Offensive line breakdown a concern for Tigers

ATLANTA -- Dabo Swinney closed the preseason by saying his greatest concern was his place-kickers. The Clemson coach's greatest worry may have shifted to the right side of the offensive line Thursday.

Georgia Tech defensive end Derrick Morgan recorded three first-half sacks, often lining up across from right tackle Cory Lambert.

After giving Landon Walker a shot, Clemson shifted left tackle Chris Hairston to right tackle and Lambert to left tackle to open the second half.

While only one of Morgan's three first-half sacks could be directly pinned on Lambert, Morgan beat Lambert for several QB pressures and tackled C.J. Spiller for a key loss on Clemson's opening possession.

McDaniel stars in center field

Clemson safety DeAndre McDaniel intercepted his second and third passes of the season Thursday.

On Tech's opening possession of the fourth quarter, McDaniel ranged to his right to help in over-the-top coverage and made a leaping interception.

On Tech's first play from scrimmage, Demaryius Thomas beat single coverage, but Josh Nesbitt's throw was short and McDaniel was able to intercept the pass.

After featuring a six-defensive back base package against Middle Tennessee, Clemson opened with a 4-3 base personnel that included linebackers Kavell Conner and Kevin Alexander flanking middle linebacker Brandon Maye. McDaniel shifted back to safety after playing as an in-the-box nickel back last week.

You're in good hands …

With Clemson's tight ends. After being an afterthought in the offense last season, Michael Palmer and Dwayne Allen made two excellent catches on Clemson's second touchdown drive. Palmer made an acrobatic catch along the sideline to keep the drive alive, and Allen scooped up a low pass on third-and-goal from the 9 for a touchdown.

Korn MIA

After vowing to play backup quarterback Willy Korn in every game, Korn did not play a snap Thursday.

Against Middle Tennessee, Korn lost a fumble that was returned for a touchdown and had a pass intercepted. He wore No. 17 on Thursday to honor former Clemson linebacker Stanley Hunter, who had to quit the team this summer due to epilepsy.

Tombstones and more

Since the early 1990s, Clemson has begun a practice of planting a tombstone near the practice fields for every road win over a top 25 team on the road.

Entering Thursday, Clemson has five such tombstones over the last 11 years. Clemson's last such win came against Florida State in 2006. ... Clemson entered Thursday with a 2-3 mark when it has four days or less days to prepare for a game since 1933.

Extra points

C.J. Spiller's 63-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter was the 14th score in his career of 50 yards or more. Coming out of the field on a wheel route, it was Spiller's fifth catch of 50 yards or more. ... Georgia Tech's Bobby Dodd Stadium is the oldest in Division I-A. Football has been played on the field since 1905 and the first permanent stands were constructed in 1913.