ATLANTA — Once again, Clemson’s offense looked anemic in a big game, against a true College Football Playoff Contender.
The 14th-ranked Tigers totaled just 188 yards and averaged 3.6 yards per play in a 34-3 loss to top-ranked Georgia on Saturday.
What’s the problem?
“I can’t really put my finger on it exactly,” Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik said. “I thought we had a pretty good first half in terms of moving the football. Then it would be penalty, a penalty when we really can’t have it. Third down conversions. Moving the ball, hit the backside hook outside to Antonio [Williams]. Penalty. Big third down right there.”
It sounds as if Klubnik sees some of the problems.
The Tigers did shoot themselves in the foot, especially in the first half. But it was not just penalties. There were dropped passes. Blown assignments, and of course Georgia.
For the second time in three years, the Bulldogs’ defense embarrassed the Clemson offense. In 2021, the Tigers scored three points. They had 180 yards of total offense, ran for just two yards and were 5-of-16 on third down.
On Saturday, Clemson scored three points, had 188 total yards, ran for 46 yards and were 4-for-13 on third down.
Sound familiar?
As for Klubnik, he completed 18 of 29 passes for 142 yards and one interception. The Tigers averaged 4.9 yards per attempt.
In 2021, DJ Uiagalelei completed 19 of 37 passes for 178 yards and one interception. He averaged 4.8 yards per attempt.
Sound familiar?
“We’re getting in the red zone, we’re marching. Just shooting ourselves in the foot,” Klubnik said. “They’re a great team. I think we have a great offense. I think we’re going to be able to do some really good things this year. Just continue to fine-tune the details.”
Granted Georgia is Georgia, and it has one of the best defenses on the planet, but the Clemson offense looked anything but great.
“I think we did some good stuff today. Phil [Mafah] ran it really hard today, made some great cuts. Protection, I feel like I had a lot of time back there. Just got to take advantage of the opportunities when they come,” Klubnik said.
Unfortunately, the Tigers did not take advantage of those opportunities on Saturday.