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. — Compiled by Jeff Dantzler
OFFENSE Jameree Salyer – The 6-4, 325 pound Junior out of Pace Academy played a huge role in Georgia’s success running the ball against a stout Kentucky defense. Coming into the 2020 season, Georgia was very limited in experience at the tackle position with Salyer holding the only start at tackle on George’s offense. That was at right tackle for the Sugar Bowl. His play Saturday at left tackle was a great performance and enabled the Georgia offense to run at will. Georgia’s success came on the ground and we will need Jameree to have an equally dominant game against a very fast and physical Florida defense. He was a big target coming out of Pace Academy and now he is coming into his own at the University of Georgia at the perfect time.
DEFENSE Nakobe Dean – the Sophomore sensation out of Lake Horn, Mississippi is following in some big footsteps at linebacker for the University of Georgia. Nakobe’s physical play and relentless determination makes him a standout in the SEC at Linebacker. Team speed and physical play led the Georgia defense to limit the Wildcat offense to 229 yards and three points. While Monty Rice and Quay Walker fight through injuries, NaKobe Dean has become the leader of the defense and has set the level very high of how his defense should play beside him. This defense needs to reach new heights in order to shut down an explosive Florida offense.
Special Player Jake Camarda – Killer game which featured two of the nation’s best punters. I am giving the nod to Jake. In a game where there was not much kicking and returning, the punters had a competition of their own. Jake got it inside the 20-yard line while averaging 47.5 and continuing to be a force for the Bulldogs. As games go, some things are good and some things are bad. Jake has been great all year and when he wasn’t great he played heads up football. After bobbling a field goal snap and the kick getting blocked, Jake had the awareness to cover the kick downfield and subsequently made a touchdown-saving tackle. A punter can be a factor in many different ways and Jake proved that Saturday. Jake’s big leg will play a factor in Georgia’s win over Florida this coming week.
The Kicker – Sometimes old is good. Saturday against a tough Kentucky team, Georgia went back in history and borrowed a page out of Wally Butts playbook. “Run the damn ball” is what we hear a lot and Georgia did just that Saturday in Lexington. The offensive line responded. The running backs responded. Georgia responded with an ugly win. In order to win championships, you need to win and in order to win sometimes, you have to stay basic to get the best results. Saturday Georgia did just that with classic old fashion football. Go Dogs!