By Peter Bartlett
Homecoming weekend in Athens went off without a hitch, as the Dawgs steamrolled the Kentucky Wildcats 35-14. Gunner Stockton continued to impress, throwing for 196 yards and a touchdown, and running for 48 yards and two scores in the winning effort.
“I was excited about our guys getting a fast start today,” said head coach Kirby Smart after the win. “I thought we had good energy on offense.”
Georgia burst out of the gate, jumping in front 14-0 after back-to-back opening touchdown drives. The dawgs drove 75 yards on their opening possession and 96 yards on the following drive, punctuating each with a Stockton rushing touchdown. The ground attack was proficient and selfless throughout the contest, with nine different players rushing the ball for a combined 180 yards and two touchdowns. Chauncey Bowens and Stockton spearheaded the attack, as has become the trend through the early season.
Georgia then hit a bit of a wall. The secondary continues to be inconsistent in their lane integrity, and were torn apart on a four-play, 75-yard touchdown drive led by Kentucky quarterback Cutter Boley. When coach Smart was asked what he’s learned about his secondary through five games, Smart said:
“That we’re a work in progress. We’ve had bad eye control moments where guys don’t see what they’re supposed to see.”
Things went from bad to worse as Gunner Stockton threw his first interception of the year to Jordan Lovett, trying to throw a seam route to London Humphreys. Stockton has been great with ball security this season, and Smart noted that interceptions come with risk and he wasn’t particularly concerned by the play. Georgia’s defense responded well, and the offense put together a 40-yard drive to reclaim control of the game, finished off with a touchdown rush by Dillon Bell. A missed chip shot field goal by Kentucky left the score 21-7 dawgs at half.
In the third quarter, Georgia fully pulled away. A strip fumble by CJ Allen gave Georgia great field position to start the second half, and they turned it into points with another rushing touchdown from Dillon Bell. Stockton then led a 71-yard scoring drive, finished off by a 16-yard touchdown pass to Cash Jones, and Georgia took a 28-point lead.
Stockton and the starters were then sat down for the remainder of the game. Ryan Puglisi threw an interception himself, and Kentucky scored on the ensuing drive to finish off our score at 35-14.
While the win was not perfect, Georgia showed strong resilience coming back from the gut-wrenching loss a week ago. The secondary has a lot of room to grow, but the offensive ground attack looks deadlier than we’ve seen it in years. Georgia now sets their eyes on their longtime rival, Auburn, and a nighttime trip to Jordan-Hare Stadium.
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