UGA Football: Game Notes – Dawgs Battle Undefeated Wildcats

Game & Broadcast Info
  • Kickoff: Saturday, October 16 – 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (92,746) | Athens, Ga.
  • 2021 Records: Georgia 6-0 (4-0 SEC), Kentucky 6-0 (4-0 SEC)
  • History: Georgia vs. Kentucky All-Time Series Results: UGA 60-12-2
  • Rankings: Georgia #1, Kentucky #11
  • TV: CBS – Brad Nessler (PxP), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jamie Erdahl (sideline)
  • Video Stream: CBSSports.com
  • Radio: WSB AM 750 – Bulldog Network | Affiliates | Scott Howard (PxP), Eric Zeier (Color), DJ Shockley (sideline)
  • Audio Stream: georgiadogs.com
  • Satellite: SiriusXM: 81/81/81
  • Web Stats: GameTracker
  • Twitter: #UKvsUGA
  • ReBroadcast: SEC Network: TBA

 

Georgia 2021 Averages Kentucky
39.8 Scoring Offense 31.0
5.5 Scoring Defense 17.5
+3 Turnover Margin -8
432.5 Total Offense 411.8
197.2 Rushing Offense 214.2
235.3 Passing Offense 197.7
6.9 Punt Returns 3.8
24.0 Kickoff Returns 16.2

Series History Vs. Kentucky

Top-ranked Georgia leads the Kentucky series 60-12-2 and is on a 11-game winning streak. This is the Dogs’ longest winning streak in the series after twice having 10-game win streaks. Kentucky’s last win in the Georgia series came in 2009 in Athens when it stormed back from a 20-6 halftime deficit for a 34-27 win. It was UK’s first win in Athens in 32 years. The No. 11 Wildcats have started this season 6-0 for the first time since 1950.

We’re Coming To Your City . . . Again

This will mark the second time ESPN College GameDay will be in Athens in the last three weeks. GameDay came on Oct. 2 when the Dogs topped No. 8 Arkansas 37-0. Prior to this Saturday’s matchup, Georgia has won two straight top-10 showdowns at home with GameDay on site after also blasting No. 7 Auburn 27-6 in 2020. GameDay was also in Charlotte for the top-five matchup against No. 3 Clemson in Georgia’s 2021 season opener. Counting this weekend, GameDay will have only visited the same location twice during the regular season within a three-week period two times (Alabama, 2014). This marks the seventh time that GameDay has come to Athens.

SEC Nation will also be visiting Athens this weekend. This is only the third time that SEC Nation and GameDay have been at the same site in history, including the 2018 Georgia-Florida showdown that the Bulldogs won 34-17.

Dominating Defense & Offense Delivering Points

Georgia leads the nation in Scoring Defense giving up just 5.5 points per game. The Bulldogs are averaging 39.8 points/game. Last week, they scored 34 points in the road win over No. 18 Auburn, as the Tigers were allowing just 16.2 p/g.

The defense has allowed just two touchdowns. The first came in the fourth quarter versus USC with the Bulldogs leading 40-6. The second came at No. 18 AU with Georgia leading 24-3. Meanwhile, UAB’s touchdown came on a pick-six.

Georgia leads the SEC and ranks sixth nationally in Red Zone defense. Opponents have advanced to the Red Zone only eight times this season resulting in one touchdown, four field goals, one missed field goal and turning it over once on downs twice.

Georgia opponents have scored just 33 points in 2021. That six-game tally is the lowest since 1935 when the Bulldogs had allowed just 24 points through six contests.

The Bulldogs lead the country in Total Defense, giving up just 201.2 yards/game.

Recently, Georgia won 34-10 at No. 18 Auburn. AU came in averaging 40.0 p/g.

2020 Flashback: No. 4 Bulldogs Down Wildcats 14-3

During the fifth game of the 2020 season, No. 4 Georgia followed the lead of RB Zamir White as he carried the ball 26 times for 136 yards and a touchdown during the Bulldogs win over Kentucky. QB Stetson Bennett (9-for-13, 131 yards, 2 INTs) capped off an 86-yard first quarter drive with a two-yard touchdown run to give Georgia a 7-0 edge. After the Wildcats cut their deficit to 7-3 on a field goal in the second period, White scored the second touchdown of the game on a 22-yard scamper in the third quarter.

RB James Cook finished with 101 all-purpose yards after leading the Dogs with four catches for 62 yards. Nakobe Dean piled up a game-high 14 tackles on defense.

Homecoming At Georgia

Since 1922, Georgia is 79-18-2 in Homecoming contests. This year, the Bulldogs welcome Kentucky to Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium, and the Wildcats will be the Homecoming foe for the 19th time. In 2019, the Bulldogs blanked the Wildcats 21-0 during a Homecoming meeting. Georgia is 15-2-1 against Kentucky on Homecoming and won the last nine meetings on this special day. The Homecoming losses for the Bulldogs versus Kentucky came in 1956 and 1973 and the tie was in 1962.

In Georgia history, 10 different SEC teams have served as an opponent on Homecoming. In records dating back to 1922, Georgia has outscored its Homecoming opponents 2,629 to 1,229. Vanderbilt is the last team to beat Georgia on Homecoming, posting a 17-16 decision in 2016 to snap a streak of nine straight wins on Homecoming.

Along with the game, the traditions include a Friday afternoon parade, former Redcoat Band members and UGA cheerleaders performing with the current squads during the game and at halftime. Also, a Homecoming King and Queen are crowned.

Dogs Atop the Polls For the first time since the 2008 preseason, Georgia is ranked No. 1 in the AP/Coaches polls. During the 1982 regular season, the Bulldogs were ranked No. 1 for five straight weeks.

The last time Georgia was No. 1 in the College Football Playoff poll was for two weeks during the 2017 season (Oct. 31, Nov. 7).

 

Head Coach Kirby Smart
Head Coach Kirby Smart
Personal
Full Name: Kirby Paul Smart
Birthdate: December 23, 1975
Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama
Family: Wife: Mary Beth; Children: twins Weston and Julia (Feb. 8, 2008), and Andrew (May 25, 2012)
High School: Bainbridge (Ga.)
College: BBA Georgia ’98; MS Arkansas State State ’03Coaching Experience
1999 Georgia Admin. Asst.
2000 Valdosta State Defensive Backs
2001 Valdosta State Def. Coord.
2002-03 FSU Grad. Assistant
2004 Arkansas State Defensive Backs
2005 Georgia Running Backs
2006 Miami Dolphins Safeties
2007 Alabama Asst. HC/DBs
2008-13, ’15 Alabama Def. Coord./ILBs
2014 Alabama Asst. HC/Safeties
2016-current Georgia Head CoachPlaying Experience
Georgia (1995-98): Four-year letterman as defensive back. First team All-SEC in ’98; 13 career interceptions; four-time member of SEC Academic Honor Roll.
Bainbridge H.S. (1991-93): Three-year letterman in football, basketball, and baseball; first team Class AAAA All-State as a senior; 16 career interceptions.
High School Coach: Sonny Smart (father)

Three SEC Eastern Division championships, 52 wins, one SEC title, four bowl victories, and an appearance in one national championship game are more than respectable rewards over a five-year period. That’s what Georgia got when it hired former Bulldog player and assistant coach Kirby Smart to head the program in December, 2015.

The 2020 Bulldogs became Smart’s fourth straight team to earn a New Year’s Six bowl game. With a Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl victory, the 2020 Bulldog senior class tied the record for the most wins by a senior class in school history (44), set by the 2005 and 2019 teams. That was also Smart’s fourth straight team to finish the regular season ranked in the top ten of the College Football Playoff rankings.

Smart’s 2019 Bulldogs became the first team in school history to win 11 or more games for a third straight season. The senior class posted a four-year record of 44-12, matching the school record of 44 wins for a senior class. Georgia defeated three Top 15 teams in the final CFP ranking — Notre Dame, Florida, and Auburn — and finished as the fourth-ranked team in the final polls. The season was capped by a dominant win over Baylor in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

When Georgia looked for a head coach after the 2015 season, the arrows pointed to Kirby Smart, longtime Alabama defensive coordinator and former UGA player and assistant. The 2017 Associated Press SEC Coach of the Year has not disappointed.

In his first year leading the Bulldogs, Georgia extended its school record to 20 consecutive bowl appearances and had wins over No. 8 Auburn and No. 22 UNC. In 2017, Smart directed UGA to a 13-2 record, an SEC title, a win at The Rose Bowl Game during the CFP semifinal and a spot in the National Championship. He was named the Maxwell Football Club’s George Munger National Coach of the Year. Before 2017, the Bulldogs last SEC title was 2005.

The 2018 and 2019 Bulldogs advanced to the SEC title game, secured an invite to the Sugar Bowl and combined for a 23-5 record.

He has also made an immediate impact in recruiting, posting the nation’s No. 1 class in 2018, the second-ranked class in 2019 and the third-ranked class in 2017 and 2020.

In addition to coaching, Smart oversees the Kirby Smart Family Foundation, which is focused on being champions in the community by supporting and giving back to needy children and families. In September of 2020, Smart and his wife Mary Beth pledged $1 million to support social justice and student-athletes impacted by COVID-19.

Quick Facts

  • Advanced to 2017-19 SECCGs, making Georgia the first from the East to win at least three straight since 1996.
  • Since 2017, Georgia is 19-2 in SEC East contests. Went 6-0 in the division in 2017-18 for the first time since the SEC split into divisions in 1992.
  • 2017 Georgia Munger National Coach of the Year finalist, leading UGA to a 13-2 record, a Rose Bowl Game victory and an appearance the CFP National Championship Game.
  • The Bulldogs’ No. 2 AP ranking in 2017 was the team’s top AP ranking since week three of the 2008 season when Georgia was No. 2.
  • Eight fourth-quarter comebacks, including wins over #8 AU (’16), #22 UNC in Atlanta (’16), @ #24 Notre Dame (’17), vs. #2 Oklahoma in 2018 Rose Bowl Game. vs. #8 Cincinnati in 2021 Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl.
  • Led UGA to its first win over a ranked team in a season opener away from Sanford Stadium in school history.
Coach Smart’s Record
Year W L Pct. SEC
2016 8 5 .615 4-4
2017 13 2 .866 7-1
2018 11 3 .786 7-1
2019 12 2 .857 7-2
2020 8 2 .800 7-2
2021 6 0 1.000 4-0
Total 58 14 .806 37-12
includes 2017-19 SECCGs, 2018 CFPNC
Top Ind. Single-Game Performances Under Smart

Top Ind. Single-Game Performances Under Smart
Rushing Yards: 222, Nick Chubb vs. #22 UNC (9/3/16)
Rushing TDs: 3, Sony Michel vs. UK (11/18/17); vs. #2 Oklahoma (1/1/18)
Longest Rush: 83-TD, D’Andre Swift @ #9 UK (11/3/18)
Passing Yards: 401, JT Daniels vs. MSU (11/21/20)
Passing TDs: 5, Stetson Bennett vs. UAB (9/11/21)
Receiving Yards: 197 (8 rec.), Jermaine Burton vs. MSU (11/21/20)
Receiving TDs: 2, Isaiah McKenzie @ Missouri (9/17/16); Terry Godwin vs. Samford (9/16/17); Jeremiah Holloman vs. #9 Florida (10/27/18); Riley Ridley vs. GT (11/2518); George Pickens vs. Missouri (11/9/19); Jermaine Burton vs. MSU (11/21/20); George Pickens vs. Missouri (12/12/20), Brock Bowers vs. UAB (9/11/21), @ VU (9/25/21)
Longest Pass/TD Pass: 89-TD, S. Bennett to B. Bowers vs. UAB (9/11/21)
Tackles: 15, Nakobe Dean vs. #8 UF (11/7/20)
Sacks: 3, Trenton Thompson vs. TCU (12/30/16); 3, Azeez Ojulari vs. #8 UC (1/1/21)
TFL: 3, Azeez Ojulari vs. #7 AU (10/3/20); Thompson vs. Nicholls (9/10/16); 3, Azeez Ojulari vs. #8 UC (1/1/21)

22 Defense/Special Teams Scores

Under Kirby Smart, Georgia has registered 22 scores on defense or special teams. The Dogs are 19-1 when they register a non-offensive score under Smart. This season, Georgia has had three: Christopher Smith’s 74-yd INTreturn (#3 CU); Jamon Dumas-Johnson’s 20-yd INT return (UAB); Safety (SC); Zamir White 0-yd return of blocked punt (#8 ARK). The only loss came versus #8 UF in 2020.

Eight Victories When Tied Or Trailing Late
Year Opponent Start of 4th Qtr. Final
2016 %#22 UNC Trailed 24-23 33-24
2016 @ MIZZ Trailed 27-21 28-27
2016 @ UK Trailed 21-16 27-24
2016 #8 AUB Tied 7-7 13-7
2016 ^TCU Trailed 23-21 31-23
2017 #24 UND 17-16, trailed 19-17 with 10:21 left 20-19
2018 $ #2 Oklahoma 31-31 trailed 45-38 with 0:55 left 54-48 2ot
2020 #8 Cincinnati Trailed 21-10, trailed 21-19 with :03 left 24-21

%Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic; ^Liberty Bowl; $Rose Bowl Game

Looking For More Explosive Plays

The Bulldogs are averaging 39.8 points/game. Georgia has outscored its opponents through five games 239-33. The Bulldog defense and special teams have combined to score 20 points in 2021.

The Bulldogs share the load at running back and have an array of targets at receiver, which is a position that has yet to be at full strength because of injuries. Georgia has done it on the ground and has shown an ability for the big passing game.

Georgia has had six touchdown passes that have covered at least 38 yards. JT Daniels had a 38 yarder to freshman WR AD Mitchell and a 43 yarder to WR Jermaine Burton against South Carolina.

On the second play of the game versus UAB, Burton caught a 73-yard touchdown pass from Stetson Bennett. Also, Bennett had two more TD bombs in that game, a 61 yarder to redshirt freshman WR Arian Smith and an 89 yarder to freshman TE Brock Bowers. Most recently, Bennett had a 60-yard scoring strike to WR Ladd McConkey at No. 18 Auburn.

Explosive Play Summary In 2021
vs. #3 Clemson 2 (R, P) 1 (P) Georgia 10-3
vs. UAB 13 (7 R, 6 P) 4 (3 R, P) Georgia 56-7
vs. South Carolina 12 (5 R, 7 P) 6 (R, 5 P) Georgia 40-13
@ Vanderbilt 11 (6 R, 5 P) 1 (R) Georgia 62-0
#8 Arkansas 6 (4 R, 2 P) 5 (3 R, 2 P) #2 Georgia 37-0
@ #18 Auburn 7 (3 R, 4 P) 6 (6 P) #2 Georgia 34-10
Longest Rush by Georgia: 30-yd rush by Bennett (@AU)
Longest Rush by Opp.: 23-yard by Larry Wooden (UAB)
Longest Completion by Georgia: 89-yard TD vs. UAB (Stetson Bennett to Brock Bowers)
Longest Completion by Opp.: 61-yard by SC (Noland to Vann)
Daniels 7-0 As A Starter While Bennett Is 6-2

JT Daniels, an Irvine, Calif., native, served as UGA’s starting quarterback from game seven of the 2020 campaign through the 2021 opener.

Daniels did not play against UAB due to a lat injury as senior Stetson Bennett got the start in a 56-7 win. Daniels returned against South Carolina and only played in the first quarter against Vanderbilt during those Bulldog wins.

Bennett played most of the games versus the Commodores and then started in wins over No. 8 Arkansas and at No. 18 Auburn.

For the year, Bennett has played in five games and is 43-for-62 (69.4 percent) for 746 yards with eight touchdown passes and two interceptions. He has 16 carries for 124 yards as well. Bennett is 3-0 as a starter this year and is 7-2 in his Bulldog career.

Bennett has completed 61 percent of his passes (149-for-244, 2,185 yards, 18 touchdowns, nine picks) for his Bulldog career. He also has 44 rushing attempts for 192 yards and three scores on the ground.

This year on third downs, Daniels is 16-for-18 for 152 yards and two TDs, one INT and one sack. Twelve of the completions have resulted in a first down.

Bennett enjoyed a career a record-setting performance torching the Blazers for a school record tying five touchdown passes (all in the first half). He finished the day 10-for-12 for 288 yards with his scoring strikes covering 9, 12, 61, 73 and 89 yards. Bennett was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week as well as to the Davey O’Brien Award’s Great 8 list following his performance.

JT Daniels Passing (USC/UGA Career)
2018 (@ USC) Att Cmp TD Int Yds Sk Eff.
UNLV (W) 35 21 1 0 282 2 137.1
@ #10 STAN (L) 34 16 0 2 215 4 88.4
@ TEXAS (L) 48 30 0 1 322 3 114.7
WSU (W) 26 17 3 0 241 2 181.3
@ ARIZ (W) 24 16 0 0 197 2 135.6
#19 CU (W) 35 18 3 2 283 1 136.2
@ UTAH (L) 16 6 1 2 89 2 79.9
@ ORE ST (W) 26 14 1 0 177 2 123.7
CAL (L) 34 21 2 1 180 4 119.8
@ UCLA (L) 34 20 2 2 337 1 149.7
#3 ND (L) 51 37 1 0 349 2 136.5
2018 TOTAL 363 216 14 10 2,672 25 128.6
2019 (@ USC) Att Cmp TD Int Yds Sk Eff.
^FRESNO ST (W) 34 25 1 1 215 1 130.5
^knee injury, missed remainder of season
2020 (@ UGA) Att Cmp TD Int Yds Sk Eff.
MSU (W) 38 28 4 0 401 3 197.1
SC (W) 16 10 2 1 139 2 164.2
MU (W) 27 16 3 0 299 2 152.3
vs. #8 UC (W) 38 26 1 1 392 3 158.5
2020 TOTAL 119 80 10 2 1,231 10 178.5
2021 (@ UGA) Att Cmp TD Int Yds Sk Eff.
CLEM (W) 30 22 0 1 135 1 104.5
SC (W) 31 23 3 1 303 1 181.8
@ VU (W) 10 9 2 0 129 0 266.0
2021 TOTAL 71 54 5 2 569 2 161.0
CAREER TOTAL 587 375 30 15 4,685 38 142.7
Sharing The Load At RB

Seniors Zamir White and James Cook along with sophomore Kendall Milton and junior Kenny McIntosh split the carries.

The past two weeks, White has led the team in carries. White had 16 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Razorbacks. He also scored after recovering a blocked punt. White followed that up with 18 carries for 79 yards and two scores at No. 18 Auburn.

Cook finished with a team-high 87 yards on 12 carries (7.2 avg.) against No. 8 Arkansas as four running backs finished with at least 48 yards rushing each in the win.

White, McIntosh and sophomore Daijun Edwards all scored rushing touchdowns at Vanderbilt, along with WR Ladd McConkey and TE Brock Bowers.

A Look At The Offensive Line

Senior Jamaree Salyer (LT), junior Warren Ericson (LG), redshirt freshman Sedrick Van Pran (C), fifth-year senior Justin Shaffer (RG) and redshirt sophomore Warren McClendon (RT) have comprised the starting lineup for the last five games. In the season opener versus No. 3 Clemson, redshirt freshman Tate Ratledge started the opener at LG. A foot injury has kept him out since that game.

Georgia focused on the rushing game versus No. 8 Arkansas and finished with 56 attempts for 273 yards (4.9 yards/rush) and three touchdowns. This was the most rushing attempts in a game during the Kirby Smart era.

At No. 18 Auburn, the Bulldogs rushing attack picked up steam in the second half, gaining 165 yards to finish with 201 in the 34-10 win. Redshirt freshman Broderick Jones filled in at LT after Salyer went down with an ankle injury.

Ton Of Targets

Georgia has completed passes to a minimum of nine different Bulldogs in four of six games this season. The top three pass catchers have been freshman TE Brock Bowers (20 rec., 315 yds., 4 TDs), redshirt freshman WR Ladd McConkey (16-280-2) and sophomore WR Jermaine Burton (13-224-2).

The Bulldogs are still aiming to get 100 percent healthy at receiver this season. Dominick Blaylock and George Pickens have not played this season as they recover from offseason injuries.

In the meantime, junior Kearis Jackson, Burton, sophomore Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, McConkey and redshirt freshmen Arian Smith and Justin Robinson are in the mix with true freshman AD Mitchell. Rosemy-Jacksaint has missed the last two games while Smith has missed the last four games with injuries.

During the victory at No. 18 Auburn, McConkey hauled in a career-high five catches for 135 yards and a career-long 60-yard touchdown. He became the third Bulldog this year to have a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game during the win at Vanderbilt. Both he and Bowers accomplished the feat versus the Commodores while James Cook did it against South Carolina.

Productive Start To Bowers’ Career

Freshman TE Brock Bowers has a team-best 20 catches for 315 yards and five touchdowns (four rec., one rush) and has started every game this year.

Against #3 Clemson, he led the Bulldogs with six catches for 43 yards in the victory. His first touchdown catch of his career was an 89 yarder from Stetson Bennett versus UAB. This was the ninth-longest passing TD in school history.

At Vanderbilt, Bowers had a 12-yard rushing touchdown on his first career carry and for the second week in a row he was the leading receiver with four catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Week following his performance.

Bowers has three touchdown receptions of 25+ yards and was the first Bulldog since Sony Michel (2017 vs. UK) to score three touchdowns in a game. Zamir White also did it against #8 Arkansas with two rushing scores and a recovered fumble in the end zone following a blocked punt.

 

Creating Havoc Again In 2021

Defensive coordinator Dan Lanning is now in his fourth year and the Bulldogs feature the nation’s top Scoring Defense allowing just 5.5 points/game. Georgia leads the country in Passing Defense (137.0 yards/game) and stands fourth nationally in Rushing Defense (64.2 y/g).

Georgia leads the SEC and is tied for sixth nationally with 22 sacks.

The Georgia defense has allowed just two touchdowns this year. In fact, the Dogs have shut out two SEC opponents in Vanderbilt and No. 8 Arkansas in Athens. This marked the first back-to-back SEC shutouts since 1980 (Vanderbilt, Kentucky). The Bulldogs’ 33 points allowed through six games is the lowest allowed since 1935.

The Bulldogs’ first two opponents did not score until the fourth quarter. UAB’s only touchdown came on a pick-six. Clemson managed only a field goal. All 13 of South Carolina’s points came after three turnovers, including two field goals and a fourth quarter touchdown. Four of Georgia’s six opponents have failed to score before halftime. The Bulldogs have allowed just three field goals in the first quarter, seven in the third period and 17 points in the fourth quarter.

Havoc Summary In 2021
Game Georgia Final Score
vs. #3 Clemson 1 INT (1 TD), 8 TFLs, 7 Sacks W, 10-3
vs. UAB 3 INT (1 TD), 6 TFLs, 3 Sacks Georgia 56-7
vs. South Carolina 1 INT, 6 TFLs, 3 Sacks Georgia 40-13
@ Vanderbilt 2 INTs, 4 TFLs, 1 Sack Georgia 62-0
#8 Arkansas 7 TFLs, 4 Sacks #2 Georgia 37-0
@ #18 Auburn 1 INT, 6 TFLs, 4 Sacks #2 Georgia 34-10
Playmakers In The Secondary

While some may refer to Georgia as “RBU”, one could make a case for “DBU” with the recent Bulldogs now in the NFL including four who were drafted last season (Eric Stokes, 1st Round, Green Bay; Tyson Campbell, 2nd Round, Jacksonville; Richard LeCounte, 5th round, Cleveland; Mark Webb, 7th round, L.A. Chargers).

The Bulldogs rank second in the SEC with eight interceptions, including six by the secondary and two by the linebackers.

Walk-on redshirt sophomore Dan Jackson has steadily moved up the depth chart to see action in all games this year. Jackson filled in most of the game for Christopher Smith (shoulder) against No. 18 Auburn and finished with a team and career-high six stops. During the 37-0 win over No. 8 Arkansas, Jackson blocked a punt in the first quarter that was recovered by Zamir White in the end zone for a touchdown to put Georgia up 21-0.

To help offset these losses, Georgia landed a pair talented players via the transfer portal in All-ACC first teamer Derion Kendrick (Clemson) and All-America Tykee Smith (West Virginia). Smith made his Bulldog debut in week six at No. 18 Auburn last week.

Christopher Smith scored the only touchdown in the win over No. 3 Clemson on a 74-yard interception return (the first pick of his career). He earned SEC Defensive Player of the Week honors following his performance. Cine had a team-high nine tackles and two pass breakups in the win over the Tigers.

Seniors Latavious Brini and Ameer Speed/redshirt freshman Kelee Ringo are manning the cornerback spots for the Bulldogs this season.

Making An Impact Up Front

Preseason All-American Jordan Davis joins fifth-year Devonte Wyatt as the veterans in the center of the defensive line. The pair combined for six tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack, and a pass breakup against No. 3 Clemson. Davis was named the Bronko Nagurski National Defensive Player of the Week as well as the SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week after his effort against the Tigers.

Most recently, Davis had five tackles during the win at No. 18 Auburn. The Tigers managed only 46 rushing yards on 29 attempts. They were averaging 238 yards on the ground coming into the game.

In the shutout of No. 8 Arkansas, Wyatt led the team with six tackles and 1.5 sacks and was named the SEC DL of the Week. Georgia leads the SEC with 22 sacks.

The duo is joined by junior Travon Walker, sophomore Jalen Carter, junior Tramel Walthour and sophomore Nazir Stackhouse who comprise the rotation of the Bulldog front. Walker had four tackles and a sack in the 2021 opener versus Clemson while Carter chipped in with two stops, including a sack.

Davis shared a sack with teammate Nolan Smith that led to a South Carolina safety.

Bulldog Backers & Sack Masters

Senior ILB Channing Tindall leads the team in tackles with 29. He is joined by junior Nakobe Dean and junior Quay Walker in the middle. Dean, who was a semifinalist for the 2020 Butkus Award, is the leader of the 2021 defense.

Dean and Walker had five tackles apiece against No. 18 Auburn as Walker finished with two tackles for a loss and a sack. Dean’s first career interception came against the Tigers and it led to field goal. He set the tone early against No. 3 Clemson as he finished with a pair of sacks and five tackles on the night.

Senior Adam Anderson and junior Nolan Smith round out the linebackers on the outside. Through the first six games of 2021, Anderson has a team-high four sacks to go with 19 stops while Smith also has 21 stops and 2.5 sacks.

Smith exploded for a career-high eight tackles against the Gamecocks in a performance that included 1.5 sacks and a forced fumble.

 

One Of Country’s Top Punting Units Returns

Senior punter and 2020 Ray Guy Award finalist Jake Camarda was the SEC Special Teams Player of the Year last season. He posted an SEC best 46.6 average that ranked fourth in the country and was named a FWAA Second-Team All-American. Camarda is a preseason All-American at his position in 2021.

This year, Camarda is averaging 45.3 yards/punt placing nine inside in the 20 and six have been 50+. Camarda is averaging 45.4 yards/punt, which is on pace for a school record. Drew Butler, the 2009 Ray Guy Award winner, owns the Bulldog record with a 45.4 mark.

Camarda is also handling most of the UGA kickoffs this year.

Jack-Pod

For his career, junior PK Jack Podlesny is 22-for-28 on field goals and 68-for-68 on PATs. This year, he is 9-for-12 on FGs and 30-for-30 on PATs. Podlesny capped his first year by earning Offensive MVP honors at the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl. In the 24-21 win over #8 Cincinnati, Podlesny accounted for 10 points, including the game-winning 53-yard FG with three seconds remaining.

Georgia entered the 2021 season with the NCAA record for Consecutive PATs Made. The streak now stands at 360 and involves six kickers (Marshall Morgan, Patrick Beless, William Ham, David Marvin, Rodrigo Blankenship and Podlesny) and dates back to 2014. * Georgia’s snappers this year include returning starters junior Payne Walker and redshirt sophomore William Mote. Walker snaps on field goals and PATs while Mote handles the snaps for punts.

 

Trio Of Preseason All-Americans

Senior punter Jake Camarda (1st Team) along with senior offensive lineman Jamaree Salyer (2nd Team) and senior defensive lineman Jordan Davis (2nd Team) have been named preseason All-Americans by the Associated Press. Camarda, a Ray Guy Award finalist in 2020, made the AP 3rd team a year ago when he was honored as the SEC’s Special Teams Player of the Year as voted on the league coaches.

The Bulldogs also had four players earn 2021 Walter Camp Second Team All-America honors this preseason. Davis, Camarda and junior WR George Pickens were included on the squad. Pickens will be unavailable during the first portion of the season after tearing his ACL during the spring.

Bulldogs on 2021 National Award Watch Lists
Bednarik Award (Defensive Player): Nakobe DeanJordan Davis
Butkus Award (LB): Adam AndersonNakobe DeanQuay Walker
Lou Groza Award (Kicker): Jack Podlesny
Ray Guy Award (Punter): Jake Camarda
Lombardi Award (Lineman): Justin ShafferJamaree Salyer)
Lott Trophy (Defensive Player): Nakobe Dean
Mackey Award (TE): Arik GilbertDarnell Washington
Manning Award (QB): JT Daniels
Maxwell Award (Player of the Year): JT Daniels
Nagurski Trophy (Defensive Player): Jordan DavisNakobe DeanTykee Smith
Davey O’Brien Award (QB): JT Daniels
Outland Trophy (Interior Lineman): Jordan DavisJamaree SalyerJustin Shaffer
Rimington Trophy (C): Warren Ericson
Johnny Unitas Award (QB): JT Daniels
Doak Walker Award (RB): James CookZamir White

First-Time Starters

Georgia had seven first-time starters in the 2021 season opener against No. 3 Clemson in Charlotte. The Bulldogs had 19 first-time starters in 2020, including seven in the opener. vs. #3 CU: Bowers, McConkey, Ratledge, Van Pran, Kendrick (1st at UGA), Speed, T. Walker

vs. #3 CU: Bowers, McConkey, Ratledge, Van Pran, Kendrick (1st at UGA), Speed, T. Walker
vs. UAB: none
vs. SC: Mitchell
@ VU: Ringo
vs. #8 ARK: none
@ #18 AU: Anderson

The True Freshman Experience

During the 2021 season opener, six true freshmen saw action against the Tigers in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium.

In 2020, a total of 10 true freshmen played for the Bulldogs.

Bulldog Captains

vs. #3 CU: James CookJT Daniels & Nakobe Dean
vs. UAB: Jamaree Sayler, Zamir WhiteChristopher Smith
vs. SC: Channing TindallJordan DavisKearis Jackson
@ VU: Jake CamardaJohn FitzPatrickNolan Smith
vs. 8 ARK: Cook, Salyer, Smith
@ #18 AU: Quay WalkerWarren EricsonDevonte Wyatt

Points Off Turnovers

Georgia is +2 in turnover margin in 2021. The Bulldogs have scored 49 points off nine turnovers. Opponents have scored 20 points off seven Georgia miscues.

vs. #3 CU: (W, 10-3) UGA got 7 points off 1 turnover; CU got no points off 2 turnovers.
vs. UAB: (W, 56-7) UGA got 14 points off 3 turnovers; UAB got 7 points off 1 turnover
vs. SC: (W, 40-13) UGA got 14 points off 2 turnovers; SC got 13 points off 3 turnovers
@ VU: (W, 62-0) UGA got 14 points off 3 turnovers; VU got no points off 1 turnover
#8 ARK: (W, 37-0) Neither team had turnovers
@ #18 AU: (W, 34-10) UGA got 3 points off 1 turnover; UGA had no turnovers

Big Plays

UGA has 12 plays that have covered 25 yards or more while opponents have 7.

GAME 1: #5 Georgia vs. #3 Clemson (W, 10-3)
UGA: 2 plays; Longest: 74-yard KOR TD (C. Smith)
#3 CU: 1 play; 44-yard pass (Uiagalelei to Ngata)

GAME 2: #2 Georgia vs. UAB (W, 56-7)
UGA: 7 plays; 89-yard TD pass (Bennett to Bowers)
UAB: 1 play; 61-yard INT return for TD (K. Swoopes)

GAME 3: #2 Georgia vs. South Carolina (W, 40-13)
UGA: 3 plays; 43-yd TD pass (Daniels to Burton)
SC: 5 plays; 61-yd pass (Nolan to Vann)

GAME 4: #2 Georgia @ Vanderbilt (W, 62-0)
UGA: 5 plays; 29-yd TD pass (Bennett to Bowers)
VU: 0 plays

GAME 5: #2 Georgia vs. #8 Arkansas (W, 37-0)
UGA: 1 play; 27-yd pass (Bennett to McIntosh)
#8 ARK: 0 plays

GAME 6: #2 Georgia @ #18 Auburn (W, 34-10)
UGA: 5 plays; 60-yd TD pass (Bennett to McConkey)
#18 AU: 4 plays; 31-yd pass (Nix to Newton)