Georgia football: 6 epic takeaways from the blowout over Auburn

Georgia football woke up some against Auburn on Saturday as the Dawgs won 42-10. Most of the time, when a team wins by 32-points, it’s a solid day, but that Georgia offense left points out on the field.

This team has grown from Week 5 to Week 6, and when there is a team this young, you need that growth each week. However, we consider Week 6 a moral victory for the Dawgs because they started having fun against the Tigers, which showed us an offensive improvement. The defense looked sharper than it did against Missouri and Kent State.

There will be doubters out there, but it’s fine. Wins are crucial right now because so many teams continue to rise to the occasion and challenge these top-ranked teams. Look at Texas A&M and Alabama — those Aggies almost won. We don’t need them to give Georgia credit until the end of the season.

Since a four-point win wasn’t good enough for some, a 32-point win over the team that beat Missouri two weeks ago seems like a good way to get back on track. After rewatching the game, these are our six takeaways from the Week 6 victory over Auburn.

Georgia football may have to reevaluate its running game lineup

The Dawgs put up 292 rushing yards against the Tigers’ front seven and averaged 7.5 yards a touch. Yes, you read that right — Georgia recorded almost 300 yards on the ground. However, it wasn’t Kendall Milton and Kenny McIntosh that led the way. While they contributed, Daijun Edwards and true freshman Branson Robinson paced the Dawgs.

Five guys contributed to that incredible stat, but Edwards and Robinson took advantage of the opportunities given to them. Those two ran through guys, found holes, and looked so good against Auburn. Edwards’ vision is the best among all the Georgia running backs, and Robinson looks like another Nick Chubb. His vision was also good, but he is young, so there is still work to do.

They both got 12 carries on Saturday, and Robinson led the team with 98 yards and one score. However, Edwards got the hat trick, scoring three times and recording 83 yards. Edwards averaged 6.9 yards a touch, while Robinson averaged 8.2 yards. These two were unstoppable, and it’s great to see them perform this well.

Georgia may have to rotate how they distribute reps in the running back room after the way these two toted the rock. Edwards has been coming on strong for the last few weeks, so it wouldn’t surprise us to see him get more touches. Robinson will get more, too, if he continues to run that well.

Georgia football flexed on defense by limiting Auburn’s rush attack.

The Dawgs showed up on defense against Auburn, allowing just 93 rushing yards. Auburn’s heavy hitter, Tank Bigsby, only rushed for 19 yards on 10 carries, averaging 1.9 yards a touch. That performance was his worst since his freshman year against Kentucky.

Georgia football needed to see its rush defense make a stand, and they did. While they gave up a 62-yard passing touchdown and shouldn’t have because they tried to arm tackle Jarquez Hunter, this unit did their job.

They held Robby Ashford to nine carries for 58 yards, which is the most among the Auburn players. Hunter saw five touches for 20 yards.

It was not a good offensive performance for the Tigers, and the Dawgs limited its defensive mistakes, which showed in the score.

Georgia football saw Stetson Bennett be explosive at the right moment

Starting quarterback Stetson Bennett didn’t impress through the air, and some fans were ready to bench him before halftime, but he came through when it mattered the most. He went 22-of-32 for 208 yards, the first time he didn’t throw for at least 250 yards all season. However, his explosive moment came from his wheels.

Bennett took it 64-yards for a touchdown at the start of the fourth quarter, and that score was huge. It gave Georgi all the momentum and put it in the Dawgs’ pocket, so it’s hard not to suggest that moment was huge for him and the team’s overall success.

Georgia football saw Ladd McConkey divine and conquer

Dawg fans were also ready to put Ladd McConkey on the bench in the first half, but after muffing that punt, he redeemed himself. He led the Dawgs with five catches for 47 yards. McConkey has fought hard the last few weeks and has had to overcome some internal demons, but we praise him for finding ways to do that.

Georgia needs someone to step up in the receiver room when the tight ends aren’t able to make plays. McConkey has to be that guy right now, and so far, he is doing enough, but I know he has more in the tank.

Georgia football saw youngsters and veterans rise to the occasion.

The Dawgs’ defense came together as a whole. Where they were missing guys, others stepped up in their absence. Rian Davis played big in Smael Mondon’s place. He recorded four tackles. Nazir Stackhouse, Zion Logue, Bear Alexander, and Warren Brinson are all guys on the defensive front who made things happen on Saturday as Jalen Carter does.

Nolan Smith was a massive piece of the puzzle. He sniffed out the fake punt and helped stop it. Smith recorded three solo tackles, with one tackle for loss. Jamon Dumas-Johnson led the Dawgs on defense with five tackles, so while he didn’t replace anyone, he was a leader that rose to the occasion.

This unit fought hard, and it paid off for them.

Georgia football had fun again, finally

Georgia’s offense finally had some fun again on Saturday. Bennett told reporters after the game they had to start having fun again and find their moxy. The last few weeks have featured an offense that stalls more than it finds success. However, that did not happen this week against Auburn.

The more fun Georgia has, the better the outcome is for them. When they put too much pressure on themselves, it can cause issues. So let’s get back to the basics and remember to have fun. Success will come because they are so gifted, but they cannot do that if they keep shooting themselves in the foot.

Georgia football moves to 6-0 on the season as they welcome a scrappy Vanderbilt team to Athens for Week 7. The Dawgs must focus on the Commodores before the bye week because this Vandy team won’t lie down but give Georgia everything it has.