front," Morris said. "That, and Greg Ennis settled down."

Stanford had a chance to score again on the next series after Toi Cook intercepted a pass by Rodney Williams' and returned it 16 yards to the Clemson 11. But three plays later, Ennis was intercepted by Delton Hall at the Clemson 11.

Stanford held and Muster scored his third TD with 2:50 to play on a 37- yard pass play. The Cardinal then stopped Clemson on three downs and regained the ball at their own 29 with 1:43 to play.

Ennis, who was 20-of-40 for 168 yards, followed two incompletions with a 6-yard gainer to Jeff James. He looked for James again on fourth down but was rushed and bounced his pass.

"The cornerback was right on my hip," James said. "He played it very well. Greg had no choice."

For Clemson, it was a less-than-satisfying victory. "We were too relaxed," center Jeff Bak said. "We had a shot to put it away and we failed. It was complete frustration."

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On This Date: 1986 (21)Clemson- 27 (20)Stanford- 21

Remember that game well. Crappy day. Great 1st half. Lots

Re: Remember that game well. Crappy day. Great 1st half. Lots

Re: Remember that game well. Crappy day. Great 1st half. Lots

Re: On This Date: 1986 (21)Clemson- 27 (20)Stanford- 21

Re: On This Date: 1986 (21)Clemson- 27 (20)Stanford- 21

Re: On This Date: 1986 (21)Clemson- 27 (20)Stanford- 21

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