UGA Football: Georgia Closes Out SEC Slate Against Kentucky

The Bulldogs (6-Offense, 2-Defense) join Ohio State (2- O, 7-D) and Michigan (5-O, 1-D) as the only schools to rank in the country’s top 10 in Scoring Offense/ Defense.

Georgia has been ranked No. 1 or No. 2 in 25 of the past 27 AP polls, with the other two weeks at No. 3.

Top-ranked Georgia enters the UK contest with a 10-0 mark including 7-0 in the SEC after registering a 45-19 win at Mississippi State. The Wildcats dropped to 6-4 overall, 3-4 SEC after being upset 24-21 by Vanderbilt in Lexington. UK was ranked as high as No. 7 this year in the Associated Press Poll and had been a consistent top 25 selection in the Coaches poll. Georgia has a chance to post an 8-0 SEC regular season record for the second year in a row.

The Bulldogs lead the series with UK 61-12-2 including 29-7 in Lexington. Georgia is riding its longest winning streak in the series. The streak stands at 12 overall including the last seven in Lexington. Last year, the Bulldogs claimed a 30-13 win in Athens while the 2020 game in Lexington was only 14-3. The Wildcats last win in the series came in 2009 (34-27 in Athens), and their last win over Georgia at home was in 2006 (13-10).

The 2022 Wildcats boast another stout defense as they have held 13 of their last 14 opponents to 24 points or less. UK runs a pro-style offense led by quarterback Will Levis who is on an array of national award watch lists.

Georgia carried a No. 1 ranking into its seventh contest of the season in 2021 and left with a 30-13 victory. Following a scoreless opening period, the Bulldogs outscored the Wildcats 14-3 in the second quarter and then went on a 10-0 run in the third period to pull away from No. 11 Kentucky. The teams traded touchdowns in the final period, however the Wildcats’ score came with :04 left on the clock. Stetson Bennett was an efficient 14-of-20 for 250 yards and three touchdowns while Brock Bowers hauled in five receptions for 101 yards, reaching the end zone twice. The Bulldog defense kept Kentucky to just 51 yards on the ground and tallied three sacks. Current Green Bay Packer Quay Walker led the team with nine stops while Jalen Carter clogged the middle to tally 2.5 tackles for loss.

Top-ranked Georgia extended its streak of not allowing a touchdown in the first quarter in 2022. The Dogs are outscoring their opponents 95-9 in the first period. Kent State, Missouri and Tennessee each have one field goal apiece.

Mississippi State won the toss, took the football, gained three yards on three plays and punted. Georgia responded with a TD, going 73 yards on nine plays in 4:18 and never trailed. MSU had scored on its opening possession in four of its six home games this year. Also, it marked the first time in those contests that MSU had allowed a score on its first defensive drive.

Georgia came in to the MSU contest ranked fourth nationally in 3rd down defense as opponents have converted only 27 percent of the time. MSU went 3-14 (21 percent) on 3rd downs plus 0-3 on 4th downs.

Georgia’s three longest rushing touchdowns this season do not belong to a running back! Tight end Brock Bowers raced 75 yards for a score against Kent State on Sept. 24, quarterback Stetson Bennett scampered 64 yards for a score against Auburn on Oct. 8 and most recently, wideout Ladd McConkey cruised 70 yards for a touchdown at Miss. State last Saturday.

Junior Jalen Carter had a career-high seven tackles and notched a sack, his second of the year and 17th by the Bulldogs this year. He has played in eight games with four starts because of a knee injury.

Senior Kearis Jackson finished with season highs of four catches for 69 yards and added one KOR for 19 yards.

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

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

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)

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).

2016: 12 points in 2 games (KOR, PR); 2017: none; 2018: 12 points in 2 games (PR, Blocked Punt Ret.); 2019: none 2020: none; 2021: 8 points in 2 games (Blocked Punt Ret.; Safety/Blocked Punt); 2022: 2 points in 1 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

Kirby Smart is one of 12 Power 5 head coaches who are leading their alma maters.

The other 11 are: Tom Allen (Indiana, 7th), Mario Cristobal, (Miami-Fla., 1st), Pat Fitzgerald, Northwestern, 17th), Mickey Joseph (interim Nebraska, 1st), Mike Gundy (Okla. St., 18th), Jim Harbaugh (Michigan, 8th), Brent Key (interim Ga. Tech 1st), Clark Lea (Vanderbilt, 2nd), Jim Leonhard (interim Wisconsin, 1st) David Shaw (Stanford, 12th) and Jonathan Smith (Oregon St., 5th).

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

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.

{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

Georgia collected its fifth SEC Eastern Division title in the Kirby Smart

era. The Bulldogs previously have won it in 2017-19 and 2021. In school history, the Bulldogs have won 12 Eastern Division crowns and 13 SEC titles. Georgia last won the SEC Championship in 2017 when it defeated Auburn.

The Bulldogs are aiming for at least 11 wins for the fifth time in a season under Smart, which includes a program best 14 in 2021 en route to the national championship. In school history, Georgia has had 13 seasons with at least 11 wins. The Bulldogs are trying to go a perfect 8-0 in the SEC regular season for the second straight year.

The Bulldogs are tied for the national lead with 32 rushing touchdowns (The school record is 42 set in 2017). Eight different Bulldogs have scored a rushing TD this year led by junior RB Daijun Edwards with seven. Georgia is averaging 192.5 yards per game and 5.4 yards per carry.

Georgia’s offensive line returns three of five starters. C Sedrick Van Pran (25 consecutive starts), RT Warren McClendon (team high 34 consecutive starts) and RG Tate Ratledge (10 consecutive starts) all got the nod in the first 10 games along with LT Broderick Jones (10 consecutive starts). LG Xavier Truss started the first eight games this year and then due to a toe injury, RSo. Devin Willock got his first career start against No. 1 Tennessee. Truss returned to the starting line up at Mississippi State. The unit was named to the Joe Moore Midseason Honor Roll as one of the country’s top offensive lines. The versatile Warren Ericson relieved an injured Ratledge for the final 14 games of 2021. He can play all five spots along the line. Amarius Mims is lining up at either tackle position. They have helped Georgia pile up 40.6 points/game and 509.6 yards/game thus far.

Georgia ran for a season-high 292 yards and six touchdowns in their 42-10 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.

Senior PK

Jack Podlesny is ranked second in the SEC and is ranked seventh nationally in Scoring (101, 10.1 points/game). Podlesny has made 52 of 62 field goal attempts in his career (83.9 percent) and drilled 159 of 160 PATs. This season, he is 17-of-19 on field goals and a perfect 50-for-50 on PATs. Podlesny’s 315 points ranks sixth best in school history (Kevin Butler is fifth with 353). This season, he is handling kickoffs too and has 47 touchbacks out of 71 kickoffs.

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. 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 P Brett Thorson, a native of Australia, had a season-long punt of 75 yards versus No. 1 Tennessee. This tied for the 10th longest in school history and tied for the longest since 2009. Thorson’s 75 yarder went out of bounds at the Vols’ 1 yard line. In the win over Auburn, he punted five times for a 41.4 avg. and all five were inside the 20. He has averaged 43.9 this season. The Bulldogs did not punt versus KSU, and that was the first time since the 2018 UMass game. Georgia is tied for the fifth fewest punts nationally with 25. The Georgia snappers return in senior Payne Walker (FGs/PATs) and junior William Mote (punts).

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 24-3 and has completed 64.4 percent of his passes (514-for-798, 7,196 yards, 53 TDs, 19 INTs).

In school history, Georgia is 3-5 all-time against the No. 1 team and Bennett is 2-0. He led Georgia to a victory over No. 1 Alabama in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game and then against top-ranked Tennessee this season.

Currently ranks third nationally among active players in Total Offense Yards Per Play for a career at 8.36, which is on pace for both an SEC and school record (8.30 by Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M; 7.69 by Aaron Murray, Georgia). Current active national leader is C.J. Stroud (9.35, Ohio State) followed by Grayson McCall (8.56, Coastal Carolina).

After falling behind for only the second time this season (No. 1 Tennessee 3-0, 10:05 1stQ), Bennett directed an 80-yard touchdown drive that was capped by his 13- yard scamper to the pylon. The Bulldogs would never trail again against the Vols.

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.

Bennett and Tim Tebow (four) are 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.

*Ties school record

Stetson Bennett Rushing (UGA Career – 32 games)

The 2022 Georgia Bulldogs are on pace to have one of their finest seasons statistically on offense and defense. *Led NCAA

Georgia is averaging 40.6 points/game, which is tied for sixth nationally.

The Bulldogs have outscored their opponents 406-116 this season, including 215-53 in the opening half.

The Bulldogs are 55 of 56 in the Red Zone (a national leading 98 percent) this year with 39 touchdowns and 16 field goals.

Georgia jumped out to a 24-6 halftime lead on 306 total yards versus No. 1 Tennessee and eventually posted a 27-13 victory.

Georgia’s offense generated 49 points against No. 11 Oregon in the 2022 season opener. The Bulldogs tallied 571 yards of offense on 62 plays, scoring touchdowns on their first seven possessions. Georgia had a season-high 579 yards of offense vs Vandy.

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 accomplished the feat yet again at Mississippi State this season.

McConkey has a team high 43 catches for 578 yards (13.4 avg.) and four scores. He had a career-long 70-yard touchdown run at Mississippi State. McConkey is also the primary punt returner with 15 for 144 yards.

Georgia’s tight end room features All-American and 2021 Freshman of the Year Brock Bowers, junior Darnell Washington, redshirt sophomore Arik Gilbert and freshman Oscar Delp. Bowers and Washington are Mackey Award semifinalists.

Bowers, who is also a Maxwell and Lombardi award semifinalist, leads the group this year with 39 catches for a team high 615 yards and four TDs while Washington has 24 for 392 yards and a touchdown at Mississippi State. Bowers highlighted a career high 154 yards on five catches in the win over Florida and had a 73-yard scoring grab.

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 six 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 nine of 10 games this season and has been a team captain twice. Most recently, he had a career high five catches for 60 yards and a score at MSU.

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.

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

Edwards is the leading rusher with 497 yards on 93 carries (5.3 avg.) and seven 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 and missed the next two games before returning against No. 1 Tennessee.

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. McIntosh has run the ball 92 times for 425 yards and six touchdowns.

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 333 rushing yards and five TDs.

This season, the Bulldogs lead the SEC and rank second nationally in Scoring Defense, giving up just 11.6 points per contest. The defense has posted 21 scoreless quarters.

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.

After missing time with a knee injury, junior DL Jalen Carter has been a force the last two contests. He had four tackles, including a sack and two tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles versus No. 1 Tennessee on Nov. 5 and followed that performance up with a career-high seven tackles, including another sack and 1.5 tackles for loss, at Mississippi State last weekend.

Georgia shut down No. 1 Tennessee to the tune of 13 points after the Vols came in averaging a national best 49.4 points per contest. The 13 points was the lowest scored under head coach Josh Heupel. The Vols did not get a touchdown until 4:15 left in the contest. UT was just 2-of-14 on third downs (14 percent).

Florida was held to 100 yards rushing on 34 attempts (2.9 yards per carry). The Gators entered the game with an FBS best 6.4 ypc.

Georgia posted its second shutout of the year with a 55-0 win over VU. This marked the 10th shutout in the Kirby Smart era (since 2016), the FBS’ most during that span.

Georgia is allowing teams to convert on third downs only 27 percent of the time (37 of 139) and that ranks third 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 with 53 seconds remaining in the game.

The Bulldogs have only allowed three rushing TDs this season (KSU, UF, #1 UT).

Jamon Dumas-Johnson is second the team with 46 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss and three sacks. The Butkus Award semifinalist had one of the six sacks in the win over No. 1 Tennessee.

Georgia has seven picks on the year and has recovered four fumbles and currently minus-2 in turnover margin. 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. Jackson has not played since the Vanderbilt game because of a foot injury.

Both senior S Chris Smith and Starks registered interceptions that eventually turned into 14 points and helped Georgia build a 21-0 lead. Starks has a team high 48 stops.

This marked Smith’s fourth career pick and his second in a row in a season-opening game after returning his INT for the game’s only touchdown against No. 3 Clemson in 2021. Smith shared SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week honors following his performance against Oregon. Smith has been named a Thorpe Award & Bednarik Award semifinalist.

Sophomore ILB Smael Mondon, who was sidelined a pair of games with an ankle injury, is third on the team with 41 tackles, including five tackles for loss.

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). Smith was injured in the Florida game and has not played since that contest.

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 10 QB; Davey O’Brien Class of 2022; SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, Davey O’Brien Great 8, Manning Award Quarterback of the Week (#1 UT); Burlsworth Award semifinalist

Chris Smith: SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week (vs. #11 UO); AP/CBS/ Sporting News Midseason All-America Team; Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist; SEC Defensive Player of the Week, Chuck Bednarik Award Weekly Honor Roll (vs. UF); Bednarik Award semifinalist

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, Groza Award Stars of the Week (MU); Groza Award semifinalist

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

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; SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week (vs. UF); Maxwell Award/Rotary Lombardi/Mackey Award semifinalist

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; Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Year Award Semifinalist; SEC Co-Freshman of the Week (#1 UT)

Jalen Carter: Sporting News Midseason All-America Team; Rotary Lombardi Award semifinalist; SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week, Chuck Bednarik Award Player of the Week (#1 UT); Lott Trophy semifinalist

Jamon Dumas-Johnson: Butkus Award semifinalist

Kirby Smart: Dodd Trophy Coach of the Week

Darnell Washington: John Mackey Award semifinalist

Senior receiver/returner Kearis Jackson has been 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 SEC on the FBS 2022 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team. The SEC leads all conferences with 82 all-time selections.

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 threetime 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. At Georgia, Seymour was an All-American in 2000. Seymour joined Charley Trippi, Fran Tarkenton, Terrell Davis and Champ Bailey as Bulldogs in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Bailey is set for induction to the College Football Hall of Fame in December in Las Vegas. An All-American, he logged more than 1,000 snaps on offense, defense and special teams during the 1998 campaign. 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.

1. Alabama, 45-6
2. GEORGIA, 44-5
3. Clemson, 43-7

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

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
#1 Tennessee: RSo. OG Devin Willock

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.

#11 Oregon:Nolan Smith, Kenny McIntosh, Christopher Smith, Sedrick Van Pran
Samford:Zion Logue, Warren Ericson, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint
S. Carolina:Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Kearis Jackson, Warren McClendon
Kent State:Nolan Smith, Sedrick Van Pran, Darnell 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:Stetson Bennett, J. Dumas-Johnson, N. Smith, K. McIntosh
#1 Tennessee: J. Dumas-Johnson, K. McIntosh, S. Van Pran, C. Smith
Miss. State:Kamari Lassiter, J. Dumas-Johnson, W. McClendon, L. McConkey
Kentucky:
Georgia Tech:

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: 4 (Longest: 73-yd TD pass, Bennett to Bowers)
UF: 5 (Longest: 78-yd TD pass, Richardson to Henderson)

GAME NINE:
UGA: 3 (Longest: 52-yd pass, Bennett to Smith)
TENN: 1 (Longest: 28-yd pass, Hooker to Hyatt)

GAME 10:
UGA: 6 (Longest: 70-yd rushing TD, McConkey)
MSU: 5 (Longest: 63-yd punt return TD, Thomas)

GAME 11:
UGA:
UK:

GAME 12:
UGA:
GT:

Georgia is even in turnover margin. The Bulldogs have 38 points off nine turnovers. Opponents have 26 points off nine turnovers.

#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: UGA got no TOs; UF got 10 pts. on 3 TOs
#1 Tennessee: UGA got 3 pts off 2 TOs; UT got 3 pts off 2 TOs
Miss. State: UGA got no TOs; MSU got 7 pts of 2 TOs
Kentucky:
Georgia Tech:

Georgia ranks first nationally in RZO & third nationally in RZD.

^No Points due to: BFG=Blocked FG; MFG=Missed FG; TO=Turnover; D=Downs; C=Clock; E=Expired (took a knee); P=Punt.

#11 Oregon: 7-for-7 (7 TDs )

Samford: 7-for-8 (3 TDs, 4 FGs, MFG)
S. Carolina: 5-for-5 (4 TDs, FG)
Kent State: 6-for-6 (3 TDs, 3 FGs)
Missouri: 5-for-5 (2 TDs, 3 FGs)
Auburn: 5-for-5 (5 TDs)
Vanderbilt: 7-for-7 (5 TDs, 2 FGs)
Florida: 4-for-4 (4 TDs)
#1 Tennessee: 4-for-4 (2 TDs, 2 FGs)
Miss. State: 5-for-5 (4 TDs, FG)
Kentucky
Georgia Tech
LSU (SECCG)

#11 Oregon: 1-for-2 (FG, D)
Samford: none
S. Carolina: 1-for-2 (TD, TO)
Kent State: 2-for-2 (TD, FG)
Missouri: 2-for-2 (TD, FG)
Auburn: 1-for-1 (FG)
Vanderbilt: 0-for-1 (MFG)
Florida: 2-for-4 (TD, FG, 2Ds)
#1 Tennessee: 2-for-3 (TD, FG, D)
Miss. State: 3-for-4 (TD, 2 FGs, D)
Kentucky
Georgia Tech
LSU (SECCG)

Georgia is averaging 40.6 points per game. The school record in a season with 12+ games is 41.3 set by the 2014 squad in 13 games.

Under Kirby Smart, Georgia’s best scoring output has been the 2021 national championship squad that averaged 38.6 points per game (ninth nationally) and featured the top scoring defense in the land (10.2 points per game).

Georgia scored touchdowns on its first seven possessions in its season-opening win over then No. 11 Oregon.

The Bulldogs’ 46-point victory over the Ducks marked the largest margin over victory over a ranked opponent in school history. The previous high came in 1982 as No. 3 Georgia routed No. 20 Florida 44-0.

Georgia’s 41-point road victory over South Carolina was the largest in the series history that dates back to 1894.