Clemson faced 62 snaps on defense. We had 20 players participate in the game on defense, although four of these (Hoffler, Burley, Hampton, and McCloud) got 7 snaps or less. So essentially we were relying on 16 guys to get us through this game against a Top 5 offense and QB. 9 of our starters played 44 snaps or more, with only Page and Capehart being below that. The only meaningful rotation we had in the game was getting our 2s on the D-line in for some spells and Venables a little.
Despite facing only 57 snaps UGA rotated in 30 guys on defense throughout the game, with 21 logging at least 10 snaps. Several guys who did not “start” were high up on the snap count list, like KJ Bolden (49), Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (35), and Raylen Wilson (32). No single player on this team had more than 49 snaps and only four were above 40.
The point here is that UGA is rotating through because they have depth and they played at a much higher level than our defense on the whole. The glaring difference is at linebacker. We had 3 guys participate at linebacker: Carter, Woodaz, and McCloud. McCloud got the 2 snaps and we know what happened there; Carter and Woodaz played every other down and there were some missed tackles and Woodaz struggled to keep up in coverage. UGA felt comfortable rotating backers and had 6 with at least 15 snaps. Those guys tackled extremely well, got to Mafah quickly and got him on the ground, and were a huge part of why we averaged under 3 YPC. Because of their scheme they lined these guys up on the LOS numerous times.
In the secondary, Lukus, Barnes, Mickens, and Terrell basically played the entire game. Griffin was not far behind. Venables was the only backup who logged any meaningful time with 10 snaps. Shelton Lewis did not play so that was obviously a ruse. UGA was pretty reliant on their top four guys (Bolden, Starks, Everette, and Jackson getting 45 or more) but also rotated through some backups, with 4 other guys getting 12 or more snaps.
Participation up front is interesting. At end, we had Parker (49), Woods (44), Denhoff (15), Lawson (13), and Hoffler (7). Inside, it was Page (39), Capehart (32), Williams (25), Green (17), Burley (5). UGA had 2 down linemen with 29 or more snaps (Stackhouse, Miller) and 5 guys get between 13 and 3 snaps. There were 77 snaps taken up by linebackers lining up on the D-line; this was probably a mix of scheme, us being in passing downs a lot, and trying to show different looks to Cade.
I get there was some garbage time here, but have we really gotten to the point where we cannot trust a backup LB for a single snap? Are Woodaz and Carter going to have to play 99% of non-garbage time snaps this season? We are playing an elite interior D-tackle out at end because we do not trust anybody other than Parker. That is so clear. I don’t think it’s a bad move given the circumstances but the circumstances are not good.
Woods had a good game and just because of his physical abilities I think he can have a good season there, but you are not doing this kid any favors for his NFL prospects by putting him there and it’s to paper over other cracks. Lukus and Terrell ended up getting picked on by the second half, giving up 7 catches for 57 yards (Lukus) and 6 catches for 81 yards (Terrell). Doesn’t seem like we have another option or ability to spell these guys at all even if we wanted to. Shelton Lewis is literally the only player we have who did not start on Saturday who has any kind of track record at all. Someone (or possibly more than 1) is going to miss time with injury this season, it’s clear the coaching staff doesn’t trust the 2s, why should we expect significant production out of them? I fear for this defense if we lose 2-3 key contributors.
The functional depth difference between UGA and Clemson is crystal clear. We are very top heavy and playing guys out of position to get the best 11 on the field. UGA feels comfortable rotating players and getting into different looks depending on the situation. When there is talk about Kirby out-recruiting Dabo at the high school level and plugging holes using the portal where Dabo does not, this is where that actually shows up in practice. It is going to take years to make up this talent gap.
Despite facing only 57 snaps UGA rotated in 30 guys on defense throughout the game, with 21 logging at least 10 snaps. Several guys who did not “start” were high up on the snap count list, like KJ Bolden (49), Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (35), and Raylen Wilson (32). No single player on this team had more than 49 snaps and only four were above 40.
The point here is that UGA is rotating through because they have depth and they played at a much higher level than our defense on the whole. The glaring difference is at linebacker. We had 3 guys participate at linebacker: Carter, Woodaz, and McCloud. McCloud got the 2 snaps and we know what happened there; Carter and Woodaz played every other down and there were some missed tackles and Woodaz struggled to keep up in coverage. UGA felt comfortable rotating backers and had 6 with at least 15 snaps. Those guys tackled extremely well, got to Mafah quickly and got him on the ground, and were a huge part of why we averaged under 3 YPC. Because of their scheme they lined these guys up on the LOS numerous times.
In the secondary, Lukus, Barnes, Mickens, and Terrell basically played the entire game. Griffin was not far behind. Venables was the only backup who logged any meaningful time with 10 snaps. Shelton Lewis did not play so that was obviously a ruse. UGA was pretty reliant on their top four guys (Bolden, Starks, Everette, and Jackson getting 45 or more) but also rotated through some backups, with 4 other guys getting 12 or more snaps.
Participation up front is interesting. At end, we had Parker (49), Woods (44), Denhoff (15), Lawson (13), and Hoffler (7). Inside, it was Page (39), Capehart (32), Williams (25), Green (17), Burley (5). UGA had 2 down linemen with 29 or more snaps (Stackhouse, Miller) and 5 guys get between 13 and 3 snaps. There were 77 snaps taken up by linebackers lining up on the D-line; this was probably a mix of scheme, us being in passing downs a lot, and trying to show different looks to Cade.
I get there was some garbage time here, but have we really gotten to the point where we cannot trust a backup LB for a single snap? Are Woodaz and Carter going to have to play 99% of non-garbage time snaps this season? We are playing an elite interior D-tackle out at end because we do not trust anybody other than Parker. That is so clear. I don’t think it’s a bad move given the circumstances but the circumstances are not good.
Woods had a good game and just because of his physical abilities I think he can have a good season there, but you are not doing this kid any favors for his NFL prospects by putting him there and it’s to paper over other cracks. Lukus and Terrell ended up getting picked on by the second half, giving up 7 catches for 57 yards (Lukus) and 6 catches for 81 yards (Terrell). Doesn’t seem like we have another option or ability to spell these guys at all even if we wanted to. Shelton Lewis is literally the only player we have who did not start on Saturday who has any kind of track record at all. Someone (or possibly more than 1) is going to miss time with injury this season, it’s clear the coaching staff doesn’t trust the 2s, why should we expect significant production out of them? I fear for this defense if we lose 2-3 key contributors.
The functional depth difference between UGA and Clemson is crystal clear. We are very top heavy and playing guys out of position to get the best 11 on the field. UGA feels comfortable rotating players and getting into different looks depending on the situation. When there is talk about Kirby out-recruiting Dabo at the high school level and plugging holes using the portal where Dabo does not, this is where that actually shows up in practice. It is going to take years to make up this talent gap.
