Kirby Smart got exactly what he wanted in Georgia’s Week 1 tune-up against Tennessee State: enough early separation to empty the bench and spend real time evaluating the backup quarterbacks.
That mattered because Smart had made it clear before kickoff that Ryan Puglisi and Ryan Montgomery were still locked in a battle for the No. 2 job. By the time Georgia built a massive lead, the door was wide open for both to show what they could do. They, along with redshirt freshman Hezekiah Millender, all got meaningful work in the first half or shortly after.
Puglisi was the first quarterback off the bench, which at least hints that he may have the slight edge in the competition. His first stretch on the field wasn’t smooth. He handled the final two possessions of the opening half, but Georgia didn’t score and he managed only one first down.
He settled in after halftime.
Puglisi came back in the third quarter and led back-to-back touchdown drives, one spanning six plays and the next covering nine. By the end of the day, he had completed seven of 13 passes for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Montgomery got just one drive, but he made it count. In five plays, he guided Georgia to a touchdown, capped by a 54-yard strike that reached the end zone.
Millender was the next quarterback to enter, and he also delivered. The redshirt freshman, who had been turning heads throughout the offseason, led a seven-play touchdown march and completed his lone pass for 17 yards.
The way the snaps were distributed suggests Puglisi remains Smart’s top choice for the backup role, even if his rough finish to the first half made that feel less certain for a moment. Montgomery and Millender both answered when called, though neither had enough volume to make the competition feel settled.
That battle may continue next week when Georgia hosts Western Kentucky.
For Gunner Stockton, the night served a different purpose. He entered with something to prove after spending much of the offseason without much respect, and while the level of competition won’t change many minds, he handled his assignment cleanly.
Stockton opened the game and directed Georgia’s first five series, all of which ended in touchdowns. He completed 16 of 17 passes, topped 200 passing yards and threw three touchdowns. Just as important, he never had to run the ball, giving Georgia a chance to protect him from unnecessary hits.
That was the point. Georgia needed Stockton healthy before the schedule tightens, and it needed a game that would allow the backups to get real reps. Both things happened.
The Bulldogs rolled to a 63-3 win, the kind of result that left little room for disappointment. Georgia took care of business the way it was supposed to, and in doing so, checked off nearly every box Smart could have hoped for.
In Other News...
Jeremy Bell Gave Georgia A Moment Fans Wont Soon Forget
Jeremy Bells fourth-quarter touchdown was the kind of moment that can cut through everything else happening around a game. The Georgia receiver hauled in a 54-yard score in the win over Tennessee State, and for a program that has spent the season balancing expectation with emotion, it stood out for more than just the yardage. Bell has recently been dealing with the loss of his brother, U.S. Army Specialist Elijah Tiller, yet he stayed with the team and continued to contribute when Georgia needed him.
Kirby Smart praised Bell for the way he handled such a difficult stretch while remaining committed to his teammates. In a sport where availability is often treated like the only measure of toughness, Bells performance carried a different kind of weight for Georgia. His touchdown added to the win, but it also gave fans a reminder of what perseverance can look like when football and life collide. [Read more 🡒]
Former Georgia DB Finds Another Path As Bulldogs Depth Evolves
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Thomas leaves Georgia with plenty of experience behind him, having played in 47 games and finished with 63 tackles during his time in the program. For a Bulldogs secondary that keeps evolving, his departure is another reminder of how much turnover can follow in the wake of roster movement, even for players who spent years building themselves into dependable depth pieces. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Just Added Intrigue To A Massive Running Back Battle
Georgias season opener against Tennessee State brought more than just the usual kickoff buzz, as the Bulldogs also hosted one of the most closely watched young backs in the country. Kevin Hartsfield, the No. 1 running back in the 2028 recruiting class, was on campus for the visit, and Georgia remains firmly in the thick of his recruitment as one of his top options.
The timing only adds to the intrigue, especially with Kemon Spell already committed to Georgia in the 2027 class. Spell could end up being a major factor in how Hartsfield views the Bulldogs future backfield, and this visit may have nudged Georgia into an even stronger position as the race for Hartsfield continues. [Read more 🡒]