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CLEMSON, South Carolina (Ticker) -- Woodrow Dantzler's Heisman Trophy push did not begin with a flourish, but it was enough to hold off stubborn Central Florida. Dantzler passed for 154 yards and added a 16-yard TD run as 18th-ranked Clemson outlasted Central Florida, 21-13, in the season opener for both teams. "We prepared a team for a 60-minute game and that's pretty much what is was," Clemson coach Tommy Bowden said. A Heisman Trophy candidate after setting a Clemson record with 2,899 total yards last season, Dantzler carried 18 times for 46 yards, including his TD run in the second quarter that put the Tigers ahead to stay at 14-7. Dantzler completed 15-of-25 passes and was not intercepted. "Dantzler as we all know has these organizational qualities that are as good as anyone who has ever played this game," Central Florida coach Mike Kruczek said. "We knew he was going to make his plays. We had to minimize those plays and I think we did." Clemson overcame a strong outing from Central Florida's Ryan Schneider, who ranked ninth in the nation in passing efficiency compared to 22nd for Dantzler last season, Schneider completed 29-of-47 passes for 297 yards, including six passes for 72 yards to Tavirus Davis. Central Florida is in just its sixth season as a Division I-A school and was 20-13 the last three years under Kruczek. The Golden Knight kept things competitive on Saturday, but an ineffective running game eventually made the difference. Central Florida had 31 rushing yards on 22 carries. The Tigers (1-0) opened the scoring on a seven-yard run by Travis Zachery 4:01 into the game. Central Florida (0-1) tied it on a seven-yard TD run by Alex Haynes 2:20 into the second quarter, but the Tigers answered 1:24 later on the TD run by Dantzler. Clemson increased its lead to 21-7 early in the third quarter on 22-yard TD run by Jeff Scott off a faked field goal. "That was a big play. That's a scholarship well invested," Bowden said. Central Florida closed to within eight points on a one-yard TD run by Schneider with 8:09 left. Javier Beorlegui missed the extra point after failing on a 38-yard field-goal attempt in the second quarter. The Golden Knights punted on their next possession, and Clemson ran out the final 3:10 on the clock. A key play in the drive was an eight-yard run by Dantzler on 3rd-and-6 to the Clemson 32. The Tigers have won 15 of their last 18 season openers.
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