LIVE UPDATES: No. 1 Georgia 17, UT-Martin 0 – 2Q
ATHENS, Ga. — It’s game day at Sanford Stadium as No. 1 Georgia kicks off its 2023 campaign by hosting UT-Martin in the Classic City. The Skyhawks are out of the Big South-Ohio Valley Conference and FCS level under the direction of 18th year head coach Jason Simpson. Meanwhile, it’s year eight for Kirby Smart as head coach of the Bulldogs, guiding them to back-to-back National Championships in 2021 and 2022. Georgia will look to become the first winner of three straight since the 1930s this fall.
Among the biggest storylines entering this season is the presence of a new starting quarterback between the hedges. Fourth-year Carson Beck takes over for Stetson Bennett having waited his turn for the opportunity. Lucky for him, he’ll be surrounded by a cast of characters that are both talented and experienced including tight end Brock Bowers, wide receivers Ladd McConkey and Dominic Lovett, running backs Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton all behind an offensive line that returns four players that started multiple games for the Bulldogs last season (Sedrick Van Pran, Xavier Truss, Tate Ratledge, Amarius Mims).
Defensively, the story is similar. Four of the team’s top five tacklers from last season return for another year in Athens, and there’s experience on all levels of the defense. Up front, veterans on the interior like Zion Logue, Nazir Stackouse and Warren Brinson held set a standard for all on the team. Last year’s sack leader Mykel Williams is also back, and he’ll look to create havoc alongside the likes of linebackers Smael Mondon and Jamon Dumas-Johnson while the backend is held down by Kamari Lassiter, Javon Bullard and Malaki Starks.
Georgia does have a couple of questionable players coming into today’s contest including a few of those named above. For more on UGA’s injury situation, be sure to check out our DawgsHQ injury report.
Kickoff time from Sanford Stadium in Athens is set for 6:00 p.m. ET on ESPN+ and SEC Network. Below, DawgsHQ provides links for you to stream the game live, listen in, and follow along with the live stats.
STREAM | LISTEN | STATS
As always, there’s one more way to keep up with the goings on in this game. In the space below, DawgsHQ will be providing live updates, scores, highlights and news from before and during the game. Just use the refresh button on your browser to see those updates as they roll in.
Second Quarter
FIELD GOAL UGA – Georgia settles for a field goal to end the first half. Three seconds still remain, but the Bulldogs were a little bit of a mess there inside the red zone. Peyton Woodring makes first field goal of his career from 23 yards out. (UGA 17, UTM 0 0:03)Cash Jones and Dominic Lovett pick up consecutive first downs for Georgia to get the Dawgs down to the UTM5. Check down to Jones picked up 12 while the slot fade to Lovett was good for 25.TIMEOUT UGA – After a big gain by Brock Bowers, Georgia is past midfield. Facing a 3rd and 3 with 48 seconds to go, Kirby Smart uses his third and final timeout of the half.PUNT UTM – Georgia takes over with 2:17 to go at their own 20.TIMEOUT UGA – Second of the half called by Kirby Smart. He’ll want to see Carson Beck and the offense execute the 2:00 drill after the UTM punt.TOUCHDOWN UGA – Carson Beck keeps it for a rushing touchdown. Not at all what you’d expect out of him, but a score is a score. (UGA 14, UTM 0 4:29 2Q)Kendall Milton picks up 38 on the first play of the new Georgia drive. Good to see him back out there and healthy. Could be just what UGA needs to get into gear here.PUNT UTM – Another three and out for UT-Martin. Smael Mondon was in there for Georgia on the 3rd and 8 which turned into 3rd and 13 with a delay of game. Bulldogs take over at their 32 halfway through second quarter.PUNT UGA – On 3rd and 5, Kendall Milton loses a yard. Brett Thorson punt fair caught at the UTM12 where the Skyhawks will take over after the TV timeout.Roderick Robinson picks up 23 down the UGA sideline on 3rd and 1. Big guy was picking up momentum as he moved there.Georgia moves the chains with a pass to Brock Bowers. He fumbled, but it was quickly recovered by Arian Smith.PUNT UTM – Tykee Smith with a strong tackle for loss on the first play out of the break, putting Skyhawks behind the sticks. They gained yardage on second down before an incompletion on third. Lined up to go for it, pooch punt from the quarterback downed at the UGA7.
First Quarter
END 1Q – UT-Martin QB Kinkead Dent keeps for a gain of 26 past midfield. Teams to switch sides and get going again in a few. (UGA 7, UTM 0)True freshman CJ Allen getting some run with the first team defense beside Jamon Dumas-Johnson at inside linebacker.PUNT UGA – Carson Beck throws behind an open Dominic Lovett on third down and the Dawgs are forced to punt. Brett Thorson has now seen more action today than he did in last year’s National Championship Game when he punted just once.Offensive line starting to show its hand with the rotation. Dylan Fairchild in at right guard for Tate Ratledge. Other four are still the starters (Earnest Greene, Xavier Truss, Sedrick Van Pran, Amarius Mims).PUNT UTM – Skyhawks go three-and-out again. Mykel Williams records the season’s first sack. Had some help by Darris Smith.Third series for the defense, and we’re getting a couple of different looks at players. Julian Humphrey at cornerback opposite of Lassiter. Marvin Jones getting reps on first and second down at outside linebacker. Now on third, DIME defense features Jordan Hall, Darris Smith and Jalon Walker.TOUCHDOWN UGA – Brock Bowers takes the end around handoff into the end zone from three yards out. PAT attempted by Peyton Woodring is good. (UGA 7, UTM 0 3:40 1Q)Georgia mixing up its groupings at wide receiver with no Ladd McConkey, no DeNylon Morrissette, no Jackson Meeks and so far no Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint. Along with the usual Dominic Lovett, Dillon Bell and Arian Smith, we’ve seen Rara Thomas, CJ Smith and Meki Mews all have been in there.PUNT UTM – Three-and-out for UT-Martin. Georgia defense successful so far on both of its third downs. Mews calls fair catch on the kick. Bulldogs to take over at their 24.PUNT UGA – Georgia goes three-and-out on its first drive. UGA lost yardage on the first play before picking up six on a screen pass to Dillon Bell. Third-down pass attempt falls incomplete, intended for Arian Smith with what looked like potential holding on the defensive back.Kendall Milton begins the game in the backfield for Georgia on the second play of the game. First set saw an empty backfield with three wide receivers and two tight ends split out.PUNT UTM – Georgia gets off the field with a stop on 3rd and 15. Mekhi Mews back deep to return. He picks up yardage to the 25 where Dawgs will take over.Dan Jackson and Jalon Walker come on the field for Georgia’s first DIME package of the season. Off goes Chaz Chambliss and an interior d-lineman.Kamari Lassiter and Daylen Everette the starting corners. Safeties are Javon Bullard and Malaki Starks with Tykee Smith at STAR. Xavian Sorey and Jamon Dumas-Johnson get the go at inside linebacker. Chaz Chambliss at outside. On the defensive line, Zion Logue, Nazir Stackhouse and Mykel Williams.
Looks like it’ll be Jared Zirkel getting this game underway with the opening kickoff for Georgia. Not a huge surprise since he’s got a super strong leg.TOSS – UT-Martin wins the toss and will take the ball. Georgia to kickoff left to right on your screen.
Pregame
Recent NFL retiree Sony Michel on hand to Call the Dawgs.STORY – Offensive lineman Xavier Truss was wearing the No. 77 that his teammate, roommate and friend Devin Willock wore. Today’s game is first since his passing.Daylen Everette announced as a starter at cornerback. Both kickers Peyton Woodring and Jared Zirkel were announced as starting specialists. Watched the kickers go through warm ups and saw Woodring miss a couple while Zirkel was hitting from the same range. Distance wasn’t the issue for Woodring, rather direction. Quarterbacks were the holders, Carson Beck with the first group of kickers.Georgia running backs Daijun Edwards and Kendall Milton both did go through warmups. Also saw Kamari Lassiter and Smael Mondon doing some drills defensively.On the positive end of a pregame injury update, Raylen Wilson was going through drills with the linebackers wearing a brace on his right knee. Five-star freshman suffered a hyperextended knee during the team’s first scrimmage.STORY – Wide receiver Ladd McConkey highlighting the Georgia players not dressed out for tonight’s game. Others included wide receivers DeNylon Morrissette and Jackson Meeks, tight end Lawson Luckie, linebacker EJ Lightsey and cornerback Chris Peal. All dealing with some sort of an injury.
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