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Bulldogs in the NFL – Week 15
Here is a recap of what former Georgia players did in this past weekend’s NFL games.
Former No. 1 overall pick Matthew Stafford kicked off week 15 helping the Los Angeles Rams to a 12-6 street fight win over the now 6-8 San Francisco 49ers. Stafford added 160 passing yards to his season total to creep closer to the 4,000-yard mark this year and the 10th time in his career.
49ers edge rusher Leonard Floyd remains in pursuit of a back-to-back season with double-digit sacks after recording 10.5 sacks for the Buffalo Bills last season. Floyd need just 1.5 more this year to grab the honor. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers added 35 yards to his season receiving yard total in the Las Vegas Raiders’ Monday night loss to the Atlanta Falcons. Bowers, the two-time Mackey Award winner, already holds the rookie tight end record for receptions. Bowers needs just 108 receiving yards in the Raiders’ last three games of the season to break the rookie tight end receiving yards record set by Mike Ditka for the Chicago Bears in 1961.
Los Angeles Rams 12, San Francisco 49ers 6
Matthew Stafford, QB – Started at quarterback for the Rams, completing 16 passes for 160 yards. Over his last five games, Stafford has thrown for over 1,200 yards, 10 touchdowns and zero interceptions, and he ranks eighth in the league in passing yards. Stafford is still shooting for his 10th 4,000-yard passing season.
Stetson Bennett IV, QB – Was listed as inactive by the Rams due to a coach’s decision.
Warren McClendon Jr., OL – Was listed as inactive by the Rams due to a coach’s decision.
Leonard Floyd, DE – Recorded three tackles, all solo. Tied for12th in the league in sacks with 8.5.
Chris Conley, WR – Saw action on offense and special teams, recording no statistics.
Robert Beal Jr., OLB – Recorded two tackles, one solo.
Cincinnati Bengals 37, Tennessee Titans 27
Amarius Mims, OT – Started at offensive tackle as offense gained over 350 yards.
Kansas City Chiefs 21, Cleveland Browns 7
Malik Herring, DE – Was listed as inactive by the Chiefs due to a coach’s decision.
Nick Chubb, RB – Rushed for 41 yards on nine carries, targeted in the passing games once. Suffered a broken foot in the loss to the Chiefs, ending his season.
Baltimore Ravens 35, New York Giants 14
Roquan Smith, ILB – Productive day as he tallied five tackles, three solo, a pass break-up and two quarterback hits in the win over the Giants.
Ben Cleveland, OL – Featured on offense and special teams in the Ravens’ win.
Nick Moore, LS – Handled snapping duties for Ravens on special teams.
Azeez Ojulari, DE – Remain on IR for the Giants.
New York Jets 32, Jacksonville Jaguars 25
Travon Walker, DE – Tallied two tackles, one solo and a tackle for loss.
Tyson Campbell, CB – Led the Jaguars in tackles with six, all solo. Also recorded one pass break-up.
Houston Texans 20, Miami Dolphins 12
Kamari Lassiter, CB – Started at cornerback and recorded six tackles, five solo.
Isaiah Wynn, OL – Saw action on special teams.
Channing Tindall, ILB – Saw action on special teams and recorded one tackle.
Buffalo Bills 48, Detroit Lions 42
James Cook, RB – Started at running back and rushed for 105 yards on 14 carries for two touchdowns. Also had one reception for 28 yards and needs for 172 yards in the final three games to reach 1,000 rushing yards for the second straight season.
Sedrick Van Pran Granger, OC – Saw action on special teams.
Lewis Cine, S – Did not play due to a coach’s decision.
Philadelphia Eagles 27, Pittsburgh Steelers 13
Jalen Carter, DT – Tallied two tackles, both solo, and a pass-break up in the win.
Nakobe Dean, ILB – Led the team in tackles with 10, seven solos.
Nolan Smith Jr., OLB – Active all over the field with four tackles, three solo, one sack and two tackles for loss. Also recorded one pass-break up and two quarterback hits.
Jordan Davis, DT – Had one tackle in the win.
Kelee Ringo, CB – Saw action on special teams.
George Pickens, WR – Was listed as inactive by the Steelers due to a coach’s decision.
Darnell Washington, TE – Saw action on offense and special teams recording no statistics.
Broderick Jones, OT – Started at offensive tackle and featured on special teams in the win.
Arizona Cardinals 30, New England Patriots 17
David Andrews, OC – Remains on IR for the Patriots.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 40, Los Angeles Chargers 17
Tykee Smith, S – Tallied one tackle in the win.
Ladd McConkey, WR – Returned to action with five catches for 58 yards and a touchdown.
Jamaree Salyer, OL – Saw action on offense and special teams.
Green Bay Packers 30, Seattle Seahawks 13
Quay Walker, ILB – Tallied three tackles, all solo, in the win.
Javon Bullard, S – Was listed as inactive by the Packers due to a coach’s decision.
Devonte Wyatt, DT – Had one tackle, a sack and a tackle for loss along with a quarterback hit.
Eric Stokes, CB – Recorded three tackles, two solo.
John Fitzpatrick, TE – Saw action on offense and special teams recording no statistics.
Kenny McIntosh, RB – Had three carries for nine yards.
Minnesota Vikings 30, Chicago Bears 12
D’Andre Swift, RB – Rushed for 79 yards on 19 carries and had one reception for 10 yards.
Atlanta Falcons 15, Las Vegas Raiders 9
Charlie Woerner, TE – Two receptions for seven yards in the win.
Lorenzo Carter, OLB – Tallied four tackles, three solo.
Brock Bowers, TE – Had three catches for 35 yards and was the third most-targeted Raiders pass-catcher.
John Jenkins, DT – Five stops, one solo on the defensive front.
Chris Smith II, S – Featured on defense and special teams recording one tackle.
Zamir White, RB – Remains on IR for the Raiders.
IR List/PUP List
David Andrews OC New England Patriots Nick Chubb RBCleveland Browns
Mecole Hardman Jr. WR Kansas City Chiefs
Derion Kendrick CB Los Angeles Rams
Azeez Ojulari OLB New York Giants
Andrew Thomas OT New York Giants
Zamir White RB Las Vegas Raiders
Practice Squad Players
Lewis Cine S Buffalo Bills
Jake Fromm QB Detroit Lions
Trey Hill OC Cincinnati Bengals
Kearis Jackson WR New York Giants
Zion Logue DT Buffalo Bills Isaiah McKenzie WR Miami Dolphins
Tré McKitty TE Cleveland Browns
Kendall Milton RB Cincinnati Bengals
Monty Rice ILB New England Patriots
Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint WR Philadelphia Eagles
MBB: Georgia hosts Buffalo Tonight
Date: Thursday, December 19, 2024
Time: 7:00 p.m. ET
Venue: Stegeman Coliseum (10,523)
Location: Athens, Ga.
Tickets: www.georgiadogs.com/mbbtix
Streaming: SEC Network+ (Matt Stewart, play-by-play; Mark Slonaker, analyst)
Radio: Georgia Bulldog Network – Sirius 374 (Scott Howard, play-by-play; Chuck Dowdle, analyst; Adam Gillespie, Producer)
The Starting Five
• Georgia hosts Buffalo on Thursday evening looking to extend the Bulldogs’ 24-game winning streak against non-conference opponents at Stegeman Coliseum.
• The Bulldogs are 9-1 – their best start since opening the 2001-02 campaign with an 11-1 record – and as of Wednesday was one of just two D-I teams that ranked among the nation’s top-25 leaders in both FG percentage (No. 21 at .500) and FG Percentage Defense (No. 24 at .386).
• Georgia’s astronomical ascent within metrics has continued during Mike White’s third season in Athens. As of Wednesday, the Bulldogs were up an average of 190.3 spots among six of the most popular computer formulas – kenpom, NET, Torvik, KPI, BPI and SOR – since White arrived in Athens.
• Georgia’s balanced offense features eight players who have have combined to post 42 double-figure scoring outputs in 10 games to date, led by freshman Asa Newell’s nine double-digit performances.
• As of Wednesday, Georgia ranked among the nation’s top-50 teams in 11 statistical categories, headlined by being No. 4 in blocked shots (6.1 bpg) and No. 6 in rebound margin (+11.7 rpg) and.
The Opening Tip
The Georgia Bulldogs open a three-game holiday homestand on Thursday when they host Buffalo at historic Stegeman Coliseum at 7:00 p.m. The Bulldogs will also entertain Charleston Southern on Sunday and S.C. State the following Sunday before beginning SEC play on Saturday, Jan. 4 at No. 17/16 Ole Miss.
Georgia is 9-1 on the season, the Bulldogs’ best start since they began the 2001-02 campaign with an 11-1 record.
Georgia was ranked among the nation’s top-50 team in no less than 11 statistical categories as of Wednesday. Of the 364 D-I teams in the nation, the Bulldogs were one of two ranked in the top 25 in both field goal percentage (No. 20 at .500) and field goal percentage defense (No. 25 at .386).
However, Georgia’s strongest attributes have been controlling the glass and protecting the rim. Nationally, the Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 3 in rejections (6.4 bpg) and No. 5 in boarding margin (+ 11.7 rpg).
Georgia’s balanced offense features five players who have led the Bulldogs in scoring in one or more games this season. Three more have posted double-figure scoring outputs. All told, those eight Bulldogs have combined to produce 42 double-digit performances in 10 games.
Asa Newell, a two-time SEC Freshman of the Week honoree in the first five weeks of the season, leads the Bulldogs in both scoring (16.0 ppg) and rebounding (6.5 rpg). Among SEC stat leaders, Newell ranks No. 13 in scoring and No. 16 in rebounding, as well as No. 4 in field goal percentage (.568) and No. 13 in blocks (1.2 bpg).
Three more Bulldogs are scoring at a double-digit pace – Silas Demary Jr. at 13.0 ppg, Dakota Leffew at 12.7 ppg and Tyrin Lawrence at 11.3 ppg.
Scouting The Bulls
Buffalo is 5-5 on the season, with Thursday’s game serving as the Bulls’ first outing since a 65-55 setback at St. Bonaventure on Dec. 7.
Four of Buffalo’s five losses have been road dates at Notre Dame, Vermont, Penn State and the Bonnies.
Ryan Sabol is off to a stellar start to his sophomore season and leads Buffalo offensively at 18.1 ppg – 10.5 ppg more than his production a year ago. Sabol sports impressive shooting percentages from 3-point range (.463) and the free throw line (.944).
Tyson Dunn is contributing 12.2 ppg and also leads the Bulls in both assists (5.9 apg) and steals (2.0 spg).
Series History With Buffalo
Georgia won both of its previous meetings with Buffalo, with the last matchup occurring slightly more than 48 years ago.
The Bulldogs secured a 108-77 decision over the Bulls on Dec. 11, 1976, behind a trio of 20-point performances.
Lavon Mercer scored a game-high 24 points, while Walter Daniels and David Reavis added 23 and 20, respectively. Mark Slonaker added eight points and a career-high 11 assists – with just one turnover – for Georgia.
After leading 46-42 at halftime, the Bulldogs exploded for 62 second-half points.
Last Time Out
Freshmen big men Asa Newell and Somto Cyril led Georgia in a 73-68 win over Grand Canyon in a Holiday Hoopsgiving matchup at State Farm Arena in Atlanta last Saturday.
Newell scored 17 points, while Cyril chipped in 12. They were a combined 11-of-14 from the field, a white-hot 78.6 percent. Blue Cain and Tyrin Lawrence added in 10 points apiece.
Though Georgia led by 11 points at halftime and the entire second half, the contest wasn’t decided until the closing seconds. Grand Canyon, an NCAA Tournament team three of the last four years, pulled with 66-63 with 1:32 remaining. Newell converted an old-fashioned three-point play with 17 seconds left to all but clinch the victory.
“We started talking about Grand Canyon in the locker room after Notre Dame,” head coach Mike White said. “The people who know hoops in the country knew how hard of an out this would be. They definitely had our guys’ respect and attention. Our guys knew how good they were. We probably felt a little too comfortable up 11 at halftime. They came out roaring in the second half. Fortunately, we were able to hold on.”
Quotes
Head Coach Mike White:
On the team’s performance through 10 games:
“We’ve played good teams. We’ve got quality wins. We’re a good team. We’ve got work to do to get better. Obviously, offensively, defensively, turnover margin offensively. Little things defensively, but overall defensively, I think we’re ahead of where we are offensively. But we’ve got good players, guys that like to work, and productive practices daily.”
On any surprises from the team thus far:
“Our culture, our chemistry, sacrifice, the humility of these guys – those coming off the bench especially. We’ve got four or five guys that are playing meaningful minutes off the bench, and that’ll increase moving forward. They come in the game and they just produce. Dylan James comes to mind. Justin Abson has had a couple games where he didn’t play much at all, and he was as big a factor as anyone off the bench in our last win with his ability to play inside the zone and make those decisions. Dakota Leffew off the bench, he’s one of our best players. He’s accepted that when your opportunity comes, you produce. You control what you can control. I love the mentality of our guys. Who knows what our lineups will look like moving forward and our rotation starting and all that stuff. To this point, our culture’s been terrific.”
On the importance of depth nearing SEC play:
“It’s huge. It’s the best league in the country by a large margin. Depth is prevalent throughout the whole league. It’s mandatory to keep up. We’ve gotten a lot better. We’re just significantly better, I’ve said that for months, but so has most of the SEC.”
On playing in a highly competitive SEC this season:
“It’s wild. We better be ready, but a ton of opportunities at the same time. Each one of these opportunities will help us grow, too, and help us get better. It’s a process. It’s a long SEC season, but right now it’s Buffalo. We’ve got to practice today. We’ve got to be better today, and we’ve got a good opportunity tomorrow to see how we respond to the last win.”
On De’Shayne Montgomery being available to play for the first time this season:
“He’s officially been cleared. Really excited for him, excited for his teammates. He’s fired up. Probably going to have to slow him down a little bit. The energy that he brings. He’ll be fun to watch. I’m excited. Our whole staff is excited. His teammates, again, are excited to see what it’s going to look like for him wearing the G. He’s going to play hard as heck, and he’s going to play with joy. That’s how he approaches every day. He’s fun to coach. He’s going to be a good addition to our team. He’s a little bit different than our other backcourt guys. He complements them well. We’ve got to get him adjusted to this level, of course. To playing with these guys, it’s all going to be new to him, but it’s exciting at the same time.”
On De’Shayne Montgomery’s impact on the team:
“Intensity. Competitiveness. He’s a disruptive defender, puts pressure on the rim offensively. He’s versatile offensively. He adds another guard, again, who’s a little bit different than the guys that have played to this point.”
On Somto Cyril’s progression as a freshman:
“Again, I mentioned the other guys earlier. Your bench guys, no one wants to be called a bench guy, but a guy who’s coming off the bench currently. Another guy that I should have mentioned earlier that’s had an unbelievable attitude, work ethic, growth mentality. He’s just gotten better and better. He’s coming off arguably his best game. He’s been good since in practice. He’ll continue to get better.”
On what he wants the team to clean up nearing SEC play:
“Turnovers. Two is turnovers and three is turnovers. Trial and error. We’re trying everything. We’re past making it mental. About three weeks ago, we said, ‘Hey, we’ve got to just address it.’ We’ve got to talk about it. It’s the glaring weakness as you study our metrics. Offensively, for us, I think we’re 54th today. In certain categories, we’re pretty good. We are. When that one’s glaring, I think we’re about 320 right now. That said, we’re playing a style where everybody touches it a lot and the thing moves. We’ve had some really pretty possessions. We have possessions sometimes where it could be a spacing issue. It could be just trying to do a little bit too much issue. Also, we’ve played some really disruptive defenses, too. Sometimes those numbers will just even themselves out. It’s an area that we’re focused on. We will be today when we’re between the lines. Doing different drills, talking about it, watching film on it individually and as a team. Our guys know it’s an area of focus for us.”
#5 Silas Demary Jr. | So. | G
On the team’s strengths so far this season:
“I would just say, us on the defensive side, I feel like the rim protection has just been a big part this year. You know, a lot of Somto [Cyril] and Asa [Newell] blocks. And I think a lot of them, us saving those blocks and turning it into a transition points on the offensive side has just been a big key for us. I think us just being calm and poised in situations where teams are making runs, we’re able to come together as a group and just calm down, figure out how to stop their run, get a great shot and stop on the defensive end.”
On De’Shayne Montgomery being available to play against Buffalo:
“DeShayne, he’s a wide-range defender. I feel like he has one of the best motors on the team. Just another energy guy that can provide a little bit of everything on both sides of the ball. You guys see him on the bench. He’s always hyped for everybody. So, just bringing another great teammate in and cheering everybody on. We’re glad to have him back, and just the things that he went through is a testimony to just who he is as a person. And we thank him for just waiting his turn.”
On what he’s seen from the rest of the SEC this season:
“I just think a lot of the SEC teams have confidence in themselves. You can look at any team and I think the record is kind of like 140-20 or something like that. So, I just think the confidence and then just how physical and how swaggy a lot of the SEC teams are. I just think we all bring our different type of swag. I think that’s just why I feel like we’re the best conference in the nation.”
On where the team can improve with three non-conference games remaining:
“I would just say we need to improve on execution and then kind of putting together 40 minutes of a game. I feel like we’re getting closer and closer. I feel like the team is starting to gel even better. I feel like, especially this Christmas break, us just being around each other more without having class is just helping our camaraderie, our on-and-off-the-court thing. So, I think just us trying to execute better and put 40 minutes together is kind of what we want to do going into SEC play.”
#10 RJ Godfrey | Jr. | F
On what he’s seen from Somto Cyril this season:
“It’s awesome, man. I think just from when he got here, you saw him get better every single month. From the first day he was here, you just seen how he was kind of raw when he got here, but now looking back at it, every single month he’s made growth, especially on offense, just from a mental and physical standpoint. But last game, just seeing him kind of, I would say, break out, I guess, have those dunks, and how he attacked the glass was just awesome.”
On De’Shayne Montgomery’s being available against Buffalo:
“It’s going to be awesome to see that because every day he’s at it in practice, talking to me. He talks to me the most, I don’t know why. He’s talking to me, talking to other players. He plays so hard, man. His skill, along with his athleticism, I don’t think I’ve seen anything like it. Some plays he will just jab, drive middle, dunk on two people, and then pound his chest. It’s some crazy stuff. I’m very excited for the fans to see who De’Shayne is.”
On what the team wants to clean up before SEC play:
“I think a little bit of turnovers. That’s something that Coach White really emphasized these last couple games. I just think also on knowing personnel a little bit. I think our defense has been pretty good though, but just probably just cleaning up turnovers and paying a little bit more attention to detail.”
On the SEC’s dominance this season:
“I was watching the South Carolina game last night; the announcer was saying ‘you’ve never seen that. There hasn’t been a conference this dominant in years.’ It’s definitely exciting to see these SEC teams. Especially in the SEC/ACC challenge. We went 14-2. The skill and competition is up here. It’s going to be awesome seeing these teams and us clash together in January and February. I’m just excited for these next couple of months.”
Malaki Starks Named Sporting News All-American
The Bulldog football team had junior S Malaki Starks named to the Sporting News All-America Second Team, according to an announcement Wednesday.
Starks, a native of Jefferson, Ga., was a 2023 consensus All-American and has been named to four of the All-America squads (FWAA, Walter Camp, AFCA, AP) in addition to the Sporting News squad this season.
There had already been four All-America squads named prior to the Sporting News team:
Walter Camp All-America (12/12): Jalon Walker, Malaki Starks – Second Team
AFCA All-America (12/13): Tate Ratledge, Jalon Walker, Malaki Starks – First Team
AP All-America (12/16): Dylan Fairchild, Malaki Starks, Brett Thorson – Second Team; Tate Ratledge, Jalon Walker – Third Team
FWAA (12/17): Malaki Starks – First Team
2024-25 SEC POSTSEASON SCHEDULE (Pre-Dec. 31)
Bowl Game Date/Time (ET) Stadium/Site *Matchup Network
Union Home Mortgage Gasparilla Bowl Dec. 20 / 3:30 p.m. Raymond James Stadium (65,657) / Tampa, Fla. Florida (7-5, 4-4 SEC) vs. Tulane (9-4) ESPN2
Series History: Florida leads, 13-6-2 • Last Meeting: UF, 63-21 (1984 at Gainesville) SiriusXM: [ESPN Radio – 139/204]
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football?start_date=2023-08-25&end_date=2024-01-08
College Football Playoff First Round Dec. 21/ 4 p.m. Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium (100,119) #16 Clemson (10-3) at #3 Texas (11-2, 7-1 SEC) TNT/MAX
Series History: First Meeting Austin, Texas SiriusXM: 84 [ESPN Radio – 80]
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football?start_date=2023-08-25&end_date=2024-01-08
College Football Playoff First Round Dec. 21/ 8 p.m. Ohio Stadium (102,870) / Columbus, Ohio #7 Tennessee (10-2, 6-2) at #6 Ohio State (10-2) ABC/ESPN
Series History: Tennessee leads, 1-0 • Last Meeting: UT, 20-14 (1996 at Citrus Bowl) SiriusXM: 82 [ESPN Radio – 80]
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football?start_date=2023-08-25&end_date=2024-01-08
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces Bowl Dec. 27/ Noon Amon G. Carter Stadium (46,000) / Ft. Worth, Texas Oklahoma (6-6, 2-6 SEC) vs. Navy (9-3) ESPN
Series History: Navy leads, 1-0 • Last Meeting: Navy, 10-0 (1965 at Normal) SiriusXM: 374 [ESPN Radio – 84]
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football?start_date=2023-08-25&end_date=2024-01-08
Birmingham Bowl Dec. 27 / 3:30 p.m. Protective Stadium (47,100) / Birmingham, Ala. Vanderbilt (6-6, 3-5 SEC) vs. Georgia Tech (7-5) ESPN
Series History: Georgia Tech leads, 20-15-3 • Last Meeting: GT, 38-7 (2016 at Atlanta) SiriusXM: 374 [ESPN Radio – 84]
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football?start_date=2023-08-25&end_date=2024-01-08
AutoZone Liberty Bowl Dec. 27/ 7 p.m. Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (50,000) / Memphis, Tenn. Arkansas (6-6, 3-5 SEC) vs. Texas Tech (8-4) ESPN
Series History: Arkansas leads, 29-8-0 • Last Meeting: TT, 35-24 (2015 at Fayetteville) SiriusXM: 374 [ESPN Radio – 80]
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football?start_date=2023-08-25&end_date=2024-01-08
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl Dec. 27/ 10:30 p.m. Allegiant Stadium (60,000) / Las Vegas, Nev. Texas A&M (8-4, 5-3 SEC) vs. Southern Cal (6-6) ESPN
Series History: Southern Cal leads, 3-0-0 • Last Meeting: USC, 47-28 (1977 at Astro-Bluebonnet Bowl ) SiriusXM: 374 [ESPN Radio – 80]
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football?start_date=2023-08-25&end_date=2024-01-08
TransPerfect Music City Bowl Dec. 30 / 2:30 p.m. Nissan Stadium (69,143) / Nashville, Tenn. #19 Missouri (9-3, 5-3 SEC) vs Iowa (8-4) ESPN
Series History: Missouri leads, 7-6-0 • Last Meeting: Iowa, 27-24 (2010 at Insight Bowl ) SiriusXM: 374 [ESPN Radio – 80]
Live Statistics/Matchup/Preview: https://www.secsports.com/scores/football?start_date=2023-08-25&end_date=2024-01-08
* – CFP Poll Final Rank (Final Poll – Dec. 8, 2024)
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