Saturday, September 8

Columbia, S.C.

3:30 PM

University of Georgia

South Carolina

Game Notes: Bulldogs and Gamecocks Open SEC Slate

September 03, 2018 | Football

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The Georgia Bulldogs vs. The South Carolina Gamecocks

Game & Broadcast Info

Georgia Bulldogs vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
Kickoff: Saturday, September 8 - 3:30 p.m. ET
Location: Williams-Brice Stadium (80,250) - Columbia, S.C.
2018 Records: Georgia 1-0 (0-0 SEC), South Carolina 1-0 (0-0 SEC)
2017 Records: Georgia 13-2 (7-1 SEC), South Carolina 9-4 (5-3 SEC)
Rankings: Georgia #3/#4, South Carolina NR
TV: CBS - Brad Nessler (PxP), Gary Danielson (analyst), Jamie Erdahl (sidelines)
Video Stream: CBSSports.com
Radio: WSB AM 750 - Bulldog Network | Affiliates | Scott Howard (PxP), Eric Zeier (Color), Chuck Dowdle (sideline)
Audio Stream: georgiadogs.com | TuneIn
Satellite: Sirius 94, XM 192
Web Stats: Live Stats
Twitter: #UGAvsSC
ReBroadcast: SEC Network: TBA

Complete Game Notes

Georgia	2018 Averages	South Carolina
45.0	Scoring Offense	49.0
0.0	Scoring Defense	15.0
0	Turnover Margin	+1
508.0	Total Offense	557.0
284.0	Rushing Offense	263.0
224.0	Passing Offense	294.0
3.5	Punt Returns	3.0
24.0	Kickoff Returns	21.4

Georgia-USC Series

Georgia leads the all-time series 50-18-2 as it dates back to 1894. Georgia has won three in a row over USC after then No. 24 South Carolina upset No. 6 Georgia 38-35 in 2014 in Columbia. The start of the 2014 game was delayed nearly 90 minutes because of lightning and severe weather. Also, it featured a goal line stand by the USC defense after Georgia had 1st-and-goal at the 4-yard line late in the fourth quarter. Then in 2015, No. 7 Georgia crushed the Gamecocks 52-20 behind an NCAA record-setting performance by quarterback Greyson Lambert who completed 24-of-25 passes (96 percent) for 330 yards and three touchdowns. His only incompletion came on an overthrow in the back of the end zone late in the first quarter.

Last Trip To Columbia (2016): Georgia 28, South Carolina 14

Due to Hurricane Matthew, the game was postponed one day and marked the first time the Bulldogs had ever played a regular season game on a Sunday. On Oct. 9, a Williams-Brice Stadium crowd of 77,221 watched the Bulldogs amass 326 rushing yards in a 28-14 win to improve to 4-2 overall, 2-2 in the SEC. Sony Michel (133) and Nick Chubb (121) paced the Bulldog ground game while Brian Herrien chipped in 82 yards. Georgia's defense posted five sacks and forced three turnovers. USC moved within a touchdown with 1:40 remaining in the contest, but Terry Godwin returned an onside kick attempt 43 yards for a touchdown to seal the victory.

2017 Flashback: Georgia 24, South Carolina 10

On Nov. 4, top-ranked Georgia ran its record to 9-0 (6-0 SEC) with a 24-10 victory over the Gamecocks who dropped to 6-3 (4-3 SEC). It was the Bulldogs tightest conference contest up to that point after winning their first five by an average of 32 points. Jake Fromm hit 16 of 22 passes for 196 yards and two touchdowns while Nick Chubb had 102 yards rushing on 20 carries. All four Bulldog scoring drives spanned at least 10 plays. The Georgia-USC matchup was a rare November meeting. In fact, it was the second-latest date in the history of the series that goes back to 1894. In 1939, the teams squared off in Athens on Nov. 18 and Georgia won 33-7.

New Look At Tailback

Sophomore QB Jake Fromm returns to direct the Bulldog offense. Georgia must replace tailbacks Nick Chubb and Sony Michel. They completed their Bulldog career in 2017 as the top tandem in college football history, amassing 8,407 rushing yards and 77 rushing touchdowns. With the duo now playing in the NFL, Georgia is looking to its next wave of talented tailbacks including sophomore D'Andre Swift and juniors Elijah Holyfield and Brian Herrien. Swift started versus APSU and finished with eight carries for 43 yards and a touchdown while Holyfield added five carries for 24 yards and a score. They saw limited action in the 45-0 rout. Swift also demonstrated his pass catching skills as he led the team with four catches for 33 yards. The tailbacks combined for nine recptions for 60 yards.

Bulldog Graduates

Georgia has three players on this year's roster who have already earned their undergraduate degrees. The players who received their undergraduate degrees include: DL Jay Hayes (Notre Dame-Film, Television, Theater), P Landon Stratton (Murray State-Occupational and Health Safety) and OL Sean Fogarty (UGA-History). Hayes is pursuing a Master's degree in Financial Planning while Stratton is enrolled in the Master's program for Learning, Leadership and Organizational Development. Fogarty is taking a full load of undergraduate courses.

All of the SEC players who have achieved an undergraduate degree will be sporting the SEC Graduate patch on their uniforms.

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 FSU 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)

Coach Smart's Record
Year	W	L	Pct.	SEC
2016	8	5	.615	4-4
2017	13	2	.866	^8-2
2018	1	0	1.000	0-0
Total	22	7	.759	^12-6

^includes 2017 SECCG, 2018 CFPNC

When Georgia looked for a new head coach after the 2015 season, the arrows pointed to Kirby Smart, longtime Alabama defensive coordinator and former UGA player and assistant. The 2017 Associated Press SEC Coach of the Year has not disappointed.

In his first year leading the Bulldogs in 2016, Georgia extended its school record to 20 consecutive bowl appearancesand posted five fourth-quarter comebacks including wins over No. 8 Auburn and No. 22 North Carolina. He led UGA to an 8-5 final record, which included a victory over TCU in the Liberty Bowl.

In 2017, Smart directed UGA to a 13-2 record, an SEC title, a win at The Rose Bowl Game during the CFP semifinal and a spot in the National Championship. He was named the Maxwell Football Club's George Munger National Coach of the Year. Before 2017, the Bulldogs last SEC title was 2005.

He has also made an immediate impact in recruiting, posting the nation's top-ranked class in 2018 and the third-ranked class in 2017. In addition to coaching, Smart oversees the Kirby Smart Family Foundation, which is focusedon being champions in the community by supporting and giving back to needy children and families.

Smart officially came home to Georgia on Dec. 6, 2015. But he still had unfinished business at Alabama, which was chasing a national title. He juggled two jobs for a month until January 11, 2016, when the Tide won its fourth national championship in a seven-year span. Twelve hours later, he was at work in Athens.

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)
Pat Fitzgerald (Northwestern)
Mike Gundy (Oklahoma State)
Jim Harbaugh (Michigan)
Cliff Kingsbury (Texas Tech)
Barry Odom (Missouri)
Mark Richt (Miami)
David Shaw (Stanford)
Kirby Smart (GEORGIA)

Top Ind. Single-Game Performances Under Smart
Rushing Yards: 222, Nick Chubb vs. #22 UNC (9/3/16)
Rushing TDs: 3, Sony Michel vs. UK (11/18/17); vs. #2 Oklahoma (1/1/18)
Longest Rush: 75-TD, Michel vs. #2 Oklahoma (1/1/18)
Passing Yards: 346, Jacob Eason vs. VU (10/15/16)
Passing TDs: 3, Eason @ Missouri (9/17/16); Jake Fromm vs. Samford (9/16/17)
Receiving TDs: 2, Isaiah McKenzie @ Missouri (9/17/16); Terry Godwin vs. Samford (9/16/17)
Longest TD Pass: 80-TD, Fromm to Mecole Hardman vs. BAMA (1/8/18)
Longest Pass: 80-TD, Fromm to Hardman vs. BAMA (1/8/18)
Tackles: 13, Roquan Smith vs. GT (11/26/16); SECCG (12/2/17); CFPNC (1/1/18)
Sacks: 3, Trenton Thompson vs. TCU (12/30/16)
TFL: 3, Thompson vs. Nicholls (9/10/16)

Quick Facts

2017 Georgia Munger National Coach of the Year finalist, leading UGA to a 13-2 record, a Rose Bowl Game victory and an appearance the CFP National Championship Game.
The Bulldogs' No. 2 AP ranking in 2017 was the team's top AP ranking since week three of the 2008 season when Georgia was No. 2.
Bulldogs captured the SEC Eastern Division by going 7-1 in 2017, including a perfect 6-0 in the division for the first time since the league split into divisions in 1992.
Seven fourth-quarter comebacks, including wins over #8 AU (2016), #22 UNC in Atlanta (2016), @ #24 Notre Dame (2017), vs. #2 Oklahoma in 2018 Rose Bowl Game.
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 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff Classic.

Defense/Special Teams Scores
2016: Safety vs. #22 UNC; Lorenzo Carter 24-yd fumble recovery for TD vs. Nicholls; Terry Godwin 43-yd KOR for TD @ SC; Maurice Smith 34-yd INT return for TD vs. #8 Auburn; Isaiah McKenzie 82-yd PR for TD
2017: J.R. Reed 3-yd fumble recover for TD vs. Florida

7 Victories When Tied Or Trailing Late
Year	Opponent	Start of 4th Qtr.	Final
2016	%#22 UNC	Trailed 24-23	33-24
2016	@ Missouri	Trailed 27-21	28-27
2016	@ South Carolina	Trailed 21-16	27-24
2016	#8 Auburn	Tied 7-7	13-7
2016	^TCU	Trailed 23-21	31-23
2017	#24 Notre Dame	17-16, trailed 19-17 with 10:21 left	20-19
2018	$ #2 Oklahoma 31-31	trailed 45-38 with 0:55 left	54-48 2ot

%Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic; ^Liberty Bowl; $Rose Bowl Game

Dogs Aiming To Have Another Explosive Offense

The Bulldogs opened the season with a 45-0 shutout of Austin Peay in Sanford Stadium.

Georgia averaged 35.4 points/game in 2017. Returning PK Rodrigo Blankenship led the team with 123 points, including a perfect 63-for-63 on PATs and 20-for-23 on field goals. In the 2018 season opener, he was busy kicking a field goal and six extra points.

The 2017 Bulldogs ranked fourth nationally in Red Zone Offense, going 53-for-55, including 39 touchdowns, last year. This season, Georgia is 5-for-5 with four touchdowns and a field goal.

QB Jake Fromm, the 2017 SEC Freshman of the Year, is 13-2 as a starter. He accounted for 27 touchdowns in 2017, one shy of the UGA record by a freshman set by Aaron Murray in 2010.

In his career, Fromm has led his team to two comebacks when trailing at the half. One of Georgia's signature wins came with his 2018 Rose Bowl Game performance after the Bulldogs trailed 31-17 at the half and rallied to a 54-48 win in double overtime. Georgia trailed 45-38 with 3:22 remaining in the game before Fromm directed a game-tying drive.

Fromm's first career start came last year at #24 Notre Dame. Trailing 19-17 with 6:47 left in the contest, Fromm directed a nine play, 63-yard drive to set up the go-ahead field goal. He was 3-for-4 for 45 yards during the drive.

Jake Fromm (UGA Career)
2017	Att	Cmp	TD	Int	Yds	Sk	Eff.
ASU (W)	15	10	1	0	143	0	168.7
@ #24 ND (W)	29	16	1	1	141	2	100.5
SU (W)	13	8	3	0	165	0	244.3
#17 MSU (W)	12	9	2	0	201	0	270.7
@ UT (W)	15	7	1	1	84	2	102.4
@ VU (W)	11	7	2	0	102	1	201.5
MU (W)	26	18	2	1	326	1	192.2
vs. UF (W)	4	7	1	1	101	0	196.9
USC (W)	22	16	2	0	196	1	177.6
@ #10 Auburn (L)	28	13	1	0	184	4	113.4
UK (W)	14	9	1	1	123	1	147.4
@ GT (W)	16	12	2	0	224	0	233.8
SECCG -#2 AU (W)	22	16	2	0	183	2	172.6
ROSE - #2 OU (W)	29	20	2	0	210	2	152.6
CFP NC - #4 UA (L)	32	16	1	2	232	4	108.7
2017 TOTAL	291	181	24	7	2,615	20	160.1
2018	Att	Cmp	TD	Int	Yds	Sk	Eff.
APSU (W)	16	12	2	0	157	0	1987
2018 TOTAL	16	12	2	0	157	0	1987
CAREER	307	193	26	7	2,772	20	162.1

A Look At The Line

The Bulldogs return four of five starters on the offensive line, including Freshman All-American tackle Andrew Thomas. Thomas is joined by rising seniors C Lamont Gaillard and G Kendall Baker as well as redshirt sophomore G Ben Cleveland.

Redshirt sophomore Solomon Kindley started seven games at right guard in 2017 and joins graduate student Sean Fogarty, sophomore Justin Shaffer, redshirt freshman Isaiah Wilson and true freshmen Cade Mays and Trey Hill in the competition for playing time.

In the 2018 opener, Thomas (LT), Kindley (LG), Gaillard (C), Cleveland (RG) and Wilson (RT) started. Mays, Hill and Baker rotated in during the victory over the Governors.

Array of Targets

The Bulldogs return six of their top seven receivers from last season, including senior Terry Godwin and junior Mecole Hardman. Godwin was second on the team with 38 catches for 639 yards and six scores while Hardman snagged 25 catches for 418 yards and four touchdowns, including an 80-yard touchdown versus Alabama in the 2018 CFP National Championship Game.

With Godwin resting a lower leg injury versus APSU, 11 different Bulldogs caught a pass. Collectively, they finished with 21 catches for 224 yards and three touchdowns.

Georgia will be looking to replace its leading receiver in Chicago Bears pick Javon Wims, who finished 2017 with 45 receptions for 720 yards and seven scores.

Two of their top six returning receivers are tight ends. Junior Isaac Nauta started nine games in 2017 and led the corps with nine catches for 114 yards and a pair of touchdowns while junior Charlie Woerner hauled in nine receptions for 100 yards in his second season.

There has been a spirited competition to join Godwin and Hardman at the top of the receiving ranks. Junior Riley Ridley snagged 14 passes for 218 yards and two touchdowns, including a team-best six catches for 82 yards versus Alabama in the National Championship Game, and is aiming for a starting role. Senior Jayson Stanley, senior Ahkil Crumpton, junior Tyler Simmons and redshirt sophomore newcomer Demetris Robertson continue to compete for playing time.

Robertson, a native of Savannah, Ga., and graduate of Savannah Christian, arrived in Athens during preseason camp and was cleared to play for Georgia this fall after spending the last two years at the University of California.

Demetris Robertson (RSo., 6-0, 190, Savannah, Ga.)

Career highs

Long rec. of 61 yards vs. Washington, 2016
141 receiving yards vs. Washington State, 2016
2 TD receptions, at Arizona State & vs. Utah, 2016
9 receptions, at USC, 2016
Long Rush of 72TD vs. Austin Peay, 2018
Long Kickoff Return, 39 at Oregon State, 2016

2018
In the season opener versus APSU, had one carry and took it a career-long 72 yards for a touchdown in the season opener

2017 (At Cal)
Started each of the first two games before suffering an injury and receiving a medical redshirt

Contributed seven catches for 70 yards, as well as the first two rushes of his career for 40 yards with a career-long 34-yard touchdown run on his first career rush vs. Weber State to total 110 all-purpose yards

Earned honorable mention Pac-12 All-Academic recognition

2016 (At Cal)
Freshman All-American honors from Campus Insiders, ESPN.com, Phil Steele and USA Today

Ranked second on the team in receptions (50), receiving yards (767) and touchdown catches (7)

Finished among the nation's top freshmen in receiving touchdowns (2nd), receiving yards per game (3rd, 63.9), receiving yards (3rd), yards per reception (6th, team-high 15.3), receptions (7th) and receptions per game (8th)

Added 10 kick returns for 202 yds to total 969 all-purpose yds

Also competed in track, running the 100 meters, 4x100m relay

Bulldogs Welcome Three New Coaches

Georgia new faces on the staff include Cortez Hankton (WRs) and Dan Lanning (OLBs). Hankton comes to the Bulldogs after serving as the Vanderbilt receivers coach while Lanning was Memphis' inside linebackers coach.

Scott Fountain will be the additional on-field coach focusing on special teams after serving as the special teams analyst in 2017.

Head coach Kirby Smart is going into his third year with Georgia, as well as Mel Tucker (Fain and Billy Slaughter Defensive Coordinator/secondary), Jim Chaney (offensive coordinator/TEs), Sam Pittman (OL), James Coley (co-offensive coord./QBs), Glenn Schumann (ILBs) and Dell McGee (Asst. HC/RBs). Tray Scott (DL) begins his second year with the Bulldogs.

Strong Start To 2018

The Bulldog defense posted a shutout in the opener, limiting Austin Peay to 152 total yards (91 rushing, 61 passing) on 50 plays. Previously, Georgia's last shutout came on Sept. 30, 2017 when it beat Tennessee 41-0 in Knoxville. In the first half, the Governors tallied 81 yards and just four first downs. The Bulldogs accomplished the feat four times last year, including in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game versus Alabama. The 38-0 advantage at the end of the first half was Georgia's biggest lead through two quarters since taking a 45-0 lead over Troy in 2014.

Looking For Leaders At LB

Georgia is looking to replace a trio of starting linebackers, including one of the best defenders in school history.

ILB Roquan Smith, who the Bears selected eighth overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, led a seasoned linebacker lineup last season as he was named the Butkus Award winner and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year after recording a 137 tackles, including 14 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. He was joined by outside linebackers Lorenzo Carter and Davin Bellamy, who combined for 95 stops and 9.5 sacks in 2017. Carter was selected by the N.Y. Giants during the draft while Bellamy signed a free agent deal with the Houston Texans.

Also losing Reggie Carter to graduation, the Bulldogs will turn to senior Juwan Taylor, sophomore Monty Rice, junior Tae Crowder and senior Natrez Patrick at ILB. Rice and Taylor got the start in the 2018 season opener.

With the loss of Carter and Bellamy, senior OLB D'Andre Walker, who played in all 15 games on defense and special teams and finished with 40 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, is one of the top candidates on the outside. In addition, sophomore Walter Grant also played in 13 games last year and finished with nine stops, including 2.5 tackles for loss from an OLB spot, and will be looked on to continue his development with the Dogs. After playing in 41 games leading up to 2018, Walker started his first game and recovered a fumble and Grant also got the starting nod for the first time versus APSU.

Returning Starters Headline Defensive Line Group

Veterans Tyler Clark and Jonathan Ledbetter anchor a defensive line that lost 2017 senior John Atkins and junior Trenton Thompson.

Clark led the front in the Rose Bowl Game win over #2 Oklahoma with five stops, including a sack and two tackles for loss. Clark was tops among all interior linemen with 41 stops. Ledbetter was next on the list with 38 tackles.

Another immediate option is graduate transfer Jay Hayes. Hayes arrived in Athens during the summer after graduating from Notre Dame. He had seven tackles during the Bulldogs' win over the Irish in 2017.

Reed, Baker Back To Lead Defensive Backfield

Senior DB Deandre Baker, who has been named a preseason All-American by several outlets, started 14 games last year and returns after registering 44 tackles and three interceptions, which was second on the team behind Sanders' four last year.

Georgia also welcomes back junior J.R. Reed, a 2017 All-SEC Second Team selection. He ranked second on the team with 79 tackles, two interceptions and two fumble recoveries. In the 2018 season opener, Reed was the leading tackler with six stops.

One of the veterans also expected to make a difference is junior Tyrique McGhee. McGhee has been sidelined with a foot injury.

The Bulldogs must replace the senior trio of Dominick Sanders, Aaron Davis and Malkom Parrish. Sanders finished his career as the school record holder for interceptions (16) and was second in the SEC with career INT return yards (381).

The candidates in the secondary who saw action in the season opener included: senior Jarvis Wilson, sophomores William Poole, Ameer Speed, Deangelo Gibbs, Mark Webb, Richard LeCounte, redshirt freshman Eric Stokes, freshmen Tyson Campbell, Christopher Smith and Otis Reese.

Blankenship Back

With one of the nation's top 20 offenses in 2017 scoring 35.4 points/game, preseason All-American candidate PK Rodrigo Blankenship was busy last year, booming 94 kickoffs (a school record 67 for touchbacks), 63 PATs and 20 field goals, including a 51 yarder in overtime of the CFP National Championship Game.

Blankenship set a Rose Bowl Game record by drilling a career-long 55-yard field goal during the 2OT win over #2 Oklahoma. His performance included a 38-yard FG in overtime.

He was a 2017 Groza Award semifinalist.

Last year, 67 of his kickoffs were touchbacks, which was a new school record. The old mark was by Kevin Butler (51 in 1981). So far this season, all eight of his kickoffs have resulted in touchbacks.

Blankenship Kicking Stats

Year	PAT	FG	LG	TP
2016	26x26	14-18	49	68
2017	63x63	20-23	55	123
2018	6x6	1-1	34	9
Total	95x95	35-42	55	200

Field Goal Breakdown

Year	1-19	20-29	30-39	40-49	50-99
2016	0-0	7-7	3-4	4-6	0-1
2017	0-0	8-8	6-6	4-7	2-2
2018	0-0	0-0	1-1	0-0	0-0
Total	0-0	15-15	10-11	8-13	2-3

The Bulldogs also had a solid punter last season in graduate transfer Cameron Nizialek. He averaged 45.0 yards and had 19 punts of 50+ yards. Georgia finished third in the league in Net Punting at 41.6.

True freshman Jake Camarda started his career versus APSU with three punts for a 55 yard average (fifth best in UGA history), including a long of 63. Camarda graduated from Norcross High School and finished his career as one of the nation's top punters last year.

SEC's Leading Punt Returner Back

Junior returner/receiver Mecole Hardman is back in the lineup after having 23 punt returns for 271 yards and an 11.8 average (all of those led the league). Also, Hardman was second in the SEC in kickoff returns with a 25.2 average (20 returns for 505 yards).

RSo. transfer Demetris Robertson had 10 kick returns for 202 yards to total 969 all-purpose yards in his first year at Cal during the 2016 season. He had career highs of six kick returns and 116 kick return yards as well as a career-long kick return of 39 yards at Oregon State in a contest in which he finished with a career-best 145 all-purpose yards.