Eric Boggs 
Georgia defeats Clemson.
The Georgia Bulldogs, entering the 2024 season as the nation’s top-ranked team, left no doubt why they’re the favorites to win another national championship. In a commanding performance at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia steamrolled No. 14 Clemson with a 34-3 victory that showcased the widening gap between the Bulldogs and the rest of college football, particularly the once-elite Tigers.
Despite a sluggish start, with Clemson’s defense holding Georgia to two field goals in the first half, the Bulldogs exploded in the second half, scoring 28 unanswered points to seal the win. Clemson’s offensive struggles were evident from the outset, with the Tigers mustering only 76 total yards in the first half and managing just two first downs. At halftime, the game remained within reach for Clemson at 6-0, but that would quickly change.
Georgia opened the second half with a 75-yard drive that culminated in a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Carson Beck to Colbie Young, extending the lead to 13-0. Clemson responded with a 26-yard field goal from freshman kicker Nolan Hauser, their only score of the game. However, Georgia answered immediately, with Beck leading another 75-yard drive, this time capped by a 1-yard touchdown run from freshman Nate Frazier, pushing the score to 20-3.
From there, the Bulldogs never looked back. Transfer wide receiver London Humphreys added to the onslaught with a 40-yard touchdown catch-and-run early in the fourth quarter, and running back Cash Jones sealed the victory with a 15-yard touchdown run, making it 34-3.
Georgia’s defense, as advertised, was dominant throughout, holding Clemson to just 188 total yards and forcing the Tigers into multiple three-and-outs. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik struggled against the relentless Bulldogs’ front, completing 18 of 29 passes for only 142 yards and an interception. Clemson’s rushing attack was equally stymied, with Phil Mafah leading the way with just 59 yards on 16 carries.
On the other side, Beck was efficient and poised, completing 23 of 33 passes for 278 yards and two touchdowns. Frazier led Georgia’s ground game with 83 yards on 11 carries, while Humphreys and Arian Smith led the receiving corps with impactful plays that kept the Clemson defense on its heels.
This game not only reinforced Georgia’s status as the top team in the country but also highlighted the growing disparity between the Bulldogs and a Clemson program that has struggled to keep pace with the nation’s elite in recent years. While Georgia looks poised for another championship run, Clemson faces a long road ahead to regain its place among college football’s best.
Clemson will look to regroup as they prepare for their home opener against Appalachian State next Saturday, while Georgia moves forward with its sights set firmly on another title.
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