Georgia Football: Three stats that tell the story of the 2016 season

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Sep 10, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs linebacker Lorenzo Carter (7) returns a fumble for a touchdown against the Nicholls State Colonels during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Nicholls State 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Only four non-offensive touchdowns

Defensive and special teams touchdowns aren’t a necessity, but they certainly help. They especially help when the offense struggles to score points (we’ll get to that).

The defense was great at keeping Georgia in ball games and putting the offense in good positions to win. But they rarely took the game into their own hands. They did so in only two games this year. A fumble recovery for a touchdown by Lorenzo Carter was the difference against Nicholls, and Maurice Smith’s pick-six was the difference in the Auburn game.

But in other close games, the defense and special teams were unable to make the plays to win in the offenses absence. There was no pick-six in the loss to Tennessee. No fumble return for a touchdown against Georgia Tech. No kickoff return versus Vanderbilt or punt return versus Florida.

The 2016 Bulldog defense was solid, but they weren’t the play makers that past defenses were.

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