No. 1 Georgia Bulldogs Dominate No. 14 Clemson 34-3

© Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports

The 2024 Aflac Kickoff Game held in Atlanta featured an early season battle of power conference heavyweights. The top-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (1-0) overpowered the 14th-ranked Clemson Tigers (0-1). 34-3 on Aug. 31. The Bulldogs led 6-0 at halftime before exploding for 28 points in the second half behind the strong arm of senior quarterback Carson Beck, who threw for 278 yards and 2 touchdowns in the win for the Bulldogs.

A Tale of 2 Halves

The game started slowly in the first half, but Georgia's offense began to assert itself in the second half of the contest. In the first half, the Bulldogs relied heavily on the passing game from quarterback Carson Beck. The rushing attack for the Bulldogs struggled to gain yardage while the team rotated backs to find the hot hand. For the Tigers, they struggled to maintain drives, making big plays followed by untimely penalties to kill momentum. By the time the teams went to the locker room for halftime, the Bulldogs could only manage two field goals by Peyton Woodring. The Bulldogs also outgained the Tigers 160-76 on the half and led 6-0.

The second half saw the top-ranked Bulldogs awaken. They took the kickoff and reeled off back-to-back 75- yard touchdown drives, topped off by Colbie Young's 7-yard reception and Nate Frazier's 1-yard rushing touchdown to jump to a quick 20-3 lead in the third quarter. The Bulldogs' defense found their identity and was able to manhandle the veteran offensive line of the Clemson Tigers as they kept quarterback Cade Klubnik on his heels for the entire second half. The Bulldogs never looked back as they continued to sustain drives and run over, through and around the Tigers' defense.

"He was proud of the way our team played," Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said after the game. He later added that coming out for the second half "I thought we responded."

Turning Point

The simple answer is that the Bulldogs ate their proverbial Wheaties "Breakfast of Champions" at halftime because they came out as a different team. The better answer is they found their next running back in Nate Frazier. With running back Trevor Etienne suspended for the game and Roderick Robinson out due to toe surgery there was a question mark at running back. While Branson Robinson saw his first game reps since tearing his patellar tendon struggled to gain his footing. Enter Frazier, who took over in the second half finishing with a game-high 84 yards and a touchdown.

What It Means

In front of a packed house in Mercedes-Benz Stadium of 78,827, the Georgia Bulldogs got an early season signature win over ACC powerhouse Clemson. Showing that this season the Bulldogs are focused and talented to run roughshod over the Southeastern Conference and College Football. They have a bit of a tune-up against Tennessee Tech on Sept. 7 before Kentucky on Sept. 14. The College football world should look out for another run by the Bulldogs.

© Joshua L. Jones/USA TODAY NETWORK

For the Clemson Tigers, as head coach Dabo Swinney said after the game, "You have to play four quarters, we didn't do that." It will be back to the drawing board to continue to figure out their identity in Year 2 of a new offense. Swinney said the coaches and the team will get back to work on Monday to get ready for a dangerous opponent in Appalachian State of the Sun Belt Conference. on Sept. 7. The Mountaineers are known for their historic upsets in the past including defeating Michigan in 2007.