Georgia opened the 2026 season exactly the way it was supposed to, rolling past Tennessee State 63-3 in a game that never came close to being in doubt. The matchup came with all the expected lopsidedness - Georgia was favored by 47.5 points - and the Bulldogs didn’t just clear that number, they smashed through it with a 60-point win.
That kind of result doesn’t create a ton of mystery, and it shouldn’t. Tennessee State was nowhere near Georgia’s level. But Saturday still gave Kirby Smart and his staff a chance to see some encouraging things, especially in areas where the Bulldogs expect to lean this season.
One of the clearest signs came at tight end, where Georgia showed off just how much depth it has built in that room. Jaden Reddell, Elyiss Williams, Kaiden Prothro, and Ethan Barbour combined for six catches, and every one of those receptions went for at least 10 yards.
Two went for more than 20, and half of them ended in touchdowns. Lawson Luckie, who might be Georgia’s best tight end, didn’t record a catch, which only underscores how deep this group is.
If Georgia really plans to feature the position, there’s no shortage of options.
Gunner Stockton also handled his part like a quarterback who’s been doing this for years. He was in for the first five series, and all five of those drives ended in touchdowns.
Stockton completed 15 of 16 passes for 202 yards and three scores, an ultra-efficient day that matched the tone of the afternoon. It’s only one game, and it came against an overmatched opponent, but he looked calm and in control throughout.
The blowout also gave Georgia a chance to sort through its backup quarterback situation, and that battle got some clarity. Kirby Smart had said the Bulldogs weren’t sure who their current backup was, but after Saturday, Ryan Puglisi appears to be the answer.
He didn’t clearly outplay Ryan Montgomery or Hezekiah Millender, but he got the most work, logging four series. Montgomery and Millender each played one series apiece and both finished with touchdown drives, though the small sample makes it tough to draw much from their snaps.
Puglisi looked rough in his two first-half series, then settled in and led two strong touchdown drives to open the second half.
Nate Frazier may have been the most efficient player on the field. He carried the ball just four times, turned those touches into 72 yards, and scored three touchdowns.
In a game where Georgia wanted its starters out quickly, Frazier made that happen by being ruthless with every touch. Like everything else on Saturday, it came against a much weaker opponent, but he still did exactly what Georgia needed.
In Other News...
Jeremy Bell Gave Georgia A Moment Fans Wont Soon Forget
Jeremy Bell gave Georgia one of those late-game flashes that lingers long after the final whistle. In the fourth quarter of the win over Tennessee State, the receiver broke free for a 54-yard touchdown, a play that fit neatly into a Georgia performance that had the Bulldogs in control but still looking for clean, memorable finishes.
Bells night carried an added layer of meaning after the recent loss of his brother, U.S. Army Specialist Elijah Tiller. Even through that personal tragedy, he stayed committed to the team and made a significant contribution on the field, earning praise from Kirby Smart for the way he handled himself and kept playing through it all. [Read more 🡒]
Former Georgia DB Finds Another Path As Bulldogs Depth Evolves
Former Georgia safety JaCorey Thomas is taking another run at college football, choosing West Virginia for the 2026 season after going undrafted and taking part in a Carolina Panthers minicamp. The move comes after he used a granted fifth season of eligibility to keep his career going, a path that keeps him in the game even as the next phase of his football journey starts to take shape.
Thomas leaves Athens with a long resume as a dependable piece of the secondary, having played in 47 games and finished his Georgia career with 63 tackles. For the Bulldogs, it is another reminder of how much turnover can hit the back end of a roster, while for Thomas it opens a fresh opportunity to find a bigger role and reshape his future. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Just Added Intrigue To A Massive Running Back Battle
The season opener against Tennessee State brought more than just a look at Georgias latest on-field work. It also gave the Bulldogs a chance to host Kevin Hartsfield, the No. 1 running back in the 2028 recruiting class, on campus, adding another layer to a battle that already carries real weight for the future of the position.
Georgia has been viewed as one of the top schools in Hartsfields recruitment, and this trip could be a sign the Bulldogs have moved into the front of the race. The pull only gets stronger with Kemon Spell, the No. 1 running back in the 2027 class, already committed to Georgia, a factor that could matter as Hartsfield continues sorting through his options. [Read more 🡒]