ATLANTA- Clemson’s defense did what it could, but ultimately Wes Goodwin’s unit didn’t get enough help from the offense. No. 1 Georgia scored 28 points in the second half to beat No. 14 Clemson 34-3.

In the first half, the Tigers were strong defensively, but in the second half, they were less so. In the second half alone, the Bulldogs managed to gain 278 yards.

-Kirby Smart and his team deserve a lot of credit for the adjustments they made at halftime. Carson Beck had a lot more time in the pocket in the last two quarters and he’s just too good to give it up. The Dawgs also started to find some running space in the second half, finishing with 169 yards after only 34 in the first half.

-Clemson’s receivers simply weren’t the factor they needed to be. Outside of Antonio Williams, who caught six balls and was one of the few bright spots on offense, the other receivers accounted for just five catches, most of which came in garbage time after the game was out of reach. Jake Briningstool added three catches from his tight end position.

The Tigers spent much of the game attacking the perimeter, and the Dawgs are simply too good and fast for that. Cade Klubnik rarely tried to push the ball down the field, as the junior completed 18 of 29 for 142 yards with one interception. At some point, the staff is going to have to be more aggressive.

-The offensive line under Matt Luke is still a work in progress, at least when it comes to competing with one of the best defenses in the country. Far too often, the Tigers were beaten at the point of attack, with the Dawgs defensive front routinely pushing the line of scrimmage back.

-Clemson appears to have found its placekicker after its struggles in 2023. Freshman Nolan Hauser connected on his only attempt. While it was only a 26-yarder, it was his first attempt of the season.

Turning point

Already up 6-0, Georgia got the ball to start the second half and then marched 75 yards in just six plays to score the game’s first touchdown and put the Bulldogs up 13-0. With Georgia’s defense keeping the Tigers’ offense in a stranglehold for much of the afternoon, it was all but over when Clemson trailed by two scores.

The Tigers had a chance to respond on the ensuing possession when the offense took the ball all the way to the Georgia six-yard line, but Mykell Williams was able to stop a QB run-a-drop by Klubnik and lose on second down. The Tigers ultimately had to settle for a chip-shot FG from freshman Nolan Hauser that made it 13-3.

The Dawgs went wild on the next drive when Nate Frazier connected on a 1-yard touchdown run to put Clemson behind 20-3.

Statistics tell

Clemson’s offense averaged a lousy 3.6 yards per play, compared to Georgia’s 7.7. That just won’t cut it. Klubnik averaged just over five yards per pass attempt, and that just won’t cut it either. This offense has to find a way to get more chunk plays. Period.

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