By Ed McGranahan.

ATHENS, Ga. – There’s no tangible value to losing, but Clemson’s experience Saturday night should pay dividends down the road – this
season and beyond.

In losing to Georgia by the ignoble score of 45-21, Clemson retained its dignity.

Ultimately the game down to special teams and Georgia’s Todd Gurley, undoubtedly the best running back on Clemson’s schedule and surely a respectable Heisman Trophy candidate. With Herschel Walker in attendance, Gurley did his best impression, rushing for 198 yards and three touchdowns on 15 carries and returning a kickoff more than 100 yards for a fourth touchdown.

If his name was Forrest Gump he might still be running.

Gurley virtually broke Clemson’s back and maybe a measure of spirit when he consumed two huge bites of yardage in a six-play, 82-yard scoring drive early in the fourth quarter that pushed Georgia to a 31-21 lead
and ignited the fuse.

To that point Clemson harbored every hope of another rally. Nick Chubb and Gurley subsequently quashed the notion with touchdown runs of 47 and 51 yards.

Georgia special teams had Clemson on the ropes from the outset, forcing the Tigers to frequently begin in the football field ghetto. Four Georgia punts dropped neatly inside the Clemson 20 and only twice in their first 10 possessions did the Tigers begin beyond their 27. On average Georgia’s started at the 43-yard line, Clemson’s at the 19.

Other than the backbreaking 82-yarder in the fourth, Georgia’s longest drive was 57 (twice).

Georgia had 113 total yards at the half, 248 after three quarters and finished with 459. Clemson had 276 at the half, 310 after three and
finished with 291. The last two touchdowns were like picking at a sore, and Dabo Swinney said he didn’t think the final score was indicative of the game.

A touchdown in the second quarter gave them a brief 21-14 lead, the Tigers’ final seven possessions ended with an interception, missed a field goal and seven punts.

For the most part Stoudt affirmed his readiness and the new offensive line acquitted itself until Georgia began teeing off anticipating pass.

Stoudt completed 15 of 28 for 130 yards and had Clemson’s longest run from scrimmage – 18 yards – though five sacks left him with a net 16. Other than an interception in the first half, Stoudt made reasonable sound decisions until the doors came unhinged. His receivers cost them momentum dropping three passes in the first quarter.

“We got stuck and it was something we couldn’t dig ourselves out of,” Stoudt said. “You can’t stay focused on that frustration because you’ve got to go out there and perform and make some plays.”

Stoudt said his preparation eased his trepidation. “I think I could have made a few better decisions, but I felt good going out there.”

And he felt good about the transition to Deshaun Watson and back in the first half.

A year ago a senior at Gainesville High School, Watson made his debut with 35 seconds to play in the second quarter. The intent was to give him a chance to dip his toe in the water.

Watson dove in head first and led Clemson on a scoring drive that made the score 14-14.

C.J. Davidson was the most productive running back, netting 66 yards on 13 carries. His longest run was 14 yards, otherwise impact plays were premium. Mike Williams caught a pass for 38 yards and freshman Artavis Scott one of 35.

The tight ends weren’t targeted frequently and Charone Peake dropped a ball early before catching a 30-yard touchdown from Watson.

“We really couldn’t get out of that backed up feeling,” Davidson said. “We didn’t capitalize on some other things.”

For more than three quarters the Clemson defense handled the quick exits and entrances, until Gurley broke open the game when Georgia dialed up the toss sweep for the umpteenth time. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables said he was pleased with how his group played until the game’s final nine minutes then was “disgusted.”

Clemson missed its last chance for a lead inside a minute to play in the first half when, after grinding 65 yards, Ammon Lakip missed a 35-yard field goal, one of several issues with special teams. Punting was pedestrian, returns generally unproductive and the kick coverage – well, you know.

“We’ll take our whipping,” Swinney said. “We’re 0-1. We’ve got a long way to go.

“We’ll regroup, critique and be honest. We did a lot of good things but obviously we didn’t finish the way we wanted to.”

True on all counts though it may not make Clemson Nation feel confident with the game in Tallahassee fast approaching.