Troy traveled to No. 2 Clemson as a heavy underdog and walked off the turf of Memorial Stadium with the respect of the nation as the home-standing Tigers escaped with a 30-24 victory over the Trojans on Saturday afternoon.
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Early in the fourth quarter, Watson hit defensive lineman Christian Wilkins for a 1-yard TD pass and found Deon Cain for a 23-yard score, giving Clemson a 27-10 lead.
Clemson ended up taking a 17-point lead early in the fourth quarter before hanging on for a 30-24 win, but not before several tense moments at Death Valley. But Cain grabbed the on-side kick attempt and Clemson ran out the clock. The Crimson Tide (2-0) piled it on with big plays from the defense and receivers Calvin Ridley and ArDarius Stewart. Ridley had nine catches for 129 yards and Stewart gained 90 yards on five receptions.
Through the first two games of the season, the expectations have come to a crashing halt. McCloud went through with the flash, posing for the fans, and rolling around with teammates after Clemson’s first punt return touchdown in three years.
Francois completed 10 of his first 12 passes, including two for touchdowns to Travis Rudolph. Francois, a redshirt freshman, finished 25 of 32 for 262 yards and an interception.
With Clemson up 13-10 with less than two minutes to go in the second quarter, McCloud seemingly returned a punt for a 74-yard touchdown. Clemson’s run game was non-existent in the first half.
Clemson wide receiver Ray-Ray McCloud (34) drops the football as he enters the end zone during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Troy on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, in Clemson, S.C. The play was not ruled a touchdown.
NO. 18 NOTRE DAME 39, NEVADA 10: DeShone Kizer threw two touchdown passes and ran for another score, Josh Adams rushed for 106 yards and Notre Dame’s defense rebounded from a disappointing performance a week ago.
Browning has helped Washington (2-0) to its highest ranking since 2001.
Troy, a member of the Sun Belt Conference, gouged Clemson for 386 yards and 21 first downs.
NO. 5 MI 51, UCF 14: Wilton Speight threw two of his four touchdown passes to Jake Butt, and Khalid Hill ran for two scores in Michigan’s victory over Central Florida. The Sooners (1-1) outgained the Warhawks (1-1) 640 yards to 350.
Allen led the Razorbacks (2-0) to the tying score in the final 2 minutes of regulation, throwing a touchdown pass to Keon Hatcher and then catching the tying 2-point conversion from Hatcher with 1:03 left. Troy recovered that one in the end zone for a touchback. But this play-by-play commentary from a insane Troy Trojans fan is even more hilarious to watch.
It was his first touchdown catch, but the second career reception for Wilkins, a 310-pound sophomore who had a 31-yard reception on a fake punt in last year’s Orange Bowl.
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The wildest play of the game may have been the reason the game was so close. Troy has three manageable matchups to open SBC play, hosing New Mexico State, going to Idaho to play the Vandals, and a homecoming game against Georgia State. Russell was 26 of 47 with two interceptions.
