Once again, Kirby Smart's Georgia Bulldogs overlooked an opponent and played with its food in the first half. Although the Austin Peay Governors are 1-0 on the season with an impressive upset victory over the Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders, they are still an FCS team, and Georgia is a perennial national power out of the SEC. That being said, Georgia is usually an incredible second-half team.
On the first drive of the game, starting running back Nate Frazier fumbled the ball right into an Austin Peay defender following a big gain. Although the Georgia defense bailed him out, Smart made it a point to not have Frazier get any touches on their second drive. Once Frazier got his composure together he went back in there and ran with authority. He factored as a receiver and got a touchdown.
Here is the touchdown Frazier got to help get back in the good graces with Georgia after the fumble.
TD stands. Dawgs up 14.
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) September 6, 2025
📺: ESPN+#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/h7tHWracbG
Georgia may have a huge talent advantage over Austin Peay, but it cannot play like this vs. Tennessee.
Nate Frazier needs to continue to grow as an on-field leader for Georgia
To be able to not let a bad moment early in the game define you is a sign of maturity. Frazier may only be a sophomore, but he has to grow up in a hurry for Georgia. It is not going to be perfect for him this season, but every step in the positive direction will serve him and the Dawgs later on. Simply put, Frazier cannot allow the rest of the Georgia running back room to see him mope around the sidelines.
With Gunner Stockton not playing particularly well in the first half, it is more important than ever for Georgia to continue to win with the tried and true recipe of playing great defense and running the football effectively. These are the two areas, as well as with special teams where the Dawgs can outperform their opponents most consistently and effectively. They can just lean on people that way.
Overall, Frazier had six carries for 24 yards and a touchdown in the first half, as well as two catches for 15 yards out of the backfield. Again, he may get dinged for the fumble a bit, but it is all about the next play and the next carry for a guy like this in the Georgia backfield. The Dawgs really need to get it together during halftime, but more players must wake up like Frazier after fumbling on the first drive.
For now, Georgia is going to have to find a way to not let Mike Bobo's nonsense get in the way here.