You don’t just waltz out of EverBank Stadium with yet another victory over the hated Florida Gators without a total team effort. But even then, some intrepid Bulldogs are bound to bark with particular boisterousness. Those standout performers are your MVDs, the Most Valuable ‘Dawgs from Georgia’s 34-20 victory over the Fightin’ Billy Napiers.
Offense: Nate Frazier. On a day when Carson Beck was befuddled and Trevor Etienne was banged up Nate Frazier stepped up in a big way. Frazier finished the day with 82 yards rushing on 19 Carrie’s and a touchdown. But 12 of those runs and 60 of the yards came in the second half, when the Bulldogs desperately needed someone, anyone to step in and make some plays offensively. As much as anything, Frazier gets bonus points for not fumbling even though the Gator defense was consistently trying to strip the ball. 3 interceptions nearly doomed the Red and Black in this one. A second half fumble might have been the straw that broke the Dawg’s back.
Defense: CJ Allen. Allen led the Bulldogs in tackles on the day with 8 stops, including 3 solo tackles. But it was his leaping fourth quarter interception of Aiden Warner that set up the game-sealing touchdown that really earned him this honor.
Special Teams: Malaki Starks. With the reliable Anthony Evans sidelined with a hamstring injury the veteran defensive back stepped in to return punts. While 3 punt returns for a grand total of 21 yards isn’t exactly dazzling, Starks fielded kicks reliably. Like Frazier, he didn’t put Georgia in untenable spots by turning the ball over or attempting ill-advised heroics. Sometimes winning is about not losing, and Malaki Starks understood and executed on that wisdom.
Feel free to offer your own MVDs in the comments.
Go ‘Dawgs!!!