ATHENS – With very few preview opportunities in the preseason, Georgia didn’t reveal a lot about itself before Saturday’s season opener against Oregon in their Chick-fil-A Kickoff game. But under the bright lights of Mercedes-Benz Stadium it was obvious that the Bulldogs were keeping some secrets.
Most notably, Georgia has done some retooling on offense. Having had eight uninterrupted months to work with each other, offensive coordinator Todd Monken and quarterback Stetson Bennett found some creative ways to attack the defensive perimeter.
Using motion and a lot of backfield misdirection after the snap, they were able to get their most dynamic playmakers isolated in one-on-one, open-field situations, primarily via the pass. Georgia attempted 37 passes, a number it exceeded only once in 15 games last season, and that was when it fell behind Alabama in the SEC Championship game.
The Bulldogs completed 81% of those attempts for a Chick-fil-A Kickoff record 439 yards and three touchdowns. Georgia had 571 total yards of offense and averaged 75 yards on seven scoring drives. Not surprisingly, Bennett was named the Walter Camp national player of the week Sunday.
But Bennett said the passing success doesn’t necessarily signal an offensive philosophy change for the Bulldogs.
“It worked today,” he said after Saturday night’s game. “But who’s to say that we don’t run it 40 times next week? And that’s why the connection, the unselfishness for each and every position player on the team and O-line, is working. It’s about the team. It doesn’t matter if we throw it 30-whatever times we threw it today or we run it 40 times. Whatever is working, however we’re going to win that day, is how we’re going to win.”
There were some revelations in the personnel department as well, including a few surprises in the starting lineup. Freshman Mykel Williams started rather than Tramel Walthour at defensive end, Nazir Stackhouse started rather than Zion Logue at nose guard, and Javon Bullard got the nod at the Star position ahead of William Poole and Tykee Smith. Including linebacker Smael Mondon and cornerback Kamari Lassiter, that made for six first-time starters on the field Saturday, all on the defense.
Freshman safety Malaki Starks might have earned himself a start this week against Samford based on his collegiate debut. He led the Bulldogs with eight tackles and one highlight-reel interception.
There were no surprises on the offense. Tate Ratledge and Xavier Truss started at right and left guard, as expected. Georgia began the game with two tight ends on the field, or in “12 personnel.” Starters Brock Bowers and Darnell Washington took the majority of snaps, while Arik Gilbert and freshman Oscar Delp came into the game later.
In all, the Bulldogs played 72 players against Oregon. Among them were 13 freshmen and and seven redshirt freshmen. The other first-year frosh who got in the game were linebacker Jalon Walker, outside linebacker/nickel back Darris Smith, running back Branson Robinson, wide receiver De’Nylon Morrissette, linebacker E.J. Lightsey, cornerback Daylen Everette, outside linebacker Marvin Jones, wideout Dillon Bell, defensive lineman Christen Miller and punter Brett Thorson.
Thorson, we learned, did indeed win the punting competition. The 22-year-old Australian almost didn’t get a chance to show his stuff. He didn’t punt until only 10 minutes remained in the game. His first attempt went 53 yards.
Jack Podlesny not only retained his place-kicking duties, but added kickoffs as well. He recorded touchbacks on six of his eight kickoffs while establishing a Chick-fil-A Kickoff record of seven extra points.
Georgia coach Kirby Smart credited his staff for getting so many new players ready to play. The Bulldogs are the only SEC team that didn’t bring in a transfer this year.
“Our staff is the best it’s ever been,” Smart said. “We’ve got a great staff right now, and it’s awesome because we’ve always had a good staff, but we’ve got a really great staff right now in terms of guys who enjoy working together and putting plans together. I thought they did a great job of doing that.”
Expect to see some new faces on Dooley Field with Samford coming to Sanford Stadium. Starting safety Christopher Smith, for one, who had a sensational performance against Oregon, may need a week to heal. Smith insists he is OK after suffering a “stinger” injury on a jarring hit that resulted in a pass breakup. But the Bulldogs could afford to sit him as a precaution.
Georgia will open SEC play at South Carolina on Sept. 17.
