You don’t just walk into Darrell K. Royal Memorial Stadium and defeat the Texas Longhorns, the Texas fans, and an SEC officiating crew without getting a total team effort. But even then, some Bulldogs are bound to distinguish themselves, even with the eyes of Texas upon them. Those intrepid players are your MVDs, the Most Valuable Dawgs from Georgia’s 30–15 victory over Texas.
Offense: Trevor Etienne. Etienne was the Bulldog offense for much of the evening. With Georgia receivers dropping catchable balls left and right and Carson Beck struggling to hit the target, Etienne’s 19 carries for 87 yards and 3 hard fought touchdowns were the difference in the game.
Honorable Mention: the offensive line. Carson Beck was technically sacked once, but that was a play on which everyone was covered and he slid two yards behind the line rather than throwing it away. In reality the UGA heavies kept Beck’s jersey clean most of the night and opened up some of the best holes of the season against an elite Longhorn front seven. This unit could finally be hitting its stride.
Defense: Jalon Walker. Here’s a stat for you: Jalon Walker is the first player in the past 20 years to notch 3 sacks and 7 tackles in one game against an AP #1 team. He accomplished that feat in the first half. He would finish the game with 8 tackles to lead the team, and also had a handful of QB pressures in which he didn’t get home but still affected the play. When Quinn Ewers got back to his apartment in the wee hours of Sunday morning I assume he checked under the bed before going to sleep, just to make sure Walker wasn’t waiting for him.
Honorable mention: Daylen Everette. Everette has been maligned by many in Bulldog Nation (including yours truly). But he finished second to Walker in total tackles with 7 and had the sack/forced fumble/recovered fumble (all on the same play) that kickstarted Georgia’s early momentum and led in short order to the Dawgs’ first score. If this wasn’t his best game in the red and black, I don’t know which one was better.
Special Teams: Warren Roberson. “Hey!” I hear you saying, “Warren Roberson plays defensive back for Texas, not Georgia.” that is absolutely true. But the redshirt sophomore was responsible for a holding call that erased a first half kickoff return that would have given the Longhorns the ball in Georgia territory, and another hold in the second half that put the Burnt Orange starting on their own 5.
Brett Thorson’s punting was good, and Anthony Evans played fine returning kicks. But for one botched kickoff that surrendered a lot of momentum Peyton Woodring played alright. But Roberson was the one who made big things happen tonight for Georgia in the kicking game.
Feel free to add your own nominations in the comments or sing the praises of this week’s honorees. Until later…
Go ‘Dawgs!!!