Each week, Georgia and Chicago Bears Hall of Fame legend Kevin Butler picks his Players of the Game. A member of numerous Halls of Fame and holder of a slew of records, Butler co-hosts DawgTalk on Georgia Football Saturdays and the famous Bulldog Brunch from the Hilltop Grille on Sundays. — Compiled by Jeff Dantzler
Offensive Player
Stetson Bennett – Not sure that I saw this one coming, but Stetson Bennett opened the home season with a record setting performance, throwing five TDs on just eight completions. The “Mailman’ started 5-5 for 245 yards which knocked UAB face down and they never got up. Stetson threw TDs of 73, 12, 89, 61 and 9 yards for a total of 288 yards, leading UGA to a great performance, one that looked like the No. 2 team in the nation. Being a senior, we will not be able to rely on Stetson coming off the bench – so it is awesome to have the Senior Mailman delivering once again for the Bulldog Nation.
Defensive Player
Channing Tindall – The senior from Columbia, South Carolina led the Bulldogs in tackles with 7, having 6 solos and an assist, plus he added a sack to extend his career total to 7.5 sacks. UGA is loaded at linebacker and to get playing time you need to be a playmaker and Channing made several plays Saturday to stuff the UAB offense from the first play. The defense has set a high bar for the level they expect to play at, and it is very HIGH! Tindall’s leadership is a key to the success of the Dogs defense as the season gets longer and if he can maintain that level of excellence the Dog Nation will be celebrating a championship.
Special Team Player
Kearis Jackson – ` The Fort Valley Flyer is back and it could not have come at a better time. Kearis, a junior, has been battling an injury and we did not see him much last week. Kearis is a weapon as a punt returner and can pick up a couple of first downs when returning punts every time when the team provides those great blocks. Jackson had two returns for 48 yards with a long of 33 yards. The 33-yarder was one shoestring away from taking it all the way. UGA’s special team play is very balanced, but Kearis brings an additional weapon to our special teams with his sure hands and fast legs. KJ will deliver a TD or two this season returning punts and that is good to know. Go KJ … welcome back!