2024-09-01 18:20:02
Georgia slugged it out with Clemson for a half before opening up the offense in the second half in a 34-3 win.
It was the Bulldogs 40th-straight regular-season win, just five short of the all-time record held by 1936 Oklahoma (45).
Quarterback Carson Beck was 23-of-33 passing for 278 yards and two touchdowns in the win, sputtering at times in the opening two quarters before hitting his stride in the second half.
It marked the 11th-straight season-opening win for Georgia football, while Kirby Smart has now won 21 straight games when having more than a week to prepare for an opponent dating back to the 2018 season.
Here’s a rapid reaction, via the Georgia football “Stock Report,” on how the Bulldogs’ players fared:
Stock soaring
Junior Malaki Starks showed why NFL scouts believe he’s a first-rounder, making a soaring interception that harkened memories to his collegiate debut game against Oregon in 2022. Starks flawlessly slid over to the Star from his safety position with Joenel Aguero a surprise scratch.
Junior Jalon Walker came off a block and made a critical third-and-1 stop in the third quarter. Walker, a hybrid linebacker, followed that up with a fourth-down sack, showing his tremendous versatility and star power.
Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo had a tough draw with back Trevor Etienne and Rod Robinson out, but Bobo game-planned well, giving his offense time to settle in the first half while expertly setting up second-half plays.
London Humphreys wisely used the field umpire as a pick to get open on his 40-yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. Humphreys also had a critical 23-yard third-down catch leading to a score.
Tailback Nate Frazier made an impressive debut, breaking tackles and showing great vision in his first collegiate outing. Frazier broke off a 40-yard run after scoring his first Georgia touchdown on a 1-yard rush out of the shotgun formation.
Sophomore Peyton Woodring booted a career-long 55-yard field goal after hitting a 30-yarder to open the scoring.
True freshman KJ Bolden showed the upside Smart talked about, putting a perfect open-field hit on Clemson star tailback Phil Mafah and continued to play with great physicality at safety
Stock up
Lawson Luckie had a strong outing, catching two passes for 37 yards and providing key run blocking to help spring the run game in the second half.
Arian Smith’s hard work to become an every-down receiver paid off with a x-catch, x-yard performance. Smith, who has elite speed, proved he could do the dirty work catching short and intermediate passes along with being a deep threat.
Walk-on tailback Cash Jones had an inspiring 15-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, capping an impressive and necessary effort with the Bulldogs’ think in the running back ranks as a result of Trevor Etienne being suspended and Rod Robinson sidelined by a turf toe injury.
Stock Even
Carson Beck had some impressive scrambles and nice TD throw to Colbie Young, but he missed on a critical third-down throw to Dominic Lovett that should have been routine, leading to 3 points on a second-quarter drive instead of potentially 7. Beck also took a third-down sack on another Red Zone trip. The bar is set very high for Beck as a fifth-year senior, returning starter and projected top NFL draft pick.
Stock down
The Georgia defensive line was gouged too often, and lower body injuries to starting defensive tackles Warren Brinson, Nazir Stackhouse and Mykel Williams (ankle) are cause for concern. Georgia catches a break with Tennessee Tech next on the schedule, giving the three starters a week off, if needed.
