I actually considered not even doing a post today, since the Dawgs made such quick work out of perhaps one of the worst teams in FBS. What was there to learn, or even be entertained by this game, on the couch yesterday? Would anyone even be reading today? And then I remembered we only get 13-15 of these, so (like the Dawgs) I needed to find some intrinsic value in (posting about) this game, and for me it has always been about the sustained and growing connection with the Refugee readership. With that in mind, we’ll hit some brief bullets and then be off to Hate Week.
- Really enjoyed the seniors getting a lot of play yesterday. Other a disappointing day for Dylan Bell who had a drop and some missed blocks, all the other guys playing for the last time in Sanford showed up really well.
- Yesterday felt almost as sleepy as an off week, especially coming down from that super-hyped UT game last weekend. I’m sure that boomerang effect, the obvious talent gap, and spring game-like scheme muted the team’s play.
- I mean, when Cash Jones is a better athlete than anyone on the other team, you know it’s a payday game. But he’s so fun to watch in these moments, because you know he loves the extra PT.
- Gunner mostly played great football again, even with the basic scheme forcing him into more scrambling attempts than I wanted to see.
- Only 2 bad throws stand out – the throw to Humphreys on the sideline when he had Branch over the middle (and which should have been picked off) and the INT forcing the ball to Luckie when he had Cash in the flat. Otherwise, he played with energy and didn’t let the competition bring the offense down.
- The OL, missing 2 starters, handled their business nicely. Micah Morris and Juan Gaston looked like they were playing against middle schoolers.
- Glad Bobo and Greene got to rest up for Tech, because they’re going to throw the kitchen sink at our OL on Friday.
- With Chauncey Bowens resting his injury, Nate Frazier got his chance for stats, but he was indecisive early and missed some opportunities. When he settled down, put a foot in the ground and went vertical he got some big runs and a couple of scores. Just wish that he’d always be that version of himself.
- Really fun day for all the RBs, with Bo Walker getting some good reps and even a RodRob sighting!
- I was hoping for Branch to break one of the many returns he got but a couple of shoestring tackles did him in.
- Absolutely gorgeous interception by Ellis. Kirby said he was beat by his guy and took advantage, but it seemed like Ellis actually left his guy to get the ball, a drill that I’ve seen them rep before. 🤷🏻♂️
- Elijah Griffin with his first sack of many! Game by game, instead of hitting the freshman wall, that young man is becoming tougher to block. Hopefully this game gives him some more confidence. We need his A-game badly next week.
- Overall, the defense played well and shut down a weak QB. A couple of sacks, lots of pressure with a 4-man rush, and a couple of picks. Fun times.
- Charlotte had some fairly impressive wideouts that I imagine won’t be on that roster next year.
- As for the backups that flashed, well, not so much. Kind of a meh performance from the second and third string guys. CJ Wiley dropped another ball but came back with a nice catch later. Puglisi was nervy at first but settled down and managed through some drops. The OL subs outside of Cortez Smith have a long way to go. The LBs looked great. And the DBs held up ok in coverage. But again, the intensity of game like that makes it tough to give any real grades. Practice is way more difficult for them.
All I kept wondering is whether this would be like the UMass game last year where we couldn’t get starters out early enough, but it all worked out well. No injuries, a mental break, and a week full of valuable game reps for backups. Couldn’t have dialed it up better. And now it’s on to COFH.
While some may have concerns about Tech after last year, I suspect this year won’t be as difficult. GT’s defense is average (there are only 3-4 players who would be in Georgia’s 2-deep). Their offense is a one-man show, and if CJ Allen can play then I think the Dawgs shut them down. If CJ is still out (which is what I suspect), Tech will be successful on more misdirection plays but I still see this as a 2-score win. Hope a lot of you can get to the Benz for the game, bc we need to take advantage of Tech’s decision to move a home game to a neutral site. I think it’s gonna be a ton of fun for us. Until then, have a great Thanksgiving and Go Dawgs!
Let’s hope we don’t need to play at MBS two weeks in a row.
Bring on Bama!
I noticed that Stockton came out with the Seniors. What does this mean?
Losing a good bit of talent with this Senior group
Barring a huge run and a natty, I think Gunner returns.
I imagine that his decision would have to be based on how the NFL scouts view his draft prospects. If their good enough, he’ll probably declare. But as far as I can tell, there isn’t any buzz about him in the pros so I bet he returns.
The bigger question is, if he returns, what does that mean for our QB room. We have Pugs and Montgomery waiting in the wings. If Gunner returns, does that help Vandy flip Curtis?
Word is that Curtis knows Gunner is coming back and he’s fine fighting for the backup job.
I’m reading Curtis is going to flip to Vandy because they guaranteed he would start.
Also, Senior Day is for any player that’s been in school 4 years, which is Gunner. I think it’s a slam dunk Gumner returns. He lives and breathes Georgia football.
Gunner may well be the second coming of SBIV but two things he hasn’t shown is the ability to reliably throw and hit the back shoulder fade and the deep ball. With Colbie missing, we may just not have the kind of receiver who knows how to get up and fight for the ball (although our TEs and Bell certainly can). On the deep ball, Gunner has seemed to miss the opportunity to throw it more than he’s tried…we’ve had guys open. As a running QB maybe he just doesn’t like that extra second sitting in the pocket and early on his OL wasn’t giving him time but at this point in the season and career he needs to demonstrate that if he’s going to the next level. I don’t think it’s Bobo…he has always loved to have his QBs take a first down PA deep shot. Seems that’s missing this year. Gunner is incredibly good with the screens, intermediate curls and scrambling so maybe we’re just using him where he’s most effective. If any team can be burned deep it’s tech. Hope we try it.
Can’t argue with any of that. I hope Gunner showcases that exact ability against tech. It’s the missing threat to this offense. I would add Gunner doesn’t have the WR weapons Bennett had.
Gotta have room for improvement!
I may be crazy – worse has been said – but did anyone else see 56 Morris playing on the d-line late in the game? Any ideas why he would be out there, or was it simply a jersey change for another defensive starter? I swear a saw M. Something on the jersey, but distance and old age wouldn’t allow me to bet on it.
They emptied the bench so it could’ve been anyone. I had the program open because there were plenty of numbers I didn’t recognize.
I saw that too but think it was 55, a 4th string DL.
I know we were playing it close to the vest but the backups didn’t really impress me that much. Puglisi seemed to press and only threw fastballs. Of course, Gunner was the same way when he got into games late. Hard to control those emotions, I suspect.
Bo Walker ran hard. Some of the defensive backups did okay.