Game & Broadcast Info
“Better Never Rests”
Kirby Smart is in his eighth year directing the Bulldogs who are 92-15 in this span including back-to-back national championships in 2021 and 2022. This offseason, Georgia took a deep dive on the New Zealand All Blacks, the world’s most successful rugby team, or quite frankly, any sports team in history.
Most Consecutive Weeks At No. 1
Georgia has established an SEC record for Most Consecutive Weeks at No. 1 in the Associated Press Top 25 poll. The Bulldogs are second all-time at 23 weeks, and this is the longest streak in the College Football Playoff era.
33 Southern California, 12/8/03 to 12/4/05
22 GEORGIA, 10/9/22 – current
Most Wins By Bulldog Senior Class
The Bulldog senior class collected its 48th win on the road with the latest thrashing at No. 18 Tennessee. This group went 22-0 at home.
1. 49-5 (2022)
2. 48-3 (2023)
WIN: What’s Important Now
Top-ranked Georgia takes aim at a perfect regular season Saturday for the third year in a row under Kirby Smart. The other undefeated regular seasons in Georgia history have been in 1896 (4-0); 1946 (11-0); 1980 (11-0) and 1982 (11-0). With a win over Georgia Tech, the Bulldogs would claim the Governor’s Cup Trophy for the sixth straight year. Also, the 2023 Bulldog senior class would tie the school mark for career wins with their 49th as the 2022 group went 49-5. The 2023 class is 48-3. Georgia leads the all-time series 70-39-5 and owns a current five-game winning streak in the series dating to 2017. The teams did not play each other during the 2020 campaign when each played a conference-only schedule. The Bulldogs have won 11 straight in Atlanta as the streak began in 2001.
2022 Flashback: Bulldogs Cap Perfect Regular Season
Georgia defeated Tech 37-14 to cap its second straight perfect 12-0 regular season last year in Athens. Tech led 7-0, and the Bulldogs responded with 37 unanswered points before one last score late in the fourth quarter provided the final. At the time, the Bulldog seniors set a record with their 46th win to become the winningest class in program history. Georgia would add three more victories including an SEC crown and second straight CFP title as the Class of 2022 finished 49-5.
About The Yellow Jackets
The Yellow Jackets (6-5, 5-3 ACC), coached by Brent Key, defeated Syracuse 31-22 in its ACC finale Saturday night to become bowl eligible for the first time since 2018. They have won three of their last four games. Up next, it is the top-ranked Bulldogs at Bobby Dodd Stadium at Hyundai Field Saturday at 7:30 p.m. (ABC). The last primetime kickoff for this matchup was 2010 in Athens (42-34 Bulldog win), and this will be the first one in Atlanta since 2009 (30-24 Georgia victory). Tech is averaging 31.9 points per game while allowing 30.5 ppg. They rank third in the ACC in rushing at 196.4 ypg and fourth in total offense at 435.1 ypg with redshirt sophomore QB Haynes King at the controls. King has thrown 26 TD passes and 15 INTs with a 62.3 completion percentage. He has rushed for seven TDs too. Jamal Haynes leads the team in rushing with 850 yards on 141 attempts with seven TDs. Tech has wins over No. 17 North Carolina in Atlanta and No. 17 Miami on the road this year while it fell to No. 17 Ole Miss in Oxford back in September.
Balance Signals Success
The Bulldogs are one of only two teams in the country who are ranked in the top 10 in both Scoring Offense and Scoring Defense. The Bulldogs rank fifth in Scoring Defense at 15.1 ppg and in Scoring Offense at 40.4 ppg. The other two team is Oregon, who ranks ninth in Scoring Defense (16.7) and second in Scoring Offense (46.5).
One of the keys to Georgia’s success is its third down defense. The Bulldogs are ranked fourth nationally with opponents converting just 27 percent of the time. In SEC action, Georgia opponents are a combined 28-for-95 on third downs (29 percent). The Bulldogs lead the country in converting third downs (57 percent). Georgia has converted 56 of 99 third downs (57 percent) against league opponents.
| Year | Pts./Game | NCAA Rank | Record | Shutouts |
| 2016 | 24.0 | 35th | 8-5 | 0 |
| 2017 | 16.4 | 6th | 13-2 | 1 |
| 2018 | 19.2 | 15th | 11-3 | 1 |
| 2019 | 12.6 | 1st | 12-2 | 3 |
| 2020 | 20.0 | 16th | 8-2 | 0 |
| 2021 | 10.2 | 1st | 14-1 | 3 |
| 2022 | 14.3 | 5th | 15-0 | 2 |
| 2023 | 15.1 | 5th | 11-0 | 0 |
We’ve Gone Streaking
Georgia is on a school record and SEC record tying 28-game winning streak that began with a 34-11 win over Michigan in the 2021 CFP semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl.
Georgia is enjoying a school record streak of 38 consecutive regular season victories that dates to a 31-24 home triumph over Mississippi State on Nov. 21, 2020. That’s the longest streak in the FBS.
Georgia has won 27 regular season SEC games in a row dating to a 31-24 win over Mississippi State on Nov. 21, 2020. This is a school and SEC record tying mark for consecutive conference wins.
The Bulldogs have set a school record with 25 home wins in a row, which leads the nation.
The Bulldogs are 44-1 in their last 45 games including back-to-back national championships.
Piling Up The Points Again
The 2023 Bulldogs: Averaging 40.4 points/game (5th nationally)
Outscored their opponents 444-166, including 235-93 in the opening half
Own a +278 point differential; 58-for-62 in the Red Zone with 42 TDs, 16 FGs
The 2022 Bulldogs: Averaged 41.1 points/game (5th nationally)
Outscored their opponents 616-214, including 341-105 in the opening half
Second consecutive year led the nation in point differential at +402
81 of 83 in the Red Zone (98% led nation) with 57 TDs and 24 FGs
The 2021 Bulldogs: Averaged 38.6 points/game (9th nationally)
Outscored their opponents 579-153, including 358-65 in the opening half
Led the nation in point differential at +426
59 of 69 in the Red Zone (86% ranked 50th) with 42 TDs and 17 FGs
Offensive Line Answers The Challenge
Georgia’s offensive line has been named a Joe Moore Award semifinalist for the third season in a row. The Bulldogs are averaging 40.4 points/game.
Tallied 611 yards of total offense against No. 9 Ole Miss, including 300 yards of rushing (most since registering 615 and 316 versus Missouri in 2020).
Racked up a then season-high 608 yards of total offense, including 173 yards on the ground against No. 20 UK.
Against USC, junior starting RT Amarius Mims went down with an ankle injury and missed the next six games before returning on Nov. 11 against No. 9 Ole Miss.
During that span, senior Xavier Truss moved from LG to RT and redshirt sophomore Dylan Fairchild came in at LG. Fairchild has started the last eight games at that spot. RSo. Micah Morris has also seen time at LG.
Junior C Sedrick Van Pran has a team-best 41 consecutive starts. Redshirt sophomore RG Tate Ratledge, who like Truss started 15 contests in 2022, and redshirt freshman LT Earnest Greene make up Georgia’s other OL starters.
The team tragically lost OL Devin Willock (Wil-LOCK) in a car accident this past January. Willock played in all 15 games last year with two starts. To honor him, a different OL will wear Willock’s #77 jersey each game this year.
Edwards, Milton Finds Daylight & The End Zone
Senior Daijun Edwards leads the rushing attack with 725 yards (5.4 avg.) and 10 touchdowns. Fellow senior Kendall Milton has 488 yards (6.0 avg) and eight scores.
On senior night against No. 9 Ole Miss, Milton rushed for a career-high 127 yards on nine carries (14.1 avg.) and a career-high two touchdowns.
Edwards had 20 carries for 146 yards (7.3 avg.) against VU.
Edwards made his first start in the win over USC after appearing in 39 games.
Options Abound At Wideout
Georgia features an array of experienced pass catchers and 21 different Bulldogs have a reception this year. Junior Ladd McConkey did not play in the first four games because of a back injury. He made his season debut at Auburn and since then has 26 catches for 418 yards and two touchdowns.
Career high seven catches in first start of 2023 versus No. 12 Missouri.
Then career high six catches for career high 135 yards and scored his first touchdown of 2023 in the win over Florida and was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Week for the first time in his career.
Earned a spot on the 2023 Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, is a Wuerffel Trophy semifinalist and is a Campbell Trophy finalist.
Sophomore Dillon Bell had a memorable game in the road win over No. 18 Tennessee. Bell threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint and caught a 9 yarder for a score (first Bulldog to accomplish that feat since Terry Godwin, 2016 vs. Penn State). Bell finished with a career high five catches for 90 yards and added 25 kickoff return in the victory.
Transfer Dominic Lovett (Missouri) ranks second on the team with 44 catches for 484 yards and two touchdowns, including a career-long 55 yarder in the win over UF. He had 82 for 1,019 yards and three TDs in two years at UM.
Senior Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint is third on the team with 29 catches for 472 yards and four touchdowns. Against No. 20 Kentucky, he had a career-high 99 yards on four catches, including a 40-yard score to open the game.
Junior transfer (Mississippi State) Rara Thomas collected his first TD at Georgia (13th of his career) during a five catch, 63-yard performance versus No. 20 Kentucky. His acrobatic score was a 15 yarder in the corner of the end zone.
The Power Of Bowers Returns
All-American and 2022 Mackey Award winner junior Brock Bowers is one of the nation’s top talents. He has been named Lombardi Award finalist and a Mackey Award, Maxwell Award and Biletnikoff Award semifinalist for the second straight year.
After sustaining an ankle injury during the road win over Vanderbilt, Bowers had surgery on Oct. 16 and returned on Nov. 11 during the win over No. 9 Ole Miss. He snagged three passes in his return, including an 8-yard touchdown.
Ranks second in Bulldog history in Touchdown Catches (26), fifth in Receiving Yards (2,485) and fourth in Receptions (170).
The Napa, Ca., native posted a third straight 100-yard game (a combined 24 rec., 410 yds., 4 TDs) with a seven catch, 132-yard performance against #20 Kentucky that included a touchdown. He was the first Bulldog to have three 100-yard receiving performances in a row since Terrence Edwards in 2002.
Tallied eight receptions for a career-high 157 yards and a score in the road win over Auburn to earn Mackey Award Tight End of the Week honors.
19 rushes for 193 yards and five TDs in his career.
Two receiving scores and a rushing score in the same game twice (At South Carolina in 2022 and at Vanderbilt in 2021).
10 career 100-yard receiving games; three of his career TD catches have covered 75+ yards; his first career TD catch covered 89 yards against UAB.
Getting Defensive
Georgia has had 34 players drafted over the past three seasons including 19 on defense and eight of those defenders have gone in the first round.
Ranked fifth nationally in Scoring Defense, allowing just 15.1 ppg.
Allowed just 15.3 ppg in its wins over four ranked opponents.
Blanked No. 18 Tennessee in the second half and held the Vols to just 2-of-11 on third downs; snapped UT’s 14-game home winning streak while allowing the Vols just 10 points. UT was averaging 32.0 ppg coming into the contest.
Held No. 9 Ole Miss to just 17 points after the Rebels came in with a 38.8 ppg. Ole Miss managed only a field goal in the second half.
Team had a season-high five sacks in the win versus Florida.
Allowed its first points in the third quarter in week five at Auburn. UGA has outscored opponents 110-16 in the third quarter and 195-73 in the second half.
True freshman ILB CJ Allen started his first game against the Rebels and led the team with nine stops, including a sack, and was named the SEC and Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week. He was filling in for Jamon-Dumas Johnson, who sustained a forearm injury against the win over No. 12 Missouri.
Dumas-Johnson, a 2022 Butkus Award finalist, had seven stops against No. 12 Missouri before his injury. He has 34 stops on the year.
Junior ILB Smael Mondon was the team leader with 76 stops last year. Mondon second on the team again with 52 stops this year.
Sophomore LB Jalon Walker posted four stops, including 1.5 sacks, during the victory over No. 12 Missouri. He has seen time at ILB and OLB this year.
Sophomore DL Mykel Williams is part of an experienced front that features seniors Zion Logue, Warren Brinson, Tramel Walthour, Nazir Stackhouse and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.
Stackhouse collected his first career interception against No. 12 Missouri in the fourth quarter. Despite his 44-yard return being negated because of a chop block call on the Bulldogs, his pick helped set up Peyton Woodring’s final field goal.
More Than One STAR In The Secondary
Senior Star Tykee Smith leads the team with 56 tackles, a team-leading 6.5 TFL, two sacks and a team-high four interceptions. Most recently, he had a career high 10 stops in the rout at No. 18 Tennessee.
Has a team high four picks this season.
Sophomore safety Malaki Starks has 36 tackles and has two interceptions. He has been named a Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist and a Jim Thorpe Award and Chuck Bednarik Award semifinalist.
Junior DB/safety Javon Bullard had a career-high 10 tackles at Auburn. He ended No. 12 Missouri’s final drive late in the fourth quarter with his first interception of 2023 and added another pick versus No. 9 Ole Miss on Nov. 11.
Junior DB Kamari Lassiter has started 26 consecutive games and has 34 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss, this season. Sophomore Daylen Everette starts on the other side and has 22 stops, including two TFLs.
Starting Role BECKons
Junior Carson Beck, a 6-4, 220-pound native of Jacksonville, Fla., is in his first year as the starting quarterback with a 11-0 record. He is now a Maxwell Award and Davey O’Brien Award semifinalist.
4-0 versus top-20 opponents with a 74.6 completion percentage (91-122) for 1,247 yards, 11 TDs, 2 INTs
Beck is on a school record pace for Completion Percentage at 72.9, which is ranked sixth nationally. The Bulldog record was set last year by Stetson Bennett at 68.28.
Beck’s 255 completions ranks fifth in UGA single season history.
Shredded No. 18 Tennessee on 24-for-30 passing for 298 yards and three touchdowns and converted nine of 13 third downs.
Directed the Bulldogs to a 52-17 rout of No. 9 Ole Miss behind 18-of-25 passing for 306 yards and two touchdowns. Georgia tallied a season-high 611 total yards of offense against the Rebels.
21 of 32 attempts for 254 yards and two TDs in 30-21 win over No. 12 Missouri.
Led the Bulldogs’ to a 43-20 win over Florida in his hometown of Jacksonville, Fla. He was 19-for-28 for 315 yards and two touchdowns with no INTs to be one of the Manning Award Stars of the Week.
Became the first Bulldog QB since 2013 (Aaron Murray) to have three straight games of at least 300 yards passing after he went 28-for-35 for 389 yards for four touchdowns (all career highs) in the win over No. 20 Kentucky. He completed his first 13 passes (158 yards, 2 TDs), which ranks third in school history.
During Georgia’s last three possessions against Auburn, Beck was 12-for-15 for 201 yards and one TD. He directed three scoring drives that covered 98, 71 and 75 yards during his first SEC road contest that resulted in a 27-20 win over the Tigers.
Led Bulldogs to a 24-14 win over USC in the 2023 SEC opener after trailing 14-3 at halftime; posted a then career-high 27-for-35 for 269 yards.
Beck’s Career Highs
| Passing Yards | 389 vs. #20 UK, 2023 |
| Completions | 29 @ VU, 2023 |
| Attempts | 39 @ VU, 2023 |
| TD Passes | 4 vs. #20 UK, 2023 |
| Long Pass Completion | 55 yards vs. Florida, 2023 |
| Long Rush | 20 vs. USC, 2022 |
Beck’s Career Passing Statistics
| Year | G/GS | Cmp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | INT | TD | Eff. | LG |
| 2020 | 1/0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2021 | 4/0 | 10 | 23 | 43.5 | 176 | 2 | 2 | 119.06 | 32 UAB |
| 2022 | 7/0 | 26 | 35 | 74.3 | 310 | 0 | 4 | 186.40 | 28 SC |
| 2023 | 11/11 | 255 | 350 | 72.9 | 3,320 | 5 | 20 | 169.5 | 55 UF |
| Total | 23/11 | 291 | 408 | 71.3 | 3,806 | 7 | 26 | 167.3 | 55 UF |
Beck’s Career Game-By-Game
| Game | Cmp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | INT | TD | SK | EFF | LG |
| 2020 | |||||||||
| MZ | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2021 | |||||||||
| UAB | 4 | 10 | 40.0 | 88 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 126.9 | 32 |
| @VU | 1 | 3 | 33.3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 64.1 | 11 |
| CS | 5 | 10 | 50.0 | 77 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 127.7 | 30 |
| @GT | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2022 | |||||||||
| #11 ORE | 5 | 6 | 83.3 | 71 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 237.7 | 23 |
| SAM | 5 | 7 | 71.4 | 52 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 133.8 | 16 |
| @SC | 5 | 6 | 83.3 | 55 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 215.3 | 28 |
| AU | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| VU | 8 | 11 | 72.7 | 98 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 207.6 | 24 |
| GT | 1 | 2 | 50.0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62.6 | 3 |
| #3 TCU | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 153.5 | 20 |
| 2023 | |||||||||
| UTM(W) | 21 | 31 | 67.7 | 294 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 158.1 | 54 |
| BSU (W) | 23 | 30 | 76.7 | 283 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 171.2 | 41 |
| USC (W) | 27 | 35 | 77.1 | 269 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 141.7 | 36 |
| UAB (W) | 22 | 32 | 68.8 | 338 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 188.4 | 50 |
| @ AU (W) | 23 | 33 | 69.7 | 313 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 153.3 | 40 |
| #20 UK (W) | 28 | 35 | 80.0 | 389 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 205.4 | 49 |
| @ VU (W) | 29 | 39 | 73.4 | 261 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 133.9 | 31 |
| vs. UF (W) | 19 | 28 | 67.9 | 315 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 185.9 | 55 |
| #12 MIZ (W) | 21 | 32 | 65.6 | 254 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 152.93 | 34 |
| #9 OM (W) | 18 | 25 | 72.0 | 306 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 193.2 | 44 |
| @ #18 UT (W) | 24 | 30 | 80.0 | 298 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 196.4 | 34 |
| Career Total | 291 | 408 | 71.3 | 3,806 | 7 | 26 | 8 | 167.3 | 55 |
Other QBs
Along with Beck, Georgia’s quarterbacks include 6-3, 210-pound redshirt sophomore Brock Vandagriff of Bogart, Ga., and 6-1, 215-pound redshirt freshman Gunner Stockton of Tiger, Ga. Vandagriff has appeared in 12 games in his career, including going 5-for-7 versus the Wildcats for 46 yards and touchdown.
Explosive Play Review (12-yd Rush, 16-yd Comp.)
| Game | Georgia | Opp. | Final |
| UT Martin | 15 (3R, 12P) | 4 (1R, 3P) | #1 Georgia 48-7 |
| BSU | 12 (4R, 8P) | 3 (1R, 2P) | #1 Georgia, 45-3 |
| USC | 8 (5R, 3P) | 8 (1R, 7P) | #1 Georgia, 24-14 |
| UAB | 12 (3R, 9P) | 7 (2R, 5P) | #1 Georgia, 49-21 |
| @AU | 12 (4R, 8P) | 8 (7R, 1P) | #1 Georgia, 27-20 |
| #20 UK | 13 (4R, 9P) | 3 (3P) | #1 Georgia, 51-13 |
| @ VU | 9 (6R, 3P) | 3 (3P) | #1 Georgia, 37-20 |
| vs. UF | 11 (4R, 7P) | 10 (4R, 6P) | #1 Georgia, 43-20 |
| #12 MIZ | 13 (6R, 7P) | 9 (4R, 5P) | #2 Georgia, 30-21 |
| #9 OM | 13 (5R, 8P) | 10 (5R, 5P) | #2 Georgia, 52-17 |
| @ #18 UT | 13 (3R, 10P) | 4 (1R, 3P) | #1 Georgia, 38-10 |
Longest Rush by Georgia: 62-yd by D. Edwards (@ VU)
Longest Rush by Opp.: 75-yd TD by J. Wright (@ #18 UT)
Longest Completion by Georgia: 56 yds vs. UTM (Vandagriff to Thomas)
Longest Completion by Opp.: 49 yd TD by VU (Seals to Humphreys)
A Look At The Specialists
Freshman Peyton Woodring has attempted all field goals and PATs this season and is a Lou Groza Award semifinalist. He has a team-high 112 points going 19-for-22 on field goals and 55-for-55 on PATs.
Woodring has set the Bulldog Freshman Record for Most Points Kicking. The old mark was 95 by Blair Walsh in 2008 when Georgia finished 10-3.
With the Bulldogs down 7-0 in the opening period, Woodring drilled a 42 yarder at No. 18 Tennessee to help jumpstart the offense.
Against No. 12 Missouri, he totaled 12 points after drilling all three of his field goals and going 3-for-3 on PATs. His FGs included a career-long 48 yarder to give the Bulldogs’ a nine-point cushion at 30-21 with 3:57 left. He was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week following the game.
Woodring has earned SEC Freshman of the Week following wins over AU, #20 UK and VU. He had a season high 15 points in the win over the Wildcats and was named one of the Lou Groza Award’s Stars of the Week.
In his first road game, he connected on two field goals in the win at Auburn.
Tallied three field goals, including a then career-long 44 yarder, and was 4-for-4 on PATs during a windy victory at Vanderbilt.
First true freshman Bulldog PK to start a season since Marshall Morgan in 2012.
Australian punter Brett Thorson, who earned All-SEC Freshman honors in 2022, has a 42.8 average on 26 punts this year, including 17 that resulted in fair catches.
Pinned the Gators on their own 18, 9 and 6 yard line during the Bulldogs’ rout.
Named to the Ray Guy Award’s Ray’s 8 following his game versus UT Martin.
Georgia did not punt at Vanderbilt for the first time since 2022 (Kent State). Did You Know? Georgia is the only team in the FBS that has not allowed a punt return this season. The Bulldogs are tied for third nationally in Punt Return Yards at 0.0 (two schools have allowed negative punt return yards).
Senior William Mote handles the snapping duties on special teams.
Entering 2023, junior Jared Zirkel was 1-for-1 in career field goals (21-yarder at USC last year) and had nine career kickoffs. This year, Zirkel has handled all 84 kickoffs with 53 touchbacks and two going out of bounds.
| Career Placekicking For Peyton Woodring | ||||||
| Year | PAT | Pct. | FG | Pct. | LG | Pts |
| 2023 | 55-55 | 1.000 | 19-22 | .864 | 48 | 112 |
| Field Goal History For Peyton Woodring | ||||||
| Year | I20 | 20-29 | 30-39 | 40-49 | 50-99 | LG |
| 2023 | 0-0 | 3-5 | 12-12 | 4-5 | 0-0 | 48 |
Career Highs For Woodring
Points: 15 (UK23)
PATs: 7 (OM23)
FGA: 3 (USC23, UK23, @VU23, MIZ23)
FGM: 3 (UK23, @VU23), MIZ23
LG: LG: 48 (MIZ23)
| Career Punting For Brett Thorson | |||||||||
| Year | Punts | Yards | Avg. | I20 | 50+ | 60+ | FC | BL | LG |
| 2022 | 36 | 1620 | 45.0 | 19 | 9 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 75 UT |
| 2023 | 26 | 1113 | 42.8 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 17 | 0 | 53 UTM |
| Total | 62 | 2,733 | 44.1 | 31 | 13 | 1 | 35 | 0 | 75 UT |
Career Highs For Thorson
Punts: 5 (UTM23, AU22)
*Avg.: 50.2 on four punts (UT22)
Long: 75 (UT22)
*at least two punts
| KO History For Jared Zirkel | ||||
| Year | No. | Yds. | TB | OB |
| 2021 | 3 | 195 | 3 | 0 |
| 2022 | 6 | 390 | 5 | 0 |
| 2023 | 84 | 5328 | 53 | 2 |
| Total | 93 | 5903 | 61 | 2 |
63.5 yard Avg. on Kickoffs
Turnover Margin
The Bulldogs are +2 in Turnover Margin, including 12 interceptions. Last year, the Bulldogs also had 12 picks in 15 games. The Bulldogs had a three INT game against Ball State this year. Freshman DB Kyron Jones also took a tipped ball back for an INT score in the 2023 season opener. Did You Know? Georgia recovered its only fumble this year in the 43-20 rout of Florida on Oct. 28.
Going For It
Georgia is tied for sixth nationally with an 75 percent success rate on 4th Down Conversions this season, going 6-for-8 with a pair of TDs. The scores came on a 4th-and-goal from the 7 against No. 20 UK, and a 4th-and-1 from the Gator 2 against UF. Georgia ranks 67th in its 4th Down Conversion Defense as opponents have been successful 52 percent of the time (12-for-23, no TDs). In the Kirby Smart era, the Bulldogs have converted on 4th down 61 percent of the time (60-for-98) with nine TDs while opponents are converting at a 41 percent rate (77-for-186).
Block That Punt…Block That Kick
Currently, there are four Bulldogs who have blocked a kick/punt:
True freshman DB Joenel Aguero blocked a Florida punt that resulted in a safety this season.
In 2022, DL Nazir Stackhouse blocked a field goal that was returned 96 yards for a touchdown by teammate Chris Smith in the opening quarter of the SEC Championship Game versus No. 14 LSU.
OLB Jalon Walker blocked a punt that resulted in a safety versus Kent State last year.
S Dan Jackson blocked a punt against No. 8 Arkansas in 2021.
Bulldog 2023 Honor Roll
Freshman ILB CJ Allen – SEC Freshman of the Week (11/13); Shaun Alexander Freshman of the Week (11/14)
Junior QB Carson Beck – SEC Offensive Player of the Week (10/9); Davey O’Brien Award Great 8 (10/9, 9/25); Manning Award Stars of the Week (10/9, 10/30); Davey O’Brien QB Class of 2023 (10/30); Maxwell Award Semifinalist (11/13); Davey O’Brien Award Semifinalist (11/14)
Junior TE Brock Bowers – John Mackey Award Tight End of the Week (10/2); ESPN Midseason All-American (10/17); CBS Sports Midseason All-American (10/17); AP Midseason All-American (10/18); The Athletic Midseason All-American (10/19); Lombard Award Finalist (11/15); Mackey Award Semifinalist (11/8); Maxwell Award Semifinalist (11/13); Biletnikoff Award Semifinalist (11/20)
Junior WR Ladd McConkey – Allstate AFCA Good Works Team (9/12); Campbell Trophy finalist/National Football Foundation (NFF) National Scholar- Athlete Award Class (10/25); SEC Offensive Player of the Week, Senior Bowl Co-Offensive Player of the Week (10/30); Wuerffel Trophy Semifinalist (11/2)
Junior ILB Smael Mondon – SEC Defensive Player of the Week (10/2)
Offensive Line – Joe Moore Award Semifinalist (11/14)
Sophomore S Malaki Starks – Sporting News Midseason All-American (10/17); ESPN Midseason All-American (10/17); CBS Sports Midseason All-American (10/17); AP Midseason All-American (10/18); The Athletic Midseason All-American (10/19); Jim Thorpe Award Semifinalist (10/31); Bednarik Award Semifinalist (11/13); Bronko Nagurski Trophy Finalist (11/15)
Senior C Sedrick Van Pran – SEC Offensive Lineman of the Week (9/18); ESPN Midseason All-American (10/17)
Senior DL Nazir Stackhouse – SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week (11/6)
Freshman PK Peyton Woodring – SEC Freshman of the Week (10/16, 10/9, 10/2); Lou Groza Stars of the Week (10/10); SEC Special Teams Player of the Week (11/6); Lou Groza Award Semifinalist (11/9)
Polling Place
At 11-0, the Bulldogs are in the No. 1 spot in the Associated Press Top 25. In fact, the Bulldogs have the longest active run of top-10 rankings now with 46.
Georgia was the No. 1 ranked team in the 2023 AP preseason Top 25. The Bulldogs became the first team besides Alabama or Clemson to be preseason ranked No. 1 since Ohio State in 2015. The only other time the Bulldogs have been preseason ranked No. 1 in the AP poll came in 2008.
The Bulldogs’ 23-week streak of No. 1 ranked appearances is second best all-time in NCAA history.
Georgia started the 2021 season ranked No. 5 and went on to win its first national title since 1980. The Bulldogs followed up with a perfect season in 2022 after starting in the No. 3 spot in the preseason poll.
Since the AP preseason poll started in 1950, there have been 11 teams that started No. 1 that also finished No. 1. However, only two of those have occurred since 2000: Southern California (2004) and Alabama (2017). And in case you haven’t heard, no team has won three straight national titles during the AP poll era (dating to 1936). Minnesota’s 1934 and 1935 squads went 8-0 and were named the best team in the nation by eight different organizations. Then, the 1936 club went 7-1 and was crowned the first official AP champion plus seven other organizations declared them national champions too.
Overall, Georgia has been ranked in the AP top 25 for 111 consecutive weeks and that ranks third among active streaks.
UGA remains No. 1 in the US LBM Coaches Poll and also the FWAA Super 16 Poll where it began 2023.
Georgia-Georgia Tech Player Connections
DL Jonathan Jefferson and GT LB Braelen Oliver and DL Josh Robinson each attended Douglas Count HS.
DB Patrick Taylor and GT QB Zach Gibson and OL Tyler Gibson attended Johns Creek HS.
OL Bo Hughley and GT RB Rodney Shelley attended Langston Hughes HS.
OL Micah Morris and GT RB Jamie Felix attended Camden County HS.
CB Daylen Everette, ILB Xavian Sorey, OLB Sam M’Pemba, OLB Gabe Harris Jr., ILB Terrell Foster, OL Aliou Bah and DL Warren Brinson and GT RB Evan Dickens attended IMG Academy (Fla.).
RB Joseph Daniels and GT RB OL Corey Robinson II and WR Chris Elko attended Roswell HS.
WR Rara Thomas and GT OL Patrick Screws Jr. attended Eufaula HS (Ala.).
RB Daijun Edwards and GT DB Omar Daniels attended Colquitt County HS.
TE Lawson Luckie and GT WR Zion Taylor attended Norcross HS.
QB Brock Vandagriff and WR Logan Johnson and GT WR Bailey Stockton attended Prince Avenue Christian.
OLB Chaz Chambliss and DL Chase Sippola attended Carrollton HS.
WR Marek Briley and GT DL Jaaymen Rochell attended North Gwinnett HS.
GT WR Dominick Blaylock transferred from UGA during the offseason.
GT TE Brett Seither transferred from UGA during the offseason.
Georgia Claims Third Straight SEC East Title
Georgia captured its 13th SEC Eastern Division title in school history including the sixth in the Kirby Smart era. Georgia has won the East the past three seasons along with three in a row from 2017-19 under Smart. Since the league went to divisions in 1992, the Bulldogs have won 10 division titles outright and shared three others.
The Bulldogs have captured 14 SEC titles, which ranks second most among conference teams. Georgia is 4-6 in SEC Championship Games and will face Alabama this year and look for their first victory in this matchup. The Tide won previous games in this matchup in 2012, 2018 and 2021. The Bulldogs are taking aim at their second straight SEC title having won this game in 2002 (Arkansas), 2005 (LSU), 2017 (Auburn) and 2022 (LSU).
Georgia’s Overtime Record (8-7)
Home: 1-2; Away: 4-2; Neutral: 3-3 {Bowl Game/CFP: 3-2}
(*SEC games: 3-4; *Includes CFP National Championship)
The Bulldogs are 1-2 in overtime games under Kirby Smart.
Jan. 1, 2018: #3 Georgia beat #2 Oklahoma 54-48 (2OT) in Pasadena, Calif. (CFP Semifinal: Rose Bowl Game)
Jan. 8. 2018: #4 Alabama beat #3 Georgia 26-23 in Atlanta, Ga. (CFP National Championship, Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Oct. 12, 2019: South Carolina beat #3 Georgia 20-17 (2OT) in Athens, Ga.
First-Time Starters In 2023
The Bulldogs had eight first-time starters in their opener versus UT Martin: WR Arian Smith, QB Carson Beck, TE Oscar Delp, LT Earnest Greene, WR Mekhi Mews, ILB Xavian Sorey, OLB Chaz Chambliss, DB Daylen Everette plus true freshman PK Peyton Woodring; BSU: None; USC: RB Daijun Edwards and DB David Daniel-Sisavanh; UAB: OG Dylan Fairchild, DL Warren Brinson; #9 OM: ILB CJ Allen
The True Freshman Experience
The Bulldogs had 17 true freshmen make their debut in the 2023 season opener and have had 22 true freshmen overall play this season.
Bulldog Captains In 2023
UT Martin: Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Sedrick Van Pran, Javon Bullard, Brock Bowers
Ball State: Zion Logue, Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint, Tykee Smith, Tate Ratledge
South Carolina: T. Walthour, K. Lassiter, S. Van Pran, C. Beck
UAB: Bowers, C. Chambliss, M. Starks, D. Edwards
Auburn: S. Van Pran, M. Rosemy-Jacksaint, J. Dumas-Johnson, K. Lassiter
Kentucky: S. Mondon, M. Williams, M. Rosemy-Jacksaint, C. Beck
Vanderbilt: T. Ratledge, K. Milton, Z. Logue, M. Starks
Florida: M. Rosemy-Jacksaint, S. Van Pran, J. Dumas-Johnson, J. Bullard
#12 Missouri:N. Stackhouse, L. McConkey, C. Beck, S. Mondon
#9 Ole Miss: C. Beck, L. McConkey, S. Mondon, N. Stackhouse
#18 Tennessee: T. Ratledge, L. McConkey, Z. Logue, S. Mondon
Georgia Tech:
Points Off Turnovers In 2023
Georgia is +2 in turnover margin.
The Bulldogs have 45 points (does not include the PATs) off 13 turnovers.
Opponents have 36 points off 11 turnovers.
UTM: UGA got 6 pts. off 1 TOs; UGA had no TOs
BSU: UGA 18 pts. off 3 TOs; BSU no pts. off 1 TO
USC: UGA got nxo points off 2 TOs; UGA had no TOs
UAB: UGA 6 pts. off 1 TO; UAB 6 points off 3 TOs
AU: UGA no points off 1 TO; AU 12 points off 2 TOs
#20 UK: UK had no TOs; UK 6 points off 1 TO
VU: UGA 6 pts. off 1 TO; VU 6 pts. off 2 TOs
UF: UGA 6 pts. off 1 TO; UGA had no TOs
#12 MIZ: UGA 3 pts. off 2 TOs; UGA had no TOs
#9 OM: UGA no pts. off 1 TO; OM no pts. off 1 TO
#18 UT: UT had no TOs; UT no pts. off 1 TO
GT:
Putting Points on the Board
Georgia ranks third in NCAA history for consecutive games scoring and third among schools with active streaks:
Team – Games
Florida 447 (1988-present)
TCU 390 (1991-present)
Georgia 370 (1995-present)
Big Plays In 2023
UGA has 53 plays of 25 yards or more while its opponents have 25.
GAME 1 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 9 (56-yd pass, Vandagriff to Thomas)
UTM: 1 (26-yd rush, Dent)
GAME 2 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 5 (69-yd PR-TD, Mews)
BSU: 1 (45-yd INT Ret., Malory)
GAME 3 (Longest):
UGA: 2 (36-yd pass, Beck to Thomas)
SC: 2 (41-yd pass, Rattler to Blake)
GAME 4 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 5 (50-yd pass Beck to Rosemy-Jacksaint)
UAB: 3 (32-yd pass Zeno to Farrier)
GAME 5 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 6 (41-yd KOR Mews)
AUB: 3 (61-yd run Thorne)
GAME 6 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 4 (49-yd pass Beck to Bowers)
#20 UK: 3 (48-yd INT Ret., Hairston)
GAME 7 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 6 (62-yd rush Edwards)
VAN: 2 (49-yd TD pass Seals to Humphreys)
GAME 8 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 3 (55-yd pass Beck to Lovett)
UF: 4 (48-yd rush Johnson)
GAME 9 (Longest):
#2 UGA: #2 UGA: 4 (33-yd Beck to McConkey)
#12 MIZZOU: 3 (39-yd TD Cook to Burden)MIZZOU:
GAME 10 (Longest):
#2 UGA: 7 (51-yd rush Milton)
#9 OM: 2 (33-yd pass, 2x)
GAME 11 (Longest):
#1 UGA: 3 (35-yd pass Beck to Rosemy-Jacksaint)
#18 UT: 1 (75-yd TD Jaylen Wright)
GAME 12 (Longest):
UGA:
GT:
HEAD COACH KIRBY SMART QUICK FACTS
THE KIRBY SMART RECORD
| Year | W | L | Pct. | SEC | Bowl |
| 2016 | 8 | 5 | .615 | 4-4 | Liberty |
| 2017 | 13 | 2 | .867 | 8-2# | CFP Rose/NCG |
| 2018 | 11 | 3 | .786 | 7-2# | Sugar |
| 2019 | 12 | 2 | .857 | 7-2# | Sugar |
| 2020 | 8 | 2 | .800 | 7-2 | Chick-fil-A |
| 2021 | 14 | 1 | .933 | 9-1# | CFP Orange/NCG |
| 2022 | 15 | 0 | 1.000 | 9-0# | CFP Peach/NCG |
| 2023 | 11 | 0 | 1.000 | 8-0 | |
| Total | 92 | 15 | .860 | #59-13 |
#3-4 (includes 2017-19, ’21, ’22 SECCGs, 2018 & 2022 CFPNC)
12 VICTORIES WHEN TIED OR TRAILING LATE
| SEASON | OPPONENT | START OF 4TH QUARTER OR DEFICIT | FINAL |
| 2016 | % #22 UNC | Trailed 24-23 | 33-24 |
| 2016 | @ Missouri | Trailed 27-21 | 28-27 |
| 2016 | @ Kentucky | Trailed 21-16 | 27-24 |
| 2016 | #8 Auburn | Tied 7-7 | 13-7 |
| 2016 | ^TCU | Trailed Trailed 23-21 | 31-23 |
| 2017 | @ #24 Notre Dame | Trailed 17-16, trailed 19-17 with 10:21 left | 20-19 |
| 2017 | $ #2 Oklahoma | Tied 31-31, trailed 45-38 with 0:55 left | 54-48 2ot |
| 2020 | ~ #8 Cincinnati | Trailed 21-10, trailed 21-19 with :03 left | 24-21 |
| 2022 | ! #1 Alabama | Trailed 18-13 with 10:14 left | 33-18 |
| 2022 | @ Missouri | Trailed 19-12, trailed 22-12 with 14:09 left | 26-22 |
| 2022 | ~ #4 Ohio State (CFP Semi) | Trailed 38-24, trailed 41-35 with 2:43 left | 42-41 |
| 2023 | @ Auburn | Tied 17-17, tied 20-20 with 6:21 left | 27-20 |
%Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic; ^Liberty Bowl; $Rose Bowl Game; ~Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl; !CFP National Championship
TOP IND. SINGLE GAME PERFORMANCES UNDER SMART
Rushing Yards: 222, Nick Chubb vs. #22 UNC (9/3/16);
Rushing TDs: 3, Sony Michel UK (11/18/17); vs. #2 Oklahoma (1/1/18); Daijun Edwards AU (10/8/22);
Longest Rush: 83-TD, D’Andre Swift @ #9 UK (11/3/18);
Passing Yards: 401, JT Daniels MSU (11/21/20);
Passing TDs: 5, Stetson Bennett UAB (9/11/21);
Receiving Yards: 197 (8 rec.), Jermaine Burton MSU (11/21/20)
Receiving TDs: 2, by 8 different Bulldogs multiple times;
Longest Pass/TD Pass: 89-TD, S. Bennett to Brock Bowers UAB (9/11/21);
Tackles: 15, Nakobe Dean vs. #8 UF (11/7/20);
Sacks: 3, Trenton Thompson vs. TCU (12/30/16); Azeez Ojulari vs. #8 UC (1/1/21); Channing Tindall @ UT (11/13/21);
TFL: 3, Azeez Ojulari #7 AU (10/3/20); Thompson vs. Nicholls (9/10/16); Azeez Ojulari vs. #8 UC (1/1/21); Channing Tindall @ UT (11/13/21)
30 DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS SCORES UNDER SMART
Under Kirby Smart, Georgia has registered 30 scores on defense and special teams. The Dogs are 27-1 (loss came versus #8 UF in 2020) when they register a non-offensive score under Smart . This year, freshman DB Kyron Jones returned an INT versus UT Martin 26 yards for a score; redshirt sophomore Mekhi Mews took a punt return 69 yards for a touchdown against Ball State; and Joenel Aguero blocked a punt for a safety versus Florida. In 2022, the Bulldogs had a safety on a blocked punt versus Kent State and Chris Smith ran a blocked field goal back 96 yards for a touchdown versus No. 14 LSU. In 2021, Georgia had six of these scores: Smith’s 74-yd INT return (#3 CU); Jamon Dumas-Johnson’s 20-yd INT return (UAB); Safety (SC); Zamir White 0-yd return of blocked punt (#8 ARK); Nakobe Dean’s 50-yd INT return (UF); Safety (UM); Kelee Ringo’s 79-yd INT return (UA/CFP National Championship Game).
DEFENSIVE SCORING IN THE SMART ERA
{108 Points on 16 TDs, 6 Safeties}
2016: 14 points in 3 different games (Pick-Six, Fumble Ret., Safety);
2017: 6 points in one game (Fumble Ret.);
2018: 12 points in 2 different games (Pick-Six, Fumble Ret.);
2019: 18 points in 3 different games (2 Fumble Ret., 1 Fumble Rec.);
2020: 22 points in 4 different games (2 Pick-Sixes 1 Fumble Ret., 2 Safeties);
2021: 28 points in 6 different games (4 Pick-Sixes, 2 Safeties);
2022: none
2023: 8 points in two games (Pick-Six, Safety)
48 POINTS ON SPECIAL TEAMS IN THE SMART ERA
2016: 12 points in 2 games (KOR, PR);
2017: none;
2018: 12 points in 2 games (PR, Blocked Punt Ret.);
2019: none;
2020: none;
2021: 8 points in 2 games (Blocked Punt Ret.; Safety/Blocked Punt);
2022: 8 points in 2 games (Safety/Blocked Punt; Blocked FG Ret.).
2023: 8 points in 2 games (PR, Safety)
UGA COVERAGE ON WAGA FOX 5 ATLANTA TO INCLUDE:
“Kirby Smart All Access” – This half-hour program will air Monday nights at 7 p.m. throughout the football season and offer viewers a behind-the-scenes look through the practice and preparation ahead of each game, from exclusive interviews with coaches and players, to features showcasing what it takes to build and maintain a championship program.
“Bulldogs Final” – This short wrap-up program will air on Saturday nights of UGA football games, with a repeat Sunday mornings, and will include highlights, analysis, and exclusive content from that week’s game.
“Bulldogs Now” – This weekly, half-hour program on Saturdays at 8 a.m. debuts this summer and will deliver exclusive access and the latest updates on the Georgia Bulldogs all year round. Outside of football season, the show will feature the latest news, in-depth features and updates on all 21 UGA sports programs.
