Tag: Georgia vs Clemson 2021

Georgia vs. Clemson: Injury report

Multiple Bulldogs have gone down recently with injuries. Here’s their status ahead of Clemson…

Much of the Georgia-Clemson pregame discussion has centered on UGA’s injury bug, which seemed to bite at the wrong time.

Just weeks before the top-five clash, Georgia tight ends Darnell Washington and John Fitzpatrick, receivers Kearis Jackson and Jermaine Burton, defensive back Tykee Smith and center Warren Ericson went down with injuries during fall camp.

It wasn’t like the Bulldogs were at 100% before then. Receiver Dominick Blaylock is still recovering from an ACL tear suffered last year. George Pickens suffered the same injury in the spring, and LSU transfer Arik Gilbert is still not with the team due to a personal issue.

There is good news, however, Fitzpatrick is good to go for Saturday and Jackson, Burton and Ericson have been able to practice the last couple of weeks and will take the field in Charlotte.

As far as Washington and Smith, coach Kirby Smart told reporters on Monday that the two are both moving around after undergoing surgery to repair foot injuries a couple of weeks ago.

Here’s an updated look at Georgia’s injury report ahead of the matchup with Clemson:

  • C Warren Ericson (Probable)
  • TE John Fitzpatrick (Probable)
  • DB Tykee Smith (Questionable)
  • TE Darnell Washington (Questionable)
  • WR Jermaine Burton (Probable)
  • WR Kearis Jackson (Probable)
  • WR Dominick Blaylock (Doubtful)
  • WR Arik Gilbert (Out)
  • WR George Pickens (Out)

 

“UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton” is back! This week J.C. is joined by college football analyst Josh Pate to answer questions surrounding Georgia football and break down what to look for versus Clemson! Listen here:

Clemson HC Dabo Swinney on center position vs. Georgia: ‘We’ll roll somebody out there’

Check out what Swinney had to say about the center position battle ahead of top-five clash with Georgia.

The Clemson Tigers aren’t sure who will start at center vs. No. 5 Georgia on Saturday night.

Head coach Dabo Swinney has been open about the battle at that position between redshirt sophomores Mason Trotter and Hunter Rayburn. Swinney addressed who will start versus the Bulldogs in a press conference on Tuesday.

“Yeah we’ll probably play multiple centers throughout the game– probably will have to,” Swinney said. “Good news is I think we have multiple guys that can go in there and play. We kind of know what we want to do. We’ll roll somebody out there and get it started and go from there.”

It’s not everyday that a top-three team like Clemson doesn’t have a definitive starter at the most important position along the offensive line. Center is like the quarterback of the front line and usually is responsible for making calls along with handling the ball and taking on the biggest defenders on the field.

Georgia may have an advantage over the Tigers in this area as UGA returns one of the top defensive lines in the country, featuring preseason All-SEC selection Jordan Davis and senior Devonte Wyatt, both will likely be NFL draft picks in the spring.

Trotter is the most experienced out of the two, with 193 career snaps over 13 games. Rayburn is the largest at 6-foot-4, 320 pounds, compared to Trotter at 6-foot-2, 285 pounds.

Georgia and Clemson are set to kickoff in Charlotte on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. on ABC.

 

 

“UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton” is back! This week J.C. is joined by college football analyst Josh Pate to answer questions surrounding Georgia football and break down what to look for versus Clemson! Listen here:

Georgia football TE John Fitzpatrick gives injury update ahead of Clemson

Fitzpatrick has missed a large part of fall camp with an injury. Here’s his status for the Bulldogs’ matchup with Clemson on Saturday.

Game week is here and the excitement around Georgia football is only building. The No. 5 Bulldogs take on No. 3 Clemson in Charlotte on Saturday night.

While all signs point to a great matchup, Georgia has been dealing with a multitude of injuries, specifically at receiver and tight end.

According to coach Kirby Smart, star receivers Arik Gilbert and George Pickens are out and we know that Dominick Blaylock is still recovering from an ACL tear suffered last year, which means, at best, Blaylock is questionable.

There is, however, great news for the Bulldogs at tight end. Georgia’s starter from a year ago, John Fitzpatrick, is back and ready to go versus the Tigers after missing part of fall camp with a foot injury.

Oct 10, 2020; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs tight end John FitzPatrick (86) is brought down by Tennessee Volunteers defensive back Trevon Flowers (1) during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

“I’m good to go, and I’m excited to contribute through the run game and pass game and all facets of the game,” Fitzpatrick told reporters on Monday.

“I’m really excited, right now we have our first Monday practice – I’m excited to attack this practice this week,” FitzPatrick said. “There’s tons of excitement around the team and the locker room, and we feel ready.”

College football analyst Cole Cubelic recently named Fitzpatrick as one of the league’s top-returning tight ends.

That means Georgia has one less spot to worry about filling for Saturday night, however, the Bulldogs will likely still be missing star tight end Darnell Washington, who underwent surgery last week to repair a foot injury. That said, Kirby Smart has recently stated that his injury is day-to-day.

We may not see Washington, but freshman Brock Bowers has been turning heads at fall camp. The 6-foot-5, 230 pound true freshman’s speed and play-making ability may give Georgia that boost at tight end it needs with Washington out.

Here’s what the tight end lineup may look like on Saturday:

  • John Fitzpatrick
  • Brock Bowers
  • Darnell Washington (questionable)
  • Brett Seither
  • Ryland Goede

 

“UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton” is back! This week J.C. is joined by college football analyst Josh Pate to answer questions surrounding Georgia football and break down what to look for versus Clemson! Listen here:

Watch: CBS Sports crew makes Georgia vs. Clemson picks

No. 5 Georgia takes on No. 3 Clemson in Charlotte on Sept. 4.

We are just nine days away from a top-five clash between No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Clemson on Sept. 4 in Charlotte.

It’s not every year we get one of the biggest games of the entire year as a season opener, but I think we should make this a tradition. The excitement level around Athens, and college football in general, is as high as ever.

In preparation for the big matchup, the CBS Sports crew, featuring former Georgia star Aaron Murray, Brian Jones and former Florida Gator Kevin Carter made their game picks, which surprisingly turned out in favor of the Bulldogs, who are a three-point underdog.

Watch the clip here:

Clemson will be led by a new signal caller in D.J. Uiagalelei, who showed glimpses of an elite arm at times last season, while the Bulldogs are led by gunslinger J.T. Daniels, who returns as one of the top quarterbacks in the SEC. Both quarterbacks are Heisman favorites.

That said, facing the opposing defenses will be no easy task. Both Clemson and Georgia return a slew of talent on that side of the ball. Yes, Georgia does have to prove it’s worth in the secondary after losing four starters to the NFL draft, but the 2021 Bulldogs’ roster is as loaded as ever.

And coach Kirby Smart recently said Georgia’s minor injuries are all day-to-day, opening the door for a healthier roster headed into the game. Guys like Darnell Washington, John Fitzpatrick, Tykee Smith and Dominick Blaylock all have a shot at gameplay.

On the other side, Clemson is healthy, per reports, but the Tigers will also have to prove something at cornerback. The Tigers have six corners on the roster – which is usually around eight – and two of those guys are true freshman.

This very well could be a classic shootout in Charlotte but all signs point to a great game regardless.

 

 

“UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton” is back! In the podcast’s 2021 kickoff episode, J.C. is joined by former Georgia football greats Tavarres King, Kieth Marshall and Armarlo Herrera to talk about their time in Athens, the 2021 Bulldogs and Georgia vs. Clemson! Listen here:

 

 

Georgia HC Kirby Smart talks fall camp injuries: ‘Every one of them are day-to-day’

Smart spoke on Georgia football’s mounting injuries after UGA’s scrimmage on Saturday.

Georgia football has had a recent string of bad luck when it comes to injuries. Multiple key players have gone down with different issues during fall camp. And with just 12 days until the top-5 clash with Clemson, the Bulldogs are hoping for speedy recoveries.

Here’s an updated look at UGA’s injury report:

  • TE Darnell Washington (foot)
  • DB Tykee Smith (foot/ankle)

Smith and Washington both underwent surgeries to repair foot injuries last week. The time table is reportedly three to four weeks, however, coach Smart says the guys are day-to-day.

  • C Warren Ericson (hand)

Ericson has returned to practice in a limited role and is expected to go versus Clemson.

  • ILB Quay Walker (unknown)

Walker has been a limited participant in both of Georgia’s fall scrimmages but is expected to be available in Charlotte.

  • CB Jalen Kimber (shoulder)
  • WR Arik Gilbert (personal)
  • TE John FitzPatrick (foot)

Fitzpatrick has missed both scrimmages but has been able to condition and is expected to be available versus the Tigers.

  • OL Owen Condon (Unknown)
  • WR Dominick Blaylock (ACL)

Blaylock has been participating in non-contact drills but has yet to be fully cleared for practice or gameplay.

  • WR George Pickens (ACL)

Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart spoke on the team’s injuries and the status of Blaylock, Gilbert and Fitzpatrick after Georgia’s scrimmage on Saturday.

“We don’t have an injury where there are guys out for a long amount of time,” Smart said. “We are hopeful to get all of those guys back. I mean every one of them is day-to-day. Each one is a different situation but I expect to be full tilt when Clemson comes. We had more guys healthy today than we had last scrimmage and we are in good position.”

Smart is optimistic about the team’s health in spite of a long list of banged-up Dawgs, which should give UGA fans a bit of relief. Still, Georgia will want every one of its contributors ready to go for one of the biggest games of the college football season.

Check back to UGA Wire next week to get the official injury report for week 1.

 

“UGA Football Live with J.C. Shelton” is back! In the podcast’s 2021 kickoff episode, J.C. is joined by former Georgia football greats Tavarres King, Kieth Marshall and Armarlo Herrera to talk about their time in Athens, the 2021 Bulldogs and Georgia vs. Clemson! Listen here:

2021 Georgia football schedule

The 2021 Georgia Bulldogs football schedule.

Georgia football is almost back and the Bulldogs will kickoff the season ranked No. 5 in the Amway Coaches Poll, powered by USA TODAY Sports.

The Dawgs get things going in Charlotte on September 4 vs No. 3 ranked Clemson.

Here is the full 2021 UGA football schedule.

Date Opponent Location Time/TV Result
Saturday, Sept. 4 Clemson Charlotte, NC 7:30pm ET ABC
Saturday, Sept. 11 UAB Athens, GA 3:30pm ET ESPN2
Saturday, Sept. 18 South Carolina Athens, GA 7:00pm ET ESPN
Saturday, Sept. 25 Vanderbilt Nashville, TN Time TBA/TV TBA
Saturday, Oct. 2 Arkansas Athens, GA Time TBA/TV TBA
Saturday, Oct. 9 Auburn Auburn, AL Time TBA/TV TBA
Saturday, Oct. 16 Kentucky Athens, GA Time TBA/TV TBA
Saturday, Oct. 23 Bye week NA NA
Saturday, Oct. 30 Florida Jacksonville, FL 3:30pm ET CBS
Saturday, Nov. 6 Missouri Athens, GA Time TBA/TV TBA
Saturday, Nov. 13 Tennessee Knoxville, TN Time TBA/TV TBA
Saturday, Nov. 20 Charleston Southern Athens, GA Time TBA/TV TBA
Saturday, Nov. 27 Georgia Tech Atlanta, GA Time TBA/TV TBA
Saturday, Dec. 4 SEC Championship Atlanta, GA 4:00pm ET CBS

Dabo Swinney shares thoughts on opening against Georgia in 2021

Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney gives his thoughts on opening against Georgia football in Charlotte for the 2021 season.

Both Georgia and Clemson dropped their opening games for the 2021 college football season in order to ramp up the competition and play each other.

The two programs have been at the top of the rankings for quite a while now and it’s about time they’re due for a matchup like this.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney shared his thought with the media following spring practice this Tuesday.

“This was a situation where you set these things out in advance and all of a sudden 2021 was an oddball year for us, and we really needed another game. So, it worked out, especially being able to go to Charlotte. That’s kind of been the formula we’ve had for a long time. … Dan (Radakovich) and I talked about it last summer. I hate the fact we lose a home game, because it’s important to our community, but we’ll get back on track on how we do things moving forward.” said Swinney.

“And it’s exciting … we may not have done it if it was just another random team, but the fact we get a chance to play Georgia is something I think both fan bases will be excited about. Obviously, it’ll be a tough game; it’s hard to win those games, but it’ll be an exciting way to start it off.”

2014 was the last time the schools met in Athens when former Georgia running back Todd Gurley went off for 195 yards and 3 touchdowns, helping the Dawgs win 45-21.  The Bulldogs hold 42-18-4 record all-time against Clemson.

The game is scheduled for September 4th at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

The two are also scheduled to kickoff the 2024 season in the Chick-fil-A Kickoff Game.