You don’t right the ship and keep your playoff hopes alive against a desperate Tennessee Volunteer squad without a total team effort. But even then some Bulldogs are bound to distinguish themselves. Those fearsome fighters are your MVDs, the Most Valuable ‘Dawgs from Georgia’s 31-17 triumph over the Big Orange.
Offense: Carson Beck. I considered Oscar Delp, who had the game of his career. I also considered London Humphreys, who led all receivers, and Ben Yurosek, who had a Bulldog high in catches and yards (including a huge third down conversion) and a couple of key blocks. All of them were truly clutch. But it was Beck who was the trigger man on all those receptions, and who overcame some of the most intense pressure of his UGA career to turn in a phenomenal performance.
Defense: Chaz Chambliss. Chambliss’s two early sacks were instrumental in keeping the Bulldogs in the game until the offense could get things rolling. While Smael Mondon and KJ Bolden each had unreal games (each had 8 total tackles, 7 solo), this one might have gotten away from the Red and Black without Chambliss’s contribution. And that’s to say nothing of his critical block on Nate Frazier’s game-sealing touchdown, which was enough to make retired fullbacks everywhere misty eyed for the good ole days.
Special Teams: Brett Thorson. The Punter from Down Under averaged 44.1 yards per kick and nailed 2 of his 4 punts inside the 20. But it was his tackle to save a touchdown on a first quarter return, allowing Georgia to ultimately force Tennessee to settle for three points, that made the biggest impact.
As always, feel free to offer your own suggestions in the comments, and…
Go ‘Dawgs!!!