Category: UGA Football

A year ago, when we all packed into Sanford Stadium on a cold January afternoon to celebrate the Georgia football team’s first national championship since the 1980 season, it was with a sense of awe and elation. The Bulldogs, so close for so long, had finally done it.

On Saturday, when we all packed into the stadium on another cold January afternoon, the mood at the celebration of Georgia’s second straight national title was equally ebullient, but it also felt different. There was less a sense of, “Can you believe it?!!!” Instead, it was more like, “Darn right!”

Quoting the great John Wooden, coach Kirby Smart reminded the 50,000-plus on hand Saturday — only about half of the stadium was open due to construction — that winning takes talent. “But to repeat, it takes character,” Smart said in praising his players who came back this season on a mission to keep building and keep winning.

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ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Georgia remains well represented in the NFL Playoffs.

All four American Football Conference teams that advanced to the second weekend of the playoffs (the No. 1 Kansas City Chiefs, No. 2 Buffalo Bills, No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals and No. 4 Jacksonville Jaguars) include a former Bulldog on their roster. In addition, three of the four remaining National Football Conference teams (No. 1 Philadelphia Eagles, No. 5 San Francisco 49ers and No. 6 New York Giants) feature at least one former Bulldog.

In related NFL news, Cleveland running back Nick Chubb was one of three named as a finalist for the FedEx Ground NFL Player of the Year. He finished the season ranked third in the league in rushing yards (with 1,525) and tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns with 12. He recorded seven games with at least 100 rushing yards.

49ERS 41, SEAHAWKS 23
Charlie Woerner, TE – Recorded one assisted tackle on special teams, appearing in 25 plays and an additional seven on offense in San Francisco’s win.

JAGUARS 31, CHARGERS 30
Tyson Campbell, DB – Credited with four tackles (three solo, one assist) in all 70 defensive snaps for Jacksonville, helping lead the team to its first playoff win since Jan. 14, 2018. Has career-best three interceptions in 2022 also posting a tackle-for-loss and pass deflection in Week 3 meeting.
Travon Walker, OLB – Accumulated two assisted tackles, half a sack for 3.5 yards and two quarterback hurries in Jacksonville’s playoff win.

BILLS 34, DOLPHINS 31
James Cook, RB – Rushed for 39 yards and a touchdown on 12 attempts while appearing in 23 offensive snaps during Buffalo’s come-from-behind win.
Isaiah McKenzie, WR – Was a last-minute scratch for Buffalo after being listed as questionable due to a hamstring injury.
John Jenkins, DL – Credited with one solo tackle and appeared on 12 defensive plays and eight on special teams for Miami.
Channing Tindall, LB – Appeared on 17 special teams snaps and recorded no stats for Miami.

GIANTS 31, VIKINGS 24
Lawrence Cager, TE – Caught one pass for four yards on two targets for New York, appearing on 24 plays on offense and five on special teams.
Azeez Ojulari, OLB – Picked up one tackle for loss and a quarterback hurry for New York in eight plays on defense, missing the second half due to a quad injury. Has 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles in eight games in 2022.
Andrew Thomas, OL – Played on all 72 offensive plays for New York, who totaled 431 yards of offense.

BENGALS 24, RAVENS 17
Trey Hill, C – Played on three plays on special teams while recording no stats in Cincinnati’s win.
Ben Cleveland, OL – Lined up for six plays, three each on offense and special teams, for Baltimore.
Justin Houston, OLB – Picked up a sack for nine yards in 26 plays on defense for Baltimore. Led team with 9.5 sacks in 2022, his seventh career season with nine or more sacks. Has half a sack or more in four of his past five games in the postseason.
Nick Moore, LS – Appeared on special teams, snapping for three punts while holding for two extra points and a field goal for Baltimore.
Roquan Smith, ILB – Totaled eight tackles, three solo and five assisted, which was the second-most stops for Baltimore. Ranked third in NFL with career-high 169 tackles this season and was the only player with 150+ tackles and three or more interceptions (three). Had 16 tackles and a tackle for loss in the week 18 meeting, earning a TFL in five of past six games. Had seven tackles and an interception in only career playoff game (2018 NFC-WC vs. Phi. with Chi.). Was named AFC Defensive Player of the Month for December/January, marking sixth former Georgia Bulldog to win Defensive Player of the Month and the first since linebacker Thomas Davis (Nov. 2013).

COWBOYS 31, BUCS 14
Jake Camarda, P – Punted five times for a total of 245 yards, averaging 49 yards for Tampa Bay. Totaled one touchback, pinned Dallas inside the 20-yard line twice with a long of 54 yards.

Practice Squads
Giants: Solomon Kindley, OL

Reserve Lists (IR, PUP, NFI, COVID)
Bengals: Elijah Holyfield, RB