Each week, College Football Hall of Fame Bulldog legend Kevin Butler picks his Players of the Week. And this season, he will also name an Unsung Dawg of the Week. Kevin is one of the most decorated players in Georgia and Chicago Bears history, and each week co-hosts The Bulldog Brunch from The Hilltop Grille in Athens.
Offensive Player
Kendall Milton – The Bulldog senior from California, keeps out doing his previous best performances. Against Tech, he topped his career high yet again at unhistoric Hyundai Field. He finished the night with 18 carries for 157 yards in a performance that the Yellow Jackets could not stop. Kendall is a strong, bruising running back, and he proved that characteristic Saturday night, running over, around, and through the Georgia Tech defense. He had some terrific quick moves that enabled him to gain valuable yardage as Georgia took on their quest for a third straight undefeated regular season. The Dawgs went into the fourth quarter riding Kendall’s success like a great big Bulldog. It’s pretty incredible for Georgia to go undefeated once more, and this year, Kendall Milton played his biggest role yet in the Bulldogs’ 12-0 season.
Defensive Player
Smael Mondon, Jr. – The 6-3, 235-pound linebacker from Dallas, Texas showed us his cowboy strings as he played through injury and helped lead and control a defense that was not at the top of their game against Georgia Tech. Mondon is a true leader, and he has two freshman linebackers that he is coaching while he is playing at the same time. Smael had eight solo tackles against Georgia Tech, and they were all very important. As Georgia gets ready for Alabama, the freshmen need to step up their play and try to match Smael’s intensity and focus. Georgia must get better on defense this week, and the leader must step up as he commands his team into battle against the Crimson Tide.
Special team Player
Jared Zirkel – The senior specialist has done an unbelievable job supporting the overall play of the special teams for the University of Georgia. Zirkel’s kickoff skills were unmatched Saturday. His strength showed as he sailed every kickoff into the end zone with no return yards. This was so very important in a game where Tech was looking for any and all opportunities to gain extra yards on the Bulldogs. Jared has been taken for granted, but not by this guy. This week will be extra important as he sends the kickoffs out of the end zone and makes Bama start at the 25 every time Georgia scores. Great job JZ!
The Unsung Hero of the Week
Dillon Bell – Well, ring my bell. Dillon’s bell was ringing in three different categories Saturday night against the Yellow Jackets. Dillon’s combination of running, receiving and special team returns enabled him to contribute to the Dawgs’ success Saturday. He has shown over the last four games his versatility to attack a defense in several different ways. As our unsung hero this week, Dillon will be a main force in our quest for a third straight playoff appearance. If we are going to beat Bama, Dillon is gonna have to ring the bell more than once. Dillon is the man.