Report Card: Georgia completely dominates Kentucky
What we saw from Georgia on Saturday was, without a doubt, its most complete showing of the 2023 season. The Bulldogs scored on their first six possessions of the game, eight of their first nine, and nine of 11 overall. UGA out gained the Wildcats by over 400 yards and dominated certain key aspects of the game from a defensive standpoint. With all of that said, it wasn’t perfect. DawgsHQ has rewatched the game and we are ready to grade every position group with this week’s report card.
Georgia quarterbacks
Carson Beck did very little wrong against Kentucky. He was on fire from the opening possession of the game and it was well in hand before he made his first mistake. Beck was confident and decisive as he carved up the Wildcat defense to the tune of 307 passing yards and three touchdowns in the first half. He had another score in the second half but he did toss his second interception of the season. Brock Vandagriff came on early in the third quarter and put together a scoring drive of his own where he used his legs and arm. Grade: A
UGA Running Backs
Georgia didn’t use the run game a ton but it was really effective anyway. Daijun Edwards led all rushers and needed just nine carries to get there. He piled up 54 yards on the ground and another 51 as a receiver on six catches. Kendall Milton ran really hard but did garner a pair of holding penalties. Dillon Bell had a hard time getting things going. Andrew Paul saw some action late and caught the first score of his career. Grade: A-
Georgia receivers and tight ends…
The Bulldogs had a pair of drops that were ultimately inconsequential and those were the only negatives from the receivers. Brock Bowers had another huge day, reaching 100 yards for the third straight week. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint opened the scoring with a 40-yard catch and run and finished just a yard short of 100. Rara Thomas had a big day and a tremendous grab for the first touchdown of his career. Oscar Delp also came up with a touchdown. Grade: A
Oct 7, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive lineman Tate Ratledge (69) blocks against Kentucky Wildcats defensive lineman Darrion Henry-Young (50) during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
UGA offensive line
Stacy Searels‘ unit has caught a lot of flack this season, maybe more than it has deserved at times. It deserves virtually none after this game. The Bulldogs were up against the biggest, most talented defensive front they have played this season and the offensive line responded with its best game. Kentucky managed just one tackle for loss while the Georgia starters were in the game. Tate Ratledge, after struggling last week vs. Auburn, was dominant at the point of attack and the tackles held up really well. Kentucky threw the kitchen sink at Beck and the offensive line gave him time. The Bulldogs also owned the point of attack in the run game. Grade: A+
Georgia defensive line
Once again the Bulldogs controlled the interior run game. Kentucky found little to no success between the tackles. Now, with that said, the defensive ends let a couple of runs get away from them on the edges. Georgia used both Tramel Walthour and Mykel Williams in the game at the same time and Kentucky was able to seal them off on some early outside runs. Nazir Stackhouse broke up a pass and Warren Brinson, who was flagged for a brutally bad roughing the passer penalty, provided some pressure. Christen Miller had a good showing and Williams got more effective as a pass rusher as the game went on. Grade: B+
UGA linebackers
We saw ups and downs from the second level of the defense and there was more of the former than the latter. Kentucky had the Georgia linebackers guessing a little early in the game. The Bulldogs were in their base defense in the early going and the Wildcats used some misdirection and eye candy to freeze those guys.
Chaz Chambliss had a couple of instances where he lost the edge but he also had a big tackle for loss and a third-down pass breakup. Jamon Dumas-Johnson had 1.5 sacks, covered well, and played his best game of the season. Smael Mondon and Jalon Walker flashed some serious speed against both the run and the pass. Grade: B+
Oct 7, 2023; Athens, Georgia, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Kamari Lassiter (3) tackles Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Devin Leary (13) at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Georgia defensive backs
The Bulldogs are fortunate that Kentucky didn’t threaten more early in the game. The secondary had a slow start with Tykee Smith losing track of a Kentucky receiver on the opening drive. Devin Leary delivered an inaccurate ball but that was a bust. Kamari Lassiter was also beaten early for a big game and there were a few drops.
But credit to the unit coached by Fran Brown and Will Muschamp because they got their issues corrected and put the clamps on Kentucky’s receivers. Lassiter had two big pass breakups, Malaki Starks, who gave up the Wildcats’ first touchdown, came back with some plays. Grade: B
Georgia special teams
Peyton Woodring missed three field goals in weeks two and three combined and many felt that would be a problem for Georgia. After not trying one in week four, he has now made five straight starting with two pressure kicks vs. Auburn last week. He was three of three tonight with a career-long 46-yarder. Mekhi Mews didn’t field a couple of punts that he may could have gotten to and he had a big return called back due to an illegal block. Brett Thorson punted just once and it went for 40 yards. Grade: A-
Overall
Georgia had a great plan and executed it really well. Yes, Kentucky made some mistakes early that helped the Bulldogs out, but they made the Wildcats paid every step of the way. UGA was the more confident, more physical, and more composed football team on Saturday. The start was fast and Georgia did well on third down on both sides of the ball. The Bulldogs need to shore up their red zone defense but that’s the only truly negative takeaway. Grade: A
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