University of Georgia Athletics
Notes: Dawgs Look To Rebound Vs. Gamecocks
October 03, 2016 | Football
Oct. 3, 2016
The Bulldogs hold a 48-18-2 edge in the series history. Last year's 52-20 win at Sanford Stadium tied the mark for most points ever scored against South Carolina in the series. It matched the 1970 game (52-34 in Athens) and 1974 contest (52-14 in Athens). Georgia amassed 576 yards of total offense on 63 plays in the latest win.
Georgia's last win in Columbia came in 2008 (14-7) as the Gamecocks defended their turf in 2010 (17-6), 2012 (35-7) and 2014 (38-35). In the 2014 contest, No. 24 South Carolina upset the No. 6 Bulldogs. The start of the game was delayed one hour and 26 minutes due to lightning. Both teams started fast. Georgia led briefly 10-7 in the first quarter before the Gamecocks grabbed a 14-13 advantage with 2:20 left in the opening period and never trailed again.
The Oct. 8 matchup is the latest the teams have faced each other since 1980 when they played in Nov. 1. The Bulldogs edged the Gamecocks 13-10 in Athens that year.
Georgia ranks 10th in the league in Scoring Offense (26.4) and South Carolina is last in the league (14.0). However, the Gamecocks are sixth in Scoring Defense (18.6) and the Bulldogs are 13th, allowing 30.8 points per game. The teams are tied for third in the SEC at +3 in Turnover Margin as Georgia ranks second in the conference with seven interceptions. USC has forced eight turnovers in its last three contests. The Bulldogs lead the league in Time of Possession at 35:10 while the Gamecocks stand 11th out of the 14 teams at 27:30. In Red Zone Offense, Georgia ranks ninth, scoring 80 percent of the time while South Carolina ranks 14th at 64.3 percent. However in Red Zone Defense, USC ranks fourth, allowing opponents to score just 66.7 percent of the time. The Bulldogs are 14th in that category with opponents scoring at a 94 percent rate. Individually, South Carolina senior DL Darius English is second in the SEC with five sacks.
Georgia ranks fourth in the SEC with a 67 percent success rate on fourth downs going 4-for-6 this year, including 1-for-2 versus #11 Tennessee last Saturday. Last year, the Bulldogs were 5-for-12 on fourth down, including one touchdown. Sony Michel had a 34-yard touchdown run versus Georgia Tech in the first quarter on 4th-and-1 in 2015.
Here is a look at Georgia's fourth down attempts this year.
In the 52-20 rout of South Carolina last year, Bulldog Greyson Lambert set an NCAA, SEC and Georgia record for Best Completion Percentage at 96 percent with a minimum of 20 completions as he finished 24-for-25 for 330 yards and three TDs.
Lambert completed his last 20 in a row, also a Georgia record, which topped Mike Bobo's mark of 19 straight at the 1998 Outback Bowl in a win over Wisconsin. Lambert's three touchdowns matched his career high set against Florida State in 2014 while suiting up for Virginia. Against USC, he connected with nine different receivers, including senior Malcolm Mitchell who caught eight balls for 122 yards and a touchdown.
The Bulldogs own a 55-19-2 all-time lead in the series that started with a 35-0 Vanderbilt win in 1893. UGA has won 19 out of the last 21 matchups, including the last four in Athens.
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 2-2 as a starter. During his last start versus #11 Tennessee, Eason finished 17-for-28 for 211 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He fired a 47-yard touchdown to freshman Riley 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 touchdown pass of the game was a 50-yard bomb to freshman TE Isaac 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 (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 junior Isaiah 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. He saw his first action in the win over #22 UNC and completed 8-of-12 for 131 yards and a score (McKenzie).
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. Last year in the win over South Carolina, Lambert had an NCAA record-setting night. He went 24-for-25 for 330 yards and three TDs.
Junior WR/PR Isaiah McKenzie leads the Bulldogs with 539 all-purpose yards (79 rush, 344 receiving, 116 return) and has scored five touchdowns. He has a team-best 24 catches, which includes a team-high four scores. His output this far eclipses his total from his first two seasons (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 77 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 aforementioned trio in the starting lineup this year. Junior guard Dyshon Sims, who has played in 20 games and started one, is in the rotation as well.
The line of scrimmage helped pave the way for 289 rushing yards and 474 yards of total offense against #22 UNC. However, the Bulldogs did surrender four sacks versus UNC. At Missouri, the Bulldogs ran 93 plays for 409 yards. Georgia had just 101 yards on the ground with 308 through the air. The Bulldogs also allowed four sacks versus the Tigers. The Bulldogs racked up 396 yards at #23 Ole Miss, including 230 on the ground, but Georgia gave up another three sacks in a 45-14 loss. Giving up three more sacks, the Bulldogs finished with 392 total yards versus #11 Tennessee as Eason went 17-for-28 for 211 yards and two touchdowns.
Georgia is 3-2 and has trailed in all of its games this year. However, the Bulldogs had a strong start versus #11 Tennessee last week as Georgia registered a 17-7 halftime advantage. The Vols came back with 27 points in the second half (seven scored by their defense) to leave Athens with a 34-31 comeback victory.
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 tallied 20 points on 40 plays, 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.
Against Nicholls, the defense responded again in a tight contest. While the Colonels scored 24 points, 17 of those came after Bulldog turnovers. They had one sustained TD drive (11 plays for 75 yards) while the other two covered just nine and 30 yards. Also, a Nicholls field goal drive was minus one yard after a 91-yard interception return gave them first-and-goal at the Bulldog 8 midway through the fourth quarter.
Senior STAR Maurice Smith was one of the three game captains against #11 Tennessee and had his best game statistically versus the Vols. 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 third in stops with 23 this season.
Georgia looks to improve its Red Zone Defense with only one stop in 17 trips, which is 14th in the SEC. Opponents have scored 12 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 with two interceptions, both against the Tigers. Sophomore DB Juwuan Briscoe had an eventful performance against the Tigers too. He finished with three tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one forced fumble in the one-point win over Missouri.
Sophomore DB Deandre Baker started for the first time versus #11 Tennessee and responded with three tackles. His top play of the game came when he drilled Tennessee's Jalen Hurd at the goal line and forced a fumble that Aaron Davis recovered for a touchback. Baker's hit came moments before Hurd was going to score on a 24-yard pass. Davis matched his career high with eight tackles against the Vols.
Against #22 UNC, junior CB Malkom Parrish had a team-high seven tackles while Davis had five stops and Smith also had five tackles plus two pass break-ups. Smith joined the team late in the summer after graduating and completing his undergraduate career at Alabama. Smith played in all 15 games for the 14-1 national champions in 2015 and finished with 15 stops. He played in 41 career games (starting two) and made 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery for Alabama.
All-SEC performer Dominick Sanders notched his 10th career interception in the win over Nicholls. He had a league-leading six picks in 2015 and finished last year with a UGA single season record of 205 interception return yards, which ranked fifth in SEC history. At Missouri, Sanders stripped the ball and the Bulldogs recovered as the Tigers' attempted to get in to field goal range in the final minute down one point.
With sophomores ILB Natrez Patrick and DL Trenton Thompson rank 1-2 in tackles through the first five games. After having a career-high 10 stops versus #11 Tennessee, Patrick now leads the team with 34 stops, including three tackles for loss and one sack. Thompson leads the interior linemen with 26 stops and a team-leading four TFLs and a sack. Against the Vols, he was credited with six assists.
True freshman Julian Rochester made his first career start against Tennessee and had a career-high four tackles. Rochester started in place of fellow true freshman David Marshall. 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.
Redshirt freshman Rodrigo Blankenship has handled the PK duties versus #23 Ole Miss and #11 Tennessee. Blankenship is 1-for-2 on the year, including a 27 yarder against the Vols which was his first career field goal. Redshirt sophomore William Ham is 3-for-7 on FGs this season. True freshman Marshall Long is taking care of the punting, averaging 39.7 yards on 27 punts. However, the Bulldogs are 14th in the SEC in Net Punting at 35.5. This week's opponent, South Carolina, is 12th in the league in Net Punting at 38.3. 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 nine returns for 92 yards for an SEC-best 10.2 average.
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 an SEC-best 26.1 yards on eight kickoff returns.
*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.
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.
Before the ULM game to start last year, the most true freshmen to play in a season opener since 2001 was 13 coming back in 2012.
In 2016, the Bulldogs are +3 in Turnover Margin. Georgia has forced 12 turnovers for 23 points (six scored by the defense) while opponents have scored 38 points off nine Bulldog turnovers.
vs. #22 UNC (W, 33-24): UGA did not create any turnovers; UNC did not score off 1 turnover. NICH (W, 26-24): UGA got 6 points off 3 turnovers; NICH got 17 points off 3 turnovers. @ MISSOURI (W, 28-27): UGA got no points off 5 turnovers; MU got 7 points off 1 turnover. @ #23 OM (L, 45-14): UGA got 7 points off 1 turnover; OM got 7 points off 2 turnovers. #11 UT (L, 34-31): UGA got 10 points off 3 turnovers; UT got 7 points off 2 turnovers.
Bulldog weekly award winners:
The SEC has created a patch to recognize student-athletes who have earned their undergraduate degrees - and the Bulldogs have four who fit the bill. OT Tyler Catalina, QB Greyson Lambert, DB Maurice Smith and receiver Kenneth Towns are seniors athletically and are all pursuing graduate degrees. Catalina (Rhode Island), Lambert (Virginia) and Smith (Alabama) join Towns, who is in his fifth year with the Bulldogs. Towns was a former walk-on from Albany, Ga., who earned a scholarship before the 2016 season.
The Bulldogs have had 10 plays which covered 25+ yards; opponents have had 10.
GAME 1: #18 Georgia vs. #22 UNC
Georgia: 3 plays; Longest: 55-yd. TD rush (Chubb)
UNC: 3 plays; Longest: 95-yd. KOR TD (Logan)
GAME 2: #9 Georgia vs. Nicholls
Georgia: 4 plays; Longest: 66-yd. TD pass (Eason to McKenzie)
NICH: 1 play; Longest: 91-yd. INT ret. (Hall)
GAME 3: #16 Georgia @ Missouri
Georgia: 3 plays; Longest: 32-yd. pass (Eason to Godwin)
MU: 6 plays; Longest: 79-yd. TD pass (Lock to Moore)
GAME 4: #12 Georgia @ #23 Ole Miss
Georgia: 2 plays; Longest: 40-yard KOR (Davis)
OM: 5 plays; Longest: 55-yd. TD pass (Kelly to Lodge)
GAME 5: #25 Georgia vs. #11 Tennessee
Georgia: 3 plays; Longest: 50-yard TD pass (Eason to Nauta)
UT: 3 plays; Longest: 43-yd. TD pass (Dobbs to Jennings)
Georgia's true freshman QB Jacob Eason connected with junior WR Isaiah McKenzie for a 20-yard touchdown on 4th-and-10 with 1:29 left to put the Bulldogs ahead 28-27 at Missouri last weekend.
Prior to that, the last time Georgia converted a fourth down TD pass in the fourth quarter came versus Georgia Tech in 2014. Hutson Mason hit Malcolm Mitchell for a 3-yard touchdown on 4th-and-goal to give the Bulldogs a 24-21 edge with 18 seconds to go.
The Georgia Bulldogs vs. The South Carolina Gamecocks
Game & Broadcast Info
- Game 5: Georgia Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
- Kickoff: Sunday, October 9 - 2:30 p.m. ET
- Location: Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250), Columbia, Mo.
- Records: Georgia 3-2 (1-2 SEC), South Carolina 2-3 (1-3 SEC)
- Rankings: Georgia NR, South Carolina NR
- TV: SECN - Brent Musburger (play-by-play); Jesse Palmer (color analyst); Kaylee Hartung (sideline reporter)
- Video Stream: SECN+
- 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:
- Twitter: #UGAvsSC
- ReBroadcast: SEC Network : 10/10-1:00AM, 10/11-1AM, 10/13-3:00AM & 10:00AM
Series History
The Bulldogs hold a 48-18-2 edge in the series history. Last year's 52-20 win at Sanford Stadium tied the mark for most points ever scored against South Carolina in the series. It matched the 1970 game (52-34 in Athens) and 1974 contest (52-14 in Athens). Georgia amassed 576 yards of total offense on 63 plays in the latest win.
Georgia's last win in Columbia came in 2008 (14-7) as the Gamecocks defended their turf in 2010 (17-6), 2012 (35-7) and 2014 (38-35). In the 2014 contest, No. 24 South Carolina upset the No. 6 Bulldogs. The start of the game was delayed one hour and 26 minutes due to lightning. Both teams started fast. Georgia led briefly 10-7 in the first quarter before the Gamecocks grabbed a 14-13 advantage with 2:20 left in the opening period and never trailed again.
The Oct. 8 matchup is the latest the teams have faced each other since 1980 when they played in Nov. 1. The Bulldogs edged the Gamecocks 13-10 in Athens that year.
Inside The Numbers
Georgia ranks 10th in the league in Scoring Offense (26.4) and South Carolina is last in the league (14.0). However, the Gamecocks are sixth in Scoring Defense (18.6) and the Bulldogs are 13th, allowing 30.8 points per game. The teams are tied for third in the SEC at +3 in Turnover Margin as Georgia ranks second in the conference with seven interceptions. USC has forced eight turnovers in its last three contests. The Bulldogs lead the league in Time of Possession at 35:10 while the Gamecocks stand 11th out of the 14 teams at 27:30. In Red Zone Offense, Georgia ranks ninth, scoring 80 percent of the time while South Carolina ranks 14th at 64.3 percent. However in Red Zone Defense, USC ranks fourth, allowing opponents to score just 66.7 percent of the time. The Bulldogs are 14th in that category with opponents scoring at a 94 percent rate. Individually, South Carolina senior DL Darius English is second in the SEC with five sacks.
Let's Go For It
Georgia ranks fourth in the SEC with a 67 percent success rate on fourth downs going 4-for-6 this year, including 1-for-2 versus #11 Tennessee last Saturday. Last year, the Bulldogs were 5-for-12 on fourth down, including one touchdown. Sony Michel had a 34-yard touchdown run versus Georgia Tech in the first quarter on 4th-and-1 in 2015.
Here is a look at Georgia's fourth down attempts this year.
- (@ Missouri) 4th-and-10, MU 20, 1:29 left in 4thQ, trailing 27-21; 20-yard TD pass to Isaiah McKenzie
- (@ #23 Ole Miss) 4th-and-1, OM 39, Nick Chubb rushed for 16 yards
- (@ #23 Ole Miss) 4th-and-7, UGA 40, fake punt, P Marshall Long 29-yard pass to Sony Michel
- (@ #23 Ole Miss) 4th-and-8, OM 29, Jacob Eason pass incomplete
- (#11 Tennessee) 4th-and-1, UT 28, Sony Michel rushed for 3 yards
- (#11 Tennessee) 4th-and-2, UT 25, Jacob Eason pass incomplete
2015: Georgia-South Carolina Flashback
In the 52-20 rout of South Carolina last year, Bulldog Greyson Lambert set an NCAA, SEC and Georgia record for Best Completion Percentage at 96 percent with a minimum of 20 completions as he finished 24-for-25 for 330 yards and three TDs.
Lambert completed his last 20 in a row, also a Georgia record, which topped Mike Bobo's mark of 19 straight at the 1998 Outback Bowl in a win over Wisconsin. Lambert's three touchdowns matched his career high set against Florida State in 2014 while suiting up for Virginia. Against USC, he connected with nine different receivers, including senior Malcolm Mitchell who caught eight balls for 122 yards and a touchdown.
On Deck: vs. Vanderbilt Oct. 15, TBA (TV-TBA)
The Bulldogs own a 55-19-2 all-time lead in the series that started with a 35-0 Vanderbilt win in 1893. UGA has won 19 out of the last 21 matchups, including the last four in Athens.
Inside The Numbers This Season
| Georgia | 2016 Averages | South Carolina |
| 26.4 | Scoring Offense | 14.0 |
| 30.8 | Scoring Defense | 18.6 |
| +3 | Turnover Margin | +3 |
| 408.8 | Total Offense | 301.8 |
| 193.6 | Rushing Offense | 104.8 |
| 215.2 | Passing Offense | 197.0 |
| 10.2 | Punt Returns | 3.6 |
| 21.2 | Kickoff Returns | 28.4 |
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 | 3 | 2 | .600 | 1-2 |
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 2-2 as a starter. During his last start versus #11 Tennessee, Eason finished 17-for-28 for 211 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. He fired a 47-yard touchdown to freshman Riley 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 touchdown pass of the game was a 50-yard bomb to freshman TE Isaac 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 (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 junior Isaiah 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. He saw his first action in the win over #22 UNC and completed 8-of-12 for 131 yards and a score (McKenzie).
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. Last year in the win over South Carolina, Lambert had an NCAA record-setting night. He went 24-for-25 for 330 yards and three TDs.
| Jacob Eason | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | G/GS | Cmp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | INT | TD | Eff. | LG | |
| 2016 | 5/4 | 81 | 151 | 53.6 | 991 | 4 | 7 | 118.7 | 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 | |
Balanced Running Attack Readies For Gamecocks
The centerpieces of the Bulldog backfield are juniors Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. Most recently, Michel has been the featured back while Chubb has dealt with an ankle injury sustained in the Ole Miss contest. Against #11 Tennessee, Michel had 91 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown while freshman Brian Herrien added 74 yards on 15 carries. The Bulldogs are ranked seventh in the league in Rushing Offense (193.6). The Gamecock rushing defense checks in at 13th in the league, allowing 202 yards per game.
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 seasonending 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.
Herrien has been the Bulldogs' third back and led the team at #23 Ole Miss with 78 yards on 11 carries (7.1 avg.) and two touchdowns. Herrien, who also had two catches against the Rebels, is Georgia's second leading rusher with 265 yards. Elijah Holyfield, another true freshman, got his first carries versus #23 Ole Miss and finished with 27 yards on four carries and one 19-yard catch. 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 | 5/3 | 84 | 425 | 3 | 55 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 12 |
| Total | 24/17 | 395 | 2,719 | 24 | 83 | 23 | 257 | 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 | 4/2 | 39 | 197 | 1 | 22 | 10 | 58 | 0 | 29 |
| Total | 25/9 | 322 | 1,768 | 14 | 75 | 43 | 434 | 4 | 48 |
McKenzie Displaying Versatility
Junior WR/PR Isaiah McKenzie leads the Bulldogs with 539 all-purpose yards (79 rush, 344 receiving, 116 return) and has scored five touchdowns. He has a team-best 24 catches, which includes a team-high four scores. His output this far eclipses his total from his first two seasons (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 77 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 aforementioned trio in the starting lineup this year. Junior guard Dyshon Sims, who has played in 20 games and started one, is in the rotation as well.
The line of scrimmage helped pave the way for 289 rushing yards and 474 yards of total offense against #22 UNC. However, the Bulldogs did surrender four sacks versus UNC. At Missouri, the Bulldogs ran 93 plays for 409 yards. Georgia had just 101 yards on the ground with 308 through the air. The Bulldogs also allowed four sacks versus the Tigers. The Bulldogs racked up 396 yards at #23 Ole Miss, including 230 on the ground, but Georgia gave up another three sacks in a 45-14 loss. Giving up three more sacks, the Bulldogs finished with 392 total yards versus #11 Tennessee as Eason went 17-for-28 for 211 yards and two touchdowns.
Bulldogs Looking To Bounce Back
Georgia is 3-2 and has trailed in all of its games this year. However, the Bulldogs had a strong start versus #11 Tennessee last week as Georgia registered a 17-7 halftime advantage. The Vols came back with 27 points in the second half (seven scored by their defense) to leave Athens with a 34-31 comeback victory.
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 tallied 20 points on 40 plays, 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.
Against Nicholls, the defense responded again in a tight contest. While the Colonels scored 24 points, 17 of those came after Bulldog turnovers. They had one sustained TD drive (11 plays for 75 yards) while the other two covered just nine and 30 yards. Also, a Nicholls field goal drive was minus one yard after a 91-yard interception return gave them first-and-goal at the Bulldog 8 midway through the fourth quarter.
Smith Coming Off Big Game For Secondary
Senior STAR Maurice Smith was one of the three game captains against #11 Tennessee and had his best game statistically versus the Vols. 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 third in stops with 23 this season.
Georgia looks to improve its Red Zone Defense with only one stop in 17 trips, which is 14th in the SEC. Opponents have scored 12 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 with two interceptions, both against the Tigers. Sophomore DB Juwuan Briscoe had an eventful performance against the Tigers too. He finished with three tackles, two fumble recoveries, one interception and one forced fumble in the one-point win over Missouri.
Sophomore DB Deandre Baker started for the first time versus #11 Tennessee and responded with three tackles. His top play of the game came when he drilled Tennessee's Jalen Hurd at the goal line and forced a fumble that Aaron Davis recovered for a touchback. Baker's hit came moments before Hurd was going to score on a 24-yard pass. Davis matched his career high with eight tackles against the Vols.
Against #22 UNC, junior CB Malkom Parrish had a team-high seven tackles while Davis had five stops and Smith also had five tackles plus two pass break-ups. Smith joined the team late in the summer after graduating and completing his undergraduate career at Alabama. Smith played in all 15 games for the 14-1 national champions in 2015 and finished with 15 stops. He played in 41 career games (starting two) and made 38 tackles, 1.5 sacks, five pass break-ups, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery for Alabama.
All-SEC performer Dominick Sanders notched his 10th career interception in the win over Nicholls. He had a league-leading six picks in 2015 and finished last year with a UGA single season record of 205 interception return yards, which ranked fifth in SEC history. At Missouri, Sanders stripped the ball and the Bulldogs recovered as the Tigers' attempted to get in to field goal range in the final minute down one point.
| 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 Duo Tallying Tackles
With sophomores ILB Natrez Patrick and DL Trenton Thompson rank 1-2 in tackles through the first five games. After having a career-high 10 stops versus #11 Tennessee, Patrick now leads the team with 34 stops, including three tackles for loss and one sack. Thompson leads the interior linemen with 26 stops and a team-leading four TFLs and a sack. Against the Vols, he was credited with six assists.
True freshman Julian Rochester made his first career start against Tennessee and had a career-high four tackles. Rochester started in place of fellow true freshman David Marshall. 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.
Blankenship Hits First Field Goal
Redshirt freshman Rodrigo Blankenship has handled the PK duties versus #23 Ole Miss and #11 Tennessee. Blankenship is 1-for-2 on the year, including a 27 yarder against the Vols which was his first career field goal. Redshirt sophomore William Ham is 3-for-7 on FGs this season. True freshman Marshall Long is taking care of the punting, averaging 39.7 yards on 27 punts. However, the Bulldogs are 14th in the SEC in Net Punting at 35.5. This week's opponent, South Carolina, is 12th in the league in Net Punting at 38.3. 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 nine returns for 92 yards for an SEC-best 10.2 average.
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 an SEC-best 26.1 yards on eight kickoff returns.
| 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 | @ Vanderbilt | 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.
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.
Before the ULM game to start last year, the most true freshmen to play in a season opener since 2001 was 13 coming back in 2012.
Points Off Turnovers
In 2016, the Bulldogs are +3 in Turnover Margin. Georgia has forced 12 turnovers for 23 points (six scored by the defense) while opponents have scored 38 points off nine Bulldog turnovers.
vs. #22 UNC (W, 33-24): UGA did not create any turnovers; UNC did not score off 1 turnover. NICH (W, 26-24): UGA got 6 points off 3 turnovers; NICH got 17 points off 3 turnovers. @ MISSOURI (W, 28-27): UGA got no points off 5 turnovers; MU got 7 points off 1 turnover. @ #23 OM (L, 45-14): UGA got 7 points off 1 turnover; OM got 7 points off 2 turnovers. #11 UT (L, 34-31): UGA got 10 points off 3 turnovers; UT got 7 points off 2 turnovers.
Bulldog Honor Roll
Bulldog weekly award winners:
| Nick Chubb | Maxwell Award Player of the Week SEC Off. Player of the Week (vs. #22 UNC) |
| Isaiah McKenzie | Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll (vs. #22 UNC, @ MIZZ) |
| Jacob Eason | Davey O'Brien Award "Super 8" (@ MIZZ) |
Georgia Graduates
The SEC has created a patch to recognize student-athletes who have earned their undergraduate degrees - and the Bulldogs have four who fit the bill. OT Tyler Catalina, QB Greyson Lambert, DB Maurice Smith and receiver Kenneth Towns are seniors athletically and are all pursuing graduate degrees. Catalina (Rhode Island), Lambert (Virginia) and Smith (Alabama) join Towns, who is in his fifth year with the Bulldogs. Towns was a former walk-on from Albany, Ga., who earned a scholarship before the 2016 season.
Big Plays
The Bulldogs have had 10 plays which covered 25+ yards; opponents have had 10.
GAME 1: #18 Georgia vs. #22 UNC
Georgia: 3 plays; Longest: 55-yd. TD rush (Chubb)
UNC: 3 plays; Longest: 95-yd. KOR TD (Logan)
GAME 2: #9 Georgia vs. Nicholls
Georgia: 4 plays; Longest: 66-yd. TD pass (Eason to McKenzie)
NICH: 1 play; Longest: 91-yd. INT ret. (Hall)
GAME 3: #16 Georgia @ Missouri
Georgia: 3 plays; Longest: 32-yd. pass (Eason to Godwin)
MU: 6 plays; Longest: 79-yd. TD pass (Lock to Moore)
GAME 4: #12 Georgia @ #23 Ole Miss
Georgia: 2 plays; Longest: 40-yard KOR (Davis)
OM: 5 plays; Longest: 55-yd. TD pass (Kelly to Lodge)
GAME 5: #25 Georgia vs. #11 Tennessee
Georgia: 3 plays; Longest: 50-yard TD pass (Eason to Nauta)
UT: 3 plays; Longest: 43-yd. TD pass (Dobbs to Jennings)
4th down touchdowns
Georgia's true freshman QB Jacob Eason connected with junior WR Isaiah McKenzie for a 20-yard touchdown on 4th-and-10 with 1:29 left to put the Bulldogs ahead 28-27 at Missouri last weekend.
Prior to that, the last time Georgia converted a fourth down TD pass in the fourth quarter came versus Georgia Tech in 2014. Hutson Mason hit Malcolm Mitchell for a 3-yard touchdown on 4th-and-goal to give the Bulldogs a 24-21 edge with 18 seconds to go.
Players Mentioned
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PK
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TB
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CB
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QB
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SN
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OG
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RB
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RB
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P
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OLB
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TB
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TE
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CB
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ILB
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FB
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DT
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OG
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