UGA Football: Bulldogs Close Out Home Slate With Senior Night Against Rebels
- Kickoff: Saturday, November 4 – 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium (92,746) | Athens, Ga.
- 2023 Records: GEORGIA (9-0, 6-0 SEC), Mississippi (8-1, 5-1 SEC)
- 2023 Rankings: Georgia #1/1/2, Missouri #10/10/10
- TV: ESPN – Chris Fowler (PxP), Kirk Herbstreit (analyst), Holly Rowe (sideline)
- Video Stream: ESPN+
- Radio: 95.5 FM WSB – Bulldog Network | Affiliates | Scott Howard (PxP), Eric Zeier (Color), DJ Shockley (sideline)
- Audio Stream: georgiadogs.com
- Satellite: 94/192 – 82
- Web Stats: georgiadogs.com
- Twitter: #MISSvsUGA
- SECN ReBroadcast: 11/16 – 9:30pm, 11/18 – 4:00am
- History: Georgia vs. Ole Miss All-Time Series Results: UGA 32-13-1
- Last Meeting: 9/24/2016 – L, 45-14 in Oxford, Miss.
- Tickets: SeatGeek
Kirby Smart is in his eighth year directing the Bulldogs who are 90-15 in this span including back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. This offseason, Georgia took a deep dive on the New Zealand All Blacks, the world’s most successful rugby team, or quite frankly, any sports team in history.
Georgia has established an SEC record for Most Consecutive Weeks at No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Bulldogs are tied for second all-time at 21 weeks, and this is the longest streak in the College Football Playoff era.
33 Southern California, 12/8/03 to 12/4/05
21 GEORGIA, 10/9/22 – current
21 Miami (FL), 10/14/01 to 10/28/02
The Bulldog senior class collected its 46th win with its latest victory over Florida.
1. 49-5 (2022)
T2. 46-3 (2023)
Georgia concludes its 2023 home schedule Saturday against No. 10 Ole Miss with kickoff set for 7 p.m. on ESPN. The Bulldogs hold a 32-13-1 edge in the series with the Rebels. Georgia had won 10 straight in the series until the last meeting which came in 2016 in Oxford as the Rebels snapped the streak with a 45-14 decision in Kirby Smart‘s first season at the helm. Ole Miss’ last trip to town came in 2012 when the Bulldogs won 37-10. ESPN College GameDay returns to Athens for the first time since last year’s win over No. 1 (CFP) Tennessee. The Bulldogs are 6-2 when GameDay visits Athens.
Georgia will recognize its Seniors before the game, and they are 46-3 in their career, which ranks second in victories for a class in school history. The 2022 Senior Class went 49-5 with a pair of national titles. Also of note, Georgia enters Saturday’s game with a 24-game home winning streak which has tied the school mark set from 1980-83.
Head Coach Lane Kiffin has Ole Miss in the national top 10 for the third straight season, the first such streak since 1962-64. In fact, the Rebels are 8-1 for the second straight year and the first time since 1961-62. Ole Miss leads the SEC and ranks (13th in the FBS) in turnover margin at +8. Ole Miss has tallied 10 interceptions and four fumble recoveries. Ole Miss ranks among the top 10 nationally in fewest turnovers with just six. The Rebels start fast, outscoring opponents 117-38 in the 1st quarter, and finish fast, outscoring opponents 103-44 in the 4th quarter. Junior QB Jaxson Dart directs the offense that has seven scoring drives under one minute. Sophomore RB Quinshon Judkins leads the SEC with 12 rushing TDs while Dart has seven. Ole Miss has three 500-yard receivers in Tre Harris, Jordan Watkins and Dayton Wade. Harris had 213 yards on 11 catches with a score versus A&M last Saturday.
Georgia is 43-4 at home in the Kirby Smart era, including 12-1 against ranked opponents. In fact, the Bulldogs have won their last 12 games in Athens versus ranked opponents. This year, Georgia crushed No. 20 Kentucky 51-13 on Dooley Field on Oct. 7 and then edged No. 12 Missouri 30-21 last weekend.
The Bulldogs are one of only four teams in the country who are ranked in the top 10 in both Scoring Offense and Scoring Defense. The Bulldogs rank sixth nationally in Scoring Defense at 15.4 ppg. Georgia is 10th nationally in Scoring Offense at 39.3 points per game. The other three teams are Michigan (9-0), Penn State (8-1) and SMU (7-2).
One of the keys to Georgia’s success is its third down defense. The Bulldogs are ranked third nationally with opponents converting just 27 percent of the time. In SEC action, Georgia opponents are a combined 20-for-69 on third downs (29 percent). The Bulldogs are fourth nationally in converting third downs (55 percent). Georgia has converted 42 of 78 third downs (54 percent) against league opponents.
Since the arrival of Kirby Smart in 2016, the Bulldogs have featured talented defenses and twice led the nation in Scoring Defense. This season, Georgia is ranked sixth nationally allowing 15.4 points/game. The Bulldogs return 12 players who have starting experience from a group that ranked fifth nationally in 2022 allowing opponents only 14.3 points per contest.
Year | Pts./Game | NCAA Rank | Record | Shutouts |
2016 | 24.0 | 35th | 8-5 | 0 |
2017 | 16.4 | 6th | 13-2 | 1 |
2018 | 19.2 | 15th | 11-3 | 1 |
2019 | 12.6 | 1st | 12-2 | 3 |
2020 | 20.0 | 16th | 8-2 | 0 |
2021 | 10.2 | 1st | 14-1 | 3 |
2022 | 14.3 | 5th | 15-0 | 2 |
2023 | 15.4 | 6th | 9-0 | 0 |
Georgia is on a school record 26-game winning streak that began with a 34-11 win over Michigan in the 2021 CFP semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl. This ranks third in SEC history.
Georgia is enjoying a school record streak of 36 consecutive regular season victories that dates to a 31-24 home triumph over Mississippi State on Nov. 21, 2020. That’s the longest streak in the FBS.
Georgia has won 25 regular season SEC games in a row dating to a 31-24 win over Mississippi State on Nov. 21, 2020. This is a school record for consecutive SEC wins and ranks second in SEC history.
The Bulldogs have tied the school record with 24 home wins in a row. This matches a mark set from 1980-83.
The Bulldogs are 42-1 in their last 43 games including back-to-back national championships.
The 2023 Bulldogs: Averaging 39.3 points/game (T-10th nationally)
Outscored their opponents 354-139, including 183-69 in the opening half
Own a +215 point differential; 47-for-51 in the Red Zone with 32 TDs, 15 FGs
The 2022 Bulldogs: Averaged 41.1 points/game (5th nationally)
Outscored their opponents 616-214, including 341-105 in the opening half
Second consecutive year led the nation in point differential at +402
81 of 83 in the Red Zone (98% led nation) with 57 TDs and 24 FGs
The 2021 Bulldogs: Averaged 38.6 points/game (9th nationally)
Outscored their opponents 579-153, including 358-65 in the opening half
Led the nation in point differential at +426
59 of 69 in the Red Zone (86% ranked 50th) with 42 TDs and 17 FGs
Georgia’s offensive line has been named to the Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll for the seventh season in a row. Georgia racked up a season-high 608 yards of total offense, including 173 yards on the ground against No. 20 UK. Georgia followed that up at Vanderbilt to post a season-high 291 yards rushing on 39 carries.
The Bulldogs had 189 rushing yards in the 24-14 win against South Carolina. Against USC, junior starting RT Amarius Mims went down with an ankle injury and yet to return this season for a span of six games. Senior Xavier Truss moved from LG to RT and redshirt sophomore Dylan Fairchild came in at LG.
Fairchild has started the last six games at that spot. RSo. Micah Morris has also seen time at LG. True freshman Monroe Freeling filled in for Truss the majority of the Vanderbilt game at RT after Truss went down with an ankle injury. Truss returned to his starting role versus Florida.
Junior C Sedrick Van Pran has a team-best 39 consecutive starts. Redshirt sophomore RG Tate Ratledge, who like Truss started 15 contests in 2022, and redshirt freshman LT Earnest Greene make up Georgia’s other OL starters.
The team tragically lost OL Devin Willock (Wil-LOCK) in a car accident this past January. Willock played in all 15 games last year with two starts. To honor him, a different OL will wear Willock’s #77 jersey each game this year.
Senior Daijun Edwards leads the rushing attack with 632 yards on 112 carries (5.6 avg.) and eight touchdowns.
Led Georgia with 95 yards and two touchdowns in the win over UF.
Had 20 carries for 146 yards (7.3 avg.) and one score in the road win at VU.
Made his first start in the win over South Carolina after appearing in 39 games.
Career-high six receptions for 51 yards in the win over #20 UK.
The veterans in the backfield are Edwards and senior Kendall Milton. Both missed time during preseason camp due to injuries. Milton is the second-leading rusher with 295 yards and five touchdowns on 58 carries.
Georgia features an array of experienced pass catchers and 19 different Bulldogs have a reception this year. Junior Ladd McConkey did not play in the first four games because of a back injury. He made his season debut at Auburn and since then has 22 catches for 337 yards and one touchdown.
Reached a career high with seven catches and 95 yards in his first start this season against No. 12 Missouri.
Matched career highs with six catches for 135 yards and scored his first touchdown of 2023 in the win over Florida and was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Earned a spot on the 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, is a Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist and is a Campbell Trophy finalist.
Transfer Dominic Lovett (Missouri) ranks second on the team with 39 catches for 398 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 55 yarder in the win over UF. He had 82 for 1,019 yards and three TDs in two years at UM.
Lovett lined up against his former team last weekend and finished with four catches for 33 yards and a score. Three of his receptions came on third downs, including his 6-yard touchdown catch.
Senior Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint is fourth on the team with 21 catches for 359 yards and two touchdowns. Against No. 20 Kentucky, he had a career-high 99 yards on four catches, including a 40-yard score to open the game.
Junior transfer (Mississippi State) Rara Thomas collected his first TD at Georgia (13th of his career) during a five catch, 63-yard performance versus No. 20 Kentucky. His acrobatic score was a 15 yarder in the corner of the end zone.
With all the injuries at running back, sophomore WR Dillon Bell has seen action in the backfield (23 carries, 124 yards, 5.4 avg., 2 TDs).
Against Ball State, he scored on a 21-yard scamper on his second career carry.
In the USC game, he had a career-high seven rushes for 23 yards including a three-yard TD for the go-ahead score.
For the year, he has 14 catches for 127 yards and one TD (17 yarder vs. UF).
All-American and 2022 Mackey Award winner junior Brock Bowers is one of the nation’s top talents. He was recently named a Lombardi Award semifinalist for the second straight year.
Bowers had surgery on Oct. 16 and is currently out after sustaining an ankle injury during the road win over Vanderbilt.
He ranks second in Bulldog history in Touchdown Catches (24), fifth in Receiving Yards (2,391) and sixth in Receptions (160).
The Napa, Ca., native posted a third straight 100-yard game (a combined 24 rec., 410 yds., 4 TDs) with a seven catch, 132-yard performance against #20 Kentucky that included a touchdown. He was the first Bulldog to have three 100-yard receiving performances in a row since Terrence Edwards in 2002.
Tallied eight receptions for a career-high 157 yards and a score in the road win over Auburn to earn Mackey Award Tight End of the Week honors.
19 rushes for 193 yards and five TDs in his career.
Two receiving scores and a rushing score in the same game twice (At South Carolina in 2022 and at Vanderbilt in 2021).
10 career 100-yard receiving games; three of his career TD catches have covered 75+ yards; his first career TD catch covered 89 yards against UAB.
Georgia has had 34 players drafted over the past three seasons including 19 on defense and eight of those defenders have gone in the first round.
Ranked sixth nationally in Scoring Defense, allowing just 15.4 ppg.
Had a season-high five sacks in the win versus Florida. All of those came in the first half, including Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins strip-sack that Marvin Jones Jr. recovered at the 11 yard line. It led to a TD that put Georgia up 24-7.
Allowed its first points in the third quarter in week five at Auburn. UGA has outscored opponents 100-16 in the third quarter and 171-70 in the second half.
Junior Jamon Dumas-Johnson, a 2022 Butkus Award finalist, had seven stops against No. 12 Missouri before having to leave the game with a left forearm injury. He is third on the team with 34 stops. Dumas-Johnson made four tackles, including 1.5 sacks, in the win over No. 20 Kentucky.
Junior ILB Smael Mondon was the team leader with 76 stops last year. Mondon leads the team again with 43 stops this year and was named SEC Defensive Player of the Week after his 11-tackle performance at Auburn.
Sophomore LB Jalon Walker posted four stops, including 1.5 sacks, during the victory over the Tigers. Sharing time at ILB and OLB, Walker has nine tackles, including three sacks.
Senior Star Tykee Smith is second on the team with 40 tackles, a team-leading 6.5 TFL, two sacks and a team-high four interceptions. Smith is tied for 10th nationally with four picks. He also had four picks with WVU before transferring.
Sophomore safety Malaki Starks ranks fifth on the team with 30 tackles and has two interceptions, the last one coming at Auburn to clinch the victory. He was recently named a Jim Thorpe Award semifinalist.
Sophomore DL Mykel Williams, who led the squad with 4.5 sacks in 2022, picked up his first sack in 2023 in the season opener. He is part of an experienced front that features seniors Zion Logue, Warren Brinson, Tramel Walthour, Nazir Stackhouse and Ingram-Dawkins.
Stackhouse collected his first career interception against No. 12 Missouri in the fourth quarter. Despite his 44-yard return being negated because of a chop block call on the Bulldogs, his pick helped set up Peyton Woodring’s final field goal.
Junior DB/safety Javon Bullard had a career-high 10 tackles at Auburn after missing two contests with an ankle injury. Most recently, Bullard ended No. 12 Missouri’s final drive late in the fourth quarter with his first interception since having a pair against TCU in last year’s national championship game.
The Bulldogs are +3 in Turnover Margin, including 11 interceptions. Last year, the Bulldogs had 12 picks in 15 games. The Bulldogs had a three INT game against Ball State this year. Freshman DB Kyron Jones also took a tipped ball back for an INT score in the 2023 season opener. Did You Know? Georgia recovered its only fumble this year in the 43-20 rout of Florida on Oct. 28.
Junior Carson Beck, a 6-4, 220-pound native of Jacksonville, Fla., is in his first year as the starting quarterback with a 9-0 record.
Most recently connected on 21 of 32 attempts for 254 yards and two touchdowns in the 30-21 win over No. 12 Missouri.
Led the Bulldogs’ to a 43-20 win in his hometown over Florida. He was 19- for-28 for 315 yards and two touchdowns with no INTs to be one of the Manning Award Stars of the Week. His performance included a career-long 55-yard strike to Dominic Lovett.
Beck is on a record pace for Completion Percentage at 72.2, which is ranked sixth nationally. The school record was set last year by Stetson Bennett at 68.28. The SEC record for a season is 77.4 by Alabama’s Mac Jones in 2020.
He is eighth nationally in Passing Yardage per game at 301.8 and 11th in Passing Efficiency at 164.7.
Became the first Bulldog QB since 2013 (Aaron Murray) to have three straight games of at least 300 yards passing after he went 28-for-35 for 389 yards for four touchdowns (all career highs) in the win over No. 20 Kentucky. He completed his first 13 passes (158 yards, 2 TDs), which ranks third in school history. Beck was named the SEC Co-Offensive Player of the Week, one of the Manning Award Stars of the Week and to the Davey O’Brien Award’s Great 8 list thanks to his showing.
During Georgia’s last three possessions against Auburn, Beck was 12-for-15 for 201 yards and one TD. He directed three scoring drives that covered 98, 71 and 75 yards during his first SEC road contest that resulted in a 27-20 win over the Tigers.
Beck was named to the Davey O’Brien Award’s Great 8 list following his career-high 338 passing yards (22-of-32) and three touchdowns against UAB.
Led Bulldogs to a 24-14 win over USC in the 2023 SEC opener after trailing 14-3 at halftime; posted a then career-high 27-for-35 for 269 yards.
In his first career start, went 21-for-31 for 294 yards a touchdown in three quarters while guiding the Bulldogs to a 48-7 season-opening win over UT Martin. Along with Beck, Georgia’s quarterbacks include 6-3, 210-pound redshirt sophomore Brock Vandagriff of Bogart, Ga., and 6-1, 215-pound redshirt freshman Gunner Stockton of Tiger, Ga. Vandagriff has appeared in 10 games in his career, including going 5-for-7 versus the Wildcats for 46 yards and touchdown.
Passing Yards | 389 Vs. #20 UK, 2023 |
Completions | 29 @ VU, 2023 |
Attempts | 39 @ VU, 2023 |
TD Passes | 4 Vs. #20 UK, 2023 |
Long Pass Completion | 55 Yards Vs. Florida, 2023 |
Long Rush | 20 Vs. USC, 2022 |
Year | G/GS | Cmp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | INT | TD | Eff. | LG |
2020 | 1/0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
2021 | 4/0 | 10 | 23 | 43.5 | 176 | 2 | 2 | 119.06 | 32 UAB |
2022 | 7/0 | 26 | 35 | 74.3 | 310 | 0 | 4 | 186.40 | 28 SC |
2023 | 9/9 | 213 | 295 | 72.2 | 2,716 | 4 | 16 | 164.73 | 55 UF |
Total | 21/9 | 249 | 353 | 70.5 | 3,202 | 6 | 22 | 163.90 | 55 UF |
Game | Cmp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | INT | TD | SK | EFF | LG |
2020 | |||||||||
MZ | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
2021 | |||||||||
UAB | 4 | 10 | 40.0 | 88 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 126.9 | 32 |
@VU | 1 | 3 | 33.3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 64.1 | 11 |
CS | 5 | 10 | 50.0 | 77 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 127.7 | 30 |
@GT | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
2022 | |||||||||
#11 ORE | 5 | 6 | 83.3 | 71 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 237.7 | 23 |
SAM | 5 | 7 | 71.4 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 133.8 | 16 |
@SC | 5 | 6 | 83.3 | 55 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 215.3 | 28 |
AU | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
VU | 8 | 11 | 72.7 | 98 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 207.6 | 24 |
GT | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62.6 | 3 |
#3 TCU | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 153.5 | 20 |
2023 | |||||||||
UTM(W) | 21 | 31 | 67.7 | 294 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 158.1 | 54 |
BSU (W) | 23 | 30 | 76.7 | 283 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 171.2 | 41 |
USC (W) | 27 | 35 | 77.1 | 269 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 141.7 | 36 |
UAB (W) | 22 | 32 | 68.8 | 338 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 188.4 | 50 |
@ AU (W) | 23 | 33 | 69.7 | 313 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 153.3 | 40 |
#20 UK (W) | 28 | 35 | 80.0 | 389 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 205.4 | 49 |
@ VU (W) | 29 | 39 | 73.4 | 261 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 133.9 | 31 |
Vs. UF (W) | 19 | 28 | 67.9 | 315 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 185.9 | 55 |
#12 MIZ (W) | 21 | 32 | 65.6 | 254 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 152.93 | 34 |
Career Total | 249 | 353 | 70.5 | 3,202 | 6 | 22 | 8 | 163.90 | 55 |
Game | Georgia | Opp. | Final |
UT Martin | 15 (3R, 12P) | 4 (1R, 3P) | #1 Georgia 48-7 |
BSU | 12 (4R, 8P) | 3 (1R, 2P) | #1 Georgia, 45-3 |
USC | 8 (5R, 3P) | 8 (1R, 7P) | #1 Georgia, 24-14 |
UAB | 12 (3R, 9P) | 7 (2R, 5P) | #1 Georgia, 49-21 |
@AU | 12 (4R, 8P) | 8 (7R, 1P) | #1 Georgia, 27-20 |
#20 UK | 13 (4R, 9P) | 3 (3P) | #1 Georgia, 51-13 |
@ VU | 9 (6R, 3P) | 3 (3P) | #1 Georgia, 37-20 |
Vs. UF | 11 (4R, 7P) | 10 (4R, 6P) | #1 Georgia, 43-20 |
#12 MIZ | 13 (6R, 7P) | 9 (4R, 5P) | #2 Georgia, 30-21 |
Longest Rush by Georgia: 62-yd by D. Edwards (@ VU)
Longest Rush by Opp.: 61-yd by P. Thorne (@ AU)
Longest Completion by Georgia: 56 yds vs. UTM (Vandagriff to Thomas)
Longest Completion by Opp.: 49 yd TD by VU (Seals to Humphreys)
Australian punter Brett Thorson, who earned All-SEC Freshman honors in 2022, has a 42.8 average on 23 punts this year, including 15 that resulted in fair catches. Thorson pinned the Gators on their own 18, 9 and 6 yard line during the Bulldogs’ rout. He was named to the Ray Guy Award’s Ray’s 8 following his performance versus UT Martin. Georgia did not punt at Vanderbilt for the first time since the 2022 Kent State game.
Did You Know? Georgia is the only team in the FBS that has not allowed a punt return this season. The Bulldogs are tied for sixth nationally in Punt Return Yards at 0.0 (three schools have allowed negative punt return yards).
Freshman Peyton Woodring has attempted all field goals and PATs this season. He has a team-high 94 points going 17-for-20 on field goals and 43-for-43 on PATs.
Most recently against No. 12 Missouri, he totaled 12 points after drilling all three of his field goals and going 3-for-3 on PATs. His FGs included a career-long 48 yarder to give the Bulldogs’ a nine-point cushion at 30-21 with 3:57 left.
Woodring has earned SEC Freshman of the Week following wins over AU, #20 UK and VU. He had a season high 15 points in the win over the Wildcats and was named one of the Lou Groza Award’s Stars of the Week.
Connected on both his field goals, including a 38 yarder, and three PATs in the win at Auburn.
Tallied three field goals, including a then career-long 44 yarder, and was 4-for-4 on PATs during a windy victory at Vanderbilt.
First true freshman Bulldog PK to start a season opener since Marshall Morgan in 2012. Did You Know? Woodring’s 12 points was the most by a Georgia true freshman kicker in a season opener since Kevin Butler set a school-record with 14 points in a 44-0 rout of Tennessee in Athens to open the 1981 season.
Senior William Mote handles the snapping duties on special teams.
Entering 2023, junior Jared Zirkel was 1-for-1 in career field goals (21-yarder at USC last year) and had nine career kickoffs. This year, Zirkel has handled all 68 kickoffs with 39 touchbacks and two going out of bounds.
Career Placekicking For Peyton Woodring | ||||||
Year | PAT | Pct. | FG | Pct. | LG | Pts |
2023 | 43-43 | 1.000 | 17-20 | .850 | 48 | 94 |
Field Goal History For Peyton Woodring | ||||||
Year | I20 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-99 | LG |
2023 | 0-0 | 2-4 | 12-12 | 3-4 | 0-0 | 48 |
Career Highs For Woodring
Points: 15 (UK23)
PATs: 6 (UTM23, BSU23, UK23)
FGA: 3 (USC23, UK23, @VU23, MIZ23)
FGM: 3 (UK23, @VU23), MIZ23
LG: LG: 48 (MIZ23)
Career Punting For Brett Thorson | |||||||||
Year | Punts | Yards | Avg. | I20 | 50+ | 60+ | FC | BL | LG |
2022 | 36 | 1620 | 45.0 | 19 | 9 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 75 UT |
2023 | 23 | 984 | 42.8 | 11 | 4 | 0 | 15 | 0 | 53UTM |
Total | 59 | 2,604 | 44.1 | 30 | 13 | 1 | 33 | 0 | 75 UT |
Career Highs For Thorson
Punts: 5 (UTM23, AU22)
*Avg.: 50.2 on four punts (UT22)
Long: 75 (UT22)
*at least two punts
KO History For Jared Zirkel | ||||
Year | No. | Yds. | TB | OB |
2021 | 3 | 195 | 3 | 0 |
2022 | 6 | 390 | 5 | 0 |
2023 | 68 | 4299 | 39 | 2 |
Total | 77 | 4884 | 47 | 2 |
63.4 yard Avg. on Kickoffs
Currently, there are four Bulldogs who have blocked a kick/punt in their Georgia career.
True freshman DB Joenel Aguero blocked a Florida punt that resulted in a safety this season.
In 2022, DL Nazir Stackhouse blocked a field goal that was returned 96 yards for a touchdown by teammate Chris Smith in the opening quarter of the SEC Championship Game versus No. 14 LSU.
OLB Jalon Walker blocked a punt that resulted in a safety versus Kent State last year.
S Dan Jackson blocked a punt against No. 8 Arkansas in 2021.
At 9-0, the Bulldogs are in the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press Top 25. In fact, the Bulldogs have the longest active run of top-10 rankings now with 44.
Georgia was the No. 1 ranked team in the 2023 AP preseason Top 25. The Bulldogs became the first team besides Alabama or Clemson to be preseason ranked No. 1 since Ohio State in 2015. The only other time the Bulldogs have been preseason ranked No. 1 in the AP poll came in 2008.
The Bulldogs’ 21-week streak of No. 1 ranked appearances is third best all-time in NCAA history.
Georgia started the 2021 season ranked No. 5 and went on to win its first national title since 1980. The Bulldogs followed up with a perfect season in 2022 after starting in the No. 3 spot in the preseason poll.
Since the AP preseason poll started in 1950, there have been 11 teams that started No. 1 that also finished No. 1. However, only two of those have occurred since 2000: Southern California (2004) and Alabama (2017). And in case you haven’t heard, no team has won three straight national titles during the AP poll era (dating to 1936). Minnesota’s 1934 and 1935 squads went 8-0 and were named the best team in the nation by eight different organizations. Then, the 1936 club went 7-1 and was crowned the first official AP champion plus seven other organizations declared them national champions too.
Overall, Georgia has been ranked in the AP top 25 for 109 consecutive weeks and that ranks third among active streaks.
UGA remains No. 1 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and also the FWAA Super 16 Poll where it began 2023.
Junior QB Carson Beck – SEC Offensive Player of the Week (10/9); Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 (10/9, 9/25); Manning Award Stars of the Week (10/9, 10/30); Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2023 (10/30)
Junior TE Brock Bowers – John Mackey Award Tight End of the Week (10/2); Rotary Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List (10/17); ESPN Midseason All-American (10/17); CBS Sports Midseason All-American (10/17); AP Midseason All-American (10/18); The Athletic Midseason All-American (10/19); Lombard Award Semifinalist (11/1)
Junior ILB Jamon Dumas-Johnson – Rotary Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List (10/17)
Junior WR Ladd McConkey – Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (9/12); Campbell Trophy finalist/National Football Foundation (NFF) National Scholar- Athlete Award Class (10/25); SEC Offensive Player of the Week, Senior Bowl Co-Offensive Player of the Week (10/30); Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist (11/2)
Junior OT Amarius Mims – Rotary Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List (10/17)
Junior ILB Smael Mondon – SEC Defensive Player of the Week (10/2)
Offensive Line – Joe Moore Award Midseason Honor Roll (10/17)
Redshirt sophomore OG Tate Ratledge – Rotary Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List (10/17)
Sophomore S Malaki Starks – Sporting News Midseason All-American (10/17); ESPN Midseason All-American (10/17); CBS Sports Midseason All-American (10/17); AP Midseason All-American (10/18); The Athletic Midseason All-American (10/19); Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist (10/31)
Senior C Sedrick Van Pran – SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week (9/18); Rotary Lombardi Award Midseason Watch List (10/17); ESPN Midseason All-American (10/17)
Freshman PK Peyton Woodring – SEC Freshman of the Week (10/16, 10/9, 10/2); Lou Groza Stars of the Week (10/10)
Georgia ranks second nationally with an 86 percent success rate on 4th Down Conversions this season, going 6-for-7 with a pair of TDs. The scores came on a 4th-and-goal from the 7 against No. 20 UK, and a 4th-and-1 from the Gator 2 against UF. Georgia ranks 92nd in its 4th Down Conversion Defense in 2023 as opponents have been successful 56 percent of the time (9-for-16, no TDs). Mississippi is 17-for-24 (71 percent) on fourth down this season and is ranked 15th nationally while its opponents are 10-for-22 (46 percent). In the Kirby Smart era, the Bulldogs have converted on 4th down 62 percent of the time (60-for-97) with nine TDs while opponents are converting at a 41 percent rate (74-for-180).
DB Tykee Smith and Ole Miss DB Isheem Young attended Imhotep Institute Charter. Both are also transfers from Big 12 schools – Smith (WVU) and Young (Iowa St).
TE Lawson Luckie and Ole Miss LB Monty Montgomery attended Norcross High School (GA).
WR Marek Briley attended North Gwinnett HS along with Ole Miss DE Jared Ivey, and Ole Miss S Zach Johansen.
RB Branson Robinson attended Germantown HS (MS) along with Ole Miss RB Fred McAfee, and Ole Miss DT Zxavian Harris.
WR Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint attended Saint Thomas Aquinas HS along with Ole Miss WR Bralon Brown.
DB Joseph Daniels attended Roswell HS (GA) along with Ole Miss LB Mark Trigg Jr.
ILB Raylen Wilson attended Lincoln HS (FL) along with Ole Miss S Daniel Newman.
CB Daylen Everette, ILB Xavien Sorey, OLB Sam M’Pemba, OLB Gabe Harris, ILB Terrell Foster, OL Aliou Bah, and DL Warren Brinson attended IMG Academy (FL) along with Ole Miss CB Nyseer Fulwood-Theodore, and Ole Miss DT Stephon Wynn Jr.
Home: 1-2; Away: 4-2; Neutral: 3-3 {Bowl Game/CFP: 3-2}
(*SEC games: 3-4; *Includes CFP National Championship)
The Bulldogs are 1-2 in overtime games under Kirby Smart.
Jan. 1, 2018: #3 Georgia beat #2 Oklahoma 54-48 (2OT) in Pasadena, Calif. (CFP Semifinal: Rose Bowl Game)
Jan. 8. 2018: #4 Alabama beat #3 Georgia 26-23 in Atlanta, Ga. (CFP National Championship, Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Oct. 12, 2019: South Carolina beat #3 Georgia 20-17 (2OT) in Athens, Ga.
Saturday’s game will mark the final game for the Dan Magill Press Box in its present location. In 2024, the press box will still be located on the south side but will be located on levels 4 and 5 at the west end of the current Sky Suites.
The current press box was built in 1967 as part of the double-decking of Sanford Stadium which increased stadium capacity to 59,200. In 1999, the press box was officially named for Dan Magill, long time sports information director (tennis coach and founder of the Bulldog Club). The naming was made possible by a gift from the Frank Lumpkin family of Savannah which also provided for a press box renovation and construction of the field level Frank Lumpkin Media Center, which still serves as the photographer work and hospitality area and the head coach’s interview room.
The Bulldogs had eight first-time starters in their opener versus UT Martin: WR Arian Smith, QB Carson Beck, TE Oscar Delp, LT Earnest Greene, WR Mekhi Mews, ILB Xavian Sorey, OLB Chaz Chambliss, DB Daylen Everette plus true freshman PK Peyton Woodring; BSU: None; USC: RB Daijun Edwards and DB David Daniel-Sisavanh; UAB: OG Dylan Fairchild, DL Warren Brinson
The Bulldogs had 17 true freshmen make their debut in the 2023 season opener and have had 21 true freshmen overall play this season.
UT Martin:Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Sedrick Van Pran, Javon Bullard, Brock Bowers
Ball State:Zion Logue, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Tykee Smith, Tate Ratledge
South Carolina: T. Walthour, K. Lassiter, S. Van Pran, C. Beck
UAB: Bowers, C. Chambliss, M. Starks, D. Edwards
Auburn: S. Van Pran, M. Rosemy-Jacksaint, J. Dumas-Johnson, K. Lassiter
Kentucky: S. Mondon, M. Williams, M. Rosemy-Jacksaint, C. Beck
Vanderbilt: T. Ratledge, K. Milton, Z. Logue, M. Starks
Florida: M. Rosemy-Jacksaint, S. Van Pran, J. Dumas-Johnson, J. Bullard
#12 Missouri:N. Stackhouse, L. McConkey, C. Beck, S. Mondon
Ole Miss:
Tennessee:
Georgia Tech:
Georgia is +3 in turnover margin.
The Bulldogs have 45 points (does not include the PATs) off 12 turnovers.
Opponents have 36 points off 9 turnovers.
UTM: UGA got 6 pts. off 1 TOs; UGA had no TOs
BSU: UGA 18 pts. off 3 TOs; BSU no pts. off 1 TO
USC: UGA got no points off 2 TOs; UGA had no TOs
UAB: UGA 6 pts. off 1 TO; UAB 6 points off 3 TOs
AU: UGA no points off 1 TO; AU 12 points off 2 TOs
UK: UK had no TOs; UK 6 points off 1 TO
VU: UGA 6 pts. off 1 TO; VU 6 pts. off 2 TOs
UF: UGA 6 pts. off 1 TO; UGA had no TOs
#12 MIZ:UGA 3 pts. off 2 TOs; UGA had no TOs
OM:
UT:
GT:
Georgia ranks tied for fourth in NCAA history for consecutive games scoring and third among schools with active streaks:
Team – Games
Florida 445 (1988-present)
TCU 388 (1991-present)
Georgia 368 (1995-present)
UGA has 37 plays of 25 yards or more while its opponents have 15.
GAME 1 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 9 (56-yd pass, Vandagriff to Thomas)
UTM: 1 (26-yd rush, Dent)
GAME 2 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 5 (69-yd PR-TD, Mews)
BSU: 1 (45-yd INT Ret., Malory)
GAME 3 (Longest):
UGA: 2 (36-yd pass, Beck to Thomas)
SC: 2 (41-yd pass, Rattler to Blake)
GAME 4 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 5 (50-yd pass Beck to Rosemy-Jacksaint)
UAB: 3 (32-yd pass Zeno to Farrier)
GAME 5 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 6 (41-yd KOR Mews)
AUB: 3 (61-yd run Thorne)
GAME 6 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 4 (49-yd pass Beck to Bowers)
#20 UK: 3 (48-yd INT Ret., Hairston)
GAME 7 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 6 (62-yd rush Edwards)
VAN: 2 (49-yd TD pass Seals to Humphreys)
GAME 8 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 3 (55-yd pass Beck to Lovett)
UF: 4 (48-yd rush Johnson)
GAME 9 (Longest):
#2 UGA: #2 UGA: 4 (33-yd Beck to McConkey)
#12 MIZZOU: 3 (39-yd TD Cook to Burden)MIZZOU:
GAME 10 (Longest):
UGA:
OM:
GAME 11 (Longest):
UGA:
UT:
GAME 12 (Longest):
UGA:
GT:
- Eighth season as Georgia coach • 90-15 Career Record • 2021 & 2022 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
- 2017 CFP national runner-up • 2017, 2022 SEC Champions • SEC Eastern Division Champs 2017-19 & 21-22
- 2017 George Munger award (National Coach of the Year by Maxwell Club) • SEC Coach of the Year, 2017, 2021-22
- Bulldogs have won two Butkus Awards • One Outland Trophy, Bednarik Award, Thorpe Award, Groza Award, Mackey Award, Manning Award & Burlsworth Trophy
- One Heisman Trophy finalist • 17 1st-team All-Americans
- 15 1st Round NFL Draft picks • 55 NFL Draft Picks
- A total of 199 players on SEC Academic Honor Rolls, including a high of 35 on the 2021 national championship team
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 | 15 | 0 | 1.000 | 8-0 | |
2023 | 9 | 0 | 1.000 | 6-0 | |
Total | 90 | 15 | .857 | #57-13 |
#3-4 ((includes 2017-19, ’21, ’22 SECCGs, 2018 & 2022 CFPNC)
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 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 |
2022 | ~ #4 Ohio State (CFP Semi) | Trailed 38-24, Trailed 41-35 With 2:43 Left | 42-41 |
2023 | @ Auburn | Tied 17-17, Tied 20-20 With 6:21 Left | 27-20 |
%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 8 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); Azeez Ojulari vs. #8 UC (1/1/21); Channing Tindall @ UT (11/13/21)
Under Kirby Smart, Georgia has registered 30 scores on defense and special teams. The Dogs are 27-1 (loss came versus #8 UF in 2020) when they register a non-offensive score under Smart . This year, freshman DB Kyron Jones returned an INT versus UT Martin 26 yards for a score; redshirt sophomore Mekhi Mews took a punt return 69 yards for a touchdown against Ball State; and Joenel Aguero blocked a punt for a safety versus Florida. In 2022, the Bulldogs had a safety on a blocked punt versus Kent State and Chris Smith ran a blocked field goal back 96 yards for a touchdown versus No. 14 LSU. In 2021, Georgia had six of these scores: 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/CFP National Championship Game).
{106 Points on 16 TDs, 5 Safeties}
2016: 14 points in 3 different games (Pick-Six, Fumble Ret., Safety);
2017: 6 points in one game (Fumble Ret.);
2018: 12 points in 2 different games (Pick-Six, Fumble Ret.);
2019: 18 points in 3 different games (2 Fumble Ret., 1 Fumble Rec.);
2020: 22 points in 4 different games (2 Pick-Sixes 1 Fumble Ret., 2 Safeties);
2021: 28 points in 6 different games (4 Pick-Sixes, 2 Safeties);
2022: none
2023: 8 points in two games (Pick-Six, Safety)
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: 8 points in 2 games (Safety/Blocked Punt; Blocked FG Ret.).
2023: 2023: 8 points in 2 games (PR, Safety)
“Kirby Smart All Access” – This half-hour program will air Monday nights at 7 p.m. throughout the football season and offer viewers a behind-the-scenes look through the practice and preparation ahead of each game, from exclusive interviews with coaches and players, to features showcasing what it takes to build and maintain a championship program.
“Bulldogs Final” – This short wrap-up program will air on Saturday nights of UGA football games, with a repeat Sunday mornings, and will include highlights, analysis, and exclusive content from that week’s game.
“Bulldogs Now” – This weekly, half-hour program on Saturdays at 8 a.m. debuts this summer and will deliver exclusive access and the latest updates on the Georgia Bulldogs all year round. Outside of football season, the show will feature the latest news, in-depth features and updates on all 21 UGA sports programs.