3 Up’s, 3 Down’s from Georgia’s 24-14 Win Over South Carolina

Up – Big Plays from the Defense

Sacks and takeaways. Those are the two biggest ways that a defense can change the course of the game. While it wasn’t a good start, Georgia’s defense flexed their muscles in the second half (as previously mentioned). For the second week in a row, Georgia’s defense came up with multiple interceptions, this time two of them (coming from safeties Tykee Smith and Dan Jackson) to help put the game away in the 4th quarter. Georgia ranks first in the SEC in interceptions on the year with 6, as they rank first in the conference in most pass-defense categories.

The Front-Seven also came up with big plays in the second half as Georgia came up with three sacks (from Mykel Williams, Nazir Stackhouse, and Jamon Dumas-Johnson). Georgia also came up with 7 TFL and harassed Spencer Rattler all second half. Kamari Lassiter also had a big game, picking up 2.5 TFL and 2 PBU’s. The pass-rush wasn’t great in the first half, but stepped it up in the second half.

While Georgia’s defense might not be as “dominant” as they were in 2021 (still arguably the best unit in the country), this unit seems to be making a name for themselves as ball-hawks.

Down – More injuries

Injuries continue to rack up for the Dawgs. While the previously mentioned Daijun Edwards was able to return in Week 3, the likes of Ladd McConkey and Javon Bullard remain out. Things then got worse for Georgia midway through the second quarter against SC as starting Right Tackle Amarius Mims was rolled up on and was forced to leave the game. Mims is arguably Georgia’s most talented offensive lineman, and is expected to miss at least several weeks. He will be a massive loss for Georgia on the offensive line.

Also as previously mentioned, also dealing with injuries are key running backs Kendall Milton and Roderick Robinson to go along with McConkey/Bullard among others.

Depth continues to be stretched across the board due to injuries for the Bulldogs. In fact, Seth Emerson reported that Georgia Athletic Trainer Ron Courson informed Kirby that Georgia’s injury list is the longest that Courson has ever had.

The Bulldogs are a deep team, but that depth is being tested right now due to the laundry list of injuries.

Georgia will now head back into non-conference play as the Dawgs take on the Trent Dilfer-led UAB Blazers on Saturday at 7:30 pm Eastern.