Georgia’s defense dominates in 10-3 win over Clemson

By Kallista Kalney | Sports writer

CHARLOTTE, N.C.—The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Clemson Tigers 10-3 on Saturday, Sept. 4, at Bank of America Stadium in a college football season-opener for both teams. 

Both teams had strong defensive performances in a game that had drama, but little scoring.

The Bulldogs stymied Clemson for most of the night and shut down the Tigers’ running attack. The Dawgs’ defense sacked Clemson’s new quarterback, D.J. Uiagalelei, seven times. Uiagalelei completed 19-of-37 passes for 178 yards. 

Georgia kept the new quarterback under pressure the entire game, giving him little to no chance to set up in the pocket. The Bulldogs held Clemson to a measly two yards rushing and sacked Uiagalelei during the Tigers’ first two possessions, both on third down. 

The Clemson defense also was stout. The Tigers held Georgia from making any touchdowns the entire game, although the Bulldogs outgained the Tigers 256-180.

The key play in the game came late in the first half when Georgia defensive back Christopher Smith intercepted an Uiagalelei pass. Smith then ran 74 yards for the game’s only touchdown. After Jack Podlesny kicked for the extra point, the Bulldogs took a 7-0 lead into halftime. 

Going into the third quarter trailing by a touchdown, Clemson linebacker Baylon Spector intercepted JT Daniels’ pass with 9:39 left in the period. Even with the momentum, Uiagalelei was no match for Georgia’s defense. UGa. sacked Uiagalelei on consecutive plays after the Tigers’ small gain on first down, and then they were forced to punt. 

Podlesny made a 22-yard field goal to make the score 10-0 in favor of the Dawgs after an 11-play drive late in the third quarter. 

Clemson did not get on the board until the fourth quarter with 9:08 left. Clemson’s kicker, B.T. Potter, made a 22-yard field goal for the final 10-3 margin.

Clemson had the chance to tie with 7:35 left in the game when it reached midfield. Coach Dabo Swinney went for it on fourth-and-5. However, Uiagalelei threw a forced ball due to Georgia’s tight defense, and it was incomplete. 

This loss puts Clemson on edge because no team has ever made the playoff with two losses since the new format that started in 2015. The Tigers need to win the rest of their regular-season games and then win the ACC championship game. If the Tigers are to make it to the playoffs, it will be their seventh consecutive appearance. 

Georgia moved up to No. 2 in the latest coaches’ poll with only Alabama ahead of the Bulldogs.

Up next Georgia will host Alabama-Birmingham on Saturday, Sept. 11, and Clemson will host South Carolina State that same day.

 Contact Kallista Kalney at kkalney@augusta.edu.