UGA Football: Game Notes – No. 2 Georgia Renews Deep South’s Oldest Rivalry

Georgia cruised past No. 7 Auburn 27-6 last season in Athens and has won nine out of the last 11 meetings and 16 of the past 20. The Bulldogs improved their series lead to 61-56-8 in 2020. The teams split a pair of matchups in 2017 when Georgia secured its most recent SEC title. That year, the No. 2 Bulldogs fell to the No. 10 Tigers 40-17 at Auburn. Then, No. 6 Georgia toppled No. 4 Auburn 28-7 in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta before advancing to the College Football Playoff Semifinal Rose Bowl Game and eventually the CFP National Championship Game.

For only the second time since 1936, Georgia and Auburn will renew their rivalry outside of the month of November. Last year, the Bulldogs’ victory came on Oct. 3 during the second game of the pandemic shortened season. The 2012-13 seasons saw the Bulldogs head to Auburn for consecutive years, marking the first time the game had been played at the same site for two years in a row since 1958. The game was played in Columbus during a stretch from 1916-58 with one exception when the teams met in Athens in 1929. The first 10 games were played in Atlanta starting in 1892.

Georgia leads the nation in Scoring Defense giving up just 4.6 points per game. Iowa is next at 11.6 p/g.

The defense has allowed just one touchdown, and it came in the fourth quarter versus South Carolina with the Bulldogs leading 40-6. UAB’s touchdown came on a picksix.

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

Georgia opponents have scored just 23 points this season. That five-game tally is the lowest since 1937 when the Bulldogs had allowed just 14 points through five contests.

The Bulldogs lead the country in Total Defense, allowing just 178.6 yards/game. Cincinnati is second at 233.6 y/g.

Most recently, Georgia shut out No. 8 Arkansas 37-0 in Athens. The Razorbacks could only muster 156 total yards on offense after coming into the game averaging 35.8 points/game.

Georgia has now had seven shutouts in Smart era, including five in league contests.

The Bulldogs are 21-11 versus top-25 teams under Smart, including 12-6 against top-10 teams. This year, Georgia is 2-0 versus top-10 teams, outscoring them 47-3.

In a top 10 showdown Between the Hedges, Stetson Bennett made his first collegiate start, Zamir White rushed for a pair of touchdowns, and the Bulldog defense held the Tigers out of the end zone for a 27-6 victory. The Tigers were held to just 39 rushing yards and 216 yards of total offense. It was the fifth time in the last six meetings that the Tigers were held to 14 points or less. Bennett was 17-for-28 for 240 yards and one TD while White finished with 88 yards on 19 carries. Kearis Jackson enjoyed a career day with nine catches for 147 yards for the Bulldogs.

Georgia improved to 9-4 against top 10 teams under Kirby Smart. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the crowd was limited to 20,524 fans. This was Georgia’s smallest crowd since Sept. 28, 1963 when the Bulldogs beat Vanderbilt 20-0 in a driving rain before an estimated crowd of 17,000.

The Bulldogs have posted back to back SEC shutouts for the first time since 1980. Also, two of Georgia’s opponents have not scored until the fourth quarter. Last Saturday marked the first shutout for the Bulldogs of a top-10 team since 1976. For the fourth time under Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have started a season 5-0.

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 Coach

Playing 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.

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)

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.

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

The Bulldogs are averaging 41.0 points/game. Georgia has outscored its opponents through five games 205-23. The Bulldog defense and special teams has 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 five touchdown passes that have covered at least 38 yards. JT Daniels had a 38 yarder to freshman AD Mitchell and a 43 yarder to 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. Smith has missed the last three games with an injury.

The 2020 season was the first under offensive coordinator Todd Monken, who placed a premium on explosive plays, which are at least a 12-yard rush or a 16-yard completion.

JT Daniels, an Irvine, Calif., native, served as Georgia’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 the win over No. 8 Arkansas.

For the year, Bennett has played in four games and is 29-for-41 (70.1 percent) with six touchdown passes and two interceptions. He has 10 carries for 83 yards as well. Bennett is 2-0 as a starter this year and was 4-2 in that role in 2020.

Bennett has completed 61 percent of his passes (135-for-223, 1,954 yards, 16 touchdowns, nine picks) for his Bulldog career. He also has 38 rushing attempts for 151 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.

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

White had a team-high 16 carries for 68 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Razorbacks. He also scored after recovering a blocked punt. Cook finished with a team-high 87 yards on 12 carries (7.2 avg.) against 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.

During the win over No. 3 Clemson, White headlined the group with 74 yards on 13 carries, including a total of 32 yards on Georgia’s final drive of the game when they ran out the last 4:49 of the game.

Milton was the leading rusher in the win over the Gamecocks with 10 carries for 66 yards as the Bulldogs tallied 184 yards on 31 carries (5.9 avg.).

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 four 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.

Georgia has completed passes to a minimum of nine different Bulldogs in four of five games this season. The top three pass catchers have been freshman TE Brock Bowers (18 rec., 272 yds., 4 TDs), sophomore WR Jermaine Burton (13-224-2) and redshirt freshman WR Ladd McConkey (11-145-1).

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, Marcus Rosemy- Jacksaint, McConkey and redshirt freshmen Arian Smith and Justin Robinson will be in the mix with true freshman AD Mitchell.

McConkey became the third Bulldog this year to have a receiving and rushing touchdown in the same game. Both he and Bowers accomplished the feat versus the Commodores while James Cook did it against South Carolina.

Jackson is handling the punt return duties as well.

Freshman TE Brock Bowers has a team-best 18 catches for 272 yards and five touchdowns (four rec., one rush) and has started all five games.

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 ninthlongest 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.

Defensive coordinator Dan Lanning is now in his fourth year and the Bulldogs feature the nation’s top Scoring Defense allowing just 4.6 points/game. Georgia leads the nation in Passing Defense (110.0 y/g) and ranks fourth in Rushing Defense (68.6 y/g).

Georgia is tied for sixth nationally with 18 sacks.

The Georgia defense has allowed just one touchdown this year. In fact, the Bulldogs have shut out their last two opponents in Vanderbilt on the road and No. 8 Arkansas in Athens. This marks the first back-to-back SEC shutouts since 1980 (Vanderbilt, Kentucky). The Bulldogs’ 23 points allowed through five games is the lowest allowed since 1937.

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 five opponents have failed to score before halftime. The Bulldogs have allowed just two field goals in the first quarter with the other 17 points coming in the fourth quarter.

Turnovers (interceptions, forced fumbles), deflections, tackles for loss, including sacks, are examples of havoc plays.

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 seven interceptions. Senior Christopher Smith and freshman Kamari Lassiter each snagged one in the 62-0 road win over Vanderbilt. Junior Lewis Cine and freshman Kelee Ringo both had interceptions versus UAB.

Walk-on redshirt sophomore Dan Jackson has steadily moved up the depth chart to see action in all games this year. He has seven tackles and has been a standout on special teams. 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). However, Smith went down with a foot injury in camp and has yet to play.

Kendrick has his first career pick for the Bulldogs (fourth of his career after snagging three for Clemson) during the win over USC.

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 while Brini tallied four stops and Speed had a pair of tackles.

Seniors Latavious Brini and Ameer Speed are manning the cornerback spots for the Bulldogs during their final seasons.

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.

In the shutout of No. 8 Arkansas, Wyatt led the team with six tackles and 1.5 sacks. Georgia ranks second in the SEC with 18 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.

Senior ILB Channing Tindall leads the team in tackles with 24. 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 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 five games of 2021, Anderson has a team-high four sacks to go with 17 stops while Smith also has 17 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.

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.

Camarda had five punts for a net average of 43.4 and dropped four inside the 20-yard line with a long of 51 during the season-opening win over No. 3 Clemson. He was included on the Ray Guy Award’s “Ray’s 8” for his performance versus the Tigers.

This year, Camarda is averaging 45.2 yards/punt placing eight inside in the 20 and five 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.

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

For his career, junior PK Jack Podlesny is 20-for-25 on field goals and 64-for-64 on PATs. This year, he is 7-for-9 on FGs and 26- for-26 on PATs. Podlesny made his debut in the 2020 season opening win at Arkansas and 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 356 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.

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 Dean, Jordan Davis
Butkus Award (LB): Adam Anderson, Nakobe Dean, Quay Walker
Lou Groza Award (Kicker): Jack Podlesny
Ray Guy Award (Punter): Jake Camarda
Lombardi Award (Lineman): Justin Shaffer, Jamaree Salyer)
Lott Trophy (Defensive Player): Nakobe Dean
Mackey Award (TE): Arik Gilbert, Darnell Washington
Manning Award (QB): JT Daniels
Maxwell Award (Player of the Year): JT Daniels
Nagurski Trophy (Defensive Player): Jordan Davis, Nakobe Dean, Tykee Smith
Davey O’Brien Award (QB): JT Daniels
Outland Trophy (Interior Lineman): Jordan Davis, Jamaree Salyer, Justin Shaffer
Rimington Trophy (C): Warren Ericson
Johnny Unitas Award (QB): JT Daniels
Doak Walker Award (RB): James Cook, Zamir White

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

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.

vs. #3 CU: James Cook, JT Daniels & Nakobe Dean
vs. UAB: Jamaree Sayler, Zamir White, Christopher Smith
vs. SC: Channing Tindall, Jordan Davis, Kearis Jackson
@ VU: Jake Camarda, John FitzPatrick, Nolan Smith
vs. 8 ARK: Cook, Salyer, Smith

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

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