In what was the most frustrating, empty calorie wins in the Cocktail Party, the Dawgs go into Jacksonville and beat Florida in a game that should have never been close. Turnovers, blown assignments, poor tackling and a slow start made this game competitive deep into the 4th quarter until a great interception by CJ Allen and a short TD run by Peanut Phillips put the game on ice. Here’s a link to my preview:
Team Stats:
3 turnovers … 2 of which directly result in 10 Florida points. They were bad interceptions thrown by a quarterback who played pretty well except for those plays. A 4th down conversion given up to the back-up quarterback led to another 3 points. Florida was abysmal on offense throughout. DJ Lagway was 2 of 6 for 47 yards and a TD off a Malaki Starks blown assignment and 18 yards rushing when he went out. This game is a perfect example of “every possession needs to end with a kick” unless you are running out either half especially when you have a field position weapon like the Thunder from Down Under.
Ugh.
Individual Stats:
Another week … another anemic performance in the running game and another game where the defense seemed to let tailbacks get loose at the most inopportune times. 113 yards on 26 carries for Frazier & Etienne combined wasn’t Georgia football. 138 yards on 29 carries was definitely not up to the Georgia defensive standard. The mishandled FG snap by Florida took what was neutral in the running game and tilted it towards the Dawgs. Something, something about every drive ending in a kick … that miscue led to a Georgia TD.
Something to Consider for 2025:
The kid from Compton was a warrior in his first opportunity to experience the intensity of the Cocktail Party. Once Trevor Etienne went down, Frazier ran hard scoring one TD and setting up another. He wasn’t flashy but solid and secured the ball … something we couldn’t say consistently about him in 2024. As RB1 entering the fall, we all expect him to be the bell cow in the RBU mold of those who have gone before him.
If Frazier goes for 1,000 this year, the Dawgs will be in Atlanta in December … book it.
Chaz Chambliss was much maligned by some over the last couple of years, but he did much of the dirty work playing opposite Mykel Williams and Jalon Walker. Gabe Harris and some others are going to get their shot this fall to show what they can do. One thing to say about #32 is that he steadily improved throughout his time at Georgia. I hope one of the young guys can replace him.
Not going to paste the stats in from Woodring and Thorson … suffice it to say, they were once again perfect in a game where points mattered and field position is invaluable.
Summary:
The Cocktail Party is one where “winning is like better than losing” as the Dawgs win again in Jacksonville, Georgia. That seems the approach Kirby had with the press following the game:
Let us know your thoughts in the comments.
This was a weird game to watch. The Handbags are going to woulda coulda shoulda this one for a while, like our Tech friends have been doing since the 8 OT game. I think a large part of the negative press on Georgia is because of games like this one and the run of games to end the year including ND. Our injury situation and depleted receiving room can’t be emphasized enough, along with having an anemic DL, banged up guys everywhere on defense who could’ve been making this a way different outcome. The “Lagway is Jesus” touchdown was simple busted coverage, but I can’t help but remember that the guy seemed to sack himself too easily. When you predicate your success on roster management and much of that roster is beat to hell, this type of game ensues.
I don’t get the media’s love affair with Lagway. He’s a good player and could eventually be what the Handbag faithful hope he is … $Cam Newton without the penchant for stealing from other students. He could just as easily turn into AR-7 1/2 under the tutelage of Sun Belt Billy.
Annnnnd don’t forget his shoulder injury isn’t looking like he is going to be able to go into this season 100% (or if he is, it might not last long before it’s not 100%)
Never got nervous about the outcome. It was clear we just weren’t finishing drives. Was not impressed with Lagway nor that 600 lb tub they love so much.