Tennessee bests Clemson in Orange Bowl

MIAMI (WCSC/Fox Carolina/AP) - Sixth-ranked Tennessee scored a touchdown in every quarter against the 10th-ranked Clemson Tigers who quickly fell behind Friday night in the 89th Orange Bowl in Miami.

Clemson picked up two field goals, one in the second quarter and the other in the third quarter. They scored their first touchdown in the fourth quarter with a two-point conversion.

But Tennessee answered with a field goal, leading to a 31-14 victory.

The Vols were first to score in the game, picking up a touchdown late into the first quarter. They picked up their second a third of the way into the second quarter.

The Vols were first to score in the game, picking up a touchdown late into the first quarter. They picked up their second a third of the way into the second quarter.

With just more than five minutes left in the second quarter, Clemson scored a field goal, bringing the score to 14-3, where it remained at halftime.

For Tennessee, Friday night’s bowl game is a chance at what would be the school’s first 11-win season since 2001. And, just as Clemson’s first Orange Bowl trip in a generation did 11 years ago, it may help set the tone for a return to college football’s mountaintop.

During media availability throughout the week, Clemson players have been confident in the conditioning they’ve put in while preparing for the bowl game.

Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik is starting for the first time on Friday. Joe Milton has started three games for the Vols. For both quarterbacks, the bowl game could become a springboard as they enter 2023.

Before the game began, a plane spotted over the Hard Rock Stadium carried a banner that read, “Enjoy your bowl game - Gamecocks.”

South Carolina upset both Clemson and Tennessee in their last two games.

The Gamecocks lost a hard-fought game against Notre Dame earlier Friday in the TaxSlayer Gator Bowl with a final score of 45-38

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