Kevin Butler, one of the greatest players in Georgia and Chicago Bears history, gives us his players of the game every week. A member of the College Football Hall of Fame, the University’s Circle of Honor, and a Super Bowl Champion, Butler serves as co-host of Dawg Talk and the Bulldog Brunch from the Hilltop Grille. 

Offensive Player Daijun Edwards – The freshman from Moultrie, Georgia may only weigh 200 pounds, but my man packs a punch and Mizzou felt the effects of that PUNCH!  Daijun is a great Bulldog and plays like one. Head down and moving forward is what best describes how Daijun runs the balls. He is strong and fast as his 9.4 yards per carry proved. Most teams think when the first team takes a seat, things get easier, but not with Daijun. His 11 carries for 103 yards, capped with a 47 yard TD run earned Daijun my Offensive Player of the Week against a top 25 ranked Mizzou team.

Defensive Player -Nolan Smith – The sophomore from Savannah, Georgia had a solid performance against Mizzou. The defense stepped their game up versus Mizzou and Nolan led the charge with three tackles and a sack of Mizzou’s QB. The defense held the Tigers to a season low for yardage and shut down one of the best runners in the nation in Larry Roundtree III, who was averaging over 100 yards and a TD a game, which did not happen to the Dawgs. Nolan is a class act and a great Bulldog. 

Special Team Payne Walker – the Suwanee, Georgia native continues to go unnoticed and that is what a snapper should aspire to. Payne has consistently performed week in and week out. When the cold weather appears, it’s a thankless job to go unnoticed. Snap after snap Payne starts the process on punts and field goals and is doing a great job. We talk a lot about Jake and Jack, but it takes some Payne to get the special teams rolling. Keep it up PWalker!!!!!