Georgia Football Week 1 Recap
by Chito Chibuye
Dawgs OTL Writer/ UGA Alumnus
College Football Week 1 Takeaways
College football made a thunderous return over the 3-day holiday weekend with a loaded week 1 slate of games that did not disappoint. We knew that there would be some sloppy play as well as excess penalties, but we also got great games, circus catches, and monster upsets. The Monday after week 1 of CFB will be filled with hot takes from national media and casual fans alike on Twitter (or X, whatever). Some fan bases are already burning jerseys because their season is over, and others are getting ‘Champs 26’ tattoos. Georgia did what they were supposed to do against an outmatched opponent, and in my opinion looked really good doing it.
SEC Winners
9 LSU over 4 Clemson 17-10
24 Tenn over Syracuse 45-26
5 UGA over Marshall 45-7
SEC Losers
3 OSU over 1 Texas 14-7
Florida State over 8 Alabama 31-17
Georgia Offense: Don’t Play With Your Food
This was a complete game for the Dawgs on Saturday, and as a coaching staff you have to be happy to see that. Offensively, you can tell that Mike Bobo is really going to have success with the new weapons he has at his disposal. There was a predictable run, run, 3rd down bubble screen on the 1st drive that almost* ended in a 3 and out, However, the defender missed the pass and Zach Branch made an electric play to pick up the 1st down. After that drive Bobo was locked in like Kobe or Lebron in a Game 7. Utilizing the pistol formation into your scheme and allowing Gunner Stockton to pull the ball in critical short yard and redzone situations was absolutely beautiful.
Gunner finished the day (early) 14/24 with 190 pass yds; 2 pass TD’s
Along with 73 rush yds; 2 rush TD’s
The offense generated 250 Passing yds & 240 Rush yds on the day, committed 2 penalties (1 intentional) and saw meaningful contributions from the likes of Dwight Phillips Jr., Ryan Puglisi, and Elyiss Williams.
Georgia Defense: Speed and Physicality Dominate
Simply put, this defense is FAST! “He’s really really fast, I mean he’s so fast that he makes fast people look…. not fast”. In all seriousness this defense was everywhere on Saturday and Marshall could never get things going. They rotated 3 QBs with the last only having inconsistent success with his legs. By halftime the score was 24-0 and UGA had given up 40 total yds of offense. Marshall wouldn’t score a point or even cross midfield until the 4th Q. The starting defense did this without their most experienced CB Daylen Everette, allowing E. Robinson, Daniel Harris, and Demello Jones to take the majority of the reps - which I think was smart on Kirby’s part. Raylen Wilson and Zion Branch led the defense with tackles as they tied with 7. Plus, KJ Bolden came up CLUTCH with a blocked punt. That play really started the avalanche after the offense stalled briefly at 14-0.
Kirby Smart’s Perfect Scenario in Week 1
This is exactly the scenario that you want as a veteran HC. You won the game in the manner in which you wanted, played well in all three phases, and have plenty of teachable moments on film to rep out this week in practice. UGA also came away fairly healthy, but will monitor Juan Gaston Jr. as reports state an incoming MRI on his ankle. UGA is 1-0 and looked good against a team they were supposed to beat, but make no mistake the week 1 to week 2 jump is the most telling in the first part of the season. We won’t get a trophy for beating Marshall, and last time I checked - Texas, Bama, and LSU are all still 0-0 in SEC play. It’s a long season.
Go Dawgs.
