Georgia Football Snapshots after South Carolina win

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The No.9 Georgia Bulldogs did exactly what a team as talented as possible should do to an under-endowed South Carolina team. The Bulldogs had some big plays in the running game and the passing game. He harassed a freshman quarterback all night.

And Georgia finally came back with a 45-16 victory in Columbia, SC. It was a complete performance for the Georgia starters and perhaps the best of the season. And that helps avenge a 20-17 loss to South Carolina in Athens, Georgia in 2019.

Georgia was quick to jump in, scoring on their first three possessions of the game to take a 21-0 lead. With the win, Georgia goes 6-2 the season, while South Carolina drops to 2-7. The Bulldogs will have their last home game of the season against Vanderbilt next week.

Here are some of the observations and lessons to be learned from the victory in Georgia.

JT Daniels doesn’t replicate success against Mississippi State

Many wondered how quarterback JT Daniels would track his 401-yard performance against South Carolina. Granted, the Gamecocks wouldn’t use the same hedging strategy as the state of Mississippi.

Daniels didn’t release those jaw-dropping numbers as he had just 139 yards in the game on 16 attempts. But Georgia didn’t ask him to do the same either, given the success in the running game.

Daniels ‘first touchdown pass came in the game’s first practice as he connected with Tre’ McKitty for a touchdown, his first as a Bulldog. McKitty also had a 40-yard catch on the drive.

His second came on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Daniels hit an Arian Smith wide open for the touchdown. The capture was the first of Smith’s career after the quick wide receiver missed time with a preseason knee injury.

Daniels threw his first interception as a Bulldog, but he was a little unlucky in that regard when the ball hit Kearis Jackson in the hands, only for Jammie Robinson of South Carolina to make an incredible play. Daniels had a third quarter pass that should have been picked, so it balances out.

Georgia’s crossing offensive was not as sharp as it was a week ago. Daniels picked up on Jermaine Burton for what would have been a long pass in the second quarter. Then in the third quarter, Burton couldn’t find a pass from Daniels that would have been a touchdown. This was only Daniels’ second start after a nearly 15-month layoff, so perhaps with more reps in the game, Daniels and the wide receivers can continue to refine the passing attack.

The performance in South Carolina was not the laser show Daniels had against the State of Mississippi. But when you’re running 7.2 yards per carry, you don’t need Daniels and company to be great.

Georgia’s ground game bounces big

Georgia had just eight rushing yards against Mississippi State a week ago. In the days following the game, Kirby Smart pointed out that the offensive line had their butt kicked.

Against South Carolina, the Bulldogs appeared to respond to what Smart had to say as Georgia ran for 208 yards in the first half. The Bulldogs got explosive runs from James Cook and Zamir White.

The two third-year running backs both had multiple touchdowns for the Bulldogs. Cook had a career day on the field, as he ran for 104 yards in the win. He brought out some of his explosive abilities by pulling 44 and 29 yard runs, the second of which was hit.

Georgia finished the game with 332 rushing yards. The Bulldogs also received significant representatives from backups Kenny McIntosh and Daijun Edwards. White finished with 84 yards, Mcintosh had 79 and Edwards boasted 77. Kendall Milton missed his second straight game with an MCL injury, but there is a chance he will come back against Vanderbilt on the week. next.

Between the running backs and the offensive line – Georgia threw Jamaree Salyer, Justin Shaffer, Trey Hill, Ben Cleveland and Warren McClendon – it was a much needed rebound effort for the group.

Georgia Pass rush comes home, a lot

South Carolina freshman Luke Doty made his first career start on Saturday night. He did some great things in the first period and helped South Carolina score 10 points in the second quarter on the Georgia defense.

But thanks to a 21-0 lead, Doty was under siege for much of the night. The Bulldogs finished with 4.0 sacks. It wasn’t just a Georgia defender having a monster night. Jermaine Johnson had a bag. Azeez Ojulari also had one. Channing Tindall also added on his return home to Columbia, SC

Johnson now has sacks in five straight games and sacks third in the conference. Ojulari, meanwhile, now sits second in the conference with 5.5 sacks.

In all, four Georgian defenders finished with sacks. Georgia has done a much better job after quarterback this season compared to what they did in 2018 and 2019. With three games to play in the season, Georgia have 24 sacks against 31 in the last 14 games. last year and 24 in 14 competitions in 2018.

If there was one complaint about Georgia’s defense, it’s that tight South Carolina winger Nick Muse had a career night out. The tight end finished with eight catches and 131 yards as well as a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

The question of Wan Mathis

There was a quarterback drama leading up to the game as D’Wan Mathis didn’t make the trip to South Carolina and he may not be on the squad for much longer. According to a report by Jake Rowe of 247Sports, Mathis is expected to enter the transfer portal. However, when he was reached by DawgNation, Mathis’ father, Terence, could not confirm this.

Mathis started Georgia’s first game of the season against Arkansas. He also came to the rescue for injured Stetson Bennett against Florida. During the season, he completed 12 of his 30 passing attempts while also throwing a three-interception touchdown. But after Daniels’ strong play, the writing seems to be on the wall for Mathis.

Georgian coach Kirby Smart will no doubt be asked about Mathis during his post-match press conference. Mathis is a freshman in a red shirt after missing the entire 2019 season with brain surgery.

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