Georgia’s opener against Tennessee State was a 63-3 rout, but it still gave the DawgNation crew plenty to chew on heading into Week 2 against Western Kentucky. The question wasn’t whether Georgia looked dominant - it did - but which Bulldogs left the strongest first impression and made everyone want a bigger sample size.
For Mike Griffith, the easy offensive answer was tight end Jaden Reddell. But the bigger takeaway came on the other side of the ball, where safety Kyron Jones made his return after missing the final eight games last season with a foot injury. Griffith pointed to the first hit Jones delivered when Georgia’s defense first took the field, calling him “an underrated player who will make a bigger impact when games are on the line than some might expect.”
Connor Riley went with edge defender Chris Cole, who seemed to be everywhere. He finished with .5 sacks and a pass breakup, and he nearly added another breakup to the stat sheet. For Riley, it was a strong start to what looks like a big season for Cole.
Jeff Sentell also highlighted the tight end room, noting that Zykie Helton and Jaden Reddell flashed as expected. But the player he most wants to see more of is Ryan Montgomery.
Ryan Puglisi got a decent look, Sentell said, but Montgomery only threw two passes, completing both. The best of them was a 54-yard touchdown to Jeremy Bell, and Sentell wants a longer look at Montgomery to help answer how close he is to backing up Gunner Stockton.
Cody Chaffins zeroed in on Nate Frazier, who turned three of his four touches into touchdowns and immediately caught attention. Chaffins said one of the big questions around Frazier has been whether he can be a home run hitter, and Tennessee State offered a strong first answer. He also flagged PJ Dean, whose sack and a half raised the question of whether that production was simply a byproduct of the opponent or a sign Georgia may have a real pass-rush contributor.
Kaylee Mansell picked Reddell as the player who flashed the most, and she also singled out running back Chauncey Bowens and safety Tyriq Green as players she wants to see more of. Reddell’s name has already started drawing Brock Bowers comparisons, which only adds to the intrigue around his early showing.
Sarah Spencer also stayed with the tight end theme, but she went with Elyiss Williams. It wasn’t just the viral leaping touchdown that stood out to her.
Williams said he may need to work on the landing, but Spencer said his downfield blocking was just as impressive, especially on Talyn Taylor’s touchdown. Even in a tight end group packed with talent, she sees plenty of room for Williams to make noise this season with his 6-foot-7 frame.
In Other News...
Georgia Finally Granted A Fan Wish That Had Sanford Buzzing
The buzz around Sanford Stadium on Saturday had less to do with the opponent and more to do with what Georgia was wearing. For the first time in program history, the Bulldogs took the field in an all-white uniform, a look that had been teased and officially unveiled in early August before making its debut in Week 2 against Western Kentucky.
The rollout traced back to a deal Kirby Smart made with fans, tied to signups for the programs NIL collective, Glory Glory. Once the reveal became real, the reaction around the stadium was immediate and positive, adding a little extra energy to a game day that already had plenty of curiosity attached to it. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia Receiver Depth Suddenly Has A New Concern Fans Need To Watch
Thomas Blackshears status is worth watching a little more closely now after the Georgia wide receiver sat out the game against Western Kentucky with a wrist injury and was seen in a cast. Kirby Smart said Blackshear is recovering, and the injury comes on top of a groin issue he has been managing since fall camp, adding another layer of concern to a receiver group that has been trying to build depth behind its more established options.
Blackshear had already begun to chip in during earlier games, which is part of why his absence stands out for a young receiving room Georgia has been counting on to develop. With the Bulldogs still sorting out roles at the position, any health setback for a promising underclassman becomes a storyline, and Blackshears availability will be one of the details to monitor as the season moves on. [Read more 🡒]
Georgia's First Half Felt Like A Statement For More Than One Reason
Georgia did not waste time turning Saturday into a showcase. In the first half alone, the Bulldogs piled up 49 points, matching a school record for most points in one half since 1950, and did it with a kind of balance that suggested more than a hot start. Gunner Stockton was sharp from the opening series, completing 13 of 16 passes for 234 yards while spreading the ball around, and Georgias offense needed only 34 plays to produce 343 yards and a flood of touchdowns.
The defense and special-teams edge only sharpened the picture. Georgia forced two turnovers, WKU managed just 6 points and 63 yards on 35 plays, and multiple Bulldogs found the end zone in a half that looked less like a routine September surge and more like a reminder of how high the ceiling can be when everything clicks. Stockton also tied a school record with five first-half touchdown passes, leaving the rest of the day to wonder whether the early statement was the story, or just the opening chapter. [Read more 🡒]