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ATHENS – Georgia’s offense erupted like never before in Kirby Smart Era on Saturday night, showing the world a passing game the Bulldogs missed.
When quarterback JT Daniels rolled to his right and fired a shot at George Pickens in the end zone in the first quarter, it was the first of four straight practices with throws and catches that left many mouths open.
WATCH: JT Daniels on 400-yard game, ‘We had a great game plan’
The second-year USC transfer in the red shirt had 401 yards and 4 touchdowns on 28 of 38 passes, while Pickens regained his pace with 8 catches for 87 yards in the 31-24 win at Sanford Stadium.
It was the first 400-yard passing game by a Georgia quarterback since all-time SEC leader Aaron Murray racked up 415 yards in a loss to Auburn in 2013.
Daniels’ best shots were for rookie Jermaine Burton. The freshman fan attracted a lot of unique cover that Daniels was too ready to exploit.
RELATED: Kirby Explains Why JT Daniels Didn’t Perform Earlier
Burton had catches of 49, 46 and 48 yards en route to 197 yards and two touchdowns on his eight catches. The school’s record is 205 yards in a 2012 Tavarras King game against Michigan State.
To think about: Burton had 10 catches for 130 yards in the first six games of the season combined.
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– Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) November 22, 2020
There were three more bombs that night: 28 yards at Pickens, 31 yards at Demetris Robertson and 40 yards at Kearis Jackson.
“We can be explosive,” coach Kirby Smart said in a neutral tone after the game. “I saw these kinds of pieces in training and even at other times we were able to be explosive.
“I thought it was the difference in the game; our explosive games against there no explosives.
Jackson, the team’s receiving leader with 31 catches this season for 451 yards, took the performance in stride.
“I wasn’t really too surprised, because what you do in training you will do in the game, ”Jackson said. “It felt good. It just shows what we are capable of doing.
Daniels has only had two weeks of preparation with the starting receivers in practice after being raised from the scouting squad following the Bulldogs’ 44-28 loss to Florida on Nov. 7.
RELATED: Kirby Explains Why JT Daniels Didn’t Perform Earlier
He had worked with the starters in August, when he wore a heavy knee brace while recovering from two surgeries, two repairing the torn ACL and meniscus in the USC 2019 season opener.
But when Daniels was not cleared for the opener against Arkansas, Smart turned to D’Wan Mathis and Stetson Bennett to lead the team as the USC transfer recovered.
Daniels indicated that there was some apprehension that he hadn’t played a ton of clichés with the starters, but nothing he was sure to overcome.
“I wouldn’t say concerns, but it was something that was on my mind I hadn’t cast at these guys in a little while,” Daniels said. “But when you have guys like George, and Kearis, and Jermaine, and guys who you know are going to be in the right place…” I trust them to be in the right place, and it’s my job to put (the ball) in the right place.
Team captain and attacking tackle Jamaree Salyer couldn’t help but smile after the game.
“JT played his tail, you could see how he prepared this week, he was lighting up the scout team, ask these guys on defense, they’ll tell you,” Salyer said. “We see it in practice, the ball comes out of his hand in a different way. It made my job much easier.
“I smile every time the ball goes 50 yards.”
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