Saturday, November 24
Athens, Ga.
12:00 PM
University of Georgia
vs
Georgia Tech
Notes: Bulldogs Renew Rivalry with Georgia Tech
November 19, 2018 | Football
The Georgia Bulldogs vs. The Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
Game & Broadcast Info
- Georgia Bulldogs vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets
- Kickoff: Saturday, November 24 - 12:00 p.m. ET
- Location: Sanford Stadium (92,746) - Athens, Ga.
- 2018 Records: Georgia 10-1 (7-1 SEC), Georgia Tech 7-4 (5-3 ACC)
- 2017 Records: Georgia 13-2 (7-1 SEC), Georgia Tech 5-6 (4-4 ACC)
- Rankings: Georgia #5/5, Georgia Tech NR
- TV: SECN - Taylor Zarzour (PxP), Matt Stinchcomb (analyst), Laura Rutledge (sidelines)
- Video Stream: SECN+
- Radio: WSB AM 750 - Bulldog Network | Affiliates | Scott Howard (PxP), Eric Zeier (Color), Chuck Dowdle (sideline)
- Audio Stream: georgiadogs.com | TuneIn
- Satellite: Sirius 99, XM 190
- Web Stats: Live Stats
- Twitter: #GTvsUGA
- ReBroadcast: SEC Network: 11/25 3PM; 11/26 5AM; 11/28 12PM
| Georgia | 2018 Averages | Georgia Tech |
| 39.6 | Scoring Offense | 36.9 |
| *16.8 | Scoring Defense | 27.5 |
| +4 | Turnover Margin | +8 |
| 483.9 | Total Offense | 437.5 |
| 257.5 | Rushing Offense | !353.7 |
| 226.4 | Passing Offense | 83.7 |
| ^17.0 | Punt Returns | 7.0 |
| 24.7 | Kickoff Returns | 21.5 |
*T-12th nationally; ^8th nationally; !1st nationally
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Seniors Go For 42
The 2018 senior class picked up its 41st win last Saturday after beating UMass 66- 27. The 2018 seniors are 41-11, and the 41 wins are tied for fourth best by a class in school history. The record for most wins by a class is 44 held by the 2005 contingent, which won two SEC titles.
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Dogs Aim For Second Straight 11-Win Regular Season
Since a 12th game was added to the college football season in 2002, Georgia has gone 11-1 during the regular season three times, in 2002, in 2012 and most recently in 2017. In school history, there have been 10 teams that have won a total of at least 11 games in a season. Last year's 13-2 squad tied the 13-1 2002 team for having the record for wins. The other teams that have won at least 11 games overall include the following squads: 1942 - 11-1; 1946 - 11-0; 1971 - 11-1; 1980 - 12-0; 1982 - 11-1; 2003 - 11-3; 2007 - 11-2; 2012 - 12-2; 2017 - 13-2.
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Rivalry Rumblings
Georgia leads the series 66-39-5 and doesn't count two Georgia Tech wins during WWII (1943-44) when the Yellow Jackets utilized players from a naval officer's training program hosted on campus.
From 1917-24, Georgia and Georgia Tech did not play each other because of a dispute caused by a Georgia parade float that ridiculed the Yellow Jackets for playing football during World War I.
Georgia Tech's 51-48 win in overtime in 1999 on ABC was the highest-scoring game in the series and featured 1,102 total yards of offense. In overtime, Georgia blocked the Yellow Jackets' first field goal attempt on third down and the Jackets recovered it. Then, Luke Manget kicked a 38-yarder on the mulligan for the win.
In 1978, Georgia trailed 20-0 in the second quarter when freshman Buck Belue came off the sideline and rallied the team to a 29-28 victory, the biggest comeback in school history to that point.
Georgia closed out the 2002 regular season in Athens with a 51-7 thrashing of Georgia Tech on CBS. It was the most points ever for a Bulldog squad against theYellow Jackets.
Since 1995, the winner of the Georgia-GeorgiaTech game has been awarded the Governor's CupTrophy. Since then, the Bulldogs are 17-6 in that stretch.
The Georgia-GeorgiaTech series is one of the nation's oldest. There are only 15 other FBS rivalries that have been played more with Minnesota-Wisconsin at the top with 127 games. They meet Saturday in Wisconsin with the Badgers leading the series 60-59-8.
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2017 Flashback: #7 Georgia 38, Tech 7
Seventh-ranked Georgia reclaimed the Governor's Cup Trophy with a 38-7 victory over Tech, tallying 471 yards of total offense on 60 plays in Atlanta. The Bulldogs carried a 17-7 lead into halftime and then added 21 points while blanking the Yellow Jackets for the final. Georgia freshman Jake Fromm completed 12-of-16 passes for 224 yards and two scores. Senior Sony Michel led the Bulldogs in rushing with 85 yards on 13 carries and one touchdown. Junior Ahklil Crumpton posted a career-long 78-yard touchdown reception to cap the day's scoring for the Bulldogs. Junior linebacker Roquan Smith led Georgia in tackles with nine stops. Tech finished the game with 226 yards of total offense on 55 plays. Georgia finished the regular season with an 11-1 mark while Tech dropped to 5-6.
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Governor's Cup Began With Bullpups versus Baby Jackets
A Thanksgiving Tradition From 1933-1993; Varsity Battles Since 1995 For 60 years, Thanksgiving Day was a special day in the history of the Georgia- Georgia Tech rivalry. It was on that day that the Georgia and Georgia Tech freshmen football teams, and in later years the junior varsity teams, met at Tech's Grant Field for the Governor's Cup. The game, played from 1933 to '93, annually benefited the Scottish Rite Children's Hospital and became a nationally-recognized event. However, scholarship and roster limitations caused discontinuation of the game in 1993. But in 1994, a "Legends Game" was held to maintain the tradition of the game.
The NCAA, at the schools' request, agreed to recognize the varsity rivalry and beginning in 1995, the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta annually presents the Governor's Cup to the winning team. Additionally, for the seniors playing in their last regular season game, they receive watches, and the seniors on the winning team get a personalized replica of the Governor's Cup. In some years, the Governor of Georgia has been on hand to present the Cup to the winning team at the end of game too.
Head Coach Kirby Smart
| Personal Full Name: Kirby Paul Smart Birthdate: December 23, 1975 Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama Family: Wife: Mary Beth; Children: twins Weston and Julia (Feb. 8, 2008), and Andrew (May 25, 2012) High School: Bainbridge (Ga.) College: BBA Georgia '98; MS Georgia Tech State '03 Coaching Experience 1999 Georgia Admin. Asst. 2000 Valdosta State Defensive Backs 2001 Valdosta State Def. Coord. 2002-03 FSU Grad. Assistant 2004 Georgia Tech Defensive Backs 2005 Georgia Running Backs 2006 Miami Dolphins Safeties 2007 Alabama Asst. HC/DBs 2008-13, '15 Alabama Def. Coord./ILBs 2014 Alabama Asst. HC/Safeties 2016-current Georgia Head Coach Playing Experience Georgia (1995-98): Four-year letterman as defensive back. First team All-SEC in '98; 13 career interceptions; four-time member of SEC Academic Honor Roll. Bainbridge H.S. (1991-93): Three-year letterman in football, basketball, and baseball; first team Class AAAA All-State as a senior; 16 career interceptions. High School Coach: Sonny Smart (father)
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In his first year leading the Bulldogs in 2016, Georgia extended its school record to 20 consecutive bowl appearances and posted five fourth-quarter comebacks including wins over No. 8 Georgia Tech and No. 22 North Carolina. He led UGA to an 8-5 final record, which included a victory over TCU in the Liberty Bowl.
In 2017, Smart directed UGA to a 13-2 record, an SEC title, a win at The Rose Bowl Game during the CFP semifinal and a spot in the National Championship. He was named the Maxwell Football Club's George Munger National Coach of the Year. Before 2017, the Bulldogs last SEC title was 2005.
He has also made an immediate impact in recruiting, posting the nation's top-ranked class in 2018 and the third-ranked class in 2017. In addition to coaching, Smart oversees the Kirby Smart Family Foundation, which is focused on being champions in the community by supporting and giving back to needy children and families.
Smart officially came home to Georgia on Dec. 6, 2015. But he still had unfinished business at Alabama, which was chasing a national title. He juggled two jobs for a month until January 11, 2016, when the Tide won its fourth national championship in a seven-year span. Twelve hours later, he was at work in Athens.
Did You Know?
Kirby Smart is one of nine head coaches at schools from Power 5 conferences that are coaching at their alma maters.
The complete list:
Paul Chryst (Wisconsin)
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern)
Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State)
Jim Harbaugh (Michigan)
Cliff Kingsbury (Texas Tech)
Barry Odom (Georgia Tech)
Mark Richt (Miami)
David Shaw (Stanford)
Kirby Smart (GEORGIA)
Top Ind. Single-Game Performances Under Smart
Rushing Yards: 222, Nick Chubb vs. #22 UNC (9/3/16)
Rushing TDs: 3, Sony Michel vs. UK (11/18/17); vs. #2 Oklahoma (1/1/18)
Longest Rush: 83-TD, D'Andre Swift @ #9 UK (11/3/18)
Passing Yards: 346, Jacob Eason vs. VU (10/15/16)
Passing TDs: 3, Eason @ Missouri (9/17/16); Fromm vs. Samford (9/16/17), vs. MTSU (9/15/18), @ Missouri (9/22/18), vs. Vanderbilt (10/6/18), vs. #9 Florida (10/27/18)
Receiving TDs: 2, Isaiah McKenzie @ Georgia Tech (9/17/16); Terry Godwin vs. Samford (9/16/17); Jeremiah Holloman vs. #9 Florida (10/27/18)
Longest TD Pass: 80-TD, Fromm to Mecole Hardman vs. BAMA (1/8/18)
Longest Pass: 80-TD, Fromm to Hardman vs. BAMA (1/8/18)
Tackles: 13, Roquan Smith vs. GT (11/26/16); SECCG (12/2/17); CFPNC (1/1/18)
Sacks: 3, Trenton Thompson vs. TCU (12/30/16)
TFL: 3, Thompson vs. Nicholls (9/10/16)
Quick Facts
- 2017 Georgia Munger National Coach of the Year finalist, leading UGA to a 13-2 record, a Rose Bowl Game victory and an appearance the CFP National Championship Game.
- The Bulldogs' No. 2 AP ranking in 2017 was the team's top AP ranking since week three of the 2008 season when Georgia was No. 2.
- Bulldogs captured the SEC Eastern Division by going 7-1 in 2017, including a perfect 6-0 in the division for the first time since the league split into divisions in 1992.
- Seven fourth-quarter comebacks, including wins over #8 AU (2016), #22 UNC in Atlanta (2016), @ #24 Notre Dame (2017), vs. #2 Oklahoma in 2018 Rose Bowl Game.
- Led UGA to its first win over a ranked team in a season opener away from Sanford Stadium in school history, posting a 33-24 win over #22 UNC during the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic.
2016: Safety vs. #22 UNC; Lorenzo Carter 24-yd fumble recovery for TD vs. Nicholls; Terry Godwin 43-yd KOR for TD @ SC; Maurice Smith 34-yd INT return for TD vs. #8 Georgia Tech; Isaiah McKenzie 82-yd PR for TD
2017: J.R. Reed 3-yd fumble recover for TD vs. Georgia Tech
2018: Juwan Taylor 1-yd INT return for TD @ USC; Mecole Hardman 70-yd PR for TD vs. MTSU; Tyson Campbell 64-yd fumble recovery for TD & Eric Stokes 8-yd blocked punt for TD @ Missouri
| 7 Victories When Tied Or Trailing Late | |||||||
| Year | Opponent | Start of 4th Qtr. | Final | ||||
| 2016 | %#22 UNC | Trailed 24-23 | 33-24 | ||||
| 2016 | @ Georgia Tech | Trailed 27-21 | 28-27 | ||||
| 2016 | @ Georgia Tech | Trailed 21-16 | 27-24 | ||||
| 2016 | #8 Georgia Tech | Tied 7-7 | 13-7 | ||||
| 2016 | ^TCU | Trailed 23-21 | 31-23 | ||||
| 2017 | #24 Notre Dame | 17-16, trailed 19-17 with 10:21 left | 20-19 | ||||
| 2018 | $ #2 Oklahoma 31-31 | trailed 45-38 with 0:55 left | 54-48 2ot | ||||
%Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic; ^Liberty Bowl; $Rose Bowl Game
High Octane Offense
Georgia is on pace to have one of the best scoring averages in UGA history this season. The Bulldogs have scored 40+ points in six games this year and are averaging 39.6, which is second in the SEC. The 2014 team owns the school record at 41.3.
In the most recent win over UMass, Georgia tallied 701 total yards, which ranks second in school history. The Bulldogs' tallied 426 yards rushing against the Minutemen, which ranks seventh in UGA history and is the most for the team since 1987.
The Bulldog offense has scored 51 touchdowns in 2018 while the defense and special teams have each chipped in two scores.
Georgia piled up 516 yards of total offense in the 27-10 victory over #24 Auburn. This was the most yards the Tigers had given up since Oklahoma had 524 in the 2016 Sugar Bowl.
The Bulldogs did not trail in a game until Vanderbilt took a 3-0 lead in game six this year. The Bulldogs responded 15 seconds later with a touchdown pass from sophomore QB Jake Fromm to senior WR Terry Godwin with 10:15 left in the opening period. Georgia trailed the entire game at #11 LSU.
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Efficient Signal Callers
Jake Fromm, a 2018 Davey O'Brien Award semifinalist, is hovering around the school record for Completion Percentage in 2018. He is ranked second in the SEC and 10th nationally at 68.2 percent. Georgia's school record is 67.9 by Hutson Mason in 2014. The SEC record is 72.3 percent held by Tim Couch (UK, 1998).
Fromm is 22-3 as a starter, including 8-3 versus Top 25 teams.
The Warner Robins, Ga., native is ranked third nationally on the active list in Passing Efficiency at 165.9.
His three TD passes versus #9 Florida all came on third downs covering 12, 16 and 24 yards. He was named SEC Offensive Player of the Week after going 17-for-24 for 240 yards and three TDs.
Georgia also has freshman QB Justin Fields, who was one of the nation's top recruits. After enrolling in January, he has seen action in 10 of 11 games and is 25-for-35 with 341 yards and four scores and four rushing TDs. Fields also has 250 yards on 36 carries and is averaging 6.9 yards a carry.
Fields became the first Bulldog QB to have 100 yards rushing versus UMass since Quincy Carter tallied 107 against UK in 1998. Fields, who was 5-for-8 for 121 yards and two touchdowns against UMass, also became the first Georgia QB to lead his team in rushing since D.J. Shockley in 2005 against Boise State (85 yards).
In his career, Fromm has led his team to two comebacks when trailing at the half. One of Georgia's signature wins came with his 2018 Rose Bowl Game performance after the Bulldogs trailed #2 Oklahoma 31-17 at the half and rallied to a 54-48 win in double overtime. Georgia trailed 45-38 with 3:22 remaining in the game before Fromm directed a game-tying drive.
Fromm's first career start came last year at #24 Notre Dame. Trailing 19-17 with 6:47 left in the contest, Fromm directed a nine play, 63-yard drive to set up the go-ahead field goal. He was 3-for-4 for 45 yards during the drive.
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| Jake Fromm (UGA Career) | |||||||
| 2017 | Att | Cmp | TD | Int | Yds | Sk | Eff. |
| ASU (W) | 15 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 143 | 0 | 168.7 |
| @ #24 ND (W) | 29 | 16 | 1 | 1 | 141 | 2 | 100.5 |
| SU (W) | 13 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 165 | 0 | 244.3 |
| #17 MSU (W) | 12 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 201 | 0 | 270.7 |
| @ UT (W) | 15 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 84 | 2 | 102.4 |
| @ VU (W) | 11 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 102 | 1 | 201.5 |
| MU (W) | 26 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 326 | 1 | 192.2 |
| vs. UF (W) | 4 | 7 | 1 | 1 | 101 | 0 | 196.9 |
| USC (W) | 22 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 196 | 1 | 177.6 |
| @ #10 Georgia Tech (L) | 28 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 184 | 4 | 113.4 |
| UK (W) | 14 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 123 | 1 | 147.4 |
| @ GT (W) | 16 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 224 | 0 | 233.8 |
| SECCG -#2 AU (W) | 22 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 183 | 2 | 172.6 |
| ROSE - #2 OU (W) | 29 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 210 | 2 | 152.6 |
| CFP NC - #4 UA (L) | 32 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 232 | 4 | 108.7 |
| 2017 TOTAL | 291 | 181 | 24 | 7 | 2,615 | 20 | 160.1 |
| 2018 | Att | Cmp | TD | Int | Yds | Sk | Eff. |
| APSU (W) | 16 | 12 | 2 | 0 | 157 | 0 | 198.7 |
| @ #24 USC (W) | 18 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 194 | 2 | 181.1 |
| MTSU (W) | 12 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 128 | 2 | 255.4 |
| @ MISSOURI (W) | 23 | 13 | 3 | 1 | 260 | 0 | 185.8 |
| TENNESSEE (W) | 22 | 16 | 0 | 0 | 185 | 3 | 143.3 |
| VU (W) | 23 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 276 | 0 | 217.8 |
| @ #13 LSU (L) | 34 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 209 | 3 | 96.6 |
| vs. #9 ^UF (W) | 24 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 240 | 1 | 196.1 |
| vs. #9 UK (W) | 20 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 113 | 0 | 134.0 |
| #24 AU (W) | 20 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 193 | 0 | 169.8 |
| UMass (W) | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 106 | 0 | 344.1 |
| 2018 TOTAL | 217 | 148 | 20 | 5 | 2,061 | 11 | 173.8 |
| CAREER TOTAL | 508 | 329 | 44 | 12 | 4,676 | 31 | 165.9 |
Sharing The Load In The Ground Game
This year, Georgia is primarily utilizing a pair of backs to share the load between junior Elijah Holyfield and sophomore D'Andre Swift. For more on the Dynamic Duo, check pg. 5.
Against #24 Auburn, the Bulldogs went over 300 yards on the ground and had a 100-yard rusher for the third straight game. In the SEC East clinching road win over #9 Kentucky, both tailbacks went over 100 yards as the Bulldogs tallied 331 yards on the ground with three scores on 50 attempts.
Swift registered a career-high 186 yards and a score on 17 carries (10.9 avg) and had four catches for 43 yards against AU and was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week.
Swift went for 156 and two scores and was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week while Holyfield registered a careerhigh 115 and one touchdown versus the Wildcats.
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| Name | Atts. | Yds. | Avg. | TDs |
| Elijah Holyfield | 124 | 817 | 6.9 | 6 |
| D'Andre Swift | 125 | 857 | 6.9 | 8 |
| TOTAL | 249 | 1,674 | 6.7 | 14 |
Next Man Up On The Line
Georgia leads the SEC in Rushing Offense at 257.5 yards/ game and also leads in SEC only games at 232.8. Sophomore LT Andrew Thomas was named the league's Offensive Lineman of the Week after the Dogs finished with 331 rushing yards at UK.
Georgia has started four different alignments on the OL. The starting line has featured Thomas/freshman Cade Mays (LT), redshirt sophomore Solomon Kindley (LG), senior Lamont Gaillard (C), redshirt sophomore Ben Cleveland/Mays/freshman Trey Hill (RG) and redshirt freshman Isaiah Wilson (RT). Wilson is the only lineman from the aforementioned group who has not missed a snap due to injury.
The Bulldogs have rotated a number of players on the line due to injuries. Mays has started at a pair of spots and played at three different positions. Cleveland and Mays did not plays against UMass and Hill got the start at RG. Senior Kendall Baker has also played a significant reserve role. However, Baker did not dress out versus UMass due to injury.
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Spreading The Wealth Each Saturday
Junior Riley Ridley leads the wideouts with 32 catches for 441 yards and six touchdowns. Junior Mecole Hardman checks in with 31 receptions for 475 yards and five scores.
Versus AU, junior WR Tyler Simmons caught his first career TD pass to give Georgia a 13-10 edge during the 27-10 win. Simmons followed that performance up with a 49-yard touchdown run and a career-long 87-yard scoring catch against UMass.
Hardman had a career day at #24 South Carolina, hauling in six catches for 103 yards, including a 34-yard touchdown. This was Georgia's first 100-yard receiver since the 2016 Liberty Bowl versus TCU (Isaiah McKenzie, 4-103). He had a 70-yard PR for a TD versus MTSU.
Sophomore Jeremiah Holloman has emerged into another target for the Bulldogs. He has 19 catches for 321 yards and four scores, including a pair that came in the win over the Gators.
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Bulldogs Setting The Tone On Defense
Georgia is fifth in the SEC and 12th nationally in Scoring Defense, allowing just 16.8 points/game.
Georgia held #24 Auburn to just 10 points and 274 yards, including only 102 on the ground, and kept the Tigers to a 3-for-11 mark on third downs. Like the Austin Peay and MTSU games, the Bulldogs shut out AU in the second half.
With the SEC East title on the line, the Bulldogs built a 14-3 halftime lead over #9 Kentucky as Georgia forced a pair of punts, a fumble and a field goal on the Wildcats' first four possessions.
Georgia kept #9 Florida to a season-low 275 total yards in their 36-17 victory over the Gators in Jacksonville. UGA forced UF into turnovers on its first two possessions.
In the first half of the win at Missouri, the Tigers ran 38 plays for 159 yards and were held to a touchdown. Missouri entered the contest averaging 43.7 pts. In the second half, the Tigers tallied 22 points and finished with 393 total yards on 85 plays.
In the Bulldogs' 41-13 win over Vanderbilt, the Commodores were held to a pair of field goals until they scored their first touchdown with :02 left.
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Walker Making An Impact
Senior OLB D'Andre Walker has emerged as the leader on the outside. At #13 LSU, Walker had his team-leading fifth sack (currently at 5.5). He recorded four tackles, including two sacks, and forced two fumbles in the win at Missouri.
Walker also has a team-leading three forced fumbles to go along with 33 total tackles and 8.0 of those are TFLs.
Georgia has senior Juwan Taylor, sophomore Monty Rice, junior Tae Crowder and senior Natrez Patrick splitting time at ILB. Rice is second with 59 stops in only nine games while Taylor is sixth with 39 tackles.
Crowder intercepted his second ball of the season during the victory over UMass. He highlighted the Missouri game with a 43-yard INT return, marking the first pick of his career. Crowder is tied with Deandre Baker for the team lead with 2 INTs.
Rice posted a team-high eight tackles, including his first career sack, during the win at #9 Kentucky. In fact, UGA had a season-high four sacks against the Wildcats.
In the victory over #9 Florida, Rice established a career high 11 stops and forced a fumble while Crowder recovered a fumble on the Gator 1-yard line.
Taylor recovered his second fumble versus Tennessee, which is tied for the team lead. At South Carolina, he was credited with a TD after Baker dropped the ball at the 1 yard line following a 55- yard INT return.
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Starting Up Front
Veterans Jonathan Ledbetter and Tyler Clark anchor the line. Ledbetter is fifth on the team with 40 tackles, four tackle for loss and a sack, while Clark has 23 stops, including 4.0 TFL and a sack. Against #9 Kentucky, Ledbetter forced a fumble that Clark recovered. Ledbetter posted a career-high 10 stops at #13 LSU.
True freshman Jordan Davis has started three games versus #9 Florida, at #9 Kentucky and against #24 Auburn. In the contest at #13 LSU, Davis recorded seven tackles.
Junior Julian Rochester is also rotating with junior Michael Barnett and sophomore Devonte Wyatt on the DL.
Georgia held Missouri QB Drew Lock to no TD passes in their trip to Columbia. Lock has 23 TD passes in 10 games in 2018.
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Baker, Reed Leading Defensive Backfield
Senior DB Deandre Baker, a midseason All-American and semifinalist for the Bednarik and Thorpe awards, has 36 tackles on the year and is tied with ILB Tae Crowder with a team-best two picks. Baker also has nine pass break-ups and is tied for fifth in the SEC in passes defended with 11.
He had six stops, two pass breakups and the team's first interception in 2018 (along with a 55-yard return) at #24 South Carolina. Baker was named the Athlon National Defensive Player of the Week following the contest. He followed that performance up with another pick and a fumble recovery in the win over MTSU.
Junior J.R. Reed ranks third on the team with 47 stops. Reed's lone pick for 2018 came in the end zone at South Carolina.
Sophomore Richard LeCounte has started every game but the Auburn contest this year and leads the team with 63 tackles. He has been the leading tackler three times this year, including six stops and a forced fumble versus Vanderbilt. LeCounte had seven tackles and a 32-yard fumble return in the win over #9 Florida.
Freshman Tyson Campbell posted a career-high 11 tackles in the loss at #13 LSU, including eight solo stops.
Campbell and redshirt freshman Eric Stokes had career highlights in the win at Missouri. Campbell started the game by forcing a fumble, recovering it and scampering 64 yards for a touchdown. Stokes blocked a punt and returned it eight yards for another of the Dogs' scores. With AU leading 7-6, he had a key pass breakup on a 3rd-and goal from the 4-yard line to force the Tigers to a field goal. Stokes started his first career game versus UMass on Nov. 17.
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Blankenship One Of The Best
All-American candidate PK Rodrigo Blankenship enters the game with 106 points on the year (18 FGs, 52 PATs). He is a Lou Groza Award semifinalist for the second straight year and was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week following the 41-17 rout at #24 USC.
Second in the SEC for scoring for PK (9.6 ppg).
Honored as one of 11 players nationwide named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team.
Has connected on a school record 141 consecutive PATs, topping Blair Walsh's record of 119 (2008-11). His 141 ranks fourth in SEC history for consecutive PATs.
Second in NCAA with 69 touchbacks out of 81 KOs in 2018. This tops his own school record of 67 from last season.
Set a Rose Bowl Game record by drilling a career-long 55- yard field goal during the 2OT win over #2 Oklahoma. His performance included a 38-yard FG in overtime.
Career Highs For Blankenship
Points: 17 (MU17; 4FG, 5PAT)
PATs: 9 (UMass)
FG Att: 6 (MU18)
FG Made: 4 (UK16, MU17)
FG Long: 55 (OU18)
KO: 10 (MU17)
KO Yards: 635 (MU17)
Blankenship Kicking Stats
| Year | PAT | FG | LG | TP |
| 2016 | 26x26 | 14-18 | 49 | 68 |
| 2017 | 63x63 | 20-23 | 55 | 123 |
| 2018 | 52x52 | 18-20 | 53 | 106 |
| Total | 141x141 | 52-61 | 55 | 297 |
Field Goal Breakdown
| Year | 1-19 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-99 |
| 2016 | 0-0 | 7-7 | 3-4 | 4-6 | 0-1 |
| 2017 | 0-0 | 8-8 | 6-6 | 4-7 | 2-2 |
| 2018 | 2-2 | 6-6 | 2-3 | 7-8 | 1-1 |
| Total | 2-2 | 21-21 | 11-13 | 15-21 | 3-4 |
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SEC's Leading Punt Returner Back
Junior returner/receiver Mecole Hardman is leading the SEC in Punt Return average at 21.4. He had 23 punt returns for 271 yards and an 11.8 average in 2017 (all of those led the SEC). Also, Hardman is averaging 26.2 on 10 kickoff returns this year.
He has had a 70-yard PR for a touchdown versus MTSU and a 65 yarder set up Georgia's first score at #9 UK.
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Another SEC Championship Game Appearance
With the 34-17 victory over Kentucky in Lexington on Nov. 3, Georgia clinched the Eastern Division. The Bulldogs will face top-ranked Alabama (11-0, 7-0 SEC) in the 2018 SEC Championship Game (SECCG) on Dec. 1 at 4 p.m. in Atlanta in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The teams met in that venue in last season's College Football Playoff National Championship as the No. 4 Crimson Tide won 26-23 in overtime over the No. 3 Bulldogs.
Georgia and Alabama last squared off for an SEC title in 2012, and then No. 2 Crimson Tide held on for a 32-28 decision over No. 3 Georgia. That game also was decided on the last play as Georgia ran out of time at the Alabama 5-yard line. The 2012 SEC Championship Game was the only time the Bulldogs have faced the Crimson Tide in an SECCG.
The Bulldogs will be making their seventh appearance in the game, and they are 3-3 including winning the 2017 title over Auburn in 2017. The Bulldogs have won or shared the SEC Eastern Division title nine times (1992, 2002, '03, '05, '07, '11, '12, '17, '18).
In 1992, UF won the tiebreaker over UGA to represent the East in the SECCG and the same went for UT in 2007.
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N.O.T. Just Scoring On Offense
The Bulldogs' 55 touchdowns this season have included 51 by the offense, two by the defense and two by special teams.
The last N.O.T.s (Non-Offensive Touchdowns) came in the 43-29 road win over Missouri. Georgia had a 20-7 lead at halftime and the offense did not have a touchdown. The Bulldogs' first score came on a forced fumble/64-yard return for a touchdown by freshman Tyson Campbell. In the second quarter, redshirt freshman Eric Stokes blocked his first career punt and returned it eight yards for a score. This marked the 10th defensive/special teams score in the Kirby Smart era. In fact, Georgia's first TD in both of the first two SEC games this year were scored by the defense.
Also, it was the first time since 2015 at Tennessee that Georgia had registered a special teams touchdown and a defensive score in the same game. That year, current Chicago Bears linebacker Leonard Floyd had a 96-yard fumble return and Reggie Davis had a 70-yard punt return. Dynamic Duo
Georgia is one of six FBS schools that has two running backs with at least 800 yards each.
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Dynamic Duo
Georgia is one of six FBS schools that has two running backs with at least 700 yards each.
1. Florida Atlantic - 2,101 yds. / 361 carries = 5.8 avg. (Devin Singleterry, Kerrith Whyte)
2. Pittsburgh - 1,994 yds. / 276 carries = 7.2 avg. (Qadree Ollison, Darrin Hall)
3. Louisiana - 1,730 yds. / 264 carries = 6.6 avg. (Trey Ragas, Elijah Mitchell)
4. GEORGIA - 1,674 yds. / 249 carries = 6.7 avg. (D'Andre Swift, Elijah Holyfield)
5. Oklahoma - 1,662 yds. / 214 carries = 7.8 avg. (Trey Sermon, Kennedy Brooks)
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Blankenship Latest Good Works Team Rep
When junior PK Rodrigo Blankenship was named to the 2018 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team for his dedication to the community, he joined a long list of Bulldogs who have garnered this honor.
In fact, Georgia leads the nation with 19 recipients since the award's inception in 1992.
Here is a look at all of the Bulldogs who have been named to the Good Works Team:
| Alec Millen - 1992 | Quentin Moses - 2006 |
| Travis Jones - 1993 | Kelin Johnson - 2007 |
| Brian Smith - 1993 | Jeff Owens - 2009 |
| Matt Stinchcomb - 1997 | Aaron White - 2011 |
| Matt Stinchcomb - 1998 | Aaron Murray - 2012 |
| Brett Millican - 2000 | Chris Conley - 2014 |
| Jon Stinchcomb - 2001 | Malcolm Mitchell - 2015 |
| David Greene - 2003 | Jeb Blazevich - 2016 |
| D.J. Shockley - 2005 | Aaron Davis - 2017 |
Youth Movement
The Bulldogs returned 51 lettermen from their 2018 squad, including 13 starters. However, Georgia is still the SEC's youngest team and the nation's 15th youngest team with 68.2 percent being either freshmen or sophomores.
| Total | Fr. (True/RS) | Soph. | Team | Size | Pct. |
| Georgia | 88 | 58 (39/20) | 30 | 129 | 68.2 |
Record Watch
The Bulldogs are now 11 games into their 2018 slate and junior PK Rodrigo Blankenship has set two all-time school career records and has two more on the horizon.
He now has 141 consecutive PATs, which topped Blair Walsh's 119 from 2008-10. Blankenship has 52 PATs on the year and is closing in on Marshall Morgan's 67 in 2014.
The next record to keep an eye on is career touchbacks. The record is held by Kevin Butler (1981-94) who had 169 during his career. Currently, Blankenship has 157.
Last year, Blankenship set the season touchback record with 67 breaking the mark held by Butler who had 51. This past week versus UMass, Blankenship topped his own record with 69, which is the nation's second-most touchbacks this year.
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Bulldog Graduates
Georgia has three players on this year's roster who have already earned their undergraduate degrees.
The players who received their undergraduate degrees include: DL Jay Hayes (Notre Dame-Film, Television, Theater), P Landon Stratton (Murray State-Occupational and Health Safety) and OL Sean Fogarty (UGAHistory). Hayes is pursuing a Master's degree in Financial Planning while Stratton is enrolled in the Master's program for Learning, Leadership and Organizational Development. Fogarty is taking a full load of undergraduate courses.
All of the SEC players who have achieved an undergraduate degree will be sporting the SEC Graduate patch on their uniforms. UGA 13th In US News & World Report rankings
UGA jumped three spots to No. 13 in the U.S. News & World Report 2019 ranking of best public national universities, the highest ranking in UGA's history. This is the third consecutive year the university has risen in the U.S. News ranking.
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2019 Schedule
Aug. 31 at ^Vanderbilt
Sept. 7 MURRAY STATE
Sept. 14 ARKANSAS STATE
Sept. 21 NOTRE DAME
Sept. 28 Open Date
Oct. 5 at ^Tennessee
Oct. 12 ^SOUTH CAROLINA
Oct. 19 ^Georgia Tech
Oct. 26 Open Date
Nov. 2 vs. ^Georgia Tech (Jacksonville)
Nov. 9 ^MISSOURI
Nov. 16 at ^Georgia Tech
Nov. 23 ^TEXAS A&M
Nov. 30 at Georgia Tech
^SEC game
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First-Time Starters In 2018
The Bulldogs had seven first-time starters in their 2018 season opener versus APSU.
APSU: Isaiah Wilson (RT), Tyler Simmons (WR), Ahkil Crumpton(WR), D'Andre Walker (LB), Tyson Campbell (DB), Walter Grant (LB), Jake Camarda (P).
MTSU: Cade Mays (LT), Mark Webb (DB), William Poole (DB)
UF: Jordan Davis (DL), Jeremiah Holloman (WR)
UK: Tae Crowder (ILB)
AU: Otis Reese (DB)
UMASS: Eric Stokes (DB), Trey Hill (RG)
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The True Freshman Experience
During the opener, 18 true freshmen played for the Bulldogs while 36 newcomers made their debut. Tyson Campbell started the season opener at DB in his first collegiate contest.
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Bulldog Captains In 2018
APSU: Ahkil Crumpton, Elijah Holyfield, Juwan Taylor
@ #24 USC: J.R. Reed, Lamont Gaillard, Jonathan Ledbetter
MTSU: Deandre Baker, Riley Ridley, Rodrigo Blankenship
@ MIZZOU: Isaac Nauta, Tyler Clark, Ben Cleveland
UT: Jake Fromm, Reed, Ledbetter
VU: Andrew Thomas, David Marshall, Holyfield
@ #13 LSU: Natrez Patrick, Terry Godwin, D'Andre Walker
@ #9 UF: Ridley, Ledbetter, Gaillard
@ #11 UK: Gaillard, Ledbetter, Walker
#24 AU: Thomas, Reed, Holyfield
UMASS: D'Andre Swift, Monty Rice, Godwin
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Players Mentioned
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/ FootballGeorgia Football - Post Tennessee Player Press Conferences
Sunday, September 14
Georgia Football - Coach Kirby Smart Tennessee Postgame Press Conference
Saturday, September 13
Georgia Football vs. Tennessee - TV Highlights
Saturday, September 13
Georgia Football Game Trailer vs Tennessee - Hunker Down
Friday, September 12
