The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Kentucky Wildcats 13-12 in Lexington, Kentucky on Saturday evening for his or her first convention victory of the 2024 season. Following the sport, assistant sports activities editor Andy Mathis graded every place group’s efficiency.
Quarterbacks
Irregular is the phrase for beginning quarterback Carson Beck’s efficiency towards the Wildcats on Saturday. He completed the sport 15-for-24 for 160 yards and no touchdowns, a steep drop-off in comparison with his first two weeks, the place he seemed just like the No. 1 general decide on this 12 months’s NFL draft. Whereas Beck’s stats have been lackluster, all of the blame can’t be positioned on his shoulders. He was usually left to fend for himself attributable to poor offensive line play. His mishandled snap on Third-and-6 with 7 minutes left, although, nearly resulted in a turnover and practically swung momentum again to Kentucky.
Grade: C+
Operating backs
Whereas it wasn’t a spectacular efficiency for Trevor Etienne and the remainder of the operating again corps, they did sufficient to safe the win. Etienne rushed for 79 yards on 19 carries, and Branson Robinson added 5 yards on 2 carries, together with a vital 3-yard landing, the one one of many sport. The backfield confirmed toughness operating between the tackles in what was a gritty, low-scoring affair, however they lacked explosive performs attributable to restricted operating lanes.
Grade: B-
Vast receivers
The Dominic Lovett present was on full show Saturday evening. Lovett completed with 6 catches for 89 yards, changing into Beck’s go-to goal, particularly within the second half. His pair of 33-yard receptions, together with one late within the sport, helped Georgia preserve possession and drain the clock. Regardless of Lovett’s sturdy outing, the remainder of the receiving group was comparatively quiet, unable to get separation towards a stout Kentucky secondary. Dillon Bell had an enormous 33-yard seize of his personal halfway via the third quarter.
Grade: B
Tight ends
Oscar Delp stepped up in crucial moments, notably on a late-game catch that allowed Georgia to ice the clock and solidify the win. He did fumble on the play however was bailed out by Arian Smith, who was there on the excellent time. Delp’s stable blocking and Beck’s reliance on him in key conditions have been pivotal. With the offensive line struggling, Delp usually stayed in to help in blocking, offering much-needed help within the run sport as effectively. Stanford switch Ben Yurosek struggled rather a lot on this one, lacking a number of key blocks that was massive tackles for loss by Kentucky.
Grade: B-
Offensive line
This was one of the abysmal showings by an offensive line within the Kirby Good period. Georgia was held to 31 dashing yards on 12 carries within the first half, and the move safety was equally problematic. Kentucky’s defensive entrance overwhelmed the Bulldogs, ceaselessly getting stress on Beck. The lack of beginning guard Tate Ratledge to harm compounded the struggles, and his absence was felt for the rest of the sport. Beck was hit a number of instances, and the run blocking was ineffective, forcing Georgia to punt on its first 4 drives. The one cause this grade just isn’t an F is as a result of Georgia squeaked out the win.
Grade: D
Line of defense
Christen Miller and Nazir Stackhouse led the cost for Georgia’s line of defense. Stackhouse’s late-game stress on Kentucky quarterback Brock Vandagriff was primarily a game-sealing second, forcing a punt with lower than three minutes left. Whereas the line of defense allowed some chunk runs, they made the required stops to restrict Kentucky to discipline targets as a substitute of touchdowns. Nonetheless, Kentucky churned out 170 dashing yards on the bottom, or 212 if you happen to subtract the sack yardage. They managed the road of scrimmage all sport, and that falls on the line of defense. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins had one other good efficiency with two tackles for loss and a sack.
Grade: C
Linebackers
Georgia’s linebacking unit was instrumental in containing Kentucky’s offense. Although Kentucky rushed for 170 yards, the linebackers made key tackles and helped drive Kentucky to accept discipline targets. Raylen Wilson’s strip-sack within the second quarter arrange Georgia’s first factors, shifting momentum when the offense was struggling. Jalon Walker was in every single place for Georgia and obtained stress on Vandagriff a number of instances. The group was stable in move protection as effectively, limiting Vandagriff’s choices downfield. Even Chaz Chambliss had an incredible rep in protection the place he was within the receiver’s pocket about 30 yards downfield and compelled an incompletion.
Grade: A-
Secondary
The secondary had an up-and-down efficiency. Kentucky’s passing sport was comparatively quiet, however Georgia’s defensive backs have been closely concerned in run help because of the Wildcats ceaselessly breaking into the second degree. 4 defensive backs recorded over 5 tackles, a testomony to the entrance seven’s struggles in wrapping up operating backs on the line of scrimmage. The group allowed a couple of third-down conversions, however held agency when it counted. Julian Humphrey performed actually onerous on this sport, together with his greatest play being a diving move deflection on an enormous third down within the third quarter.
Grade: B-
Particular groups
Particular groups have been essential in Georgia’s slim win. Brett Thorson punted six instances for a median of 49.5 yards, flipping discipline place when Georgia’s offense sputtered. Peyton Woodring hit a 34-yard discipline purpose within the second quarter and a 30-yarder within the third, in addition to his game-winning further level that supplied the ultimate margin.
Grade: A
