15 Thoughts Loves a Tacklin’ Punter

Wow. What a game. What an atmosphere. I hope we get more meaningful night games in the future. Heck, I hope we have more meaningful home games in our future.

1. This was my first visit to Sanford Stadium since 2022 when we beat Tennessee 27-13 en route to a perfect season and second straight national championship. That game was a 3:30 CBS (wiping away a tear, actually missing Gary… a little) kickoff that ended up being played most of the afternoon in the rain. I didn’t think the aura could be topped. Last night was special. Give the crowd a lot of credit, especially after another slow start. The intensity never wavered. There’s nothing better than seeing the Orange Horde go early after we kill them with a 92-yard, 12-play clock-eating, soul-crushing drive. All those horrible orange and white overalls! They look like an orthodontically compromised chain gang.

2. I took my cousin to his first Georgia game. He is 52. He grew up north of Chicago but moved to Athens with his 3 daughters in 2020. He had never been to a college game. He told me his dad took him to see Northwestern play once when he was a kid. So yes, actually he had never been to a college football game. Adam was deeply impressed.

“Wow! Is it like this every game?” he asked? I said “yes!” Who am I to lie?

“My only problem is TV timeouts!” he said. I can’t argue there.

3. He was driving and I was worried about parking but remembered a perfect little spot that could still be there very close to campus and that was it. Gawd Athens is hilly. My legs are killing me this morning, but I’m happy. Happy and out of shape. I have to fix that. I have a feeling I’ll never wear Speedos again.

4. At 2:37 of the first quarter, after Georgia could do absolutely nothing on offense and Georgia receivers were throwing passes like they were hot coals, we had to punt again. Our Aussie kicker, who has probably never drunk a Foster’s Lager because it’s piss water and no self-respecting Aussie would ever drink it anyway, punted for the 3rd time in 3 opening possessions. The Tennessee running back eluded about 31 Georgia tacklers and was probably going to score with one man to beat, but Brett Thorson stuck the runner with more than a little attitude and may have saved us in that moment. “Adam,” I said to my cousin. “Remember this play. I think this could be huge.” The Vols kicked a field goal to put them up 10-0. It could have been 14-0, and that game could have been huge.

5. Tennessee converted ten 3rd downs on the night. It seemed like much more. But we really only gave up a few plays and made them work down the field. It was great to see Smael Mondon back, albeit in a limited role. His presence was very big and if he can round back into form and continue to heal from his foot injury, we are simply a better defence.

6. We didn’t give up a single sack in the evening. What a difference a week makes! I thought this was a very good point by someone we know:

7. Tennessee has a very good defense and they built their line specifically to beat us. Many teams do this through the portal. I really felt, after witnessing another poor 1st quarter, that they had succeeded. As the game went on, our patchwork mix ‘n match offensive line started to play about as well as they have all year. Carson Beck had time to do his thing and we eventually rushed for 106 hard yards. Mike Bobo called a great game. Yes, he did.

8. Our tight ends were the offensive story in my opinion, after a combined 14 reception, 130 yard night. Oscar Delp had a night to remember with 2 goals, Ben Yurosek played as well as he has all year.

9. Who is number 2 in attack? Oh, it’s the Nitro Tuggle that was pushed in when Dillon Bell left the match with an apparent sprained ankle. Nitro’s stat line wasn’t very eye-catching, but I think we have something there. London Humphreys with 3 catches, 63 yards and none bigger than his contested grab in front of the Tennessee bench on the drive to ice the game late.

10. Let’s talk about Carson Beck. Yes, he’s had a rough stretch since Auburn with some incredible moments as well. Last night he played loose. He played like he was having fun and took shots that a gun shy QB would never take. His passing was again struck by falls. One of these days, Arian Smith might actually catch an opening bomb. But Beck’s leg was also a difference. I think it was by far his best game with the big, beautiful “G” on the side of the helmet.

11. Nate Frazier ran hard all night long. He racked up 68 yards on 19 carries and, more importantly, protected the football. That kid has great vision and is bursting and will only get better as he gets stronger and smarter on offense.

12. Early on we didn’t do anything on 1st down. I remarked to my cousin that I’d rather see us get something on 1st down – even if it’s just 2 or 3 positive yards – so we’re not constantly facing 2nd and 3rd downs behind the sticks. Bobo seemed to embrace this. If this team could just figure out how not to trip over their own Johnsons right out of the gate, they could be more than a little bit dangerous.

13. Back to the defense: The secondary really took away Nico Iamaleava’s opportunities downfield, but he did a very good job in the short and mid-range game. I can live with that. He has a plus arm and is mobile enough to be safe. It looked like Tennessee ended up getting a lot more yardage than they did — 313 total. It is their 2nd lowest output of the season. Shutting them out in the 2nd half was something I didn’t have on my bingo card.

14. The coaching staff – across the board – really had an excellent game plan last night. Poor Josh Heupel. He is sad. And then when “Glory, Glory” kept playing in the background during his post-game presser, he went nuts. I really think Tennessee came into this game expect to win. Twenty-nine game home winning streak!

15. The special teams were once again solid, if not spectacular. I think Brett Thorson was offended to actually get a punt back. Peyton Woodring was perfect and only a single Vol kickoff return didn’t amount to much.

So Georgia has finished their SEC slate with UMass up next and then Tech — all at home.

Someone make sure the CFP committee reads that X post, please. Truth to power x infinity.

BONUS THOUGHTS:

• The only game I saw yesterday was a little bit of Texas and Arkansas, which was a good excuse for a nap, and a little bit of LSU-Florida. The wheels may be off the rails down in Red Stick.

Oh, my.

• I saw this live and in person and almost fell out of my seat laughing:

• Look at South Carolina, all the comebacks and stuff. Great win over Mizzou. But they rushed out onto the field. You don’t rush the court after beating MIzzou… unless you’re South Carolina.

That’s all I got, folks. What a wonderful evening it was. Maybe we have it in us?

As always,

GO DAWGS!