D.J. Uiagalelei’s first start this season didn’t go nearly as well as his two previous ones.
After throwing for more than 700 yards and five scores in helping lead Clemson to wins in spot starts against Boston College and Notre Dame a season ago, Uiagelelei found the going much tougher Saturday taking his first snaps as Trevor Lawrence’s successor. Uiagalelei posted career-lows in passing yards (178) and completion percentage (51.3) and tossed the only touchdown of the game, though it counted as points for the other team.
Chris Smith’s 74-yard pick-six late in the second quarter proved to be the difference in the Tigers’ 10-3 loss to Georgia over the weekend, though Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and offensive coordinator Tony Elliott put that miscue on receiver Justyn Ross more than their sophomore signal caller.