CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Georgia football gave Clemson a taste of what the Tigers had been missing since the teams last met in 2014.
The Bulldogs’ punishing defense sacked Tigers quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei seven times en route to the 10-3 victory.
Georgia scored its only touchdown on Christopher Smith’s 74-yard interception return in the second quarter.
Jack Podlesney made it 10-0 with a 22-yard field goal with 2:38 left in the third quarter, after missing a 36-yarder in the first half.
Clemson got on the board with a 22-yard field goal with 9:08 left in the fourth quarter.
FOURTH QUARTER
Georgia 10, Clemson 3 (9:08): B.T. Potter 22-yard field goal. Drive: 11 plays, 65 yards, 3:40.
THIRD QUARTER
Injury update: Georgia guard Tate Ratledge is in crutches on the sideline. Ratledge left the game with a right foot injury early in the first quarter.
Georgia 10, Clemson 0 (2:38): Jack Podlesny 22-yard field goal. Drive: 11 plays, 74 yards, 4:51.
HALFTIME
QB Comparison
JT Daniels 13-of-16 passing, 68 yards
D.J. Uiagalelei 10-of-29 passing, 89 yards, interception
Key injuries
Georgia OG Tate Ratledge out, 12:16, first quarter
Second Quarter
Georgia 7, Clemson 0 (2:58): Christopher Smith 74-yard interception return, Jack Podlesny kick
- Jack Podlesny missed 36-yard field goal
First Quarter
No Scoring
Injury update: Defensive lineman Brian Bressee out, 2:40 mark
Injury update: Tate Ratledge out with injury at right guard, Warren Ericson replaces him.
GEORGIA UPDATE: Darnell Washington has his left foot in a boot, while Tykee Smith has his right foot in a boot. Neither is dressed to play. Both players underwent surgery in mid-August and are expected back this season.
CLEMSON UPDATE: Clemson preseason All-American defensive tackle Tyler Davis is, indeed, out for the game. Offensive lineman Mason Trotter is also out for the Tigers, as is receiver Brannon Spector.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Georgia football entered Bank of America Stadium as the only SEC underdog of the weekend, a most unusual stat fact preceding what appears to be a most interesting game.
The No. 5-ranked Bulldogs kick-off against No 3-ranked Clemson at 7:30 p.m. (TV: ABC) at Bank of America Stadium. It’s only the fourth time since 2000 that two top-five teams have met in a season-opening game.
The rapid take has been that Georgia will strive for balance with run and pass, while the Tigers might be forced to be more one-dimensional, relying on the screen game and RPOs to get UGA off balance when they aren’t passing.
ESPN analyst Kirk Herbstreit suggest UGA might go uptempo to keep Clemson off balance, something Ohio State did effectively in its win over the Tigers in a College Football Playoff Semifinal Game last season.
“Changing formations, not allowing them to get set, creating confusion with your tempo... going fast, going slow. ... It makes it a lot easier to run a simple zone play when guys are still trying to get in position,” Herbstreit said. “Keep in mind, (Clemson defensive coordinator) Brent Venables is one of the best defensive minds in the game.
“You’ve got to be thinking Todd Monken, Georgia’s offensive coordinator, he’s going to be looking at this trying to see, ‘How can we exploit this defense in the same way?’ So, Clemson has spent eight months getting this better.”
Game Captains
QB JT Daniels, RB James Cook, LB Nakobe Dean
3 Georgia Keys to Win
1) Kirby Smart said it on College GameDay --- poise. JT Daniels figures to have an advantage, having played in big games before large crowds before.
2. The Bulldogs are inexperienced at cornerback and at the star, so they could be susceptible to big plays unless they are able to able to push the pocket from inside and prevent QB D.J. Uiagalelei from buying time on the scramble is paramount.
3. A strong run game would help neutralize and athletic and aggressive Clemson pass rush.
PREGAME LINKS
• David Pollack breaks down Georgia offense versus Clemson defense
• Georgia-Clemson recruiting tale of the tape
• SEC betting lines, Georgia, Clemson have distinct advantages
• Dabo Swinney tips hand to Tigers’ game plan, Kirby readies for perimeter game
NOTABLE GAMES
Alabama 44, Miami 13: Bryce Young was 27-for-38 passing for 344 yards with 4 passing TDs in a game the Tide led 27-3 at halftime.
Rutgers 61, Temple 14: Former UGA quarterback D’Wan Mathis made his debut for the Owls, 8-of-25 passing for 148 yards with an interception. Mathis scored on a 3-yard run to pull Temple within 26-14, but left the game after the play to get his ankle taped and didn’t return, per ESPN.