Defense Stifled Marshall On Third Down
August 30, 2025 | Football, The Frierson Files
By John Frierson
Staff Writer
Whatever Marshall tried to do on offense Saturday against fifth-ranked Georgia's defense, the Bulldogs took it away. Through the first three quarters of Georgia's 45-7 season-opening win at Sanford Stadium, when the starters were still mostly on the field, the Thundering Herd managed less than 75 yards of offense, no points and no third-down conversions.Â
"They played hard and ran to the ball," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.Â
It was a solid opening performance from a defense that knows that the standard is high around here.
"We know what the standard here is, the standard that's been set before us," said linebacker CJ Allen, who made his 18th career start Saturday and had four tackles. "We're trying to uphold that standard and keep pushing forward to set it higher."
That standard starts with stopping the run, Allen said. Georgia led the Herd to 78 yards on 31 carries.
"Our first thing is always to stop the run. That's what we're kind of built on, that's what this university's built on, stopping the run, so that's always the main thing," Allen said.
There is always room for improvement, but Georgia's third-down defense couldn't have been much better Saturday. In the first quarter, Marshall was 0-for-2 on third downs. In the second, the Herd were 0-for-5. And in the third, they went 0-for-3. Marshall finished 3-for-15 on third downs after converting three in the fourth quarter when Georgia's starters were on the sideline.
"That just shows that we care about every down," said linebacker Raylen Wilson, who tied for the team lead with seven tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage. "The biggest thing is just getting them to third down, so we can try and cut loose and put our (pass) rushers out there."
Wilson, a junior who made his third career start Saturday, said he had the pregame nerves just like he always does.
"I still have them jitters — it's a good thing. It's good jitters, not bad jitters. If you're not nervous, you're not ready," he said.
Georgia's defense started strong and stayed strong. On Marshall's first possession, it had minus-1 yard after three plays. It went three-and-out on its second possession, as well, and seven times in the game overall. Through three quarters, Marshall had just 72 yards of offense.
The Herd's only touchdown came with 10:27 remaining, after Georgia had taken a 45-0 lead.
"I thought our guys competed," Smart said. "I still think if we're going to be who we want to be, we have to create more turnovers."
Georgia didn't force any turnovers, but it made a play on special teams that was like a turnover. Safety KJ Bolden blocked a punt in the second quarter, and Georgia linebacker Terrell Foster recovered it at the Marshall 20-yard line.
"I just tried to come off the ball fast," said Bolden, who finished with four tackles and a pass breakup on a third-down throw in the first quarter. "I could see I was close (to the punter) and I just jumped, I dove. But I would have never made that play if my teammates didn't execute their job, as well."
Saturday's game was the first as Bulldogs for the Branch brothers, Zachariah and Zion, who transferred from USC. On offense, Zachariah turned a simple screen pass to the left side early in the third quarter into a 47-yard touchdown and a 31-0 lead, and finished with three catches for a team-high 95 yards. On defense, Zion, a reserve safety, tied with Wilson for the team lead with seven tackles.
Wilson and defensive end Gabe Harris, Jr., each had two of Georgia's six tackles for loss. Seven Bulldogs had at least two tackles overall, and 17 players made one stop apiece.
Staff Writer
Whatever Marshall tried to do on offense Saturday against fifth-ranked Georgia's defense, the Bulldogs took it away. Through the first three quarters of Georgia's 45-7 season-opening win at Sanford Stadium, when the starters were still mostly on the field, the Thundering Herd managed less than 75 yards of offense, no points and no third-down conversions.Â
"They played hard and ran to the ball," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said.Â
It was a solid opening performance from a defense that knows that the standard is high around here.
"We know what the standard here is, the standard that's been set before us," said linebacker CJ Allen, who made his 18th career start Saturday and had four tackles. "We're trying to uphold that standard and keep pushing forward to set it higher."
That standard starts with stopping the run, Allen said. Georgia led the Herd to 78 yards on 31 carries.
"Our first thing is always to stop the run. That's what we're kind of built on, that's what this university's built on, stopping the run, so that's always the main thing," Allen said.
There is always room for improvement, but Georgia's third-down defense couldn't have been much better Saturday. In the first quarter, Marshall was 0-for-2 on third downs. In the second, the Herd were 0-for-5. And in the third, they went 0-for-3. Marshall finished 3-for-15 on third downs after converting three in the fourth quarter when Georgia's starters were on the sideline.
"That just shows that we care about every down," said linebacker Raylen Wilson, who tied for the team lead with seven tackles, including two behind the line of scrimmage. "The biggest thing is just getting them to third down, so we can try and cut loose and put our (pass) rushers out there."
Wilson, a junior who made his third career start Saturday, said he had the pregame nerves just like he always does.
"I still have them jitters — it's a good thing. It's good jitters, not bad jitters. If you're not nervous, you're not ready," he said.
Georgia's defense started strong and stayed strong. On Marshall's first possession, it had minus-1 yard after three plays. It went three-and-out on its second possession, as well, and seven times in the game overall. Through three quarters, Marshall had just 72 yards of offense.
The Herd's only touchdown came with 10:27 remaining, after Georgia had taken a 45-0 lead.
"I thought our guys competed," Smart said. "I still think if we're going to be who we want to be, we have to create more turnovers."
Georgia didn't force any turnovers, but it made a play on special teams that was like a turnover. Safety KJ Bolden blocked a punt in the second quarter, and Georgia linebacker Terrell Foster recovered it at the Marshall 20-yard line.
"I just tried to come off the ball fast," said Bolden, who finished with four tackles and a pass breakup on a third-down throw in the first quarter. "I could see I was close (to the punter) and I just jumped, I dove. But I would have never made that play if my teammates didn't execute their job, as well."
Saturday's game was the first as Bulldogs for the Branch brothers, Zachariah and Zion, who transferred from USC. On offense, Zachariah turned a simple screen pass to the left side early in the third quarter into a 47-yard touchdown and a 31-0 lead, and finished with three catches for a team-high 95 yards. On defense, Zion, a reserve safety, tied with Wilson for the team lead with seven tackles.
Wilson and defensive end Gabe Harris, Jr., each had two of Georgia's six tackles for loss. Seven Bulldogs had at least two tackles overall, and 17 players made one stop apiece.
Assistant Sports Communications Director John Frierson is the staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can find his work at: Frierson Files.
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