There was a new twist on Saturday as Carson Beck threw for 278 yards and two touchdowns when No. 1 Georgia started a new season with high hopes by overwhelming 14th-ranked Clemson 34-3.
Georgia’s offense was seen on the pitch in the third quarter with two 75-yard touchdown drives leading just 6-0 at halftime, capped by Colbie Young’s 7-yard reception and Nate Frazier’s 1-yard run.
Carson Beck included a 40-yard touchdown pass to London Humphreys, one that caused the fans of Clemson at Mercedes-Benz Stadium to exit the stadium before the time that was expected.
The team, Clemson, was limited to only 188 yards, and they managed just a 26-yard field goal from Nolan Hauser.
“To me, it feels like a playoff game,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. “It’s a great way to try to assess where you are as a team. No longer do you have to win every game (because of the expanded playoff). But you do want to be playing your best at the end of the year. One of the ways to do that is to get quality wins.”
All-American Malaki Starks revealed the reason that he is considered among the country’s top defensive backs – he makes an impactful interception in the fourth quarter by leaping high and twisting his body mid-air.
“I do think the play he made today is one of the best defensive plays I’ve ever seen,” Smart said. “How he could go find that ball and get it is pretty special.”
Starks’ impressive play earned the admiration of his teammates.
“That was insane,” Jalon Walker said. “Just an incredible catch.”