UGA Football: Everything You Need to Know About Georgia vs Florida

Game & Broadcast Info
  • Kickoff: Saturday, October 29 – 3:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: TIAA Bank Field | Jacksonville, Fla.
  • 2022 Records: Georgia 7-0 (4-0 SEC), Florida 4-3 (1-3 SEC)
  • History: Georgia vs. Florida All-Time Series Results: UGA 54-44-2
  • 2022 Rankings: Georgia #1/1, Florida NR
  • TV: CBS – Brad Nessler, Play-by-Play; Gary Danielson, Analyst; Jenny Dell, Sideline Reporter
  • 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: 137/190
  • Web Stats: statbroadcast.com
  • Twitter: #UFvsUGA
  • SECN ReBroadcast:TBA
STAT COMPARISONS
Georgia 2022 Averages Florida
41.7 (8th) Points/Game 31.4 (–)
9.1 (2nd) Points Allowed/Game 28.1 (–)
196.7 (–) Rush Yards/Game 213.1 (16th)
329.9 (7th) Pass Yards/Game 217.0 (–)
526.6 (2nd) Total Offense/Game 430.1 (–)
247.0 (4th) Total Defense/Game 429.3 (–)
(top 25 NCAA rankings)
Joint statement from Georgia and Florida regarding the rivalry game in Jacksonville

“The annual game between our two universities is an important tradition. At this time, both programs are focused on our current seasons. Typically both schools begin conversations regarding future games in the series as the last contracted game nears. We anticipate following that timeline. When those discussions take place, we will consider a multitude of factors including tradition, finances, future SEC scheduling models with the addition of Texas and Oklahoma, and what is best for both schools’ football programs overall.”

–Oct. 24, 2022

BULLDOGS, GATORS RETURN FOR ANOTHER CLASH

Georgia has matched up with Florida 100 times since 1904 and the Bulldogs hold a 54-44-2 edge. This will mark the second consecutive year that a No. 1 ranked Georgia squad will travel to Jacksonville, Fla., to face an unranked Florida team. The Bulldogs are 47-41-1 in Jacksonville. The annual Georgia-Florida matchup is under contract through the 2023 season to be played in Jacksonville at TIAA Bank Field. Including last year’s 34-7 victory over the Gators, Kirby Smart‘s teams have a 4-2 record against Florida. Other than the 2020 season that was shortened by the pandemic, the Bulldogs have had an off week prior to their SEC Eastern Division matchup with the Gators every year since 2013. Georgia is 9-6 all-time against Florida following a bye week while the Gators, who also were off last weekend, have a record of 18-10 against the Bulldogs after a week off.

2021 FLASHBACK: TOP-RANKED GEORGIA POSTS 34-7 WIN OVER UF

A 24-point outburst in the second quarter along with a Bulldog defense that blanked the Gators until 2:49 left in the contest carried Georgia to a 34-7 win in Jacksonville. After a scoreless first quarter, Georgia converted three turnovers into 21 points in the final two minutes of the first half. Nolan Smith caused and recovered a fumble at the UF 11 that started the flurry of big plays by the Bulldog defense. He added an interception on UF’s next possession that led to a TD and after that, Nakobe Dean followed with a 50-yard pick-six to cap the outburst. The only drama that remained would be if the Gators would extend their NCAA record for consecutive games scoring as Georgia led 27-0 heading to the fourth quarter. Emory Jones directed an 89-yard touchdown drive to save the streak. UF finished with one more yard of total offense (355 to 354), however the Gators ran 22 more plays (74 to 52).

GEORGIA RETURNS TO NO. 1

 

Georgia transitioned from No. 3 in the preseason poll to No. 2 after week one and then to No. 1 in the Associated Press (AP) poll prior to the South Carolina game in mid September. After whipping the Gamecocks 48-7, the Bulldogs assumed the top spot in the Coaches poll as well. The Bulldogs were a consensus No. 1 for the next two weeks. Then Georgia fell to No. 2 in both the AP/Coaches polls following its 26-22 road win at Missouri on Oct. 1. After a 42-10 win over Auburn in week six, the Bulldogs reclaimed the top spot in the AP poll. Georgia’s shuffling from No. 1 to 2 and now back to No. 1 over the course of three AP polls hasn’t happened to a school in more than a decade. Florida in 2009 was the last to do it with Alabama as both teams swapped spots in late October. Georgia has been ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in 22 of the past 24 AP polls, with the other two weeks at No. 3.

SETTING THE STANDARD

Despite a record 15 players getting selected in the NFL draft, including five defenders in the first round, Georgia’s defense this season ranks as one of the country’s best again. The Bulldogs stand second nationally in Scoring Defense at 9.1 points/game. In 2021, Georgia led the nation in Scoring Defense at 10.2 points/game. This marked the third time in school history that Georgia ranked atop that category. Georgia, Ohio State and Michigan are the only three schools that rank in the top 10 in Scoring Offense and Scoring Defense.

THE KIRBY SMART RECORD
Year W L Pct. SEC Bowl
2016 8 5 .615 4-4 Liberty
2017 13 2 .867 8-2* CFP Rose/NCG
2018 11 3 .786 7-2* Sugar
2019 12 2 .857 7-2* Sugar
2020 8 2 .800 7-2 Chick-Fil-A
2021 14 1 .933 9-1* CFP Orange/NCG
2022 7 0 1.000 4-0
Total 73 15 .830 *46-13

*2-4 (includes 2017-19, ’21 SECCGs, 2018 & 2022 CFPNC)

QUICK FACTS
• Seventh season as Georgia coach • 73-15 Career Record • 2021 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS • 2017 CFP national runner-up • 2017 SEC Champions • SEC Eastern Division Champs 2017-19-21 • 2017 George Munger award (National Coach of the Year by Maxwell Club) • SEC Coach of the Year, 2017 & 2021 • Bulldogs have won two Butkus Awards • One Outland Trophy • One Chuck Bednarik Award • One Thorpe Award • One Lou Groza Award • THIRTEEN 1st-team All-Americans • ELEVEN 1st Round NFL Draft picks • FORTY-FIVE NFL Draft Picks overall • A total of 168 players on SEC Academic Honor Rolls, including a high of 35 on the 2021 national championship team
NINE VICTORIES WHEN TIED OR TRAILING LATE
SEASON OPPONENT START OF 4TH QUARTER OR DEFICIT FINAL
2016 % #22 UNC Trailed 24-23 33-24
2016 @ Missouri Trailed 27-21 28-27
2016 @ Kentucky Trailed 21-16 27-24
2016 #8 Auburn Tied 7-7 13-7
2016 ^TCU Trailed 23-21 31-23
2017 @ #24 Notre Dame Trailed 17-16, Trailed 19-17 With 10:21 Left 20-19
2017 $ #2 Oklahoma Tied 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
2022 ! #1 Alabama Trailed 18-13 With 10:14 Left 33-18
2022 @ Missouri Trailed 19-12, Trailed 22-12 With 14:09 Left 26-22

%Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic; ^Liberty Bowl; $Rose Bowl Game; ~Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl; !CFP National Championship

TOP IND. SINGLE GAME PERFORMANCES UNDER SMART

Rushing Yards: 222, Nick Chubb vs. #22 UNC (9/3/16)
Rushing TDs: 3, Sony Michel UK (11/18/17); vs. #2 Oklahoma (1/1/18); Daijun Edwards AU (10/8/22)
Longest Rush: 83-TD, D’Andre Swift @ #9 UK (11/3/18)
Passing Yards: 401, JT Daniels MSU (11/21/20)
Passing TDs: 5, Stetson Bennett UAB (9/11/21)
Receiving Yards: 197 (8 rec.), Jermaine Burton MSU (11/21/20)
Receiving TDs: 2, by 7 different Bulldogs multiple times
Longest Pass/TD Pass: 89-TD, S. Bennett to Brock Bowers UAB (9/11/21)

Tackles: 15, Nakobe Dean vs. #8 UF (11/7/20)
Sacks: 3, Trenton Thompson vs. TCU (12/30/16); Azeez Ojulari vs. #8 UC (1/1/21); Channing Tindall @ UT (11/13/21)
TFL: 3, Azeez Ojulari #7 AU (10/3/20); Thompson vs. Nicholls (9/10/16); 3, Azeez Ojulari vs. #8 UC (1/1/21); Channing Tindall @ UT(11/13/21)

26 DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS SCORES

Under Kirby Smart, Georgia has registered 26 scores on defense and special teams. The Dogs are 23-1 (loss came versus #8 UF in 2020) when they register a non-offensive score under Smart.

This year, the Bulldogs have had a safety versus Kent State. In 2021, Georgia had six of these scores: Chris Smith’s 74-yd INT return (#3 CU); Jamon Dumas-Johnson’s 20-yd INT return (UAB); Safety (SC); Zamir White 0-yd return of blocked punt (#8 ARK); Nakobe Dean’s 50-yd INT return (UF); Safety (UM); Kelee Ringo’s 79-yd INT return (UA-2).

HEAD COACHES AT THEIR ALMA MATER

Kirby Smart is one of 11 Power 5 head coaches who are leading their alma maters.

Head Coach Alma Mater
Tom Allen Indiana (7th Season)
Paul Chryst Wisconsin (8th Season)
Mario Cristobal Miami (Fla.) (1st Season)
Pat Fitzgerald Northwestern (17th Season)
Scott Frost Nebraska (5th Season)
Mike Gundy Oklahoma State (18th Season)
Jim Harbaugh Michigan (8th Season)
Clark Lea Vanderbilt (2nd Season)
David Shaw Stanford (12th Season)
Kirby Smart Georgia (7th Season)
Jonathan Smith Oregon State (5th Season)
2022 ASSISTANT COACHES

Offensive Coordinator – Quarterbacks Coach – Todd Monken
Fain & Billy Slaughter Co-Defensive Coordinator – Inside Linebackers – Glenn Schumann
Co-Defensive Coordinator – Will Muschamp
Passing Game Coordinator – Wide Receivers – Bryan McClendon
Run Game Coordinator – Running Backs – Dell McGee
Defensive Backs Coach – Fran Brown
Assistant Coach – Tight Ends – Todd Hartley
Offensive Line Coach – Stacy Searels
Assistant Coach – Defensive Line – Tray Scott
Assistant Coach – Outside Linebackers – Chidera Uzo-Diribe

NEW FACES ON THE SIDELINES

The Bulldogs will feature four new on the field coaches. Bryan McClendon, who won an SEC title with Georgia as a receiver in 2005, returns as passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach. He most recently held the same spot for Oregon from 2020-21. McClendon was a graduate assistant at UGA in 2007-08 and was the running backs coach from 2009-15. Stacy Searels will be Georgia’s new offensive line coach after serving in the same role for the Bulldogs from 2007-10. He has most recently been North Carolina’s OL coach for the last three years. Another pair of coaches will join UGA for the first time in their careers. Fran Brown was named the defensive backs coach after serving as the secondary coach at Rutgers. Chidera Uzo-Diribe is the Bulldogs’ new outside linebackers coach following a stint in the same position at Texas Christian University.

DEFENSIVE SCORING IN THE SMART ERA

{100 Points on 15 TDs, 5 Safeties}
2016: 14 points in three different games (Pick-Six, Fumble Ret., Safety)
2017: 6 points in one game (Fumble Ret.)
2018: 12 points in two different games (Pick-Six, Fumble Ret.)
2019: 18 points in three different games (2 Fumble Ret., 1 Fumble Rec.)
2020: 22 points in four different games (2 Pick-Sixes 1 Fumble Ret., 2 Safeties)
2021: 28 points in six different games (4 Pick-Sixes, 2 Safeties)
2022: none
Longest Pick-Six: 79 yards by Kelee Ringo vs. #1 Alabama, 2022 CFP National Championship
Longest Fumble Ret. For a TD: 64 yards by Tyson Campbell @ Missouri, 2018

RUSHING TO A CONCLUSION

The Bulldogs ran for a season-high 292 yards and six touchdowns in their win over Auburn. The Bulldogs averaged 7.5 yards/carry against the Tigers. Georgia’s rushing tally versus Auburn was the most since 2020 against Missouri (316). The six rushing scores were the most for Georgia since the 2018 contest versus UMass. The Bulldogs and Michigan are tied for fourth nationally with 24 rushing touchdowns.

Georgia’s offensive line returns three of five starters. C Sedrick Van Pran (22 consecutive starts), RT Warren McClendon (team high 31 consecutive starts) and RG Tate Ratledge (seven consecutive starts) all got the nod in the first seven games along with LT Broderick Jones (seven consecutive starts) and LG Xavier Truss (seven consecutive starts). Recently, the unit was named to the Joe Moore Midseason Honor Roll as one of the country’s top offensive lines. Warren Ericson relieved an injured Ratledge for the final 14 games of 2021. Amarius Mims is also back and is lining up at either tackle position while Devin Willock has earned a spot in the regular rotation as well at OG. They have helped Georgia pile up 41.7 points/game and 526.6 yards/game thus far.

PODLESNY RANKS AMONG NATIONAL LEADERS

Senior PK Jack Podlesny leads the SEC and is tied for third nationally in Scoring (77, 11.0 points/game). Podlesny has made 49 of 59 field goal attempts in his career (83.1 percent) and drilled 144 of 145 PATs. This season, he is 14-of-16 on field goals and a perfect 35-for-35 on PATs. During the 33-0 win over Samford, he scored a career-high 15 points, which was the most for a Bulldog since All-American Rodrigo Blankenship scored 17 against Missouri in 2017. Podlesny was 4-of-5 on field goals versus Samford and hit all three of his PATs. He is also handling kickoffs and has 35 touchbacks out of his 51 kickoffs. Podlesny was named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week after going 3-for-3 on FGs and hitting all four of his PATs versus KSU and repeated with the honor a week later at Missouri.

Freshman Brett Thorson, a native of Australia, had a season-long punt of 56 yards at USC. In the win over Auburn, he punted five times for a 41.4 avg. and all five were inside the 20. He has averaged 42.4 this season. The Bulldogs did not punt versus KSU, and that was the first time since the 2018 UMass game. Georgia and Florida rank second and first nationally for fewest punts this season as the Bulldogs have punted 15 times and the Gators have punted 14 times. The Georgia snappers return in senior Payne Walker (FGs/PATs) and junior William Mote (punts).

Career Placekicking Statistics For Podlesny
Year PAT Pct. FG Pct. LG Pts
2020 38×38 100.0 13×16 81.3 53 77
2021 71×72 98.6 22×27 81.5 49 137
2022 35×35 100.0 14×16 87.5 42 77
Total 144×145 99.3 49×59 83.0 53 291
Field Goal Breakdown
Year 1-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 Long
2020 0-0 2-2 6-7 2-4 3-3 53 UC
2021 0-0 10-10 7-9 5-8 0-0 49 UA
2022 7-7 5-5 2-3 0-1 42 SC
Total 0-0 19-19 18-21 9-15 3-4 53 UC
Kickoff History For Podlesny
Year No. Yds. TB OB
2020 21 1,340 12 1
2021 4 234 2 0
2022 51 3,110 35 2
Total 76 4,684 49 3
Podlesny Has Averaged 63.0 Yards On 69 Kickoffs With 45 Touchbacks And Two Out Of Bounds.
Bennett 21-3 As A Starter at Georgia

Senior Stetson Bennett, a native of Blackshear, Ga., began his career with the Bulldogs as a walk-on in 2017 when he was redshirted. Bennett transferred to Jones College (Miss.) where he started in 2018 and then returned to the Bulldogs on scholarship in 2019. He saw action that season in five games including throwing passes in four of them. In 2020, he started five games and then got the nod in the final 11 contests of the 2021 national championship season.

In his Bulldog career, Bennett is 21-3 and has completed 64.9 percent of his passes (453-for-698, 6,334 yards, 46 TDs, 15 INTs).

Currently ranks third nationally among active players in Total Offense Yards Per Play for a career at 8.37, which is on pace for a school record (7.69 by Aaron Murray). Current active national leader is C.J. Stroud (9.57, Ohio State) followed by Grayson McCall (8.74, Coastal Carolina).

Bennett took off for a career-long 64-yard touchdown run during the win over Auburn, giving the Bulldogs a 28-3 edge at the start of the fourth quarter. His scoring scamper was the longest for a Georgia QB since 1976 when Ray Goff flew 73 yards for paydirt in a 41-0 win at Clemson.

On the road against South Carolina, Bennett connected on 16 of 23 passes for 284 yards and two touchdowns to go along with a rushing touchdown and 36 yards on the ground.

Bennett joined Tim Tebow (four) as the only two SEC players since 2004 to have at least four consecutive games with 250 passing yards and one rushing score. Aaron Murray is the only other Bulldog quarterback to have at least 250 passing yards and at least one rushing score in four games overall during a season (2013).

Bennett earned Walter Camp National FBS Offensive Player of the Week and Manning Award National QB of the Week honors while leading No. 3 Georgia to a 49-3 rout of No. 11 Oregon in this season’s opener. He directed the Bulldogs to seven touchdowns on their first seven drives and finished 25 of 31 for a career-high 368 yards and two touchdowns. Bennett also had a 1-yard rushing score against the Ducks. Bennett’s 368 passing yards in the win was the most in a season opener by a Bulldog since 1994 when Eric Zeier tallied 485 yards in a road win over South Carolina.

He ranked fourth nationally in Passing Efficiency (176.7) last year, which broke the school record in that category previously belonging to Aaron Murray (174.8, 2012).

Bennett helped Georgia complete a historic 8-0 SEC regular season and its first undefeated regular season since 1982.

During the CFP National Championship Game versus No. 1 Alabama, Bennett finished 17-for-26 passing with 224 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. Trailing 18-13 with 10:14 left in the game, Bennett directed a four-play, 75-yard scoring drive that gave the Bulldogs a one-point lead at the 8:09 mark (a two-point conversion failed). Georgia never relinquished its lead to collect its first national championship in 41 years. Bennett was named the game’s Offensive MVP as was the case in the CFP Semifinal Orange Bowl victory over Michigan.

2019 Att Cmp TD Int Yds Sk Eff.
MSU 13 9 2 1 124 0 184.7
ASU 10 9 0 0 109 0 181.6
GT 3 2 0 0 27 0 142.3
#2 LSU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
2019 TOTAL 27 20 2 1 260 0 172.0
2020 Att Cmp TD Int Yds Sk Eff.
@ ARK 29 20 2 0 211 1 152.8
#7 AU (W) 28 17 1 0 240 1 144.5
#14 UT (W) 27 16 2 0 238 1 157.8
@ #2 UA (L) 40 18 2 3 269 2 103.0
@UK (W) 13 9 0 2 131 0 123.1
Vs. #8 UF (L) 16 5 1 1 78 0 80.3
@ MU 1 0 0 0 0 0 0.0
Vs. #8 UC 1 1 0 0 12 0 200.8
2020 TOTAL 155 86 8 6 1,179 5 128.7
2021 Att Cmp TD Int Yds Sk Eff.
UAB (W) 12 10 *5 0 288 0 422.4
SC 3 1 0 1 4 0 -22.1
VU 15 11 1 1 151 0 166.6
#8 ARK (W) 11 7 0 0 72 0 118.6
@ #18 AU (W) 21 14 2 0 231 1 190.5
#11 UK (W) 20 14 3 0 250 1 224.5
UF (W) 19 10 1 2 161 1 120.1
UM (W) 19 13 2 0 255 0 215.9
@ UT (W) 29 17 1 0 213 2 131.7
CSU (W) 14 8 2 1 105 0 153.0
GT (W) 20 14 4 0 255 1 243.1
#4 UA (L) 48 29 3 2 340 3 132.2
#2 UM (W) 30 20 3 0 313 0 183.7
#1 UA (W) 26 17 2 0 224 5 163.1
2021 TOTAL 287 185 29 7 2,862 14 176.7
2022 Att Cmp TD Int Yds Sk Eff.
#11 UO (W) 31 25 2 0 368 0 201.7
SAM (W) 34 24 1 0 300 1 154.4
KSU (W) 36 27 0 1 272 1 132.9
@ MU (W) 43 24 0 0 312 2 116.8
AU (W) 32 22 0 0 208 1 123.3
VU (W) 30 24 2 0 289 2 182.9
2022 TOTAL 229 162 7 1 2,033 7 154.5
CAREER TOTAL 698 453 46 15 6,334 26 158.6

*Ties school record

Stetson Bennett Rushing (UGA Career – 32 games)

Year Att. Yards Per/Att. Per/Gm. TD LG
2019 4 12 3.0 2.4 1 14
2020 24 54 2.3 6.8 2 12
2021 56 259 3.9 18.5 1 30
2022 27 115 4.3 16.4 5 64TD
TOTAL 111 440 4.0 12.9 9 64TD
Talented Tight Ends

Georgia’s tight end room is loaded. Along with 6-4, 230-pound All-American and 2021 Freshman of the Year Brock Bowers, the top targets here include 6-7, 270-pound junior Darnell Washington, 6-5, 255-pound redshirt sophomore Arik Gilbert and 6-5, 225-pound freshman Oscar Delp.

Bowers leads the group this year with 26 catches for 393 yards while Washington has 16 for 285 yards. In the win over Kent State, Bowers accounted for 137 all-purpose yards and two rushing touchdowns. This marked the first time Bowers had scored two rushing touchdowns in a single game and gave him four rushing scores in his career. His first carry of the KSU game was on the second play of the game and went for a 75-yard touchdown.

Bowers is the only player in the country this season with a rushing TD of at least 75 yards and a receiving TD of at least 75 yards.

Twice in his career Bowers has had two receiving scores and a rushing score in the same game. He did it during the road win at South Carolina and also at Vanderbilt last year. He finished with five catches for 121 yards, including a 78-yard touchdown against the Gamecocks.

Bowers has had five 100-yard receiving games in his career; three of his career TD catches have covered 75+ yards; his first career TD catch covered 89 yards against UAB.

Washington has started 10 consecutive games and has been a team captain twice in 2022. He had a career high four catches for 78 yards in the rout versus Vanderbilt.

Delp’s first career catch was also the first touchdown of his career on a 28-yard strike from Carson Beck against USC. Before Delp, the last Bulldog to score on his first career catch was Arian Smith at USC in 2020. For the year, Delp has five catches for 61 yards.

Gilbert scored his first touchdown as a Bulldog on a 4-yard pass from Beck versus VU.

Running Back Corps

Georgia’s veterans in the backfield are senior Kenny McIntosh and juniors Kendall Milton and Daijun Edwards.

Edwards is the leading rusher with 334 yards on 59 carries (5.7 avg.) and five touchdowns. During the win over Auburn, he became the first Bulldog RB since Sony Michel in the 2018 Rose Bowl Game to have three rushing TDs in a game.

Edwards provided the go-ahead score in the fourth quarter of the 26-22 win at Missouri on a one-yard rush. Milton also had a touchdown in the last period against the Tigers to help lock down the victory. Milton left the Auburn game with a groin injury.

McIntosh scored a touchdown both rushing and receiving for the first time in his career against Vanderbilt. He had nine catches for 117 yards (both career highs) to go along with five carries for 18 yards and a touchdown during the rout of No. 11 Oregon.

Milton scored both a rushing and a receiving touchdown against No. 11 Oregon for the first time in his career. For the year, he has 284 rushing yards and four TDs.

Did You Know?

In the season-opening win over No. 11 Oregon, Kenny McIntosh led the Bulldogs with 117 receiving yards on nine catches. It was the most yards by a Bulldog running back since 1995 when fullback Larry Bowie tallied 156 yards on 10 catches against Virginia in the Peach Bowl.

McIntosh’s nine catches were the most since 2013 when Todd Gurley had 10 (for 77 yards) against #7 Auburn.

For the year, McIntosh has a team high 26 receptions for 250 yards (9.6 avg.). He has 199 rushing yards and three touchdowns.

100+ Yards Receiving By A Bulldog RB In The Modern Era
156, Larry Bowie on 10 catches, 1995 Peach Bowl vs. Virginia in Atlanta
117, Kenny McIntosh on 9 catches, 2021 vs No. 11 Oregon in Atlanta
112, James Cook on 4 catches, 2021 Capital One Orange Bowl vs. No. 2 Michigan in Miami, Fla.; 101, James Cook on 4 catches, 2020 at No. 2 Alabama

Piling Up The Points

The Bulldogs are averaging 41.7 points/game, which ranks eighth nationally.

The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 292-64 this season, including 156-32 in the opening half.

The Bulldogs are 42 of 43 in the Red Zone (98 percent) this year with 29 touchdowns and 13 field goals, which ranks second nationally.

Georgia’s offense generated 49 points against No. 11 Oregon in the 2022 season opener. The Bulldogs tallied 571 yards of offense on only 62 plays and scored touchdowns on their first seven possessions of the game.

Georgia’s leading receiver against the Ducks was Kenny McIntosh (9-117-0). Also of note, WR Ladd McConkey scored receiving and rushing touchdowns in the same game for the second time in his career (@ Vanderbilt, 2021) versus Oregon as WR AD Mitchell also snagged a touchdown catch.

McConkey has a team high 29 catches for 362 yards (12.5 avg.) and a score. He is also the primary punt returner with 12 for 137 yards.

Defense Setting The Tone

In 2021, Georgia featured the nation’s top Scoring Defense allowing just 10.2 points/ game. In six games last year, Georgia did not allow an offensive TD and that led the FBS.

This season, the Bulldogs lead the SEC and rank second nationally in Scoring Defense, giving up just 9.1 points per contest. The defense has posted 16 scoreless quarters in 2022.

Georgia posted its second shutout of the year with a 55-0 win over Vanderbilt. This marked the 10th shutout in the Kirby Smart era since 2016.

Georgia is allowing teams to convert on third downs 29 percent of the time (28 of 95) and that ranks 13th nationally.

The 2022 Bulldog defense kept No. 3 Oregon to only a field goal in the season opener. This marked the first time Oregon had failed to score a touchdown in a game since 2017. Late in the fourth quarter, Georgia had an impressive goal line stand late that ended at the two yard line following a 19-play, 87-yard drive that lasted 8:47.

Georgia’s first touchdown allowed this year came at South Carolina in game three this year with 53 seconds remaining in the game.

Tackles And Turnovers

The Bulldogs forced three interceptions during the victory at South Carolina. Freshman Malaki Starks had his team-leading second pick, one that he returned 42 yards, while S Dan Jackson and ILB Trezmen Marshall each had their first INT.

Georgia’s leading tacklers in the win over No. 11 Oregon were senior Chris Smith (six) and Starks (eight). Both Bulldogs also registered interceptions that eventually turned into 14 points and helped Georgia build a 21-0 lead.

This marked Smith’s fourth career pick and his second in a row in a season-opening game after returning his interception for a score against No. 3 Clemson in 2021 for the game’s only touchdown. Smith shared SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors following his performance against Oregon. He snagged his second pick of 2022 during the win over Kent State.

Jamon Dumas-Johnson has been the leading tackler in four of the last five games, including a career high eight in the road win over Missouri. He equaled his sack total from 2021 against Kent State with two sacks and also added another tackle for loss.

Most Wins By Current Senior Classes (Since 2019)

1. Alabama, 44-5
2. Clemson, 42-6
3. GEORGIA, 41-5
4. Cincinnati, 39-6
5. Louisiana, 38-9

Thirty-Four Points On Special Teams In The Smart Era

2016: 12 points in two games (KOR, PR)
2017: none
2018: 12 points in two games (PR, Blocked Punt Ret.)
2019: none
2020: none
2021: 8 points in two games (Blocked Punt Ret.; Safety/Blocked Punt);
2022: 2 points in one game (Safety/Blocked Punt)

Longest PR For a TD: 82 yards by Isaiah McKenzie vs. Louisiana, 2016
Longest Blocked PR For a TD: 8 yards by Eric Stokes @ Missouri, 2018
Longest KOR For a TD: 43 yards by Terry Godwin @ South Carolina, 2016

Block That Kick

Currently, there are four Bulldogs who have blocked a kick/punt in their Georgia career. This season, freshman OLB Jalon Walker blocked a punt that resulted in a safety versus Kent State.

Jalen Carter’s blocked field goal against Alabama in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game changed the momentum in the third quarter and ignited the Bulldog offense. The Bulldogs would outscore Alabama 20-9 in the final quarter.

Overall, Georgia blocked five kicks last year including punts against No. 8 Arkansas (Dan Jackson) and Missouri (Nolan Smith), a field goal by Kentucky (Devonte Wyatt, 1st round pick Green Bay) and a PAT (Carter versus Kentucky

Bulldog 2022 Accolades

Stetson Bennett: Walter Camp National Offensive Player of the Week, Manning Award Quarterback of the Week, Davey O’Brien Great 8 (vs. #11 UO); Manning Award Stars of the Week, Davey O’Brien Great 8 (@ SC); Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Award Top 25 QB

Chris Smith: SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week (vs. #11 UO); AP/CBS/ Sporting News Midseason All-America Team

Jack Podlesny: Lou Groza Award Stars of the Week (SAM); SEC Special Teams Player of the Week (KSU); Campbell Trophy semifinalist; SEC Special Teams Player of the Week, Lou Groza Award Stars of the Week (MU)

Kearis Jackson: Allstate AFCA Good Works Team member (Georgia leads the nation with 22 selections since award’s inception in 1992)

Brock Bowers: SEC Offensive Player of the Week, John Mackey Award TE of the Week, Maxwell Award Weekly Honor Roll (@ SC); Maxwell Award Weekly Honor Roll (KSU); CBS/Sporting News Midseason All-America Team

Branson Robinson: SEC Freshman of the Week (AU)

Offensive Line: Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll

Malaki Starks: The Athletic/Yahoo/On3 Midseason Freshman All-America Team

Jalen Carter: Sporting News Midseason All-America Team

Hall of Fame Bulldogs

This past summer, former Georgia defensive lineman Richard Seymour became the latest Bulldog elected to the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame. He played for New England from 2001-08 after being drafted sixth overall. He was a three-time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots and appeared in a fourth Super Bowl. Seymour, a native of Gadsden, S.C., was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and a five-time All-Pro pick. He played for Oakland from 2009-12 and then retired. Seymour finished his career with 496 tackles and 57.5 sacks. At Georgia, Seymour was an All-American in 2000 and a two-time All-SEC selection.

Seymour joined Charley Trippi, Fran Tarkenton, Terrell Davis and Champ Bailey as Bulldogs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On a related note, Bailey is set for induction to the College Football Hall of Fame in December in Las Vegas. He was one of the most versatile players in Georgia history including logging more than 1,000 snaps on offense, defense and special teams during the 1998 Bulldog campaign when he earned First Team All-America honors. A Folkston native and also a record-setting track and field athlete during his UGA career, he will be the 16th Georgia player to join the College Football Hall of Fame. He was the seventh overall pick by Washington in the 1999 NFL Draft and played 15 seasons for Washington (199-2003) and Denver (2004-13). He was a 12-time Pro Bowl selection and was inducted in the NFL Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2019.

Most Wins In FBS History (Min. 800)
Most Wins In FBS History (Min. 800)
Rk Wins Team Years
1. 983 Michigan 142
2. 950 Ohio State 132
3. 949 Alabama 127
4. 933 Texas 129
933 Notre Dame 131
6. 932 Oklahoma 127
7. 915 Penn State 135
8. 911 Nebraska 132
9 863 Tennessee 125
10. 862 USC 128
11. 860 Georgia 129
Jackson Named To Allstate AFCA Good Works Team

Senior receiver/returner Kearis Jackson was recently named to the 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. Jackson is one of 11 players from the NCAA FBS selected based on their commitment to community service.

Georgia leads the nation in Allstate AFCA Good Works Team honorees with 22 since the award’s inception in 1992, including 17 since 2000.

Jackson, a native of Fort Valley, Ga., is one of only two players from the Southeastern Conference on the FBS 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The SEC leads all conferences with 82 all-time selections.

FIRST TIME STARTERS

The Bulldogs had six first-time starters on defense in their opener versus No. 11 Oregon: So. ILB Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Fr. DE Mykel Williams, So. ILB Smael Mondon, So. DB Javon Bullard, So. DB Kamari Lassiter, Jr. N Nazir Stackhouse. Williams became just the ninth true freshman starter to make his debut in a season opener in the Kirby Smart era.

Samford: Fr. S Malaki Starks
South Carolina: Fr. WR Dillon Bell, Jr. DL Zion Logue, Sr. DL Tramel Walthour
Missouri: Jr. DB Tykee Smith (first start of his Bulldog career, 18th start of his career after transferring from West Virginia)
Auburn: Junior ILB Rian Davis

THE TRUE FRESHMAN EXPERIENCE

Georgia featured 12 true freshmen in its 2022 opener against No. 11 Oregon after having an NCAA record 15 players selected in the 2022 NFL Draft. A total of 21 true freshmen have played during the 2022 campaign.

During the 2021 season opener, six true freshmen saw action against No. 3 Clemson in Charlotte at Bank of America Stadium. In 2021, a total of 24 true freshmen played for the Bulldogs.

BULLDOG CAPTAINS

#11 Oregon:Nolan SmithKenny McIntoshChristopher SmithSedrick Van Pran
Samford:Zion LogueWarren EricsonMarcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
S. Carolina:Jamon Dumas-JohnsonKearis JacksonWarren McClendon
Kent State:Nolan SmithSedrick Van PranDarnell Washington, Chris Smith
Missouri:Brock Bowers, J. Dumas-Johnson, M. Rosemy-Jacksaint, Dan Jackson
Auburn: J. Dumas-Johnson, K. McIntosh, D. Washington, N. Smith
Vanderbilt: B. Bowers, Z. Logue, W. McClendon, J. Podlesny
Florida:
Tennessee:
Miss. State:
Kentucky:
Georgia Tech:

BIG PLAYS (25 or more yds)

GAME ONE:
UGA: 7 (Longest: 38-yd pass, Bennett to McIntosh)
#11 ORE: 0

GAME TWO:
UGA: 4 (Longest: 37-yd pass, Bennett to McConkey)
SAM: 1 (36-yd pass, Crittendon to King)

GAME THREE:
UGA: #1 UGA: 4 (Longest: 78-yd TD pass, Bennett to Bowers)
USC: 3 (Longest: 46-yd pass, Rattler to Bell)

GAME FOUR:
UGA: 3 (Longest: 75-yd TD run, Bowers)
KENT ST.: 3 (Longest: 56-yd TD pass, Schlee to Walker)

GAME FIVE:
UGA: 6 (Longest: 35-yd rush, Milton)
MIZ: 5 (Longest: 63-yd rush, Schrader)

GAME SIX:
UGA: 4 (Longest: 64-yd TD rush, Bennett)
AUB: 1 (62-yd TD pass, Ashford to Hunter

GAME SEVEN:
UGA: 6 (Longest: 36-yd TD rush, Jones)
VAN: none

GAME EIGHT:
UGA:
UF:

GAME NINE:
UGA:
TENN:

GAME 10:
UGA:
MSU:

GAME 11:
UGA:
UK:

GAME 12:
UGA:
GT:

POINTS OFF TURNOVERS

Georgia is +4 in turnover margin. The Bulldogs have 31 points off seven turnovers. Opponents have 10 points off three turnovers. Georgia did not have a turnover in its first three games before having three against Kent State.

#11 Oregon: UGA got 14 pts. off 2 TOs; UGA did not have any TOs.
Samford: UGA got 3 pts. off 1 TO; UGA did not have any TOs.
S. Carolina: UGA got 14 pts. off 3 TOs; UGA did not have any TOs.
Kent State: UGA got no pts. off 1 TO; KSU got 3 pts. off 3 TOs.
Missouri: UGA did not force any TOs; MU got 3 pts. off 2 TOs.
Auburn: UGA got no pts. off 1 TO; AU got 3 pts. off 1 TO.
Vanderbilt: GA got 7 off 1 TO; UGA no TOs.
Florida:
Tennessee:
Miss. State:
Kentucky:
Georgia Tech: