Clemson: 14
Georgia Tech: 32

After an abysmal 2-7-1 record in 1931, Georgia Tech looked to bounce back in the 1932 season opener when it faced the Clemson Tigers at Grant Field. The Tigers picked up an early win over Presbyterian to improve to 1-0 on the year after completing the ’31 season in similar fashion to the Jackets (1-6-2, overall). Clemson had not enjoyed much success over Tech, recently, having lost the previous twelve meetings by a combined score of 319-22. Their last victory came in the form of a 6-5 decision in the 1907 season finale to finish the year at 4-4, overall.

Most of the first quarter was filled with drives ending in punts, but for one occasion when Tech took over deep in Clemson territory after J. Goldsmith recovered a Henry Woodward fumble. The Jackets eventually advanced as far as the Tiger 5 yard line, but came away empty after turning the ball over on downs.

Tech would first crack the scoreboard in the second quarter after taking over at the Clemson 44 following a punt. Jap Hart, Ben Cherry, and C. Galloway alternated carries en route to the Tiger goal line with Cherry punching the ball in from the one for a touchdown. Ferguson’s extra point was no good, however, and the Ramblin’ Wreck lead stood at 6-0.

Later in the period, the Jackets again began with great field position after Pat Barron returned a punt just over 20 yards to the Ramblin’ Wreck 43. Galloway reeled off 25 yards on second down, and Tech quickly found itself in scoring position. From the 14, Roy McArthur hit Sid Williams for a first down at the 1 and followed up with a run for the score three plays later to make it 13-0.

Shortly after halftime, Tech again increased its lead when Galloway busted off a 50 yard touchdown run to make it 19-0 after another failed extra point. The remainder of the third quarter passed with little other notable action.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Tech began at the Tiger 48 following a punt. After pushing to the 36 on a few short plays, Hart hit Williams with a pass at the 11 yard line and Williams raced into the end zone for a score to make it 26-0 after the successful extra point.

Later in the quarter, with the Tech reserves at the helm, Clemson would begin a drive at its own 20. The Tigers needed just one play to notch the scoreboard when Bob Miller hit Woodward for an 80 yard touchdown pass to make it 26-7.

The Jackets elected to kick off after the score and Clemson began at its own 31 following the kick*. Bill Dillard picked up 15 on two runs and then Miller hit Gene Patterson on a pass to the Tech 33. Miller went back to the air on the next play and found Johnson Craig down field. Craig then pitched the ball to Woodward at full speed on a hook-and-lateral and Woodward raced the remaining distance to the end zone to make it 26-14.

The Tech starters returned on the drive that followed and covered 60 yards for an insurance score to wrap up the scoring and seal the Yellow Jacket victory. High Gooding found Barron from 10 yards out for the touchdown, but a third missed extra point held the Jackets with 32 points at the finish.

The Tigers would go on to win two games the rest of the year to finish at 3-5-1. Their victories came against Erskine College and The Citadel.

Notes:
*By rule at the time, the team that had just given up the TD could elect to kick or receive

Statistics:

First downs:
CLEM – 7
GT – 22

Rushing yards:
CLEM – 42
GT – 356

Passing (Comp-Att-Yds):
CLEM – 6-13-181
GT – 4-12-69

Interceptions thrown:
CLEM – 2
GT – 1

Fumbles lost:
CLEM – 2
GT – 0

Penalty yards:
CLEM – 25
GT – 15

References:
Blake, Morgan. “Tech Wins Wild and Woolly Game From Tiger.” The Atlanta Journal. 1932 Oct. 2
Unknown. “…[statistics]…” The Atlanta Journal. 1932 Oct. 2