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3 Up’s, 3 Down’s from Georgia’s Season-Opening Win Over UT-Martin

By Elliot Reeder

ATHENS, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 2: Kyron Jones #31 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts with teammates following a pick six during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Sanford Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
ATHENS, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 2: Kyron Jones #31 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts with teammates following a pick six during the fourth quarter against the Tennessee Martin Skyhawks at Sanford Stadium on September 2, 2023 in Athens, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images) /
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Georgia Bulldogs kick returner Mekhi Mews (Photo by Steve Limentani/ISI Photos/Getty Images) /

As with any game, there are both positives and negatives to take away from Georgia’s season-opening 48-7 blowout win over UT-Martin last Saturday. With that being said, I will start looking at 3 “Up’s” (positives) and 3 “Down’s” (negatives) from Georgia’s games each week. Without any further ado, here are my 3 up’s and 3 down’s from Georgia’s Week 1 win:

3 up’s, 3 down’s from Georgia’s season-opening win over UT-Martin

Up – Mekhi Mews

When Mekhi Mews showed out in the Georgia Spring Game, it got Georgia fans excited for what the diminutive yet explosive walk-on receiver could do heading into the 2023 season. With injuries at receiver and running back, Mews was not just heavily involved in the return game but the offense as well.

Mews handled both Georgia’s punt and kick return duties against the Skyhawks, and then he was also one of Georgia’s leading receivers. Overall for the game, Mews had 3 catches, 75 receiving yards, 1 receiving TD, 1 kick return for 31 yards, and 2 punt returns for 19 yards. Mews’ receiving TD was a screen pass that he took 54 yards for a score. He also had another 25 yard reception to help set up another 2nd half touchdown. Mews played a key role in Georgia pulling away in the 2nd half.

Mews has shown both in the spring game and Week 1 that he is a dangerous player with the ball in his hands. Mews should continue to see targets, but he will continue to be that much more important if the attrition at WR and RB continues.

Down – The Offensive Line

Georgia expects more out of it’s offensive line than what it got in Week 1. Simple as that. While the pass-blocking was solid (0 sacks allowed and not a lot of pressure allowed overall), Georgia did not get much of a push up front in the run game against an out-manned UT-Martin defensive line. Georgia is expected to have a strong running game this season, and Georgia was limited to just 159 rushing yards on 30 carries in Week 1. While that is still a solid amount, a lot of it came on two explosive runs (a 37 yard run from Milton and a 23 yarder from Roderick Robinson). If you take those two out then Georgia had just 99 yards on their other 28 carries (3.54 yards per carry).

While some of the rushing issues had to do with Georgia being without Daijun Edwards and then Kendall Milton being banged up, a lot of it was a lack of push up-front.

Georgia has one of the most talented offensive lines in the country, and a strong OL has been a calling card for the Dawgs under Kirby Smart. I still believe Georgia will have one of the better units at least in the SEC (if not nationally), but they must play better than they did in Week 1. It would not surprise me if Georgia tries to come out early against Ball State and establish a running game early (and it would not surprise me if they are successful).

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