Offensive player of the game
Dwight Phillips, Jr. – Affectionately known as PEANUT, Dwight had the performance of a LIFETIME on the biggest stage in college football, so far this year. Though people say Georgia had lost their top running backs for this game against Bama, Phillips, Jr. had a different take. His performance against Alabama‘s defense was stellar. 17 carries for 120 yards propelled the Georgia offense and helped Gunner Stockton control the clock which intern controlled the crowd. I would compare DP’s running style to that of James Cook and Marcus Allen. He is always heading north and south, and has the ability to escape the pure hits as he does not give his body away as a target. We are a dangerous offense with Peanut in the backfield. What a great game from a true bulldog.
Defensive player of the game
Chris Cole – There were many men on the defense that played unbelievable Saturday in Tuscaloosa, but when I look at the stats, one man stands out above the rest and that would be Chris Cole. The linebacker from Salem, Virginia keeps improving on a weekly basis and Tuscaloosa was another stage for Chris to show his true athletic ability with a performance of a lifetime. Our defensive line is creating a lot of opportunities for our linebackers and not only Chris is taking advantage of that. Against an Alabama team that needed to run the ball, Chris provided true pressure at the line of scrimmage and behind the line of scrimmage. Cole had eight tackles, five solos, 2 1/2 tackles for a loss, one sack and two past deflections. That’s right all of those stats from one man, but he did not do it alone. Chris’ to opportunity to wreak havoc on the field comes from a tremendous defensive line and a secondary that covers down field excellently. Chris Cole is playing at an All-American status and Dick Buckus is looking down on him getting ready to hand yet another Buckus Award to the University of Georgia. That’s my prediction, book it!
Special team player of the game
Blake Stewart – Sometimes special teams are the most frustrating pieces of a puzzle when you try to put the perfect picture together. Saturday in Tuscaloosa, we all knew that special teams would help one team to victory over the other. Well, it turned out a little different as Georgia had their worst performance of the season on special teams Saturday, but yet made one of the biggest plays on special team Saturday late in the game. Blake Stewart is the special team player of the game and I would consider him the unsung hero with his recovery of a botched punt return catch that would have certainly give given Alabama wonderful position to try and take the lead. Hustle and heads up are the two things that describe Blake’s play on that critical recovery. The freshman from Atlanta certainly made an impact in his first trip to a big-time college football game in the enemy territory. The little things that men make sometimes make the biggest difference and Blake was that difference this week.
