Top Dawgs of the Week: James Cook and Jake Camarda

In the aftermath of another disappointing loss to Alabama and Nick Saban, the Dawgs have moved into their bye week. The coaching staff has made it clear that this week, there is no game for Georgia on Saturday, but it is not a week off. This is a “work week” for the Dawgs as they get ready for big games against SEC East division foes Kentucky and Florida.

While the offense went through growing pains throughout the year, the problems were never more apparent than Saturday against Alabama. The Bulldogs struggled for consistency when driving the ball downfield. The gameplan was unbalanced and made it easier for Alabama to scheme out critical players for Georgia. At the same time, the Dawgs put up 24 points in the first half. Those were the only points scored for the rest of the game.

Although the offense looked sloppy at times, there are still positives to take out of this loss. One of those positives is the performance of James Cook.

James Cook is a junior running back for the Dawgs this season and put up a career stat line against the Tide on Saturday. Cook reeled in 4 receptions for 101 yards and a touchdown. 82 yards of that 101 came off one play. Cook reeled in an 82-yard touchdown and made it look easy.

Cook bounced back from a slow start earlier in the season where he could never get going. Cook struggled to be effective in the run game for Georgia and had trouble with fumbles. After an injury sidelined him for the Tennessee game, Cook made a statement against the Tide.

That 82-yard touchdown reception was enough to warrant Cook being named this week’s Offensive Top Dawg of the Week.

While Cook benefited from a career night receiving, Jake Camarda benefited most from the offensive struggles.

Camarda is off to a hot start this season as a junior punter. Camarda has been a star in the making as he shows off his impressive leg that has been pinning opponents deep all year long. Camarda continued to pin his opponents back against Alabama.

Camarda punted the ball four times for Georgia on Saturday with 196 total yards. He averaged 49 yards a punt and had a long of 58 yards.

Jake’s leg was enough to help win the field position on multiple occasions for Georgia as he gave a tired Dawgs defense an advantage all night long.

Jake is this week’s Special Teams/Defensive Top Dawg of the Week!