JT Daniels: Offensive struggles don't temper feelings of win over Clemson

When No. 5 Georgia and No. 3 Clemson begun their seasons on Saturday night, not many people expected a 10-3 shootout with zero offensive touchdowns from either team. That is exactly what happened, as Georgia defeated Clemson 10-3 and both offenses struggled. Despite the struggles on offense, Georgia quarterback J.T. Daniels is still happy to be walking out of week one with a victory over Clemson.

Georgia’s offense out-gained Clemson 256-180. Daniels threw for 135 yards and the Georgia rushing attack eclipsed 100 yards. The Bulldogs won the time of possession battle 31:29 to 28:31.

There is no feeling of disappointment for Daniels despite Georgia’s offensive struggles

Daniels completed 22 of his 30 pass attempts for 135 yards and an interception. Georgia’s rushing attack totaled 121 yards on 31 carries. The only touchdown of the game was Georgia’s Christopher Smith returning a D.J. Uiagalelei interception for 74 yards to the house.

Daniels was asked by reporters following the game if there was any sense of disappointment in the offense. He quickly dismissed that idea. The only thing on Daniels’ mind was that Georgia beat Clemson.

“No, not one bit,” Daniels said when asked if he had a half and half feeling between getting a win and struggling to produce as an offense. “We just beat Clemson. Our d-line played amazing. Our whole defense played amazing. I think our o-line fought their ass off at the end when we had to go form in and run the ball. I think we did a lot of good things offensively. Just not enough consistently to where you’re going to put up points against Clemson.

“I’d say the other thing that I’d say for the offense is we got to be a little more explosive, which is tough to do with what Clemson did today. They played a very conservative soft zone, dropped eight a lot. The did a lot of things they haven’t shown to do too much, and I think they did a great job executing that scheme and making us take what’s there. We have to do that a little bit better. But in terms of do I have a half and half feeling? Hell no. We just beat Clemson. I’m happy.”

Georgia head coach Kirby Smart is happy with how his team came together following the victory. Smart said that, sometimes, players sulk about not getting enough playing time. That was not the case on Saturday. Daniels is not sulking about Georgia’s offensive struggles in week one. In the end, getting a win is the only goal every week.