Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd connected with Dwayne Allen on a 54-yard touchdown pass to give the Tigers a 20-16 lead over Troy midway through the third quarter.
The Tigers opened the game strong, with Boyd hooking with Sammy Watkins for a 33-yard touchdown just 26 seconds into the game after running back Andre Ellington's 26-yard run on the opening play. Tigers kicker Chandler Catanzaro added the first of his pair of 46-yard field goals on the day to give Clemson a 10-0 lead with 9:59 to play in the opening quarter.
Catamzaro's second field goal came after a fumble by Troy running back Shawn Southward.
Troy responded to the 10-0 deficit with a 13-play, 80-yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown plunge by Southward, with kicker Michael Taylor added a 21-yard field early in the second quarter that was set-up by a 50-yard interception return by safety Barry Valcin.
Late in the second quarter, Troy quarterback Corey Robinson connected with sophomore wide receiver Eric Thomas on a 16-yard touchdown that gave them a 16-13 lead at the half.