UGA Football: Game Notes – No. 1 Georgia Takes On Florida In Jacksonville

For the third straight week, Georgia is ranked No. 1 in the AP/Coaches polls. This marks the first time since the 2008 preseason that the Bulldogs have carried the top ranking in both 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). The first 2021 CFP ranking will be released on Nov. 2.

This is the first time since 2017 that Georgia-Florida will not be a top-10 matchup. The Bulldogs went 2-1 in that stretch. In the all-time series, Georgia holds a 53-44-2 advantage including 46-42-1 in Jacksonville. The annual rivalry will stay in Jacksonville until at least 2023. Florida has the series 52-44-2 in favor of Georgia because it does not count the Dogs’ 52-0 victory in 1904 that was played in Macon. Bulldog coach Kirby Smart is 3-2 against the Gators.

Georgia leads the nation in Scoring Defense giving up just 6.6 points per game. The Bulldogs are averaging 38.4 points/game, which is ranked 13th nationally. Georgia is 4-0 versus ranked teams, including a pair of top-10 wins.

The defense has allowed just four 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. UAB’s touchdown came on a pick-six. Most recently, No. 11 Kentucky had two scores, including the final one with :04 left.

Georgia leads the SEC and ranks fifth nationally in Red Zone defense. Opponents have advanced to the Red Zone only 11 times this season resulting in three touchdowns, four field goals and four times coming away with no points.

Georgia opponents have scored just 46 points in 2021. That seven-game tally is the lowest since 1971 when the Bulldogs had allowed the same total through seven contests.

The Bulldogs lead the country in Total Defense, giving up just 208.4 yards/game. In their last game, the Bulldogs held No. 11 Kentucky to 243 yards, including just 51 on the ground. The Wildcats came in averaging 214 yards rushing, including the SEC rushing leader in Chris Rodriguez Jr., who was held to seven yards on seven carries.

The open date provided another week for numerous Bulldogs who have missed time this year to get healthier. QB JT Daniels has not played since the Vanderbilt game on Sept. 26. Defensive backs Christopher Smith (missed last game) and Ameer Speed (missed last two games), running back Kenny McIntosh (missed last game) and receivers Arian Smith (missed last five games), Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint (missed the Arkansas/Auburn games, played sparingly versus Kentucky) and Jermaine Burton (missed the Auburn game, played sparingly versus Kentucky) have missed time while veteran receivers George Pickens and Dominick Blaylock have yet to play this year.

Georgia built an early 14-0 lead including Zamir White scampering 75 yards for a TD on the game’s first play from scrimmage. Then, the Gators used an aerial assault by Kyle Trask and a 24-point outburst in the second quarter to build a 38-21 advantage by halftime. Georgia was missing three defensive starters due to injury (NT Jordan Davis, DT Julian Rochester, S Richard LeCounte) and then starting FS Lewis Cine was ejected for targeting in the second quarter. Trask’s 474 passing yards ranked as the second most ever by a Bulldog opponent, trailing only Jared Lorenzen of Kentucky (528, 2000). Overall, Florida ran 80 plays and finished with 571 yards of total offense. The Gator running backs combined for 10 receptions and 212 receiving yards. The second half featured a Georgia score while Florida was limited to two field goals for a 44-28 final.

Former Bulldog linebacker Thomas Davis (2002-04 UGA, 2005-20 NFL) and offensive lineman Jon Stinchcomb (1999-02 UGA, 2003-10 NFL) will be inducted into the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame during ceremonies and a luncheon on Friday as part of the Georgia-Florida Weekend.

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.

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), vs. #11 UK (10/16/21)
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 38.4 points/game. Georgia has outscored its opponents through seven games 269-46. The Bulldog defense and special teams have combined to score 20 points in 2021 and blocked five more points (one FG, two PATs).

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, 38 yds. vs. USC, WR AD Mitchell; 43 yds. vs USC, WR Jermaine Burton; Stetson Bennett, 73 yds. vs. UAB, Burton; 61 yds. vs UAB, WR Arian Smith; 89 yds. vs. UAB, TE Brock Bowers; 60 yds. vs. #18 AU, WR Ladd McConkey.

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, at No. 18 Auburn and versus No. 11 UK.

In the 30-13 win over No. 11 Kentucky, Bennett was on the mark in the second half, completing 9 of 10 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. He earned a spot on the Davey O’Brien Award’s Great 8 list after finishing with 250 yards passing and three touchdowns.

For the year, Bennett has played in six games and is 57-for-82 (69.5 percent) for 996 yards with 11 touchdown passes and two interceptions. He has 19 carries for 148 yards as well. Bennett is 4-0 as a starter this year and is 8-2 in his Bulldog career.

Bennett has completed 61 percent of his passes (163-for-264, 2,435 yards, 21 touchdowns, nine picks) for his Bulldog career. He also has 47 rushing attempts for 214 yards and three scores on the ground.

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.

The past three 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 and then went for 46 yards on 12 tries and a touchdown versus No. 11 Kentucky.

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.

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 six games. The unit was recently named to the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll. 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. Salyer returned versus No. 11 Kentucky.

The Bulldogs are still aiming to get 100 percent healthy at receiver. Dominick Blaylock and George Pickens have not played this season as they recover from offseason injuries. Jermaine Burton, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and Arian Smith have also been limited.

In the meantime, junior Kearis Jackson, redshirt freshman Ladd McConkey and redshirt freshman Justin Robinson are in the mix.

Georgia’s leading receivers have been freshman TE Brock Bowers (25 rec., 416 yds., 6 TDs), McConkey (17-295-2), freshman AD Mitchell (14-210-2) and Burton (13-224-2).

During the victory at No. 18 Auburn, McConkey hauled in a careerhigh 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 senior RB James Cook did it against South Carolina.

Cook has 11-56-2, including a 19-yard touchdown catch during the win over No. 11 Kentucky.

Freshman TE Brock Bowers has a team-best 25 catches for 416 yards and seven touchdowns (six rec., one rush). He has started every game this year and tied the school record for most TD catches for a TE in a season (Leonard Pope, 2004).

Some notables from Bowers first season include: 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; had a 12-yard rushing touchdown on his first career carry at Vanderbilt, was the leading receiver with four catches for 69 yards and two touchdowns and was named the SEC Freshman of the Week; has three touchdown receptions of 25+ yards; was the team leader with six catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns against No. 11 Kentucky and was named SEC Freshman of the Week yet again as well as John Mackey Award Tight End of the Week.

Defensive coordinator Dan Lanning is now in his fourth year and the Bulldogs feature the nation’s top Scoring Defense allowing just 6.6 points/game. Georgia stands second in the country in Passing Defense (144.9 yards/game) and in Rushing Defense (63.6 y/g).

Georgia leads the SEC with 24 sacks and is ranked 10th nationally.

The Georgia defense has allowed just four touchdowns this year. In fact, the Dogs posted back-to-back shutouts at Vanderbilt and versus No. 8 Arkansas.

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 USC’s points came after three turnovers, including two field goals and a fourth quarter touchdown.

Georgia is outscoring opponents 229-23 through three quarters in 2021.

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).

Walk-on redshirt sophomore Dan Jackson has steadily moved up the depth chart to see action in all games this year, including getting his first start versus No. 11 Kentucky. He had career-high seven stops against the Wildcats. Jackson filled in most of the game for Christopher Smith (shoulder) against No. 18 Auburn and finished with a team-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 but is now injured again.

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. Ringo had a career-high seven tackles against No. 11 Kentucky, including his first career sack.

Preseason All-American Jordan Davis joins fifth-year Devonte Wyatt and sophomore Jalen Carter as the veterans in the center of the defensive line. The trio combined for eight tackles, including three tackles for loss and two sacks, 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, Carter posted six stops, including a sack and 1.5 tackles for loss, and blocked No. 11 Kentucky’s final extra point attempt and was named the SEC DL of the Week. The Wildcats had the SEC’s leading rusher in Chris Rodriguez Jr. who was limited to seven yards on seven attempts.

Against No. 18 Auburn, Davis had five tackles. 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 24 sacks.

The duo is joined by junior Travon Walker, 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.

Senior ILB Channing Tindall leads the team in tackles with 33. He is joined by junior Nakobe Dean and junior Quay Walker. Dean, who was a semifinalist for the 2020 Butkus Award, is the leader of the 2021 defense. He ranks second with 30 stops and 3.5 sacks.

Walker had a career-best nine tackles in the win over No. 11 Kentucky. A week before, Walker finished with two tackles for a loss and a sack against No. 18 Auburn. Dean’s first career interception came against the Tigers and it led to field goal. Against No. 3 Clemson, Dean 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. Anderson has a team-high 4.5 sacks to go with 25 stops while Smith also has 25 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.

Georgia’s defense has been very impressive, ranking No. 1 nationally in Scoring Defense (6.6 points per game). The top-ranked Bulldogs have allowed just 46 points this year including posting two shutouts in SEC action. That seven-game tally is the lowest since 1976, which also allowed 46 points up through that point in the year.

Georgia has finished as the NCAA leader in Scoring Defense twice. The 1968 squad allowed 9.8 ppg, going 8-1-2. The 2019 team allowed 12.6 ppg and finished 12-2 with three shutouts in SEC action.

Points Allowed Through 7 Games Under Smart
46 in 2021 with a 7-0 record (5-0 SEC)
149 in 2020 with a 5-2 record (5-2 SEC)
74 in 2019 with a 6-1 record (3-1 SEC)
114 in 2018 with a 6-1 record (4-1 SEC)
74 in 2017 with a 7-0 record (4-0 SEC)
185 in 2016 with a 4-3 record (2-3 SEC)

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 was a preseason All- American at his position in 2021.

This year, Camarda is averaging 45.6 yards/punt placing 10 inside in the 20 and eight have been 50+. Camarda’s career average of 45.5 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.

For his career, junior PK Jack Podlesny is 23-for-29 on field goals and 71-for-72 on PATs. This year, he is 10-for-13 on FGs and 33-for-34 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 ended with a miss versus No. 11 Kentucky at 363 and involved six kickers (Marshall Morgan, Patrick Beless, William Ham, David Marvin, Rodrigo Blankenship and Podlesny). The streak dated 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
@ #18 AU: Anderson
vs. #11 UK: Jackson

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
@ #18 AU: Quay Walker, Warren Ericson, Devonte Wyatt
vs. #11 UK: White, Travon Walker, Dean

Georgia is +3 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
vs. #11 UK: (W, 30-13) No turnovers for either team

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)

GAME 7: #1 Georgia vs. 11 Kentucky (W, 30-13)
UGA: 3 plays; 35-yd rush (Milton)
#11 UK: None