University of Georgia Athletics
Photo by: Camille Menzies/UGAAA
Chris Cole Named SEC Defensive Player Of The Week
September 28, 2026 | Football
ATHENS, Ga. --- Georgia junior linebacker Chris Cole has been named the Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Week following the Bulldogs' 41-13 rout of Oklahoma over the weekend.
Cole, a native of Salem, Va., tallied eight tackles, including a sack, and recovered two fumbles, featuring one return for an 85-yard touchdown. With the Bulldogs up 14-0 in the second quarter, he recovered a loose ball and went 85 yards (fourth longest fumble return in school history) to give UGA a 21-0 edge.
Later in the quarter, Cole collected his second fumble recovery and returned it to the Sooner 11 yard line. Georgia scored its fourth touchdown of the day two plays later. This makes him the first Bulldog since Roquan Smith to have two fumble recoveries in a game after Smith accomplished the feat during the win over Auburn in the 2017 SEC Championship Game.
Cole helped keep Oklahoma scoreless in the first half and to only 65 yards on the ground. The Bulldogs have yet to allow any points in the opening period this season.
The Bulldogs will play host to Vanderbilt this Saturday at 12:45 p.m. SEC Network will televise the Homecoming matchup.
Cole, a native of Salem, Va., tallied eight tackles, including a sack, and recovered two fumbles, featuring one return for an 85-yard touchdown. With the Bulldogs up 14-0 in the second quarter, he recovered a loose ball and went 85 yards (fourth longest fumble return in school history) to give UGA a 21-0 edge.
Later in the quarter, Cole collected his second fumble recovery and returned it to the Sooner 11 yard line. Georgia scored its fourth touchdown of the day two plays later. This makes him the first Bulldog since Roquan Smith to have two fumble recoveries in a game after Smith accomplished the feat during the win over Auburn in the 2017 SEC Championship Game.
Cole helped keep Oklahoma scoreless in the first half and to only 65 yards on the ground. The Bulldogs have yet to allow any points in the opening period this season.
The Bulldogs will play host to Vanderbilt this Saturday at 12:45 p.m. SEC Network will televise the Homecoming matchup.
Players Mentioned
ILB
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