Special Teams: A+
Although the Dawgs didn’t make any significant plays in the return game on Saturday, I give the special teams an A+ based on how well Rodrigo Blankenship and Cameron Nizialek played in the game. Blankenship made his only field goal attempt of the game and made all 4 extra points he attempted. He also boomed several kickoffs out of the back of the end zones for touchbacks, something Georgia fans haven’t seen from a kicker in awhile.
Nizialek, the graduate transfer from Columbia, averaged 43 yards on 5 punts and gave up no return yards to the Mountaineers. Considering the special team’s woes that have plagued Georgia in recent seasons, this performance from the kicking units should give fans some hope going forward.
Defense: A
The Georgia defense played lights out for most of the game. The win could have easily been a shutout had the starters played the entire time. I thought Georgia played very well against the run and pass, holding Appalachian State to under 300 yards of total offense. There were several freshmen who saw some significant playing time which will pay off as the season goes along.
Trenton Thompson, Roquan Smith, and Richard LeCounte III were the 3 defenders who impressed me the most during the game. The only thing preventing this unit from receiving an A+ was that the defense did get burned a few times when Appalachian State’s quarterback decided to keep the ball on a fake handoff. The defense will need to clean that up soon as Notre Dame’s quarterback has already proven to be a very mobile player.