UGA vs. Clemson Recap and Reaction
Dawgs Dominate
Well, it was close for a half. UGA took a 6-0 lead into halftime, but came out firing on all cylinders in the third quarter. Clemson couldn’t keep up, only managing 189 total yards of offense behind Cade Klubnik and Phil Mafah. UGA’s freshmen and transfers stood out in their big win. Let’s break it all down. Read UGA vs. Clemson recap and reaction below.
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Offense Shakes off Slow Start
Carson Beck and the Dawg offense didn’t get much going early. RB Branson Robinson was bottled up all game, and attacking the edges with screen and end around had mixed results. In the second half, Beck let it rip downfield with good results. On the whole, Beck played a good game, but not his best.
While his stat line (23/33 passing for 278 yards and 2 TDs) is good, his accuracy was up and down. A few of his completions weren’t great passes and he missed Dom Lovett badly on what would have been an explosive play. He also was able to thread the needle to Dillon Bell in tight coverage and layer the ball well when needed. On one hand, you can’t ask much more of him. On the other, Beck does have things to improve on. Beck’s ability to convert key third and longs both with his arms and his legs was crucial.
With Etienne suspended and Rod Robinson hurt, the running back room was thing going into the game. Branson Robinson doesn’t seem to trust his knee yet after surgery. He was indecisive after getting blown up on his first carry. He should be fine in the long run, but it was a necessary game for him to start to gain confidence.
Freshman RB Nate Frazier was a breakout star in this game. He finished as UGA’s leading rusher with 11 carries, 83 yards and 1 TD. He dropped a couple screens, but also had a 24 yard screen catch. His ability to make a cut and drop a defender, as well as shed arm tackles, is unique. He won over Dawg fans with his key performance and with his tribute to previous UGA running backs during his touchdown celebration. A big reason why UGA’s second half offense clicked was due to Frazier’s larger role, even when Carson Beck was telling him what was happening before the snap.
UGA’s transfer receivers played a major role in the game. Vandy transfer London Humphreys led all receivers with 63 yards, including a 40 yard touchdown that showed off his top end speed. His two catches were clutch. Colbie Young added a couple of catches, one being a touchdown reception on a back shoulder throw.
Dom Lovett didn’t get as many catches as I would have expected, but was dynamic with the ball when he did, juking a defender and leaving him in the dust. Dillon Bell also looked dangerous before leaving the game with cramps. And finally, finally Arian Smith began to look like a complete receiver. With a career high of receptions, Smith made his mark on the game from the first snap. He blocked well, was a threat on end-arounds, and was dangerous both in the deep ball and in the short game. If Smith can take this next step, UGA’s offense has a new dynamic.
The offensive line played well on the whole, but started slow. Physically they weren’t imposing, but they wore down Clemson’s front as the game went on. They managed to keep Carson relatively clean during the game as well. Still some stuff to clean up, but a solid performance against a challenging front 4.
Defensive Masterclass
Clemson managed two plays in Georgia territory in the first half. The Dawg defense looked as suffocating as it’s ever been. Let’s break down how the defense did.
The defensive line was thin going into this game with multiple injuries. Then DL Warren Brinson went out with a leg contusion early in the game, and Mykel Williams left with an ankle sprain in the second half. No matter. Nazir Stackhouse, Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins, and company were able to stifle the Clemson front.
They helped the linebackers play free all day, and didn’t allow Clemson to establish an effective run game. The longest run from Mafah all day was 9 yards. While there still is not someone who is incredibly disruptive on the line, if these guys can stick to their assignment and allow the talented linebackers and secondary to fly around, UGA’s defense will hold up fine against tough opponents.
UGA has depth at linebacker like we have never seen. They are at least as deep as the 2021 team with Smael Mondon, CJ Allen, and Raylen Wilson at linebacker. Add in Jalon Walker who can play multiple roles and you have 4 NFL ready guys just at inside backer. Walker led the team in tackles and was flying all over the field. Wilson looks to have improved over the offseason and was shooting gaps to make tackles.
The secondary had a great showing for the first week. With news that nickel back Joenel Aguero was out for the game, UGA put safety Malaki Starks in at that spot after the first snap. Then they rolled with true freshman KJ Bolden at safety alongside Dan Jackson. Jackson and Bolden each had remarkable games.
Bolden ended the first drive with a solo tackle in open space against Mafah. Jackson had multiple hits that kept Clemson receivers from making the first down. Bolden looks to be a star in the making, and is the second freshman worth noting in this game. I’m also curious to see if UGA goes back to this set up in the future. With Starks in the star position, he was around the ball constantly. Whether it was Javon Bullard or Tykee Smith, that position when combined with a talented player becomes the main playmaking position on the field. Wouldn’t it make sense for UGA to then use their most talented player in that role?
Clemson Confusion
Clemson came into this game playing fast, although inefficient on offense. They only managed just over 50 plays, about 20 short of their season average last year. They went slow.
Defensively, they were a man to man coverage team, who loved to be aggressive. Instead, they often sat back in a soft zone in coverage and tried to take away the run. Carson Beck picked them apart and had plenty of time to throw. Why did Clemson try to be someone they aren’t?
Reaction
UGA looked head and shoulders better than the #14 team in the nation. They looked faster, more physical, and the difference at QB was remarkable. Simply put, UGA is on a totally different level than Clemson and their trajectories are going opposite directions.
Clemson’s not a bad program, but they don’t have an offense to compliment a strong defense. They really only had one weapon that caused UGA any concerns in Antonio Williams. Klubnik wasn’t special, Mafah was underused and didn’t really punish UGA defenders.
So what to take away from this game? Well, when UGA is fully healthy, this team is going to be scary. Since Nate Frazier is that dynamic, once Trevor Etienne gets in the mix, UGA looks to have two guys who can make a big play every time they touch it in the backfield.
At receiver no single guy seemed unstoppable, but several were dangerous and could make big plays. Bell, Smith, and Humphreys all can be explosive. Even TE Lawson Luckie had a couple nice catches. Defensively, UGA is more athletic than last year and seems to have taken a step forward on the defensive line. Ingram-Dawkins and Christen Miller make a big difference on that line. With Bolden emerging so quickly, the Dawgs now will have some depth they desperately needed at the safety/star spot.
Additional Notes
Clemson has not scored a touchdown on UGA in 31 consecutive drives, dating back to 2014.
Malaki Starks’ interception. Wow. What a player. He’s worthy of the Champ Bailey comparison Coach Smart gave him after the game.
Two other highly touted freshmen played in the game. CB Ellis Robinson came in and got a PI called on him. Also LB Justin Williams laid a lick on Mafah. This UGA team is deep and talented on the defensive side.
LB Jalon Walker had his most impactful game to date. He seems to have found a role in this defense instead of just rushing the passer on 3rd downs.
TE Oscar Delp didn’t record any major stats, a surprising absence from an expected playmaker. I was also surprised how little OG Micah Morris played. Same with WR Anthony Evans.
OL Xavier Truss had a tough game. He fell on his face at one point, letting the running back get walloped. He got penalties and just got beat. I was hoping to see more Monroe Freeling than we did. When Freeling came in the game, UGA moved the ball to score their first points.
Center Jared Wilson had a solid performance for his first game.
UGA used more 12 personnel than I expected. I thought they had left their 2 tight end sets mostly behind when Darnell Washington went pro. Now with Delp, Luckie, and Yurosek, UGA is back to regularly using 2 tight ends.
Grades
Offense: B+
Slow start, strong finish.
Defense: A+
Suffocating, held them to under 200 yards. But let’s be honest, Clemson’s offense is awful.
Special teams: A+
Woodring went 2/2 with a 55 yarder. Thorson was excellent in punting. Evans looks dangerous in returns.
Final Thoughts
There’s a lot to be excited about with this UGA squad after week 1. The depth at receiver, a solid O line, Carson dealing, a fast and dangerous defense. The injury to Mykel Williams is the only negative outcome from this game because UGA desperately needs him ready to roll in two weeks against Bama. However, Dawg fans need to temper their excitement in that Clemson’s offense is really bad.
Yes they won big, but to be honest, Kentucky may present a bigger threat to the Dawgs. The road is long and the margin for error is still slim. But things started off about as well as they could. Let’s see if the Dawgs can make another special season.
