Georgia vs. Clemson football series history (2024)

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A blockbuster matchup to open the 2021 season, the third-ranked Tigers met the fifth-ranked Bulldogs in Charlotte, North Carolina, at Bank of America Stadium.

The game was a defensive struggle. Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei struggled to create much of anything in the passing game and was sacked seven times by the Georgia defense. Georgia quarterback J.T. Daniels struggled to create an offensive spark himself, though freshman tight end Brock Bowers showed off his talents, hauling in six catches.

The game’s lone score came on a pick six from safety Christopher Smith in the second quarter that gave the Bulldogs a 7-0 lead going into halftime. The Bulldogs stopped Clemson with over four minutes remaining, and running backs James Cook and Zamir White iced the game from there.

Georgia went on to win the national title game against the Alabama Crimson Tide, while Clemson failed to reach the ACC title game and finished 10-3, capped by a win over Iowa State in the Alamo Bowl.

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The 12th-ranked Bulldogs took on the 16th-ranked Tigers in Athens to open the 2014 season in the second part of a home-and-home between the two. Both teams introduced new eras at quarterback. Hutson Mason and Cole Stoudt took over for Aaron Murray and Tajh Boyd. Stoudt’s backup, highly touted recruit Deshaun Watson, also saw playing time.

The Tigers held a 21-14 lead midway through the second quarter before Todd Gurley ran a kickoff back 100 yards for arguably his most iconic touchdown scored as a Bulldog. The momentum sparked a second-half rout by the Bulldogs. Gurley ran for two scores and freshman Nick Chubb added another on the way to a 45-21 victory for Georgia.

Gurley finished with 198 yards on 15 carries and three touchdowns, plus the kickoff return score. Freshman tailbacks Chubb and Sony Michel combined for 10 carries for 103 yards. The Bulldogs totaled five sacks, including two each for Leonard Floyd and Amarlo Herrera in the opening game of Jeremy Pruitt’s two-year stint as defensive coordinator. Many in the national media saw this game as a breakout for Mark Richt’s Bulldogs, and they were widely considered as a team to watch in the opening College Football Playoff race.

The Bulldogs finished a somewhat disappointing 10-3 and defeated the Louisville Cardinals in the Belk Bowl behind a 266-yard rushing performance from Chubb. Clemson also finished 10-3, crushing the Oklahoma Sooners 40-6 in the Citrus Bowl.

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The fifth-ranked Bulldogs met the eighth-ranked Tigers in a prime-time matchup between two teams coming off great years that saw them fall just short to the top teams in their conferences, Alabama and Florida State, respectively. Aaron Murray and Tajh Boyd returned for their final years with an eye set on revenge.

The whole game was back and forth, and the score was tied at 21 at the half. Todd Grantham’s young defense struggled mightily to contain the Tigers’ passing game, and Clemson took a 10-point lead in the fourth quarter. Georgia worked its way back and had a chip shot field goal to tie the game. However, a low snap caused a turnover on downs, and the Tigers ran out the clock to win 38-35.

Boyd was the star of the show, passing for 270 yards and three touchdowns and scoring two more on the ground. Todd Gurley opened with a 75-yard touchdown for the Bulldogs but was in and out of the game with a quad injury, finishing with 154 yards on 12 carries. The Dawgs also lost wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell to a torn ACL celebrating that score.

Georgia suffered a rash of injuries that season, leading to four more losses, including one to end the season against Nebraska in the Gator Bowl to finish 8-5. The Tigers finished 11-2, falling short again to rivals Florida State and South Carolina. They defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Orange Bowl, 40-35, to end their season.

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The Bulldogs entered ranked 11th in the nation, coming off of a 2002 season in which they won the SEC title and finished 13-1, and entering year three under Mark Richt. The Tigers were unranked heading into Tommy Bowden’s fifth year after finishing 7-6 in 2002.

The Bulldogs had their way with the Tigers, as quarterback David Greene led the Dawgs to a 30-0 victory in Death Valley. Greene would pass for a 56-yard score to Fred Gibson and run in another touchdown, and kicker Billy Bennett would add three field goals. Clemson’s Charlie Whitehurst struggled mightily, including throwing an interception grabbed by Bulldog All-American David Pollack.

The Bulldogs would finish the year 11-3, winning the SEC East title but losing to Nick Saban’s LSU Tigers in the SEC title game. They would end the year with a 34-27 Outback Bowl win over Purdue. The Tigers would rebound to finish 9-4, and would defeat sixth ranked Tennessee in the Peach Bowl 27-14.

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