Offensive Player
Dominic Lovett – The senior transfer from Missouri came through again in one of the closest games the Bulldogs have experienced in years. The Wildcats of Kentucky came to play, and play, they did. With the Bulldogs needing a big play with 2:53 left in the fourth quarter, Kentucky pinned Georgia back in its territory. On second and nine from the 16-yard line, Carson Beck once again found Lovett open for a 33-yard completion that made Kentucky use their timeouts and gave Georgia some much needed breathing room. Lovett turned in the best performance of the night on offense with six receptions for 89 yards and the biggest offensive play of the game in the fourth quarter with that 33-yard pick up that sealed the victory and saved the Bulldogs from extinction in the 2024 playoffs.
Defensive Player
Daylen Everette – When the junior defensive back committed to Georgia, he thought that he would spend his time in the defense backfield. Against Kentucky Saturday night, Everette’s play on the field resembled that of a linebacker. As Kentucky dominated the line of scrimmage and could not create much of a passing game, Everette played much closer to the action and led the Bulldogs with eight tackles, six solo, to help shut down a very strong Kentucky rushing game. Coming from the IMG Academy, Everette can certainly be physical. That physical play against the Cats was a key to getting out of Lexington with a victory. His forced fumble was also another stellar play which complimented a great performance that kept the Bulldogs on track.
Special team Player
Brett Thorson – Our favorite Aussie from Melbourne had a career high six punts against a very stubborn Kentucky football team Saturday. He welcomed the work with a terrific performance that yielded zero return yards yet again for the Bulldogs. Averaging 49.5 yards on six punts, Thorson put three inside the 20 and had two touchbacks with a long of 58 yards that flipped the field late in the game and created too much yardage for Kentucky to pick up. Georgia’s kicking game is very valuable, and Thorson, along with Peyton Woodring, will be a key to the Bulldogs’ success this year. Thorson had yet another great game and that needs to be a consistent factor all season long.
Unsung Hero of the Game
The Tree – You all know what I am talking about … right? After the game Carson Beck, Daylen Everette and Coach Smart all talked about the tree that they needed to chop down. Coach Smart said the tree does not come down with the first chop and the players let that be known. You need to keep chopping that tree down. Trees take a long time to grow and the bigger they get, the harder they are to chop down. The Bulldogs opponents are getting bigger and stronger each game. As the Bulldogs work to win another championship, they have to chop the biggest of trees down this week. I’m not quite sure where this tree is located, but I know the Bulldogs believe if they keep chopping they can bring anything or anybody to the ground! These Dawgs don’t pee on trees, they chop, chop, chop them down. Keep chopping, and when that tree falls, it’s onto the next!