Georgia’s opener against Tennessee State offered a little bit of everything for the passing game, including a welcome sign that 15 different Bulldogs caught a pass. That kind of distribution is a good way to get a season rolling. But it also came with one wrinkle: two receivers who figure to matter a lot more as the year goes on barely showed up in the box score.
London Humphreys and Isiah Canion are expected to be among Gunner Stockton’s key targets, yet Week 1 didn’t exactly advertise that. Canion finished with 2 catches for 22 yards, and 15 of those yards came on Georgia’s third drive of the day. Humphreys didn’t record a catch in 17 snaps.
That could be the story again this week, given the opponent. If it is, there’s no need to turn it into a bigger issue than it is. The veterans are still going to have a role when Georgia gets into the stretch that really matters.
The Bulldogs clearly wanted to spread the ball around against Tennessee State, but that kind of broad usage usually tightens up once SEC play arrives. Talyn Taylor and Craig Dandridge could turn their early momentum into larger roles, but it would be a surprise if Georgia keeps rolling out that many wideouts every week.
Stockton already has some chemistry with Humphreys, something that showed up multiple times last season. Canion also talked before the season about how he and Stockton connect, and Kirby Smart knows what the Georgia Tech transfer brings.
"He's tough, physical, works hard, plays fast," Smart said on Tuesday. "There's things that he does really well, things that he's here working to improve on. And we need him to have a big year to create matchups and stay healthy."
It’s tempting to read too much into Week 1, especially when Georgia is facing a lighter opponent. That’s how fans wind up locking onto breakout candidates who never really become central pieces. But the reverse is true as well: a quiet opener doesn’t mean much for players who are going to matter later.
Western Kentucky Nevada in Week 1. If that doesn't happen, there's no reason to panic. They'll be ready when the Bulldogs need them.
In Other News...
Georgia May Have Found An Unexpected Answer On The Offensive Line
Georgias offensive line got a fresh look in the opener against Tennessee State, and one of the more notable developments was true freshman Zykie Helton earning the start at right guard. For Kirby Smart, it marked the third time a true freshman offensive lineman has started a season opener in his tenure, another sign that Georgia has not been afraid to trust a young player when the competition and the preparation point in that direction.
Helton got there by putting together a strong spring and arriving early to get a head start, but his path has also been shaped by far more than football. He dealt with Crohns disease and major health challenges in high school, and Smart pointed to both his toughness and his growth as reasons he has worked himself into a meaningful role up front. For Georgia, the larger question now is how quickly that early opportunity turns into something lasting along the line. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia May Be Hiding A Big Part Of Gunner Stocktons Game
Gunner Stocktons debut in Georgias opener against Tennessee State offered only a glimpse of what the Bulldogs may eventually ask of him. In a comfortable win, he never ran the ball, and there was little reason to force the issue with Georgia controlling the game so thoroughly. For now, the emphasis is on easing him into the offense and letting his passing game take center stage.
Western Kentucky should provide another chance for Georgia to keep Stockton upright and keep the plan simple. The expectation is that the Bulldogs will continue to limit his rushing attempts in the near term, using these early games to sharpen his development as a passer before the tougher SEC stretch arrives, when his full mobility is more likely to become part of the equation. [Read more 🡒]
Stetson Bennett Gives Georgia Fans A Reason To Smile Amid NIL Anger
Stetson Bennetts climb with the Los Angeles Rams keeps giving Georgia fans a familiar reminder of how far the former Bulldogs quarterback can go. The Rams named Bennett their backup for the first time in his NFL career, a notable step for a player who became a staple of Georgias championship run and remains one of the programs most recognizable success stories.
Back in Athens, the week has brought a different kind of chatter, with Kirby Smart again leaning on his message about continuous improvement as Georgia prepares for Western Kentucky. But the online noise has centered on the Bulldogs NIL collective, Glory Glory Georgia, which put week one game highlights behind a $20 monthly paywall and drew criticism from fans who were quick to voice their frustration. [Read more 🡒]