University of Georgia Athletics
Notes: Georgia Renews Rivalry With Gators
October 24, 2016 | Football
Oct. 24, 2016
Georgia leads the all-time series with Florida 50-42-2, including 43-40-1 in Jacksonville. Florida has the series at 49-42-2 since UF does not count the Bulldog 52-0 victory in 1904 that was played in Macon. The Gators have won the last two meetings following three straight Bulldog wins from 2011-13.
This will mark the 27th time in the series history that Florida enters the game with a higher ranking. The Bulldogs are 10-16 in these matchups. In 2015, 11th-ranked Florida topped an unranked Georgia 27-3. The last time an unranked Bulldog team beat a ranked Gator squad was when Georgia topped 20th-ranked Florida 17-10 in 1989. When Jim McElwain left Colorado State in 2014 to take the Florida job, the Rams' opening was filled by then Bulldog offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.
This is only the fifth time in the series when both teams had a bye before the game at EverBank Field. The first came in 2011 and Georgia is 2-2 against the Gators following a bye week. This marks the 24th time in the series that the Gators had an open date before the matchup. Florida is 17-6 against the Bulldogs after an open date. Georgia is 5-5 following a bye week when it has had two weeks to prepare for the Gators. In their last action, Georgia fell to Vanderbilt 17-16 while Florida defeated Missouri 40-14.
On Friday, the latest star-studded class is set for induction into the Merrill-Lynch/Bank of America Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame Presented by Ruth's Chris as part of the Georgia- Florida Weekend. Georgia defensive back Scott Woerner and defensive lineman Marcus Stroud along with Florida kicker Jeff Chandler and tight end Ben Troupe will be inducted during the 21st annual luncheon at EverBank Field. On a related note, Woerner will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this December in New York. Woerner's nephew, Charlie Woerner, is a freshman tight end for the Bulldogs this year.
Created in 1995, the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame honors and recognizes the memorable players, coaches, and administrators involved in the long-standing rivalry. Over the 20-year history of the Hall of Fame there have been 86 people inducted including Bulldog legends Vince Dooley, Herschel Walker, David Pollack and Buck Belue, as well as legendary Gators Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Shane Matthews, Jack Youngblood and Jevon Kearse.
Florida comes into Saturday's contest with one of the nation's most formidable defenses. The Gators lead the conference and are ranked second nationally after giving up only 12 points per game and allowing 252.5 total yards per game and 132.8 yards through the air. However, the Bulldogs stand third in the SEC (17th nationally) in Rushing Defense, allowing 111.1 yards per game while Florida is ranked fourth in the league (22nd nationally) at 119.7.
The two teams rank in the SEC's top three Time of Possession and in the league's top four in Turnover Margin. Georgia ranks second holding the ball 35:08 a game and Florida is third at 33:08. The Bulldogs are also third in Turnover Margin at +5 for the year while the Gators are four at +4. The Bulldogs are tied for fourth in the SEC with eight interceptions through seven games this season while Florida shares the league lead with Missouri thanks to 10 picks in six contests. Finally, Florida has been flagged for an SEChigh 49 penalties for an average of 72.8 yards per game and Georgia stands seventh in the SEC at 48.4 yards per game on 47 penalties.
The Bulldogs hold a 55-12-2 edge over the Wildcats since the teams' first meeting in 1939. Georgia has won the last six in a row and the last four in Lexington.
Head Coach Kirby Smart
When Georgia looked for a new head football coach after the 2015 season, the arrows all pointed to Kirby Smart, longtime University of Alabama defensive coordinator and former Bulldog player and assistant coach.
On Dec. 6, 2015, Smart officially came home to Georgia. But he had unfinished business at Alabama, which was still chasing a national title. He juggled two jobs for a month until January 11, 2016, when the Crimson Tide won its fourth national championship in a 7-year span. Twelve hours later, he was in Athens ready to go to work.
When Smart was named head coach he said "It's an honor and privilege to return home to the University of Georgia and my home state. I'm deeply appreciative of the faith President Morehead, Greg McGarity, and the Athletic Board Executive Committee have demonstrated in asking me to lead one of the truly great college football programs in the country. I also want to thank Coach Saban. I have been fortunate to spend 11 seasons with him as my mentor and have learned a tremendous amount from him as a coach and teacher. I'm honored and excited for the opportunity at Georgia and promise high energy, effort every day, and hard work every minute on the part of all our coaches, staff and student-athletes."
Smart has served on the Alabama staff the past nine years, the past seven as defensive coordinator. During his tenure at Alabama, the Crimson Tide won three BCS National Championships, one College Football Playoff national title, three Southeastern Conference crowns, six SEC western division titles, and was ranked in the nation's final top ten rankings the last eight years in a row.
A former standout defensive back and scholar-athlete at Georgia, Smart was one of the nation's most respected defensive coordinators. During his time at Alabama, he coached players at three different positions, in addition to his coordinating duties. He was recognized as the 2012 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year and the 2009 Broyles Award winner as college football's top assistant coach. He was also a finalist for the 2015 Broyles Award.
A four-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, Smart received his BBA degree in Finance from UGA in 1998 and his M.S. in Physical Education from Florida State in 2003. The Bainbridge, Ga., native is married to the former Mary Beth Lycett of McDonough, Ga., a 4-year letterwinner, and 2-year starter, on the Georgia women's basketball team from 2000-2003. The couple met long after their undergraduate days at UGA, when Lycett -- then working in the UGAAA business office -- helped arrange Smart's trip to interview for the Bulldogs' running backs coaching job in 2005. They are now the proud parents of twins Weston and Julia (Feb. 8, 2008) and son Andrew (May 25, 2012).
Did You Know?
Kirby Smart is one of nine head coaches at schools from Power 5 conferences that are coaching at their alma maters.
The complete list:
Paul Chryst (Wisconsin)
Barry Odom (Missouri)
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern)
Mark Richt (Miami)
Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State)
David Shaw (Stanford)
Jim Harbaugh (Michigan)
Kirby Smart (GEORGIA)
Cliff Kingsbury (Texas Tech)
Quick Facts
DOG TRACKS
True freshman QB Jacob Eason is now 3-3 as a starter. In his last action, he threw for a career-high 346 yards (27-of-40) and a touchdown in the loss to Vanderbilt. Fellow freshmen TE Issac Nauta and receiver Riley Ridley led the aerial attack against the Commodores with a combined 10 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. Eason helped Georgia to its second SEC road win on Oct. 9 in the 28-14 decision over South Carolina. The Bulldogs used a rushing attack that finished with 326 yards while Eason went just 5-for-17 for 29 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His scoring strike against the Commodores was a 6 yarder to Isaiah McKenzie on third down and goal in the fourth quarter that put Georgia up 21-7. Through six games, he led the SEC with eight catches for first downs, including two touchdowns.
Against #11 Tennessee, Eason finished 17-for-28 for 211 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He fired a 47-yard touchdown to Ridley to give the Bulldogs a 31-28 lead with 10 seconds to play. It capped a four-play, 81-yard drive in 57 seconds. However, UT converted a 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown for a 34-31 road win. Eason's other TD pass of the game was a 50-yard bomb to Nauta.
In a 45-14 road loss to #23 Ole Miss, he went 16-for-36 for 137 yards and one INT. He led the Bulldogs on a fourth quarter comeback in the 28-27 road win at Missouri in just his second career start. He finished 29-for-55 for 308 yards and three touchdowns (were all career highs). This was the most attempts for a Bulldog since sophomore Cory Phillips went 36-for-62 against Georgia Tech in 2000. In the win over Mizzou, Eason and the Bulldogs converted a 4th-and-10 with 1:29 left that resulted in a 20-yard scoring strike to McKenzie. This game-winning TD capped an 80-yard drive in 10 plays that took just 2:03.
Eason became only the sixth Bulldog freshman QB to start a game and the first since Matthew Stafford (No. 1 NFL Draft pick in 2009 to Detroit Lions) in 2006 when he lined up behind center in the win over Nicholls.
Greyson Lambert returns for his final year of eligibility. After transferring to UGA from Virginia to start graduate school during the 2015 summer, the Jesup, Ga., native has started a total of 13 games, going 11-2 in those contests. He was Georgia's starter in the season-opening win over #22 North Carolina.
The centerpieces of the Bulldog backfield are juniors Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Georgia is ranked eighth in the SEC in Rushing Offense (195.6) while the Gators rank fourth in Rushing Defense (119.7). The Bulldog duo combined for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries in the win over the Gamecocks in Columbia. It marked the first time since 2014 that a pair of Bulldogs went over the 100-yard mark in the same game (current L.A. Ram Todd Gurley, Chubb). Vanderbilt limited the duo to 68 yards on 29 carries.
Against #11 Tennessee, Michel had 91 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown while freshman Brian Herrien added 74 yards on 15 carries. At South Carolina, Herrien finished with a career-high 82 yards on just nine carries. He was the leading rusher at #11 Ole Miss with 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Chubb and Michel are the first Bulldog teammates to each have 1,000-yard rushing seasons in their career. Michel returned this season after he became the 10th Georgia player in history to rush for more than 1,000 yards while starting six games in 2015 He became a starter last year after Chubb, who became the ninth running back with 1,000+ yards in 2014, went down with the knee injury against UT.
Chubb returned to the lineup in dramatic fashion in the 2016 season opener against #22 UNC, earning Maxwell Award/ SEC Player of the Week honors for his efforts. After sustaining a season-ending knee injury at UT (Oct. 10, 2015), he underwent surgery and extensive rehab. Against UNC, he tallied a Chick- Fil-A Kickoff Game record 222 yards on 32 carries. This marked his third career 200-yard game with only legendary running back Herschel Walker having more with nine. Due to an ankle injury, Chubb missed the second half of the game at #23 Ole Miss and finished with 57 yards on 12 carries. He only played one snap and took a single carry in the loss to #11 Tennessee while recovering from his ankle injury.
Junior fullback Christian Payne, a former walk-on from Athens and product of Prince Avenue School, was also a key to Georgia's 289 yards rushing in the win over #22 UNC. He showcased his receiving skills in the road win at Missouri, registering a career-high five catches for 41 yards, including his first career touchdown.
Junior WR/PR Isaiah McKenzie leads the Bulldogs with 618 all-purpose yards (74 rush, 415 receiving, 129 return) and has scored six touchdowns. McKenzie has a team-best 30 catches, which includes a teamhigh five scores. His total receiving output this season far eclipses his total from his first two years (16 rec., 190 yds., 0 TDs). In the wins over Missouri and #22 North Carolina, McKenzie had a career-high 122 yards in each contest. Against Nicholls, he added another explosive play, registering a 66-yard TD reception, the longest by the Bulldogs since 2013 (Aaron Murray to Todd Gurley for 83 yards vs. Florida).
This season, three of the five starters on the offensive line return from 2015. Seniors Greg Pyke (OG/OT) and Brandon Kublanow (C/OG) and junior Isaiah Wynn (OT) have combined for 83 career starts. The Bulldogs have also benefitted from getting graduate transfer Tyler Catalina and the emergence of redshirt sophomore Lamont Gaillard as they joined the trio in the starting lineup this year. Junior guard Dyshon Sims, who has played in 22 games and started one, is also in the rotation.
With a youthful defense, Georgia is 4-3 on the year. The win over South Carolina on Oct. 9 marked the only game this year that the Bulldogs had not trailed. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead over the Gamecocks. This was also the first time since the 2014 Missouri game that Georgia blanked an SEC opponent through the first two quarters. The Bulldogs had a strong start versus #11 Tennessee securing a 17-7 halftime lead. However, the Vols came back with 27 points in the second half (seven scored by their defense) to leave with a 34-31 win. Vanderbilt had one sustained drive in its win over Georgia - a 75 yarder. Vanderbilt's other two scoring drives started at the UGA 2 and 27.
In the 28-27 road win over Missouri, the defense limited the Tigers to seven points in the second half as they gained just 128 yards on 35 plays. In the first half, Missouri gaining 343 yards.
Georgia's defense opened the season against a high-powered UNC offense. The Bulldogs held the #22 Tar Heels to 24 points and 315 total yards on offense. Most importantly when the Bulldogs fell behind 24-14 with 6:34 left in the third period, the Georgia defense blanked North Carolina the rest of the game as the Bulldogs rallied back for a 33-24 victory.
Georgia looks to improve its Red Zone Defense with only one stop in 22 trips, which is 14th in the SEC. Opponents have scored 14 touchdowns and four field goals. The lone stop came on an interception by senior Quincy Mauger when it trailed 27-21 in the fourth quarter at Missouri. He has had a pair of games in his career with two interceptions, both against the Tigers. Florida leads the SEC in Red Zone Defense, stopping opponents 64 percent of the time with five stops in 14 trips.
One of the leaders in the secondary is senior STAR Maurice Smith. Prior to the South Carolina game, head coach Kirby Smart said Smith was the unit's mature leader who sets an example for his younger teammates. Smith posted three tackles in the win at South Carolina, including a stop on 4th-and-2 in the fourth quarter with the Gamecocks trailing 21-7 and in Bulldog territory. He was one of the three game captains against #11 Tennessee and had his best game statistically. He tallied a career-high seven tackles, intercepted his first ball as a Bulldog (he played for his first three years at Alabama) and forced a fumble that he recovered. Smith is tied for fifth in stops with 26 this season.
Smith joined the team late in the summer after graduating from Alabama. He played in all 15 games for the 14-1 national champions in 2015 and finished with 15 stops. Smith played in 41 career games (starting two) at UA and made 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Georgia sophomore DB Deandre Baker missed the Vanderbilt game due to an injury. He started for the first time versus #11 Tennessee and responded with three tackles. His highlight was drilling Tennessee's Jalen Hurd at the goal line and forcing a fumble that Aaron Davis recovered for a touchback. Baker started his second game at South Carolina and tallied a career high seven tackles in the road win. He also recovered a fumble versus USC.
Against #22 UNC, junior CB Malkom Parrish had a team-high seven tackles while Davis had five stops and Smith also registered five tackles plus two pass break-ups. Parrish grabbed his first interception of the year to set up Georgia's second score in the win over South Carolina. He now has three picks in his career.
All-SEC performer Dominick Sanders notched his 10th career interception in the win over Nicholls. He had an SEC-leading six picks in 2015 and finished last year with a UGA single season record of 205 INT return yards, which ranked fifth in SEC history.
Sophomore ILBs Natrez Patrick and Roquan Smith rank 1-2 in tackles this season. Smith shot to second in the category (39) with his career-high and game-high 11 stops at South Carolina. He also added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the 28-14 victory over the Gamecocks. After having a career-high 10 stops versus #11 Tennessee, Patrick leads the team with 42 stops, including 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. A fellow sophomore, DL Trenton Thompson, leads the interior linemen and is third with 30 stops and a team-leading five TFLs and two sacks.
The defense has scored one touchdown on the year. Junior OLB Lorenzo Carter scooped up a fumble in the Nicholls game and ran 24 yards for a score during the Bulldogs' second victory of the year. Carter doubled his 2016 sack total with a pair versus Vanderbilt. Georgia's other starting OLB, junior Davin Bellamy, led the team with eight tackles against the Commodores, including one tackle for loss. Last year versus the Gators, Bellamy had a team-high seven stops, a sack and a forced fumble that he recovered deep in Florida territory. His recovery led Georgia to a third quarter field goal.
Redshirt freshman Rodrigo Blankenship has handled the PK duties over the last four games. Blankenship is 4-for-5 on the year. He went 3-for-3 against Vanderbilt, including a career-long 45 yarder. Redshirt sophomore William Ham is 3-for-7 on FGs this season. True freshman Marshall Long is taking care of the punting, averaging 39.3 yards on 39 punts. He had a career long 59 yarder versus the Gamecocks. However, the Bulldogs are 14th in the SEC in Net Punting at 35.7. This week's opponent, Florida, is leading the league in Net Punting at 42.1. The snapping responsibility has been shared by juniors Glenn Welch and Trent Frix. Frix is the younger brother of former snapper Ty Frix (2009-12) and the son of former snapper Mitch Frix (1981-82).
Junior Isaiah McKenzie has already made his mark in the SEC record book with his returns. Currently, his four punt returns for touchdowns rank fifth best in SEC history while his five total returns for scores (four PR, one KOR) is tied for third best in the league record books. This year, McKenzie has 14 returns for 105 yards for a 7.5 average, which is third in the SEC.
Senior Reggie Davis had a team-leading 17 kick returns for 394 yards (23.2 avg.) in 2015 to go with eight punt returns for 110 yards (one for a TD at Tennessee last year that covered 70 yards). This year, Davis is averaging 23.3 yards on 12 kickoff returns, which ranks second in the league.
*started the game
The Bulldogs had six first-time starters in the 2016 season opener on offense and defense. In game two against Nicholls, Georgia had two more new starters. On the trip to Oxford, Miss., the Bulldogs had another first-time starter. Georgia had three first-time starters versus #11 Tenneessee. #22 UNC: Michael Chigbu (WR), Tyler Catalina (LT), Lamont Gaillard (RG) Charlie Woerner (TE), Roquan Smith (WLB) and Maurice Smith (STAR). Additionally, all three kicking specialists made their Bulldog debut in William Ham (PK, PAT, KO), Marshall Long (P) and Rodrigo Blankenship (KO).
NICHOLLS: Jacob Eason (QB), Jayson Stanley (WR) #21 OM: David Marshall (DE) #11 UT: Isaac Nauta (TE), Julian Rochester (DL), Deandre Baker (DB)
In the 2016 season opener, 12 true freshmen made their debut plus two redshirt freshmen. In the win at Missouri, another three true freshmen played for the first time. Tyler Simmons played at USC to give the Bulldogs another true freshman on the field.
In 2015, a total of 22 true freshmen, which led the nation, played for the Bulldogs, including 19 in the season opener and that also led the country. Thirty-three Bulldogs earned a snap for the first time in their careers last season.
The Georgia Bulldogs vs. The Florida Gators
Game & Broadcast Info
- Game 8: Georgia Bulldogs vs. Florida Gators
- Kickoff: Sunday, October 29 - 3:30 p.m. ET
- Location: EverBank Field (82,917) - Jacksonville, Fla.
- Records: Georgia 4-3 (2-3 SEC), Florida 5-1 (3-1 SEC)
- Rankings: Georgia NR, Florida #14
- TV: CBS - Verne Lundquist (play-by-play); Gary Danielson (color analyst); Allie LaForce (sideline reporter)
- Video Stream: CBS Sports
- Radio: WSB AM 750 - Bulldog Network | Affiliates
Scott Howard (PxP), Eric Zeier (Color), Chuck Dowdle (sideline) - Audio Stream: georgiadogs.com | Mobile
- Satellite: Sirius 83, XM 190
- Live Stats: GameTracker
- Twitter: #UFvsUGA
- ReBroadcast: SEC Network: TBA
Series History
Georgia leads the all-time series with Florida 50-42-2, including 43-40-1 in Jacksonville. Florida has the series at 49-42-2 since UF does not count the Bulldog 52-0 victory in 1904 that was played in Macon. The Gators have won the last two meetings following three straight Bulldog wins from 2011-13.
This will mark the 27th time in the series history that Florida enters the game with a higher ranking. The Bulldogs are 10-16 in these matchups. In 2015, 11th-ranked Florida topped an unranked Georgia 27-3. The last time an unranked Bulldog team beat a ranked Gator squad was when Georgia topped 20th-ranked Florida 17-10 in 1989. When Jim McElwain left Colorado State in 2014 to take the Florida job, the Rams' opening was filled by then Bulldog offensive coordinator Mike Bobo.
Bulldogs, Gators Coming Off Bye Week
This is only the fifth time in the series when both teams had a bye before the game at EverBank Field. The first came in 2011 and Georgia is 2-2 against the Gators following a bye week. This marks the 24th time in the series that the Gators had an open date before the matchup. Florida is 17-6 against the Bulldogs after an open date. Georgia is 5-5 following a bye week when it has had two weeks to prepare for the Gators. In their last action, Georgia fell to Vanderbilt 17-16 while Florida defeated Missouri 40-14.
Georgia-Florida Hall Of Fame Class of 2016
On Friday, the latest star-studded class is set for induction into the Merrill-Lynch/Bank of America Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame Presented by Ruth's Chris as part of the Georgia- Florida Weekend. Georgia defensive back Scott Woerner and defensive lineman Marcus Stroud along with Florida kicker Jeff Chandler and tight end Ben Troupe will be inducted during the 21st annual luncheon at EverBank Field. On a related note, Woerner will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame this December in New York. Woerner's nephew, Charlie Woerner, is a freshman tight end for the Bulldogs this year.
Created in 1995, the Georgia-Florida Hall of Fame honors and recognizes the memorable players, coaches, and administrators involved in the long-standing rivalry. Over the 20-year history of the Hall of Fame there have been 86 people inducted including Bulldog legends Vince Dooley, Herschel Walker, David Pollack and Buck Belue, as well as legendary Gators Steve Spurrier, Danny Wuerffel, Shane Matthews, Jack Youngblood and Jevon Kearse.
Inside The SEC Numbers
Florida comes into Saturday's contest with one of the nation's most formidable defenses. The Gators lead the conference and are ranked second nationally after giving up only 12 points per game and allowing 252.5 total yards per game and 132.8 yards through the air. However, the Bulldogs stand third in the SEC (17th nationally) in Rushing Defense, allowing 111.1 yards per game while Florida is ranked fourth in the league (22nd nationally) at 119.7.
The two teams rank in the SEC's top three Time of Possession and in the league's top four in Turnover Margin. Georgia ranks second holding the ball 35:08 a game and Florida is third at 33:08. The Bulldogs are also third in Turnover Margin at +5 for the year while the Gators are four at +4. The Bulldogs are tied for fourth in the SEC with eight interceptions through seven games this season while Florida shares the league lead with Missouri thanks to 10 picks in six contests. Finally, Florida has been flagged for an SEChigh 49 penalties for an average of 72.8 yards per game and Georgia stands seventh in the SEC at 48.4 yards per game on 47 penalties.
On Deck: @Kentucky - November 5, Time: TBA
The Bulldogs hold a 55-12-2 edge over the Wildcats since the teams' first meeting in 1939. Georgia has won the last six in a row and the last four in Lexington.
Inside The Numbers This Season
| Georgia | 2016 Averages | Florida |
| 25.1 | Scoring Offense | 30.3 |
| 26.4 | Scoring Defense | 12.0 |
| +5 | Turnover Margin | +4 |
| 402.9 | Total Offense | 426.5 |
| 195.6 | Rushing Offense | 181.8 |
| 207.3 | Passing Offense | 244.7 |
| 7.5 | Punt Returns | 3.2 |
| 21.7 | Kickoff Returns | 25.0 |
Head Coach Kirby Smart
| Personal Full Name: Kirby Paul Smart Birthdate: December 23, 1975 Birthplace: Montgomery, Alabama Family: Wife: Mary Beth; Children: twins Weston and Julia (Feb. 8, 2008), and Andrew (May 25, 2012) High School: Bainbridge (Ga.) College: BBA Georgia '98; MS Florida State '03 Coaching Experience 1999 Georgia Admin. Asst. 2000 Valdosta State Defensive Backs 2001 Valdosta State Def. Coord. 2002-03 Florida State Grad. Assistant 2004 LSU Defensive Backs 2005 Georgia Running Backs 2006 Miami Dolphins Safeties 2007 Alabama Asst. HC/DBs 2008-13, '15 Alabama Def. Coord./ILBs 2014 Alabama Asst. HC/Safeties 2016-current Georgia Head Coach Playing Experience Georgia (1995-98): Four-year letterman as defensive back. First team All-SEC in '98; 13 career interceptions; four-time member of SEC Academic Honor Roll. Bainbridge H.S. (1991-93): Three-year letterman in football, basketball, and baseball; first team Class AAAA All-State as a senior; 16 career interceptions. High School Coach: Sonny Smart (father) |
On Dec. 6, 2015, Smart officially came home to Georgia. But he had unfinished business at Alabama, which was still chasing a national title. He juggled two jobs for a month until January 11, 2016, when the Crimson Tide won its fourth national championship in a 7-year span. Twelve hours later, he was in Athens ready to go to work.
When Smart was named head coach he said "It's an honor and privilege to return home to the University of Georgia and my home state. I'm deeply appreciative of the faith President Morehead, Greg McGarity, and the Athletic Board Executive Committee have demonstrated in asking me to lead one of the truly great college football programs in the country. I also want to thank Coach Saban. I have been fortunate to spend 11 seasons with him as my mentor and have learned a tremendous amount from him as a coach and teacher. I'm honored and excited for the opportunity at Georgia and promise high energy, effort every day, and hard work every minute on the part of all our coaches, staff and student-athletes."
Smart has served on the Alabama staff the past nine years, the past seven as defensive coordinator. During his tenure at Alabama, the Crimson Tide won three BCS National Championships, one College Football Playoff national title, three Southeastern Conference crowns, six SEC western division titles, and was ranked in the nation's final top ten rankings the last eight years in a row.
A former standout defensive back and scholar-athlete at Georgia, Smart was one of the nation's most respected defensive coordinators. During his time at Alabama, he coached players at three different positions, in addition to his coordinating duties. He was recognized as the 2012 AFCA Assistant Coach of the Year and the 2009 Broyles Award winner as college football's top assistant coach. He was also a finalist for the 2015 Broyles Award.
A four-time member of the SEC Academic Honor Roll, Smart received his BBA degree in Finance from UGA in 1998 and his M.S. in Physical Education from Florida State in 2003. The Bainbridge, Ga., native is married to the former Mary Beth Lycett of McDonough, Ga., a 4-year letterwinner, and 2-year starter, on the Georgia women's basketball team from 2000-2003. The couple met long after their undergraduate days at UGA, when Lycett -- then working in the UGAAA business office -- helped arrange Smart's trip to interview for the Bulldogs' running backs coaching job in 2005. They are now the proud parents of twins Weston and Julia (Feb. 8, 2008) and son Andrew (May 25, 2012).
Did You Know?
Kirby Smart is one of nine head coaches at schools from Power 5 conferences that are coaching at their alma maters.
The complete list:
Paul Chryst (Wisconsin)
Barry Odom (Missouri)
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern)
Mark Richt (Miami)
Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State)
David Shaw (Stanford)
Jim Harbaugh (Michigan)
Kirby Smart (GEORGIA)
Cliff Kingsbury (Texas Tech)
| The Kirby Smart Record | ||||
| Year | W | L | Pct. | SEC |
| 2016 | 4 | 3 | .571 | 2-3 |
Quick Facts
- Led UGA to its first win over a ranked team in a season opener away from Sanford Stadium in school history, posting a 33-24 win over #22 UNC during the Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic
- In head coaching debut, Bulldogs overcame a 10-point deficit in the second half and scored the final 19 points of the game in a win over the #22 Tar Heels in the Georgia Dome
- Became first UGA football coach since Joel Hunt in 1938 to start his career 3-0 after winning his first SEC game on the road with a 28-27 victory over Missouri
DOG TRACKS
Eason Gaining SEC Experience
True freshman QB Jacob Eason is now 3-3 as a starter. In his last action, he threw for a career-high 346 yards (27-of-40) and a touchdown in the loss to Vanderbilt. Fellow freshmen TE Issac Nauta and receiver Riley Ridley led the aerial attack against the Commodores with a combined 10 catches for 141 yards and a touchdown. Eason helped Georgia to its second SEC road win on Oct. 9 in the 28-14 decision over South Carolina. The Bulldogs used a rushing attack that finished with 326 yards while Eason went just 5-for-17 for 29 yards with a touchdown and an interception. His scoring strike against the Commodores was a 6 yarder to Isaiah McKenzie on third down and goal in the fourth quarter that put Georgia up 21-7. Through six games, he led the SEC with eight catches for first downs, including two touchdowns.
Against #11 Tennessee, Eason finished 17-for-28 for 211 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He fired a 47-yard touchdown to Ridley to give the Bulldogs a 31-28 lead with 10 seconds to play. It capped a four-play, 81-yard drive in 57 seconds. However, UT converted a 43-yard Hail Mary touchdown for a 34-31 road win. Eason's other TD pass of the game was a 50-yard bomb to Nauta.
In a 45-14 road loss to #23 Ole Miss, he went 16-for-36 for 137 yards and one INT. He led the Bulldogs on a fourth quarter comeback in the 28-27 road win at Missouri in just his second career start. He finished 29-for-55 for 308 yards and three touchdowns (were all career highs). This was the most attempts for a Bulldog since sophomore Cory Phillips went 36-for-62 against Georgia Tech in 2000. In the win over Mizzou, Eason and the Bulldogs converted a 4th-and-10 with 1:29 left that resulted in a 20-yard scoring strike to McKenzie. This game-winning TD capped an 80-yard drive in 10 plays that took just 2:03.
Eason became only the sixth Bulldog freshman QB to start a game and the first since Matthew Stafford (No. 1 NFL Draft pick in 2009 to Detroit Lions) in 2006 when he lined up behind center in the win over Nicholls.
Greyson Lambert returns for his final year of eligibility. After transferring to UGA from Virginia to start graduate school during the 2015 summer, the Jesup, Ga., native has started a total of 13 games, going 11-2 in those contests. He was Georgia's starter in the season-opening win over #22 North Carolina.
| Jacob Eason | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | G/GS | Cmp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | INT | TD | Eff. | LG | |
| 2016 | 7/6 | 113 | 208 | 54.3 | 1,366 | 5 | 9 | 119 | 66TD NICH | |
| Greyson Lambert (2013-14 UVA; 2015-16 UGA) | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | G/GS | Cmp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | INT | TD | Eff. | LG | |
| 2013 | 7/0 | 33 | 75 | .440 | 340 | 2 | 1 | 81.1 | 23 UNC | |
| 2014 | 9/9 | 154 | 261 | .590 | 1,632 | 11 | 10 | 115.7 | 54 VT | |
| 2015 | 12/12 | 162 | 256 | .633 | 1,959 | 2 | 12 | 141.5 | 48 ULM, UT | |
| 2016 | 2/1 | 7 | 11 | .636 | 56 | 0 | 0 | 106.4 | 25 UNC | |
| Total | 30/22 | 356 | 603 | .590 | 3,987 | 15 | 23 | 122.2 | 54 VT | |
Running Game Starts With Chubb, Michel
The centerpieces of the Bulldog backfield are juniors Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Georgia is ranked eighth in the SEC in Rushing Offense (195.6) while the Gators rank fourth in Rushing Defense (119.7). The Bulldog duo combined for 254 yards and two touchdowns on 37 carries in the win over the Gamecocks in Columbia. It marked the first time since 2014 that a pair of Bulldogs went over the 100-yard mark in the same game (current L.A. Ram Todd Gurley, Chubb). Vanderbilt limited the duo to 68 yards on 29 carries.
Against #11 Tennessee, Michel had 91 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown while freshman Brian Herrien added 74 yards on 15 carries. At South Carolina, Herrien finished with a career-high 82 yards on just nine carries. He was the leading rusher at #11 Ole Miss with 78 yards and two touchdowns.
Chubb and Michel are the first Bulldog teammates to each have 1,000-yard rushing seasons in their career. Michel returned this season after he became the 10th Georgia player in history to rush for more than 1,000 yards while starting six games in 2015 He became a starter last year after Chubb, who became the ninth running back with 1,000+ yards in 2014, went down with the knee injury against UT.
Chubb returned to the lineup in dramatic fashion in the 2016 season opener against #22 UNC, earning Maxwell Award/ SEC Player of the Week honors for his efforts. After sustaining a season-ending knee injury at UT (Oct. 10, 2015), he underwent surgery and extensive rehab. Against UNC, he tallied a Chick- Fil-A Kickoff Game record 222 yards on 32 carries. This marked his third career 200-yard game with only legendary running back Herschel Walker having more with nine. Due to an ankle injury, Chubb missed the second half of the game at #23 Ole Miss and finished with 57 yards on 12 carries. He only played one snap and took a single carry in the loss to #11 Tennessee while recovering from his ankle injury.
Junior fullback Christian Payne, a former walk-on from Athens and product of Prince Avenue School, was also a key to Georgia's 289 yards rushing in the win over #22 UNC. He showcased his receiving skills in the road win at Missouri, registering a career-high five catches for 41 yards, including his first career touchdown.
| Nick Chubb | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| G/GS | Att. | Yds | TD | LG | Rec | Yds | TD | LG | |
| 2014 | 13/8 | 219 | 1,547 | 14 | 83 | 18 | 213 | 2 | 27 |
| 2015 | 6/6 | 92 | 747 | 7 | 83 | 4 | 32 | 1 | 24 |
| 2016 | 7/5 | 116 | 586 | 5 | 55 | 2 | 21 | 0 | 12 |
| Total | 26/19 | 427 | 2,880 | 26 | 83 | 24 | 266 | 3 | 27 |
| Sony Michel | |||||||||
| G/GS | Att. | Yds | TD | LG | Rec | Yds | TD | LG | |
| 2014 | 8/1 | 64 | 410 | 5 | 75 | 7 | 106 | 1 | 33 |
| 2015 | 13/6 | 219 | 1,161 | 8 | 66 | 26 | 270 | 3 | 48 |
| 2016 | 5/2 | 60 | 330 | 1 | 22 | 10 | 58 | 0 | 29 |
| Total | 27/9 | 356 | 1,929 | 14 | 75 | 44 | 430 | 4 | 48 |
McKenzie Bulldogs' All-Purpose Leader
Junior WR/PR Isaiah McKenzie leads the Bulldogs with 618 all-purpose yards (74 rush, 415 receiving, 129 return) and has scored six touchdowns. McKenzie has a team-best 30 catches, which includes a teamhigh five scores. His total receiving output this season far eclipses his total from his first two years (16 rec., 190 yds., 0 TDs). In the wins over Missouri and #22 North Carolina, McKenzie had a career-high 122 yards in each contest. Against Nicholls, he added another explosive play, registering a 66-yard TD reception, the longest by the Bulldogs since 2013 (Aaron Murray to Todd Gurley for 83 yards vs. Florida).
A Look At The Line
This season, three of the five starters on the offensive line return from 2015. Seniors Greg Pyke (OG/OT) and Brandon Kublanow (C/OG) and junior Isaiah Wynn (OT) have combined for 83 career starts. The Bulldogs have also benefitted from getting graduate transfer Tyler Catalina and the emergence of redshirt sophomore Lamont Gaillard as they joined the trio in the starting lineup this year. Junior guard Dyshon Sims, who has played in 22 games and started one, is also in the rotation.
| Rush | Pass | Total Off. | Points | Sacks | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| vs. #22 UNC | 289 | 185 | 474 | 33 | 4 |
| NICH | 167 | 206 | 373 | 26 | 1 |
| MU | 101 | 308 | 409 | 28 | 4 |
| @ #23 OM | 230 | 166 | 396 | 14 | 3 |
| #11 UT | 181 | 211 | 392 | 31 | 3 |
| @ SC | 326 | 29 | 355 | 28 | 1 |
| VU | 75 | 346 | 421 | 16 | 1 |
Young Defense Improving As Season Continues
With a youthful defense, Georgia is 4-3 on the year. The win over South Carolina on Oct. 9 marked the only game this year that the Bulldogs had not trailed. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 14-0 halftime lead over the Gamecocks. This was also the first time since the 2014 Missouri game that Georgia blanked an SEC opponent through the first two quarters. The Bulldogs had a strong start versus #11 Tennessee securing a 17-7 halftime lead. However, the Vols came back with 27 points in the second half (seven scored by their defense) to leave with a 34-31 win. Vanderbilt had one sustained drive in its win over Georgia - a 75 yarder. Vanderbilt's other two scoring drives started at the UGA 2 and 27.
In the 28-27 road win over Missouri, the defense limited the Tigers to seven points in the second half as they gained just 128 yards on 35 plays. In the first half, Missouri gaining 343 yards.
Georgia's defense opened the season against a high-powered UNC offense. The Bulldogs held the #22 Tar Heels to 24 points and 315 total yards on offense. Most importantly when the Bulldogs fell behind 24-14 with 6:34 left in the third period, the Georgia defense blanked North Carolina the rest of the game as the Bulldogs rallied back for a 33-24 victory.
Georgia looks to improve its Red Zone Defense with only one stop in 22 trips, which is 14th in the SEC. Opponents have scored 14 touchdowns and four field goals. The lone stop came on an interception by senior Quincy Mauger when it trailed 27-21 in the fourth quarter at Missouri. He has had a pair of games in his career with two interceptions, both against the Tigers. Florida leads the SEC in Red Zone Defense, stopping opponents 64 percent of the time with five stops in 14 trips.
Smith A Senior STAR
One of the leaders in the secondary is senior STAR Maurice Smith. Prior to the South Carolina game, head coach Kirby Smart said Smith was the unit's mature leader who sets an example for his younger teammates. Smith posted three tackles in the win at South Carolina, including a stop on 4th-and-2 in the fourth quarter with the Gamecocks trailing 21-7 and in Bulldog territory. He was one of the three game captains against #11 Tennessee and had his best game statistically. He tallied a career-high seven tackles, intercepted his first ball as a Bulldog (he played for his first three years at Alabama) and forced a fumble that he recovered. Smith is tied for fifth in stops with 26 this season.
Smith joined the team late in the summer after graduating from Alabama. He played in all 15 games for the 14-1 national champions in 2015 and finished with 15 stops. Smith played in 41 career games (starting two) at UA and made 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
Georgia sophomore DB Deandre Baker missed the Vanderbilt game due to an injury. He started for the first time versus #11 Tennessee and responded with three tackles. His highlight was drilling Tennessee's Jalen Hurd at the goal line and forcing a fumble that Aaron Davis recovered for a touchback. Baker started his second game at South Carolina and tallied a career high seven tackles in the road win. He also recovered a fumble versus USC.
Against #22 UNC, junior CB Malkom Parrish had a team-high seven tackles while Davis had five stops and Smith also registered five tackles plus two pass break-ups. Parrish grabbed his first interception of the year to set up Georgia's second score in the win over South Carolina. He now has three picks in his career.
All-SEC performer Dominick Sanders notched his 10th career interception in the win over Nicholls. He had an SEC-leading six picks in 2015 and finished last year with a UGA single season record of 205 INT return yards, which ranked fifth in SEC history.
| UGA RECORD BOOKS - INT RETURN YARDS (CAREER): | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Int Yards | Player |
| 1. | 315 | Jake Scott (16), 1967-68 {fifth in SEC history} |
| 2. | 303 | Scott Woerner (13), 1977-80 |
| 3. | 293 | Bacarri Rambo (16), 2009-12 |
| 4. | 269 | Dominick Sanders (10), 2014- |
Sophomore ILBs Leading The Way In Tackles
Sophomore ILBs Natrez Patrick and Roquan Smith rank 1-2 in tackles this season. Smith shot to second in the category (39) with his career-high and game-high 11 stops at South Carolina. He also added a forced fumble and a fumble recovery in the 28-14 victory over the Gamecocks. After having a career-high 10 stops versus #11 Tennessee, Patrick leads the team with 42 stops, including 4.5 tackles for loss and one sack. A fellow sophomore, DL Trenton Thompson, leads the interior linemen and is third with 30 stops and a team-leading five TFLs and two sacks.
The defense has scored one touchdown on the year. Junior OLB Lorenzo Carter scooped up a fumble in the Nicholls game and ran 24 yards for a score during the Bulldogs' second victory of the year. Carter doubled his 2016 sack total with a pair versus Vanderbilt. Georgia's other starting OLB, junior Davin Bellamy, led the team with eight tackles against the Commodores, including one tackle for loss. Last year versus the Gators, Bellamy had a team-high seven stops, a sack and a forced fumble that he recovered deep in Florida territory. His recovery led Georgia to a third quarter field goal.
Blankenship Continues Development At PK
Redshirt freshman Rodrigo Blankenship has handled the PK duties over the last four games. Blankenship is 4-for-5 on the year. He went 3-for-3 against Vanderbilt, including a career-long 45 yarder. Redshirt sophomore William Ham is 3-for-7 on FGs this season. True freshman Marshall Long is taking care of the punting, averaging 39.3 yards on 39 punts. He had a career long 59 yarder versus the Gamecocks. However, the Bulldogs are 14th in the SEC in Net Punting at 35.7. This week's opponent, Florida, is leading the league in Net Punting at 42.1. The snapping responsibility has been shared by juniors Glenn Welch and Trent Frix. Frix is the younger brother of former snapper Ty Frix (2009-12) and the son of former snapper Mitch Frix (1981-82).
Taking It To The House
Junior Isaiah McKenzie has already made his mark in the SEC record book with his returns. Currently, his four punt returns for touchdowns rank fifth best in SEC history while his five total returns for scores (four PR, one KOR) is tied for third best in the league record books. This year, McKenzie has 14 returns for 105 yards for a 7.5 average, which is third in the SEC.
Senior Reggie Davis had a team-leading 17 kick returns for 394 yards (23.2 avg.) in 2015 to go with eight punt returns for 110 yards (one for a TD at Tennessee last year that covered 70 yards). This year, Davis is averaging 23.3 yards on 12 kickoff returns, which ranks second in the league.
| McKenzie's Career Touchdown Returns | ||
|---|---|---|
| Date | Game | Length |
| Sept. 20, 2014 | Troy | 52-yd PR |
| Nov. 8, 2014 | @ Kentucky | *90-yd KOR |
| Nov. 8, 2014 | @ Kentucky | 59-yd PR |
| Sept. 12, 2015 | @ Florida | 77-yd PR |
| Nov. 14, 2015 | @ Auburn | 53-yd PR |
First-Time Starters In 2016
The Bulldogs had six first-time starters in the 2016 season opener on offense and defense. In game two against Nicholls, Georgia had two more new starters. On the trip to Oxford, Miss., the Bulldogs had another first-time starter. Georgia had three first-time starters versus #11 Tenneessee. #22 UNC: Michael Chigbu (WR), Tyler Catalina (LT), Lamont Gaillard (RG) Charlie Woerner (TE), Roquan Smith (WLB) and Maurice Smith (STAR). Additionally, all three kicking specialists made their Bulldog debut in William Ham (PK, PAT, KO), Marshall Long (P) and Rodrigo Blankenship (KO).
NICHOLLS: Jacob Eason (QB), Jayson Stanley (WR) #21 OM: David Marshall (DE) #11 UT: Isaac Nauta (TE), Julian Rochester (DL), Deandre Baker (DB)
The True Freshman Experience
In the 2016 season opener, 12 true freshmen made their debut plus two redshirt freshmen. In the win at Missouri, another three true freshmen played for the first time. Tyler Simmons played at USC to give the Bulldogs another true freshman on the field.
In 2015, a total of 22 true freshmen, which led the nation, played for the Bulldogs, including 19 in the season opener and that also led the country. Thirty-three Bulldogs earned a snap for the first time in their careers last season.
Players Mentioned
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