SEC Rolls Early on Saturday

A miserable start for the ACC continued early on Saturday, and it was the SEC inflicting the pain.

Georgia absolutely throttled Clemson, 34-3, in Mercedez-Benz Stadium, and Vanderbilt stunned visiting Virginia Tech in overtime.

Clemson’s defense kept the Tigers in the game through a half, trailing No. 1 Georgia 6-0. The second half was a different story. The Bulldogs erupted for 28 second half points, largely due to its healthy 8.1 yards per carry on the ground.

Clemson had no such luck on offense, sputtering to an output of just 188 total yards. Clemson has now failed to score a touchdown against Georgia on 31 consecutive drives dating back to their game in 2014.

“When you get beat like that, that’s on the head coach,” Dabo Swinney said. “Complete ownership of an absolute crap second half. Sometimes you get your butt kicked, and we did today.”

Georgia has now won 40 straight regular season games, five shy of Oklahoma’s all-time record.

Vanderbilt’s upset of Virginia Tech could have been decided in regulation, but a 43-yard field goal as time expired sailed just wide right.

Undeterred, New Mexico State transfer Diego Pavia and the Commodore offense struck quickly for an overtime touchdown. The defense responded with a fourth down stop to give Clark Lea and Vanderbilt the program’s first Power conference victory since November of 2022.

Pavia Ran for 104 yards ad threw for another 190 in the 34-27 victory.

Vanderbilt took a 17-3 lead into the half before allowing the Hokies to come all the way back and take the lead. In front of a sell-out crowd of newly remodeled FirstBank Stadium, the home team found a way to secure the win.

DIEGO. PAVIA pic.twitter.com/3fA76RTa4m

— Vanderbilt Football (@VandyFootball) August 31, 2024

Records on Rocky Top

 The drama was removed from Neyland Stadium early on Saturday. Nico Iamaleava started his first season as the Tennessee quarterback by throwing for a program record 314 yards in the first half.

The Vols led Tennessee-Chattanooga 45-0 at the half and coasted to a 69-3 win.

Darts 🎯 😮‍💨@SECNetwork pic.twitter.com/wmBxDrJIP6

— Tennessee Football (@Vol_Football) August 31, 2024