Category: UGA Football

There were deep balls and short touchdown runs. There were interceptions and even some late-game drama as Jared Zirkel connected on a 27-yard field goal as time expired to give the Black squad a 26-23 G-Day win over the Red on Saturday at Sanford Stadium.

While the result of Georgia’s spring football game didn’t really matter, as head coach Kirby Smart said afterward, what the Bulldogs individually and collectively did both in the annual scrimmage and during the 14 spring practices before very much did.

“It was a really competitive game, kind of a back-and-forth game, like it always is. We want it to be as much action, close, game coming down to the wire, not so much for you guys or the fans but for us,” Smart said. “I don’t think you get better in games that are lopsided, you get better in competitive action. We tried to make that happen as much as possible. … I was really proud of the competitive nature the guys played with today.”

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ATHENS, Ga. — Jared Zirkel kicked a 27-yard field goal as time expired to lift Team Black to a 26-23 win over Team Red in Georgia’s G-Day Game on Saturday in front of 68,002 fans at Sanford Stadium and an ESPN2 audience.

Quarterback Stetson Bennett went 15-of-35 for 273 yards and three touchdowns to pace Team Black. Tailbacks Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton combined to rush for 44 yards on 12 carries. Kearis Jackson paced the receivers as he hauled in four passes for 107 yards, including a 25-yarder to set up Zirkel’s game-winning kick. Tight end Arik Gilbert pulled in three catches for 49 yards, including two scores.

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ATHENS, Ga. — University of Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart, along with several players, offered these comments following Saturday’s G-Day Game on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium.

Head Coach Kirby Smart
Opening Statement … 
“It was a really competitive game, kind of a back-and-forth game, like it always is.  We want it to be as much action, close, game coming down to the wire, not so much for you guys or the fans but for us.  I don’t think you get better in games that are lopsided, you get better in competitive action.  We tried to make that happen as much as possible. I thought our fan base was awesome, to come out especially with the inclement weather earlier, to be able to come out and support us and give us a great atmosphere.  We’ve got a lot of good football players here today.  We’ve got a lot of good football players leaving, too, and got a lot of good football players on the field.  I was excited about that.  Really pleased with some things in the kicking game, and we’ve got a long way to go before we get where we need to go.  That’s the objective. I was really proud of the competitive nature the guys played with today.”

On redshirt-sophomore wide receiver Arik Gilbert … 
“Yeah, Arik is a really tough, physical player that’s done a good job.  I’m more proud of the practices he had leading up to today than today.  Today was a little bit icing on the cake.  He got some good breaks.  He had a ball that I think Stetson was throwing away that he ended up making a play on.
But he’s not where he needs to be, either.  There were two missed assignments where he didn’t block a guy that in the run game could kill us.  We get tackles for loss and we end up not blocking a guy.  He didn’t really have those kind of plays during the spring, but his conditioning level has got to continue to improve.  He lost a lot of weight, but just what he’s been through and overcome is such a great story, but he’s not where he needs to be.  He’ll be the first to tell you he’s got to continue to grow, to get in shape, to change his body, and he can get an opportunity to help us.  With the two other guys we’ve got coming back, it makes it a luxury of those guys being able to make us a special football team.”

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ATHENS, Ga. — University of Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart, along with a trio of players discussed Saturday’s scrimmage and spring practice.

On Tuesday, Coach Smart, senior Jack Podlesny, junior Jalen Carter and redshirt sophomore Ladd McConkey the following comments after practice…

Head Coach Kirby Smart
On the linebackers…
“We’re just really young (at the linebacker position). You say stand out—I mean, there’s nobody that stands out—not compared to who just left that room. There are guys filling a role and there’s a difference—there’s a standard at Georgia when you play inside linebacker and outside linebacker and we’re probably not playing to that standard right now. But it’s not because they’re not trying hard enough and it’s not because they’re not passionate enough, it’s because they don’t have the experience or the reps. We’re catching up on that every day as fast as we can. (Xavian) Sorey (Jr.)’s taken a lot of reps, but he’s got a long way to go. Jalon Walker’s taken a lot of reps—he’s got a long way to go. Trezmen (Marshall) is injured, so he’s on a pitch count—on a number of reps—and he’s able to go some with the ones and help us out. At outside linebacker with Chaz (Chambliss) and (MJ Sherman), they’ve gotten a lot of work with Nolan (Smith) and (Robert) Beal (Jr.) there.”

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Georgia wide receiver Dominick Blaylock is back healthy again, at last. Two knee injuries knocked him out for all of the 2020 season and much of 2021, when he saw limited action, playing in four games and making two catches.

Blaylock did help out on the scout team during practice last season. Blaylock had 18 receptions for 310 yards and five touchdowns as a freshman in 2019, before the first torn ACL ended his season in the SEC Championship Game. His 2020 season never got started due to the second knee injury. But now Blaylock is feeling good and feeling fast.

During a Quick Chat after practice last Thursday, Blaylock, the son of former longtime NBA point guard Mookie Blaylock, talked about last season, playing other sports, cooking, and much more. Here’s some of what he had to say:

Frierson: How often do you think about what this team accomplished in 2021? Is it an everyday thing or do you have to put it out of your mind as you move forward and prepare for next season?

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ATHENS —— University of Georgia football fans will get their first glimpse of the 2022 Bulldogs on Saturday, April 16, when the Red team faces the Black team at the annual G-Day intrasquad game in Sanford Stadium.  The 2022 G-Day game is presented by Piedmont Healthcare and Georgia Milk Commission.

G-Day is set for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff, and the game will be televised live on ESPN2.  The game will also be broadcast live on radio via the Georgia Bulldog Sports Network affiliates across Georgia, as well as on the Georgia Bulldogs mobile app.

Tickets for the G-Day game are on sale now and are $5 each, with a maximum of eight tickets per transaction.  All tickets sales will be handled digitally and seating is reserved.  Tickets for UGA students are free of charge.

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ATHENS, Ga. — University of Georgia head football coach Kirby Smart, along with three players reflected on the 2021 season and the start of spring practice.

On Tuesday, Coach Smart, redshirt sophomore Warren McClendon, senior Stetson Bennett and redshirt freshman Kelee Ringo offered the following comments after practice…

Georgia Head Coach Kirby Smart

On Dominick Blaylock…
“He’s doing well. He’s been pretty consistent. The off-season program was good for him in terms of getting confidence, changing direction, doing some things well. I think he would be the first to tell that he’s still rusty, but he’s so confident with the ball. He catches the ball really well. He’s smart, very savvy. He’s a great route runner in the slot. He’s done a tremendous job there. He’s back-catching punts, as well. He brings some veteran experience. Really right now anyone with experience is a veteran because we don’t have many guys with a lot of experience there. He’s done a tremendous job. Dom never complains. He works and handles the cards he’s been dealt very well, and he’s had some really tough resiliency. He has overcome it. I’m really proud of Dom

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