Saturday, December 7

Atlanta, Ga.

4:00 PM

University of Georgia

LSU

Notes: Georgia Football Takes Aim At 14th SEC Title

December 02, 2019 | Football

Complete Game Notes (PDF)

The Georgia Bulldogs vs. The LSU Tigers

Game & Broadcast Info

Kickoff: Saturday, December 7 - 4:00 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (73,000) | Atlanta, Ga.
2019 Records: Georgia 11-1 (7-1 SEC), LSU 12-0 (8-0 SEC))
History: Georgia vs. Georgia Tech All-Time Series Results
Rankings: Georgia #4, Georgia Tech NR
TV: CBS - Brad Nessler (PxP), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jamie Erdahl (sidelines)
Video Stream: CBSSports.com
Radio: WSB AM 750 - Bulldog Network | Affiliates | Scott Howard (PxP), Eric Zeier (Color), Chuck Dowdle (sideline)
Audio Stream: georgiadogs.com | TuneIn
Satellite: SiriusXM: 138/191/962
Web Stats: Live Stats
Twitter: #UGAvsLSU
ReBroadcast: SEC Network: TBA

Georgia	2019 Averages	LSU
32.9	Scoring Offense	48.7
10.4	Scoring Defense	22.1
+2	Turnover Margin	+6
420.6	Total Offense	560.4
200.0	Rushing Offense	170.4
220.6	Passing Offense	390.0
11.4	Punt Returns	12.3
18.8	Kickoff Returns	20.9

Bulldogs Take Aim At 14th SEC Title

Fourth-ranked Georgia (11-1) looks to capture its 14th SEC title and second in the past three seasons when it meets LSU (12-0), ranked No. 2 in the CFP, Saturday in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. Georgia is 43-11 under Kirby Smart since 2016, including 33-3 the last three years in the regular season. The Bulldogs will be making their third consecutive appearance in the SEC Championship Game in Mercedes- Benz Stadium and will be facing their third different opponent from the Western Division. Sixth-ranked Georgia beat fourth-ranked Auburn 28-7 for the 2017 SEC crown. Top-ranked Alabama rallied past fourth-ranked Georgia 35-28 for the 2018 SEC title. Georgia's 13 conference titles rank second in the SEC. The Bulldogs are 3-4 all-time in SECCG, including 1-2 versus LSU. The Tigers lead the overall series 17-13-1.

Also, with a victory Saturday, Georgia would become just the fifth team in school history to register at least 12 wins in a season. The teams that have done it are: 1980: 12-0 National Champions, Final Ranking #1; 2002: 13-1, Final Ranking: #3; 2012: 12-2, Final Ranking: #5; 2017: 13-2, CFP National Finalist, Final Ranking: #2.

SEC Championship Game: Top-Rated Defense Faces Top-Rated Offense

Currently, Georgia leads the SEC and is second nationally in Scoring Defense, allowing just 10.4 points a game while LSU ranks first in the league and second nationally in Scoring Offense at 48.7 points per game. Georgia and Clemson are the only FBS teams not to allow more than 20 points in a game this season. Georgia was the first FBS team in at least the past 20 years to not allow a rushing TD through its first nine games. At No. 12 Auburn, the Tigers ended the streak in the fourth quarter. It is the lone rushing TD allowed by the Bulldogs this year.

Currently, Georgia is fifth in the SEC in Scoring Offense (32.9 ppg) while the Tigers are eight in Scoring Defense at 22.1 ppg. Georgia leads the league and is fourth nationally in Total Defense (257.0 yards per game) while the Tigers are first in the league and second nationally in Total Offense (560.4 ypg). In Rushing Offense, Georgia is fifth in the SEC and the Tigers are sixth. LSU has the league's best Passing Offense and second nationally while the Bulldogs rank seventh in the league in that category. The Bulldogs lead the SEC and are second nationally in Rushing Defense (71.0 ypg) while the Tigers are fourth in the SEC. In Passing Defense, Georgia is fourth and LSU is ninth.

The Bulldogs have finished a season with the league's top scoring defense six times, most recently in 2002 when they won the SEC title. That year, Georgia gave up just 15.1 points a game. In 1968, Georgia led the SEC and NCAA in scoring defense at 9.8 points a game. In a season with 12+ games, Georgia's school record for Scoring Defense is 14.5 by the 2003 squad that won the SEC Eastern Division, went 11-3 and ended the year ranked # 7.

Bulldogs Versus Top 10 Teams In the Smart Era

Georgia is 7-3 against top 10 teams in the Kirby Smart era, including 2-0 this year. Two of the games so far have been on the road and six have come at neutral sites, including two victories in Jacksonville the last two years.

Nov. 12, 2016 NR Georgia d. #9 Auburn 13-7 in Athens
Nov. 11, 2017 #10 Auburn d. #2 Georgia 40-17 in Auburn
Dec. 2, 2017 #6 Georgia d. #4 Auburn 28-7 in Atlanta, SEC Championship Game
Jan. 1, 2018 #3 Georgia d. #2 Oklahoma 54-48 {2OT} in Pasadena, CFP Semifinal - Rose Bowl Game
Jan. 8, 2018 #4 Alabama d. #3 Georgia 26-23 {OT} in Atlanta, National Championship Game
Oct. 27, 2018 #7 Georgia d. #9 Florida 36-17 in Jacksonville
Nov. 3, 2018 #6 Georgia d. #9 Kentucky 34-17 in Lexington
Dec. 1, 2018 #1 Alabama d. #4 Georgia 35-28 in Atlanta, SEC Championship Game
Sept. 21, 2019 #3 Georgia d. #7 Notre Dame 23-17 in Athens
Nov. 2, 2019 #8 Georgia d. #6 Florida 24-17 in Jacksonville

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 Arkansas State State '03

Coaching Experience
1999 Georgia Admin. Asst.
2000 Valdosta State Defensive Backs
2001 Valdosta State Def. Coord.
2002-03 FSU Grad. Assistant
2004 Arkansas State 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)

When Georgia looked for a head coach after the 2015 season, the arrows pointed to Kirby Smart, longtime Alabama defensive coordinator and former UGA player and assistant. The 2017 Associated Press SEC Coach of the Year has not disappointed.

In his first year leading the Dogs in 2016, Georgia extended its school record to 20 consecutive bowl appearances and had five fourth-quarter comebacks including wins over No. 8 Auburn and No. 22 UNC.

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.

The 2019 season saw the Bulldogs go 11-3 and earn a second straight trip to the SEC Championship Game and a berth to the Sugar Bowl.

He has also made an immediate impact in recruiting, posting the nation's top-ranked class in 2018, the second-ranked class in 2019 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.

Coach Smart's Record
Year	W	L	Pct.	SEC
2016	8	5	.615	4-4
2017	13	2	.866	7-1
2018	11	3	.786	7-1
2019	10	1	.909	7-1
Total	43	11	.796	26-9

Did You Know?
Kirby Smart is one of 11 head coaches at schools from Power 5 conferences that are coaching at their alma maters.

The complete list:
Paul Chryst (Wisconsin), Barry Odom (Missouri), Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern), David Shaw (Stanford), Scott Frost (Nebraska), Kirby Smart (GEORGIA), Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State), Jonathan Smith (Oregon State), Jim Harbaugh (Michigan), Tom Allen (Indiana), Matt Luke (Ole Miss)

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: 4, Jake Fromm vs. GT (11/25/18)
Receiving TDs: 2, Isaiah McKenzie @ Missouri (9/17/16); Terry Godwin vs. Samford (9/16/17); Jeremiah Holloman vs. #9 Florida (10/27/18); Riley Ridley vs. GT (11/2518); George Pickens vs. Missouri (11/9/19)
Longest Pass/TD Pass: 80-TD, Fromm to Mecole 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

Clinched the 2018 SEC East title with the team's second straight 6-0 mark in the division.
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.
Advanced to 2017 & 2018 SECCG.
Went 6-0 in the division in 2017 and 2018 for the first time since the SEC 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 Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in school history, posting a 33-24 win over #22 UNC during the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic

12 Defense/Special Teams Scores
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 AU; Isaiah McKenzie 82-yd PR for TD vs. ULL
2017: J.R. Reed 3-yd fumble recovery for TD vs. Florida
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
2019: J.R. Reed 14-yd PR for TD vs. Murray St.; Tae Crowder 60-yd fumble recovery for TD @ Tennessee

7 Victories When Tied Or Trailing Late
Year	Opponent	Start of 4th Qtr.	Final
2016	%#22 UNC	Trailed 24-23	33-24
2016	@ MIZZ	Trailed 27-21	28-27
2016	@ UK	Trailed 21-16	27-24
2016	#8 AUB	Tied 7-7	13-7
2016	^TCU	Trailed 23-21	31-23
2017	#24 UND	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

Bulldogs Verus Top 10 Teams In the Smart Era

Georgia is 6-3 against top 10 teams in the Kirby Smart era, including 2-0 in Athens. Two of the games have been on the road and five have come at neutral sites.

Nov. 12, 2016 NR Georgia d. #9 Auburn 13-7 in Athens
Nov. 11, 2017 #10 Auburn d. #2 Georgia 40-17 in Auburn
Dec. 2, 2017 #6 Georgia d. #4 Auburn 28-7 in Atlanta, SEC Championship Game
Jan. 1, 2018 #3 Georgia d. #2 Oklahoma 54-48 {2OT} in Pasadena, CFP Semifinal - Rose Bowl Game
Jan. 8, 2018 #4 Alabama d. #3 Georgia 26-23 {OT} in Atlanta, National Championship Game
Oct. 27, 2018 #7 Georgia d. #9 Florida 36-17 in Jacksonville
Nov. 3, 2018 #6 Georgia d. #9 Kentucky 34-17 in Lexington
Dec. 1, 2018 #1 Alabama d. #4 Georgia 35-28 in Atlanta, SEC Championship Game
Sep. 21, 2019 #3 Georgia d. #7 Notre Dame 23-17 in Athens
Nov. 1, 2019 #8 Georgia d. #6 Florida 24-17 in Jacksonville

2018 Flashback: #13 LSU defeats #2 Georgia 36-16

The 13th-ranked Tigers built a 16-0 halftime lead and ultimately posted a 36-16 upset of second-ranked Georgia in front of a crowd of 102,321 at Tiger Stadium. Defensively, Georgia surrendered a season-high 36 points and 475 yards of total offense plus the Tigers were fourfor- four on fourth down conversions. The Bulldogs did force LSU to five field goals inside the 25-yard line.

In the first half, quarterback Jake Fromm was only 5-of-16 for 47 yards while D'Andre Swift and Elijah Holyfield combined for 80 yards rushing. Georgia's best drive failed to produce points when the Tigers snuffed a fake field goal at the LSU 14-yard line. Fromm finished 16-for-34 for 209 yards and one TD while Tiger signal-caller Joe Burrow was 15-for-30 for 200 yards and one rushing TD. Swift ended the day with 72 yards while Clyde Edwards-Helaire led the Tigers with 145 yards on 19 carries. LSU tallied 275 yards on the ground. Georgia's scores came from a 40-yard field goal by Rodrigo Blankenship, a 10-yard run by Holyfield and a 27- yard reception to Riley Ridley from Fromm.

Fromm Directs The Offense

Jake Fromm is 34-6 as a starter, including 12-5 versus Top 25 teams. He has started an FBS best 40 straight games for QBs.

The Warner Robins, Ga., native in the top five in UGA history for TD passes (75-No. 2), passing yards (7,749-No. 4) and pass completions (581-No. 4).

Has directed Georgia to three straight SEC Eastern Division titles, one SEC title and an appearance in the CFP National Championship Game. In his last SEC road game, Fromm had three TD passes in a 21-14 win at #12 Auburn to clinch the 2019 East crown.

Pushed his career record versus Florida to 3-0 by topping the #6 Gators 24-17 with a performance that included 20-for-30 for 279 yards and two scores. The team was 12-for-18 on third downs.

Currently he has a 62.0% completion percentage and has 2,385 passing yards and 21 touchdown tosses in 2019.

Georgia ranks fifth in the SEC in Scoring Offense (32.9 ppg). The Bulldogs ranks third nationally in Red Zone Offense (95.9%).

In his career, Fromm has led his team to three comeback wins when trailing at the half, including versus #7 Notre Dame in Athens this season and over #2 Oklahoma in the 2018 Rose Bowl Game/ College Football Playoff Semifinal Game.

Currently, the No. 2 QB is RSo. Stetson Bennett, who is in his second stint with the Bulldogs after re-enrolling in UGA in January. Bennett was on the 2017 Bulldog team. This season, Bennett is 20-for-26 (76.9%) for 260 yards with two TDs and one pick.

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 AUB (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
@ MIZZ (W)	23	13	3	1	260	0	185.8
TENN (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	169.1
UMASS (W)	5	5	1	0	106	0	344.1
GT (W)	16	13	4	0	175	0	255.6
SECCG #1 BAMA (L)	39	25	3	0	01	2	154.3
SUGAR - #15 TEX (L)	34	20	3	1	212	2	134.4
2018 TOTAL	306	206	30	6	2,749	15	171.2
2019	Att	Cmp	TD	Int	Yds	Sk	Eff.
@VU (W)	23	15	1	0	156	0	136.5
MUR (W)	11	10	1	0	166	1	247.7
ASU (W)	22	17	3	0	279	0	228.8
#7 ND (W)	26	20	1	0	187	0	150.0
UT (W)	29	24	2	0	288	0	188.9
USC (L)	51	28	1	3	295	3	98.2
UK (W)	12	9	0	0	35	0	99.5
#6 UF (W)	30	20	2	0	279	0	166.8
MU (W)	29	13	2	0	173	1	117.7
#12 AU (W)	28	13	3	0	110	1	114.8
#24 A&M (W)	23	11	1	0	163	2	121.7
GT (W)	29	14	4	0	254	1	167.4
2019 TOTAL	313	194	21	3	2,385	9	146.2
CAREER TOTAL	910	581	75	16	7,749	45	159.1

Pound The Rock

For the second straight year, junior D'Andre Swift has gone over a 1,000 yards for the season. He eclipsed the mark in the second quarter at #12 AU on a 26-yard run. Swift is the fifth Bulldog in history to have a pair of 1,000-yard seasons and the first since Nick Chubb did it three times (2014, '16-17). He has registered more than 100 yards five times this season (nine in his career) and ranks seventh in Bulldog history with 2,870 career rushing yards.

A 2019 Maxwell Award semifinalist, Swift has 1,203 yards on 193 carries (6.2 per carry) along with seven touchdowns.

Swift earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week honors after carrying the ball 21 times for 179 yards (8.5 avg.) in the win over UK. This was the highest output for Swift since he piled up a careerhigh 186 on 17 carries during the win over #24 Auburn last year.

Along with Swift, Georgia's tailbacks who have shared the load include Sr. Brian Herrien, So. James Cook and RFr. Zamir White. Five different Bulldog tailbacks have scored this season.

Herrien shined versus #6 UF in the receiving game with career highs of four for 46 yards. He had a one-handed grab on third down that led to a field goal in the third quarter. Against #12 AU, Herrien had his second career TD catch (first of 2019) to put the Bulldogs up 14-0.

A Look At The Line

Georgia's starting offensive line, which is a 2019 Joe Moore Award semifinalist, averages 6 feet, 5 inches and 328.6 pounds, making it the biggest unit in Bulldog history.

Georgia is ranked third nationally giving up only nine sacks this year.

UGA is fifth in the SEC at 200.2 rushing yards/game.

The Bulldogs returned four of five starters, including All- American LT Andrew Thomas and Freshman All-American RT Isaiah Wilson and Cade Mays, who lined up at OG and OT last season and has continued that trend in 2019. The trio is also joined by junior guards Solomon Kindley and Ben Cleveland and sophomore C Trey Hill, who all had starts in 2018.

Thomas was recently named a Midseason All-American and an Outland Trophy semifinalist and is a two-time SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week this year.

Mays has now played every spot on the line in 2019, including C against Missouri after Hill went down with an ankle injury.

Top Targets

UGA's leading receivers are graduate transfer Lawrence Cager (33 rec., 476 yds., 4 TDs), freshman George Pickens (33 rec., 498 yds., 6 TDs) and junior Demetris Robertson (26 rec., 281 yds., 3 TDs).

Cager, who has been limited because of an injury since the win over #6 UF, sustained an ankle injury during practice leading up to the GT game. Kirby Smart said Cager is doubtful to return.

Pickens registered his team-leading sixth touchdown catch in the rout at Georgia Tech. However, he will miss the first half of the SEC Championship Game after being ejected for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

Freshman Dominick Blaylock (17 rec., 299 yds., 5 TDs) has also shined this season, leading the group with an 17.6 per catch average. Blaylock had his first career 100-yard game in the win over Arkansas State (4 rec., 112 yds., 1 TD) and caught his third career TD against the Gators. In the win over #12 AU, he started the scoring with a 51-yard touchdown catch. He is also serving as the team's punt returner, returning three for 45 last time out at GT.

Senior Tyler Simmons had his first TD of the year in the blowout of GT. He has 14 catches for 168 yards this season.

The Bulldogs also have a pair of veteran tight ends in senior Charlie Woerner and graduate transfer Eli Wolf (Tennessee). Wolf has 13 catches for 194 yards this season and one touchdown while Woerner has eight for 62 yards and a score. Woerner scored the first TD of his career in his last regular season game at GT.

Defense Leading The Way

Georgia is one of only two FBS teams (Clemson) to not allow more than 20 points in a game this year.

Georgia leads the SEC in Scoring Defense at 10.4 points/ game (tied No. 2 nationally), Rushing Defense at 71.0 yds/g (No. 2 nationally) and in Total Defense at 257.0 yds/g (No. 4 nationally).

The Bulldogs have allowed just 125 points in 2019 including only 84 in SEC action.

The Bulldogs held #12 AU scoreless through the first three quarters. The Tigers ended up running 86 plays for the game, which is the most ever by an opponent in the Kirby Smart era.

UGA has allowed just one rushing touchdown. Georgia ranks third in the nation in Red Zone Defense (66.7%).

The defense has posted 31 scoreless quarters, including shutouts against Arkansas State (55-0), Kentucky (21-0) and Missouri (27-0). The school record for fewest average points allowed in a 12+ game season is 14.5 in 2003. The fewest points allowed in a 12+ game season is 198 in 2004.

In its last 10 games, Georgia has surrendered just 48 points in the second half. The Bulldogs have outscored opponents in the second half 182-58, including 98-42 in the fourth quarter.

Georgia held #24 Texas A&M to minus-two yards rushing, the lowest by a Bulldog opponent since 2011 (UF had minus-19). The Aggies averaged 434.3 yards of total offense a game and managed 273 against Georgia.

The Bulldogs blanked Missouri by holding the Tigers to 198 total yards, including just 50 on 24 carries.

Georgia held the #6 Gators to 21 yards rushing on 19 carries and just 278 total yards during a 24-17 win. UF came in averaging more than 400 yards/game on offense.

Georgia was trailing #7 Notre Dame 10-7 at the half (the touchdown allowed was on a five-play, 8-yard drive following a turnover) and held the Irish scoreless in the third quarter and just a touchdown in the final period in the 23-17 win.

Up Front

The personnel up front this season includes primarily Jordan Davis, Michael Barnett, Tyler Clark, Malik Herring and Devonte Wyatt.

Freshman Travon Walker extinguished #12 AU's last hope with a sack in the fourth quarter.

Clark leads the unit with 24 stops, including a team-leading 8.0 tackles for loss of 34 yards.

Georgia held #7 Notre Dame (46), #6 Florida (21) and #24 Texas A&M (minus-2) to a combined total of 65 yards rushing.

Reed Leading Defensive Backfield

Graduate J.R. Reed and Jr. Richard LeCounte are starting at the safety spots along with RSo. Eric Stokes and Jr. DJ Daniel on the corners. Jr. Mark Webb, RFr. Divaad Wilson and So. Tyson Campbell also have a combined 11 starts in the backfield.

LeCounte is third on the team with 53 tackles while Reed, a 2019 Bronko Nagurski Trophy & Jim Thorpe Award finalist, is fourth with 48 stops.

LeCounte, who leads the SEC with three recovered fumbles and is tied for the team lead with two fumble recoveries, had his second pick of the year and third of his career against Missouri. He returned it 71 yards.

In the most recent action, Campbell jumped on a fumbled punt late in the fourth quarter at Georgia Tech for a touchdown.

With Campbell out against #7 Notre Dame and Stokes leaving in the first series with a knee injury, Georgia leaned on Wilson and Daniel. Wilson had his first career pick and an 11-yard return. Daniel finished with five stops, including a TFL, and had the final pass breakup at the 7-yard line on fourth down with 0:48 left.

Linebacker Leaders

Led by veteran linebackers Tae Crowder and Monty Rice, the Bulldogs have welcomed in a younger contingent of RFr. Azeez Ojulari, JUCO transfer Jermaine Johnson and Fr. Nolan Smith and Nakobe Dean along with So. Quay Walker.

Rice is the team leader with 79 tackles and had a 10-tackle performance during the win at #12 AU.

Crowder, a 2019 Butkus Award semifinalist, is second on the team with 55 stops.

Ojulari has a team leading 4.5 sacks for the year and is second on the squad with five tackles for loss. He became the first freshman captain in the Kirby Smart era at UT and responded with a pair of sacks.

Crowder led Georgia with nine stops, including a TFL, against #7 Notre Dame. At UT, Crowder scooped up a fumble following a sack by Stokes and returned in 60 yards for a touchdown.

Rodrigo Owns The Record

2019 Midseason All-American PK and Lou Groza Award finalist Rodrigo Blankenship owns the Bulldog record for Career Points with 428 and that is second in SEC history. He set the mark in the 19-13 win over No. 24 Texas A&M as he tallied 13 points in the victory. He has 115 points this year. His 9.6 pts/game is second in the SEC. He is 24-for-28 on FGs and 43-for-43 on PATs.

Made three 50-yarders this year (@ VU, @ UT, SC).

Named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week six times in 2019 (@ VU, #7 ND, @ UT, vs. #6 UF, MU, #24 A&M).

Finalist of the 2019 William V. Campbell Trophy for academic success, football performance and leadership.

Connected on a school record 197 consecutive PATs, which ranks 2nd in SEC history. {SEC record: 198, Daniel Carlson, AU, 2014-17; NCAA record: 233 by Alex Trlica, Texas Tech, 2004-07)

School record holder with 227 career touchbacks in 54 games (227 out of 321 kickoffs = 71%). Currently in 12 games, he has 58 touchbacks out of 76 kickoffs (76%). Set school single season record for touchbacks in 2018 with 82 out of 96 kickoffs (85%).

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. In the 2018 National Championship Game, he drilled a 51 yarder in overtime to give Georgia a 23-20 lead over #4 Alabama.

Career Highs For Blankenship
Points: 17 (MU17; 4FG, 5PAT)
PATs: 9 (2x, MUR19, UMASS18)
FG Att: 5 (2x)
FG Made: 4 (4x, last vs. A&M 19)
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	65x65	19-23	53	122
2019	43x43	24-28	50	115
Total	197x197	77-92	55	428

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	7-7	2-4	7-8	1-1
2019	1-1	4-4	8-8	8-11	3-4
Total	3-3	26-26	19-22	23-33	6-8

Camarda, Nixon, Walker Round Out Specialists

Sophomore P Jake Camarda has averaged 47.3 yards/punt this season, which ranks fourth in the SEC. In SEC games only, Camarda ranks second at 48.3. Overall, he has punted 50 times, including two career long punts of 66. For his career, he has nine punts of 60 or more yds., including 66 yarders at #12 AU and versus South Carolina.

The Bulldogs are using two snappers. Graduate transfer Steven Nixon (punts) and RFr. Payne Walker (FGs/PATs) are sharing duties during their first year of action.

Georgia Returns To The SEC Championship Game

The Bulldogs will be making their eighth appearance in the game, and they are 3-4 including winning the 2017 title over No. 4 Auburn. The Bulldogs have won or shared the SEC Eastern Division title 10 times (1992, 2002, '03, '05, '07, '11, '12, '17, '18, 19). In 1992, UF won the tiebreaker over UGA to represent the East in the SECCG and the same went for UT in 2007.

The Bulldogs will be aiming for their 14th SEC title in school history. Georgia's SEC titles have come in 1942-46-48-59-66-68-76- 80-81-82-02-05-17. In the league, Georgia's 13 SEC titles trails only Alabama's 27.

Georgia's Record In SECCG: 3-4 (Atlanta, Ga.)

2002: #4 Georgia d. #22 Arkansas 30-3 (Ga. Dome)
2003: #3 LSU d. #5 Georgia 34-13 (Ga. Dome)
2005: #13 Georgia def. #3 LSU 34-14 (Ga. Dome)
2011: #1 LSU d. #12 Georgia 42-10 (Ga. Dome)
2012: #2 Alabama d. #3 Georgia 32-28 (Ga. Dome)
2017: #6 Georgia d. #4 Auburn 28-7 (Mercedes-Benz)
2018: #1 Alabama d. #4 Georgia 35-28 (Mercedes-Benz)
MVPs: David Greene, QB, '02; D.J. Shockley, QB, '05; Roquan Smith, ILB, '17

A Look At The Eight SEC Eastern Division Clinchers When The Bulldogs Advanced To Atlanta

2019: #4 UGA beat #12 Auburn 21-14 on Nov. 16 in Auburn to go to 6-1 in SEC.
2018: #6 UGA beat #9 Kentucky 34-17 on Nov. 3 in Lexington to go to 6-1 in SEC. It marked the earliest that both participants (Alabama) in the SEC Championship game had been determined as the Crimson Tide beat LSU later that day.
2017: #1 UGA beat South Carolina 24-10 on Nov. 4 in Athens to go to 6-0 in SEC. It was the earliest a team had clinched since Florida (Oct. 31 in 2009).
2012: #7 UGA beat Auburn 38-0 on Nov. 10 in Auburn to go to 7-1 in SEC.
2011: #18 UGA beat Kentucky 19-10 on Nov. 19 in Athens to go to 7-1 in SEC.
2005: #14 UGA beat Kentucky 45-13 on Nov. 19 in Athens to go to 6-2 in SEC.
2003: A three-way tie with UT and UF (all were 6-2 in the SEC) to represent the Eastern Division in the SEC Championship Game was broken using the BCS rankings. #5 Georgia had the best ranking plus a win over UT who had the next best ranking.
2002: #7 UGA beat #24 Auburn 24-21 on Nov. 16 in Auburn to go to 7-1 in SEC for their first appearance in the SEC Championship Game.
Note: in 1992, Georgia and Florida were co-champions in the Eastern Division at 6-2, but the Gators won the tie-breaker by virtue of a 26-24 win in Jacksonville. In 2007, Georgia and UT were cochampions at 6-2, and the Vols won the tie-breaker after posting a 35-14 win in week six.

Bulldog Graduates

Georgia has seven players on this year's roster who have already earned their undergraduate degrees. The graduates include: WR Lawrence Cager (Miami-Business Management), TE Eli Wolf (Tennessee-Business Marketing), DB J.R. Reed (UGA-Communication Studies), QB Jes Sutherland (Samford-Business Management/ Marketing), LS Steven Nixon (Mercer-Business Management), DT Michael Barnett (UGA-Communication Studies) and PK Rodrigo Blankenship (UGA-Journalism). These Bulldogs get to wear the SEC graduate patch on their uniforms.

Georgia Versus No. 1 Ranked Teams

The Bulldogs are 1-5 all-time against a top-ranked team and all five games have been at neutral sites. Currently, LSU is ranked No. 1 in the AP and Coaches polls and No. 2 in the College Football Playoff poll.

Jan. 1, 1977: #1 Pittsburgh def. #5 GEORGIA 27-3 in the Sugar Bowl in New Orleans, La.
Nov. 9, 1985: #17 GEORGIA def. #1 Florida 24-3 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Nov. 2, 1996: #1 Florida def. Unranked GEORGIA 47-7 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Oct. 31, 2009: #1 Florida def. Unranked GEORGIA 41-17 in Jacksonville, Fla.
Dec. 3, 2011: #1 LSU def. #12 GEORGIA 42-10 in SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, Ga.
Dec. 1, 2018: #1 Alabama def. #4 GEORGIA 35-28 in SEC Championship Game in Atlanta, Ga.

Bulldogs, Tigers Share Common Opponents

Georgia and LSU had four common opponents during the regular season with each team going 4-0 versus those foes (Vanderbilt, Florida, Auburn and Texas A&M). Both squads faced the Commodores in Nashville, Tenn. Georgia defeated Florida in Jacksonville, Auburn on The Plains and Texas A&M at home. The Tigers beat the Gators, Tigers and Aggies in Baton Rouge.