Georgia Football: Bulldogs beat Kentucky Rapid Reaction

Georgia football beat Kentucky 14-3, but it didn’t always look pretty.

Georgia football is 4-1 after knocking off the Wildcats of Kentucky, in Lexington. It was anything but pretty. Georgia went back to their old ways, running the ball straight down Kentucky’s defense’s throat. However, a few miscues on offense and a lot of injuries to the defense kept the game close on the scoreboard.

Overall Georgia controlled the game from the opening kickoff, but the execution play to play was anything but dominant. There were some good signs from this game, but a lot of bad ones as well. Here are some of the takeaways from the game.

The running game continues to be really good.

Georgia football started the game with 12 straight runs ending the first drive with a rushing touchdown by Stetson Bennett. Seems like Todd Monken got the message after abandoning the run late against Alabama. Through the first 15 minutes of the game, Monken called just two passing plays. Much closer to the way Georgia has been playing offense under Kirby Smart.

Georgia ran the ball 43 times for 215 yards and Georgia’s only two touchdowns. Zamir White had a breakout game, running for 100 yards for the first time in his college career. White’s final stat line was 26 carries for 136 yards and a touchdown.

Miscues.

For the second straight game, Bennett had a ball batted down and intercepted by a defensive lineman. Bennett was trying to hit James Cook on a screen but made the mistake of trying to sneak the ball over a defensive lineman’s head. Bennett still needs to work on throwing around linemen, not over them.

At the end of the first half, Georgia lined up for a field goal to possibly go up 10-3 at the half. However, due to a low snap, the field goal attempt was off target and Georgia maintained just a four-point lead going into half time.

In the third quarter, Bennett threw an interception when Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint turned to look at him and stop running his route.

Georgia’s senior free safety is a Ballhawk.

Richard LeCounte came up with his third turnover of the season in the third quarter and nearly had a pick-six late in the fourth quarter. LeCounte had four turnovers all of last season. He has really turned it up this season.

Rush defense gives up back to back 100-yard games.

The Kentucky Wildcats seemed to have no issue running on Georgia football’s defense. They racked up 138 yards on the ground, just nine shy of the 142 yards rushing Alabama ran up on Georgia last week. Kentucky was led by Chris Rodriguez who carried the ball 20 times for 108 yards.

Injuries are piling up.

Georgia lost Julian Rochester and Lewis Cine on the same play in the first quarter. Rochester was taken back to the locker room while Cine had his ankle retaped, but never returned to the game. Jordan Davis injured his elbow and was in a sling on the sideline. Quay Walker was also injured, heading to the locker room in the fourth quarter. Tyrique Stevenson went under the tent at the end of the game.

Georgia has Florida next week in prime time for the entire nation to see. They will have to get better results from their offense than they have gotten the last two weeks if they expect to beat the Gators. It is good to see the running game wake up, but the passing game still needs a ton of work.

Georgia has also lost a lot of defensive talent due to injury right before the team travels to Jacksonville, so that is something to keep an eye on. Georgia will need every last player on its defense to contain Florida’s offense. If Rochester and Davis are both out against the Gators it may be a long day trying to contain Kadarius Toney and Kyle Pitts.

Kirby Smart and the Bulldogs have a lot to think about this week in practice. Will there be a change at quarterback? Doubtful. Will George Pickens and Kenny McIntosh return next week? Hard to say. However, these Dawgs have a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it in. All eyes will be on Jacksonville next Saturday night, so Smart better have his team ready.