Georgia football: After two weeks, UGA defense yet to give up a TD
ATHENS, GA - SEPTEMBER 11: Channing Tindall #41 and head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs show emotion during the first half of their game against the UAB Blazers at Sanford Stadium on September 11, 2021 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Brett Davis/Getty Images)
Georgia football put a whooping on UAB Saturday afternoon, defeating the Blazers 56-7, but it wasn’t the defense that gave up the shutout.
Even though the offense delivered an outstanding performance for 99% of the game, they coughed up the only offensive touchdown the team’s allowed all season. While it wasn’t a deciding moment in the game, it still stings.
On the other hand, the Bulldogs’ defense had yet to give up an offensive touchdown through two games, proving why they are the best defensive unit in the country.
That group stood tough and even got another pick-six during the fourth quarter to give them their second of the year as Jamon Dumas-Johnson intercepted it and took it 20 yards for the last score of the game.
It doesn’t matter if the players on the field have started before, are second or third stringers, are walk-ons, or anything in between. They exude dominance from top to bottom.
The Dawgs’ defense isn’t to blame for those seven points. Georgia’s offense gave up a touchdown before the defense did. If that doesn’t fire you up about how good that side of the ball is, I don’t know what will. Carson Beck made a questionable throw, and the UAB defender picked it off and took it to the house.
Beck didn’t even try to go after him. While he jogged down the field, there was no fire under him for throwing the pick. He should have tried to run him down and try to stop him from scoring. However, he didn’t, and it is what it is.
Outside of that mistake, Georgia’s offense put on a show. Stetson Bennett got the start for the Dawgs and went 10/12 for 288 yards and five touchdowns. He was one score away from breaking the school record but joins five other Dawgs, including Aaron Murray, who did it last in 2011 against New Mexico State to throw five touchdowns.
Brock Bowers led the team with three catches for 107 yards and two touchdowns, including an 88-yard score that was the longest from scrimmage the Dawgs have had since 2013. He showed off and is going to be an absolute force. With guys like Darnell Washington and George Pickens out, Bowers has quickly emerged as a favorite.
On the ground, the Dawgs toted the rock 38 times for 163 yards. The offensive line gave Bennett plenty of time to throw the ball but struggled to get the push they needed in the run game. Eight different guys ran the ball against the Blazers, with Zamir White leading the way with 34 yards. James Cook scored the lone rushing touchdown in the third quarter.
Georgia’s offense found some explosiveness with Bennett under center, and it was fabulous to see them hang 49 points on the Blazers.
However, I cannot get away from what that defense has done the last two weeks. We all know they shined against Clemson and continued that against the Blazers. Even though Georgia gave up 118 yards on the ground, they gave up just 47 yards through the air and recorded three interceptions.
Kelee Ringo caught an interception, Dumas-Johnson nabbed one, and Lewis Cine got the first one of the ball game. Those were just three of the havoc plays. They nabbed a few more sacks and tackles for loss as well. The havoc plays are impressive through two games, and I hope they keep it up moving into SEC play.
The Bulldogs allowed the Blazers to convert 1-of-11 third downs, which is absolutely incredible. They got the Blazers off the field and let the offense get to work.
Georgia football needed a dominant win against UAB this week to show that only scoring one touchdown against the Tigers wasn’t a big deal, and they did just that. Both sides of the ball did their job and dominated the Blazers. Two games down; 10 to go.
