It wasn’t always Georgia’s prettiest football of the Kirby Smart era. But it was more than enough to demolish an outmatched Tennessee Tech squad, as the Bulldogs rolled in today’s home opener, 48-0.
The Bulldogs at times seemed a bit disinterested, including on a second quarter drive when they allowed the Golden Eagles to go on an 11 play drive with several solid runs right up the gut. There were some dropped passes that would have been a bigger deal against a better opponent. And we need injury updates on Oscar Delp and Nate Frazier, both of whom left with what are hopefully minor injuries.
But all in all Kirby Smart’s team took care of business against an inferior opponent in a manner from which we cannot really draw any significant conclusions. The Classic City Canines rolled up 498 yards of total offense, and converted a respectable but not spectacular 5 of 11 3rd-4th down attempts. They also had 9 penalties for 85 yards, one of a handful of indicia of a team that didn’t really need to be dialed in to win this one going away, and as a result really wasn’t.
Carson Beck hit his first 11 passes en route to an 18/25, 242 yard, and 5 touchdown performance. Gunner Stockton also hit on a tidy 10 of 12 throws for 95 yards in some of his most sustained action in a Bulldog uniform. Trevor Etienne led all UGA rushers in his first game in the red and black, churning out 78 yards on 15 carries, highlighted by a 45 yard burst that showcased his speed and acceleration. Branson Robinson added some tough rushing yards, including a bruising 13 yard touchdown run. Throw in some solid play by freshmen Nate Frazier and Chauncey Bowens, add a splash of Cash Jones, and suddenly the Bulldog running rotation looks pretty darned deep.
15 different Bulldogs caught a pass on the day, with Arian Smith leading the pack with 4 catches for 73 yards, highlighted by a 50 yard touchdown bomb from Carson Beck.
Defensively the Dawgs surrendered only 134 yards of total offense, and controlled the line of scrimmage most of the day against a Golden Eagle team that was just physically overmatched. 25 Bulldogs recorded at least one tackle as the UGA staff began substituting liberally by halftime.
Kirby Smart has a fantastic football team. But we knew that before this game. This one was never really going to answer any questions. But Georgia took care of business and can now move on to the SEC schedule where the real fun begins.
Go ‘Dawgs!!!