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Scrimmages are where optimism finally has to block somebody
By: Greg Poole
August optimism is cheap. Every reshaped lineman looks quicker, every young receiver is “coming on,” and every position battle is supposedly creating quality depth.
That makes last Saturday’s work especially important for Georgia. The Bulldogs’ defense controlled much of the first scrimmage while the offense endured dropped passes, missed blocks and other breakdowns. Kirby Smart praised the overall effort but made clear that Georgia is “not near where we need to be yet.”
The most important evaluation will begin with an offensive line that needs more than an improved performance. Georgia needs evidence that a dependable five-man combination is taking shape.
Drew Bobo’s return to work should help stabilize the center position, but Cortez Smith and Malachi Toliver remain part of that competition. Their ability to play center and guard gives the Dawgs options, although versatility matters only if the communication and execution hold up when the defense begins moving before the snap.
The staff will closely examine front identification, protection calls, combination blocks and assignments against pressure. One missed pickup can wreck a possession and make every other offensive position look worse.
Juan Gaston presents another important test. Smart praised Gaston’s athleticism and ability to work at tackle or guard but publicly challenged his stamina. The issue is not whether the 6-foot-7, 360-pound sophomore can win an isolated rep. Georgia needs to know whether he can maintain his technique through an eight- or 10-play drive in the August heat.
The broader objective is straightforward: create movement in the running game, protect Gunner Stockton without excessive help and identify at least seven or eight linemen Georgia can trust.
Across the line of scrimmage, the defense must show that its first scrimmage was more than an early-camp advantage over a developing offense. This Saturday’s second scrimmage should allow the staff to confirm opinions on player development with the opener closing in. Smart resisted declaring that Georgia can consistently generate pressure with four rushers. Saturday offers another opportunity to answer that question.
Georgia will look for interior disruption from Jordan Hall, Nasir Johnson, London Seymour and the rest of the defensive tackle rotation. The Bulldogs need linemen who can hold their gaps against the run without becoming passengers on passing downs.
On the edges, Amaris Williams, Isaiah Gibson and Darren Ikinnagbon must turn athletic potential into dependable production. They will be evaluated on setting the edge, defeating blocks and affecting the quarterback without relying upon blitz help.
Depth matters here, too. Georgia’s best defensive fronts have operated in waves. The staff must determine which younger linemen can survive meaningful snaps rather than merely flash during a short series.
At quarterback, Stockton’s command will matter as much as his passing statistics. Smart has praised his improved pocket awareness, protection recognition and ability to process information. Saturday’s test is whether that progress survives pressure, poor field position and unsuccessful early downs.
Georgia is also still looking for a clear third-down running back. The winner must understand protections, adjust with the quarterback and contribute as a receiver. Avoiding third-and-long would be a welcome start.
No receiver has separated himself from the group, according to Smart. Coaches will look for clean releases, fewer drops and somebody capable of producing an explosive play when the opportunity arrives.
At linebacker, the priorities are run fits, communication and tackling. Chris Cole has established the effort standard. The question is who can match his consistency and help organize the defense.
The secondary evaluation will extend beyond coverage. Georgia needs its defensive backs, particularly its transfers, to demonstrate the toughness required to tackle in space and defeat perimeter blocks. Ellis Robinson IV, Demello Jones and Jontae Gilbert will also be judged on how they respond after allowing a completion, not merely whether they allow one.
Special teams will receive their share of scrutiny through coverage lanes, return decisions, snapping and protection, even if those plays do not produce the day’s loudest moments.
Ultimately, Saturday is less about which side wins than whether Georgia leaves Sanford Stadium with fewer unresolved questions. The opener is approaching, and potential is rapidly reaching its expiration date.
No. 25 Georgia Sets NCAA Attendance Record in 6-0 Win over JMU
The University of Georgia soccer team set a new NCAA Division I soccer attendance record of 25,433 spectators during a 6-0 victory over James Madison on Thursday night on Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium.
Fast Facts
- The new NCAA DI soccer attendance record shattered the previous record for a women’s match of 14,410 spectators set in 1999, as well as the record for a men’s match of 22,512 spectators set in 1980.
- The result also marked the Bulldogs’ first victory of the season, and the first time Georgia netted six or more goals in a match since it defeated North Florida by a 6-0 margin last season on Aug. 28, 2025.
- Sophomore forward Mya Townes opened the scoring in the eighth minute, slotting a left-footed shot past the Dukes’ goalkeeper. Senior midfielder Honoka Hamano doubled the advantage in the 22nd minute off an assist from graduate forward Emma Pettersen before sophomore forward Ava Stack scored the Bulldogs’ third goal of the first half in the 34th minute.
- After leading 3-0 at halftime, Hamano secured her first career brace off an assist from sophomore defender Grayson Rogers to make it 4-0. Sophomore midfielder Mona Childs stretched the lead to five off assists from freshman midfielder London Crawford and sophomore forward Hailey Gordon in the 83rd minute before freshman defender Leila Avila closed the scoring in the 85th minute.
- All five goalscorers scored their first goals of the season in the game while Avila’s and Childs’ goal marked the first of their collegiate careers.
- Moreso, Crawford tabbed her first assist of her collegiate career while five players – Zoe Abegg, Mary Hartofilis, Lola Manuel, Victoria Saah and Kyra Swart – made their collegiate debuts.
Key Quotes
Georgia Head Coach Keidane McAlpine
Opening Statement
“First and foremost, I think it is important to thank everybody involved for this game, from our president all the way down to the field crew and everybody who was involved in making this happen. This doesn’t happen simply because we had the idea. It happens because everybody involved jumps on two feet and makes it go. This was a major win for the University of Georgia, it was a major win for our program, it was a major win for collegiate soccer, and we had an opportunity to celebrate one of the best moments in women’s soccer ever that I think is the catalyst for us being here right now. So, I have to show gratitude to all of those people, including those women, that kind of set this thing rolling.”
#1 Jordan Brown | Gr. | GK
On where Thursday’s match ranked in her Georgia career…
“Definitely number one. I think it’s so special for us to be able to play in front of our fans and even break the record. We’ve worked so hard in rebuilding the program and also just being ready for the season at this moment. I think we did really well being able to handle all the emotions but also going out and getting the wins. It was a really awesome, really good moment.”
#23 Mya Townes | So. | F
On playing against her parents’ alma mater…
“A lot of the conversations within my family were conflicting for sure. My parents literally as soon as they came out, my dad was like, ‘Who am I going to root for?’ I was like, ‘There’s only one right answer, but I totally understand the confusion there.’ I grew up on JMU’s campus. I know that campus like the back of my hand. I think it’s beautiful, and I made a really big decision moving away from home and not pursuing going there and coming here instead. Also today, just being able to really come out on top and put out a really good performance knowing that I came to the right place for me was something really, really special. Also, just being able to score in a game like this as well and looking up in the stands and seeing my parents, who are JMU alumni, still supporting me and riding for me because of how much they love me is really something that I could never expect, and can’t even honestly put into words, just because it’s such an incredible experience and that love is something so different.”
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