Georgia vs Florida: What Went Well? What Went Wrong?
Brad McClenny/The Gainesville Sun
A hot start from the Georgia offense quickly turned into a Florida offensive explosion. The Gators finished the first half on a 38-7 run against the Dawgs after a 14-0 Georgia lead.
Saturday was yet another case of a great offense beating a great defense. Although the highly vaulted defense was depleted due to multiple injuries to several key starters, Georgia’s depth on defense was out of their depths.
What Went Well?
Zeus Was Loose
Zamir White was Georgia’s best back Saturday against the Gators. White’s day started with a quick 12-second 75-yard touchdown run. Zeus’s big rushing touchdown was exactly what Georgia needed right off the bat.
Other than the big numbers put up by Zeus, the Georgia ground game failed to produce any other eye-popping numbers. White finished the evening with 107 yards and one touchdown on seven carries.
King Kearis Jackson “The Kick Returner”
In a game that provided barely any spark from the Georgia offense, Kearis Jackson brought the juice and the energy on special teams. With Kenny McIntosh missing time due to injury, it gave way for King Kearis Jackson to lit a spark in the kick return game.
Kearis Jackson boosted the Dawgs offense with excellent field position after a 56-yard kick return gave the offense a perfect chance to grab points.
What Went Wrong?
Inconsistent Quarterback Play
Stetson Bennett was the starting quarterback for Georgia against the Gators after two struggling performances against Alabama and Kentucky.
Bennett’s confidence was boosted early on as Georgia capitalized on the game’s first two offensive drives with 14 points. Bennett hooked up with freshman Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint for a 32-yard touchdown pass.
On the scoring play, Bennett would tale a hit that would hurt his shoulder. This shoulder injury came to be an AC sprain in his right shoulder.
Bennett finished the day 5/16 passing, with a touchdown and an interception and just 78 yards. D’Wan Mathis would come in relief for a struggling Bennett. Mathis completed only four of thirteen passes for one touchdown and two interceptions.
Injury Riddled Georgia Defense
The loss of Jordan Davis and Richard LeCounte was a costly loss for the Bulldogs. Georgia played a lot of new faces on defense against Florida and struggled to get off the field.
Without the mountain of a man Jordan Davis in the middle anchoring the defensive line, Florida could pound the rock on Georgia and effectively control the clock. Kyle Trask was on fire as he torched the depleted Georgia secondary to the tune of four touchdowns and 474 yards.
Eric Stokes’ lone interception was the only blemish on Kyle Trask record for the day.
Jake Camarda Couldn’t Put the Past in the Past
Jake Camarda has been an automatic plus for Georgia this season. Camarda is a weapon for Georgia in the punting game with a monstrous leg that flips field position with accuracy.
Today was like a flashback to the past as Camarda shanked an early punt for just 20 yards. Camarda struggled to put that first mishap behind him as he shanked yet another punt gifting Florida another opportunity.