Clemson vs. Georgia – Syndication Server

Dabo Swinney liked how Clemson matched up with Georgia; talent wasn’t the issue

Swinney doesn’t believe talent was the issue.

During Sunday evening’s Zoom conference call, Dabo Swinney addressed the talent gap question following Clemson’s 34-3 loss to Georgia. Despite the lopsided result, Swinney expressed confidence that the Tigers “matched up well” with the top-ranked Bulldogs, highlighting it as a positive takeaway from the tough season opener.

\”The scoreboard doesn’t indicate that,” Swinney acknowledged. “But we’ve been a part of games where we’ve blown somebody out, too. That doesn’t mean they didn’t have the talent. Sometimes it can get away from you, especially in openers.”

Swinney was disappointed that Clemson didn’t seize the opportunity to compete against the nation’s No. 1 team, but he emphasized the experience would ultimately benefit his team. “It’s going to make us better. It’s going to help us develop and grow our team. I’m excited about that,” Swinney said. He stressed the importance of using this game as a teaching tool to address mistakes and details that determine the outcome of high-stakes matchups.

Clemson will look to bounce back in their home opener against Appalachian State at Memorial Stadium on Saturday. Swinney remains positive, noting that his team matched up physically with Georgia and that the experience will help them improve moving forward.

Dabo Swinney shares message, ‘I’m sorry for our fans’

Dabo Swinney shares a message for Tigers fans.

Dabo Swinney had a message for Clemson fans after the No. 14 Tigers were thoroughly beaten by No. 1 Georgia in their season opener at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The game was close at halftime, with Clemson trailing just 6-0, but the Bulldogs dominated the second half, ultimately securing a 34-3 victory.

Swinney didn’t hold back in expressing his disappointment. “I’m sorry for our fans,” he said. “I feel terrible for them because we didn’t get it done for them and didn’t play those last two quarters like we know we can play.” Despite the tough loss, Swinney assured fans that the team would regroup and move forward. “But I promise you this – we’ll get back to work. We’ve got a long season ahead. We’ll see if we can find a way to have a great Sunday tomorrow, a great Monday, and find a way to get on the other side of this thing.”

Clemson’s offense struggled to gain any momentum, managing just 188 yards and a single field goal. Swinney acknowledged the frustration surrounding the lack of offensive explosiveness, particularly after the hiring of Garrett Riley as offensive coordinator. “I’d say we’ve got a long season ahead. That’s what I’d say,” Swinney remarked. “I’d say (today) was bad. Georgia’s going to make a lot of people look bad, and they made us look bad today. But I do think that we’ll get back to work on Monday, and we’ll go get better.”

Clemson will look to recover in their home opener against App State on September 7.

Dabo Swinney responds to transfer portal questions following tough loss to Georgia

Dabo Swinney once again asked about the transfer portal.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney met with the media Saturday following the Tigers blowout loss to Kirby Smart and the Georgia Bulldogs, once again being asked about his approach to the transfer portal.

Rarely going to the transfer portal for talent, the Tigers have yet to start a transfer portal player during the new era of college football. Swinney doesn’t care what people have to say, even with results like Saturday. For Swinney, he is trying to “do what’s best for Clemson, year in and year out.”

“People are going to say whatever they want to say,“ Swinney said. “It doesn’t matter what I say. People are going to say whatever they’re going to say. And when you lose like this, they’ve got every right to say whatever they want to say. So, say whatever you want to say, write whatever you want to write. That comes with it. That’s just part of it.”

Swinney is not backing down from his approach, and it will surely draw even more attention after this loss. The Tigers will look to recover at home against App State on Saturday, Sept. 7, in Clemson Memorial Stadium.

No. 14 Clemson gets torn up 34-3 by No. 1 Georgia

Clemson was manhandled by Georgia on Saturday.

Dabo Swinney and the No. 14 Clemson Tigers were beaten on Saturday, as No. 1 Georgia walked away with a 34-3 win over the Tigers at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

After a solid first half where the Clemson defense was humming, making up for the Tigers struggling offense heading into the locker room 6-0. Holding the Bulldogs to 160 yards and six points in the half was good, but it was all downhill for the Tigers in the second half. Swinney’s team was outscored 28-3 in the second half as the defense wore down and Clemson’s offense looked worse, rather than better.

Georgia’s offense went wild in the second half as the Tigers’ defense failed to keep up. The Bulldogs ripped off 287 yards and 28 points in the second half, while Clemson’s offense struggled to put together a solid drive.

Clemson starting quarterback Cade Klubnik ended the game completing 18-29 pass attempts for 142 yards and an interception, with Georgia’s Carson Beck completing 22-33 for 278 yards and two touchdowns. Both struggled in the first half, but Beck really took off in the second.

The Tigers needed to establish the run to have a chance here and unfortunately couldn’t get it going on the ground. Clemson star running back Phil Mafah ended the game with 16 carries for 59 yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry.

Overall, Clemson’s offense picked up just 188 yards, while the Bulldogs doubled their total with 447 yards. Georgia’s defense on the other hand, held Clemson to 3 points, not allowing a touchdown.

This was not the way Swinney and the Tigers wanted to start their season. Clemson will look to bounce back in Week 2 against App State.

No. 14 Clemson trails No. 1 Georgia 6-0 at the end of the first half

Clemson and Georgia’s defenses are going to battle while the offenses lag behind.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers are in a defensive battle against the top-ranked Bulldogs, with Georgia leading Clemson 6-0 at the end of the first half.

On offense, Cade Klubnik and the Tigers have looked less promising than the Bulldogs in this matchup. The Tigers haven’t been able to find their groove, and when they showed signs of potential, those signs were quickly stopped by two illegal formation calls.

Clemson totaled 77 yards of offense, with star running back Phil Mafah having just 6 carries for 24 yards. Klubnik and the passing game have not faired as well, with 53 yards on 12 attempts. Only two first downs in the first half for this offense.

It’s been all defense for Clemson, who has kept them in this game with strong play and winning the battle up front more often than not. Georgia totaled 160 yards in the first half, 34 on the ground but 126 through the air from starting quarterback Carson Beck.

Georgia kicker Peyton Woodring nailed a 30-yard field and a monster 55-yarder to give the Bulldogs their 6-0 lead. The Tigers’ defense has done an excellent job of keeping them out of the red zone.

Clemson’s offense will need to step up for the Tigers to walk away from Atlanta with an upset win over the No. 1 team in the country.

Georgia takes a lead over Clemson as both defenses shine early

Georgia’s field goal gives the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead in the second quarter.

Well, No. 14 Clemson’s matchup with No. 1 Georgia hasn’t been a high scoring affair.

The Bulldogs took a 3-0 lead over Clemson in the middle of the second quarter with Georgia kicker Peyton Woodring nailing a 30 yard field goal with 8:29 left in the quarter. Neither the Tigers or Bulldogs put themselves in a situation to score before the field goal, with both defenses dominating most of the game.

At this point in the game, the Clemson has totaled 70 yards compared to Georgia’s 133. The defense have come to play while both offenses look to figure things out.

Clemson’s offense will have to get things going for the Tigers to have a chance.

Georgia running back Trevor Etienne to sit out against Clemson, per report

Etienne expected to miss Georgia’s matchup against Clemson.

According to reports, the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs will be without who is projected to be their top running back in 2024 for their Week 1 matchup against No. 14 Clemson.

According to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports, Georgia is expected to ‘sit’ Etienne for the matchup, which is huge news that should have a major impact on the game. Etienne recently resolved his legal matters stemming from a May incident. The DUI charge was dropped after he pleaded no contest to reckless driving. Etienne also pleaded guilty to underage possession of alcohol, failure to maintain lane, and a window tint violation.

Totaling 249 carries for 1,472 yards and 14 touchdowns in two years at Florida, the Bulldogs will have to wait till Week 2 for his first appearance.

Clemson football’s depth chart announced for matchup against No.1 Georgia

Clemson’s depth chart for the Georgia game has been released.

Dabo Swinney and the Clemson football program have a major test today as they face off against the No. 1 ranked Georgia Bulldogs led by head coach Kirby Smart.

With Clemson’s depth chart now released, all eyes are on the Tigers as they prepare to face Georgia in a high-stakes season opener. While these two storied programs share a long rivalry stretching back to their first clash in 1897, their paths to this game couldn’t be more different.

For Georgia, the focus is on redemption. Last season, despite dominating the regular season, their playoff hopes were dashed by a loss to Alabama in the SEC Championship. Now, they’re out to prove they belong back on top.

Clemson, however, is looking beyond just making it back to the College Football Playoff. With this depth chart, Dabo Swinney’s squad is ready to show they can remain among the sport’s elite. A victory in Week 1 would be the perfect start to their championship aspirations.

Check out the depth chart below:

Offense

QB: Cade Klubnik / Christopher Vizzina

RB: Phil Mafah / Keith Adams Jr. or Jay Haynes

WR: Antonio Williams or Bryant Wesco Jr. / Hampton Earle

WR: Tyler Brown or Troy Stellato / Misun Kelley

WR: Adam Randall or Cole Turner / T.J. Moore or Noble Johnson

TE: Jake Briningstool / Josh Sapp / Olsen Patt-Henry or Markus Dixon

LT: Tristan Leigh or Collin Sadler / Elyjah Thurmon

LG: Marcus Tate or Collin Sadler / Dietrick Pennington

C: Ryan Linthicum / Harris Sewell

RG: Walker Parks / Trent Howard

RT: Blake Miller / Collin Sadler

Clemson football’s defensive X-Factor for Week 1 against Georgia

Clemson’s defense has to pressure Carson Beck.

Clemson, led by Dabo Swinney, is gearing up to take on top-ranked Georgia this Saturday. The No. 14 Tigers aim to pull off an upset against Kirby Smart’s Bulldogs to kick off their 2024 campaign.

For the Tigers to upset a powerhouse like Georgia who is hungry after their snub from last season’s College Football Playoff, their defense will need to be lights out. Clemson’s defense projects to be one of the best in the country, and when you take on what projects to be one of the nation’s top offenses, you need to show up and play good football.

Arguably the biggest key for this Clemson defense is creating pressure on Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck. The Bulldogs are down an expected starting running back and with Trevor Etienne’s legal issues, we still don’t know whether he is suiting up or not. Georgia may be forced to throw the ball more than usual, which makes Clemson’s pass rush essential.

For that reason, sophomore defensive lineman Peter Woods is our defensive X-Factor. Moving from defensive tackle to the edge this season, Woods’ performance can make or break for this defense even if he still gets reps inside.

Woods’ stats didn’t emulate his performance in 2023, but things are different on the edge. Stats can tell a lot more when you’re a primary pass rusher.

Clemson needs Woods to continue to prove that the hype surrounding him is real.

Clemson football’s offensive X-Factor for Week 1 against Georgia

Clemson will need to establish the run to beat Georgia.

Dabo Swinney and the No. 14 Clemson football team face off with the No. 1 Georgia on Saturday, with the Tigers looking to upset Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs to start their 2024 season.

Clemson has a real shot at beating Georgia, and I believe the Tigers have better chances than many are leading on, but to do so, they have to get one guy going in particular. While you could easily make the case for Clemson starting quarterback Cade Klubnik being the Tigers’ Offensive X-Factor for the matchup, I’m going with star running back Phil Mafah here.

There’s no denying Clemson’s offense needs to take the next step, especially in the passing game. What’s the best way to open up your passing game? Establishing the run. Clemson and Mafah need to prove that they can be productive on the ground against Georgia’s arguably best defense in the country.

Sharing the backfield with Will Shipley last season, Phil Mafah was a consistent presence for Clemson in all 13 games. Mafah came close to reaching 1,000 rushing yards, finishing with 965 on 179 carries. He also set personal bests with 13 touchdowns on the ground. In addition to his rushing contributions, Mafah added 108 yards through the air on 21 receptions.

Now it’s Mafah’s backfield to lead, and much of the Tigers’ offensive weight will be on his shoulders. If Mafah has a big game on Saturday, Clemson’s odds of winning will be much, much higher than people believe.