Georgia coach Kirby Smart used the word “pride” five times in his opening statement after his Bulldogs knocked Missouri down 49-14 in Colombia on Saturday.
It was supposed to be Tiger’s so-called ‘measuring stick’ game after winning five of the six entering the action, in which coach Ally Drinkwitz made the case as SEC coach of the year.
The Bulldogs overturned that script, and they did so amidst the atmosphere that disturbed what was written on it, including a local kick at 11 a.m. and a 30-degree wind-chill factor.
“They said they wanted to play a good game, they practiced a lot,” Smart said. “I thought Monday and Tuesday were the two best efforts of the whole year. They had a lot of juice and energy. ”
That led to the best combination of offense and defense Georgia football has exhibited this season, with the Bulldogs leading Missouri 615-200.
Here’s a look at an opinion on Georgia’s status grades:
Quarterbacks (B +)
J.T. Daniels A-27 went for 27-A 299 yards and three touchdowns in between 30-degree windchill and 13-mile winds. 18.7 yards per completion were impressive, but Daniels also carried two sacks. Statson Bennett got some time to play and he threw incomplete on his only attempt. Freshman Carson also played back, but made no attempt to pass.
Running backs (a)
Georgia scored in the same game for the first time since 1995 on four different benches. Zamir White included a 43-yard touchdown run with 126 yards in 12 overs. Freshman Daijun Edwards also went over 100 yards, with a TD and a 47-yard run to take 113 to carry 11. Kenny McIntosh showed next level vision at the 18-yard joint, and James Cook got a TD run and a TD catch.
Recipients (B +)
George Pickens had a second-quarter pace-changing 36-yard, with some amazing catches. Jermaine Burton also had five catches for 38 yards. Tight end Darnell and Washington Washington had two catches for y1 yards, but Trey Mitt Kitty and John Fitzpat at Trick were unable to hit their targets, McTee dropped them. Caris Jackson with a catch for 12 yards.
Fictional line (B +)
The offensive line slipped back out of the pocket a few times, but it’s hard to argue for a 616-yard run and a running back (-36–337) with an average of more than an average y yard.
Defensive line (a-)
How Jordan Davis makes the difference between those defensive lines, just impressive gap control and presence. Missouri managed just 22 yards on 22 attempts, and Davis Cam was the big (literally) reason for that. Nolan Smith credited three tackles and one sack. Slightly downgrade from 2nd to 3rd and don’t make the goal stop after it appears the wall was built.
Linebackers (B +)
Quay Walker and Monty Rice had three weaknesses for the linebackers, who topped the action from an early kick to this day. Nakobe Dean only one stop, not so active in past games, and he missed a hull near the goal line on the Missouri touchdown.
Secondary (B)
Eric Stokes, a junior cornbrew, has been named UGA. The game began with an interception and a 27-yard return to Missouri’s game-opening capture by setting up an early touchdown. Tyson Campbell was mostly solid, but the pass intervention was the Bulldogs’ only flag in the penalty game. Security Lewis Cine appeared to be fooled by flea-flicker. Mark Webb stopped an obstacle.
Special Team (D)
This would have been a perfect team effort if not for the worst special teams of the season. Georgia blocked a punt that led to Missouri’s second and final touchdown, Caris Jackson played a punt and Jack Podless missed a 43-yard field goal attempt.
Overall
It was a big win for Kirby Smart and his staff, keeping the team motivated, dialing the right plays and out-scheming Ally Drinkwitz and the Tigers. There was a healthy balance on offense and a second-half off on defense. Smart’s game management at the end of the first half, calling for a timeout with Missouri near the goal line, allowed the UGA to put the final first half scoring drive into the two-minute offense.
