JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - The Mountaineers drew first blood, but the Tigers roared back en route to a 27-7 Clemson victory at the 45^th annual Mazda Gator Bowl.
 
In West Virginia's first possession, Heisman Trophy finalist Major Harris did a splendid job of mixing the run with the pass, marching the Mountaineers down the field on the confused Tiger defense. In all, West Virginia piled up 96 yards on 14 plays, culminating the drive on a Harris to James Jett 12-yard touchdown pass with 6:12 remaining in the first quarter.
 
For the Mountaineer faithful, however, little remained to cheer for on the evening. After a scoreless first quarter for Clemson, Chris Gardocki opened the second quarter with a 27-yard field goal. After a West Virginia punt, Clemson's ball control offense chewed up 80 yards on 17 plays. The drive ended with a Wesley McFadden one-yard sweep, providing the 10-7 halftime score.
 
The third quarter saw both team's defenses dominate as neither team was able to sustain a long drive. West Virginia cornerback Preston Waters thwarted a Clemson drive with an interception while Clemson free safety Robert O'Neal returned the favor on a Harris end zone pass.
 
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Clemson put the game out on ice when tailback Joe Henderson outran the Mountaineer left side for a four-yard touchdown with 11:43 remaining.
 
Harris scrambled in the end zone, desperate to make something happen with only eight minutes remaining, but was stripped of the football by Chester McGlockton who fell on the ball for the final touchdown.
 
The Tiger defense allowed West Virginia only 237 yards of total offense. Linebackers Doug Brewter, John Johnson and Ed McDaniel made Harris' final collegiate game a disappointing memory. He finished the game with only 119 yards passing and 17 yards rushing.
 
A bright spot for the Mountaineers was the play of defensive tackle Mike Fox (seven tackles) who was named the game's defensive MVP for his outstanding play along the line of scrimmage. Linebacker Chris Haering was credited with 14 tackles, while safety Darrell Whitmore had nine.
 

	1	2	3	4	Final
West Virginia	7	0	0	0	7
Clemson	0	10	0	17	27

WVU - Jett 12 pass from Harris (Carroll kick)
CL - Gardocki 27 field goal
CL - McFadden 1 run (Gardocki kick)
CL - Henderson 4 run (Gardocki kick)
CL - McGlockton fumble recovery in end zone (Gardocki kick)
CL - Gardocki 24 field goal

Attendance - 82,911