Dawgs Win, Jackets Lose

A month ago the experts were marveling at UGA's crowded QB room. Then the Wake Forest transfer opted out, the Southern Cal transfer didn't get cleared to play, and the freshman recruit struggled. Redshirt freshman D'Wan Mathis was next up. He showed some signs of promise early, then struggled. Didn't help that it was his first game, and the new offensive coordinator's game. A rough first quarter.

Rough half. Dawgs trailed 7-5. Defense looked good, forcing a safety and interception. The Dawgs finished with three interceptions.

Enter the 5th string QB, Stetson Bennett IV, last season's backup to Jake Fromm (guess there were plenty of Dawg fans missing Fromm today). Stetson was steady, zipping his throws quickly, patiently waiting in the pocket or rolling out, throwing a touchdown pass across his body while rolling left.

Sophomore WR Pickens showed the maturity he lacked last season, leading the Dawgs in receiving for the day. The 6'7" true freshman tight end looked good as well. Bennett kept the ball on a two point try and appeared to be stuffed, then at the last second while falling out of bounds miraculously stretched out the ball to touch the ball to touch the pylon. Nice play.

In the first half the running game was non-existent. The play calling had much to do with it. Social media experts blamed the O-line. In the second half the Dawgs committed to the run, playing two tight ends. Zamir White had a few good runs, including a wicked cut on the 3 yard TD run.

The throwback unis looked good, especially the striped sleeves. While Georgia outscored Arkansas 29-3 in the second half, you wonder if Kirby will put the red pants back on the shelf until the 50th anniversary celebration. As everyone will say, UGA has plenty of work to do to get ready for Auburn, Tennessee, Bama, Kentucky, and Florida. And now Mississippi State is improved, beating LSU by ten in Death Valley.  

Auburn head coach Gus Malzahn honored Pat Dye by wearing short sleeves, tie, and navy cap.

Same old Tech. No surprise. I thought I was clear: I knew beating Syracuse inside the Carrier Dome would be a tough assignment. They'd given two tough teams (UNC & Pitt) all they could handle. They beat Clemson in the Carrier Dome. Oblivious Tech fans predicted victory margins of 40 and 50 points.

Syracuse delayed the game waiting to get back test results on three players. Sure you can have an abundance of caution, but why not sequester those players, start the game without them, and let them come out once they are cleared? Would the game have been delayed had Tech been waiting?

Tech broke the rules, warming up shirtless. For once GT had the better looking uniforms - except the hideous untucked navy t-shirts, which now have a hashtag slogan on the tail in addition to the player number on the front. A couple of times GT ballcarriers were tackled by Orangemen grabbing their shirttails. 

No Joe Tessitore, who was calling Florida@OleMiss. No photos to post, because when Tech loses their social media accounts run and hide.
 
Same old Tech. Offsides. Sims fumble. 3 & out. Missed tackles. What was it, three interceptions? Why did Tech keep passing when their running game was so good? Why did Tech keep subbing out Gibbs with other backs? Why all the penalties? Hope Gibbs doesn't get frustrated and transfer, he could be the best back on the Flats since Eddie Lee Ivery. 

Evidently Tech's kicking game is so bad they skipped the point after in favor of letting the rotund punter Pressley Harvin III run the ball. He failed to turn upfield to the goal line, instead avoiding contact by running out of bounds. Only Tech. Harvin III should take tips from Bennett IV.