Thoughts From The Box: Georgia Bulldogs Air It Out In G-Day Scrimmage
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ATHENS - It was a comfortable, cloudy day in Athens where we saw our first glimpse of the reigning college football national champions.
Kirby Smart’s team had a safe, successful scrimmage in front of a solid crowd inside Sanford Stadium, and they all got what they came for.
To see the quarterbacks.
It’s tough to take a lot away from a scrimmage like this, but it’s always fun to break down the quarterbacks and watch them air out it.
Backup Carson Beck came out on fire and showed that he’s one of the top backup quarterbacks in the country. The third-year quarterback threw the ball accurately all day and really tried to push the ball down the field. He started the scrimmage with a beautiful deep ball that was completed to receiver Arian Smith. He came out slinging, and he had a very good day overall, going 13/21 for 246 yards.
Georgia’s starting quarterback, Stetson Bennett, didn’t have a perfect day. In fact, it was up and down at times. He led the 1st-team offense on a touchdown on the opening drive, hitting pass-catcher Arik Gilbert over the middle for the first score of the day. The team didn’t show a lot offensively, but they let the quarterbacks throw it around on some 1-on-1 coverages. Bennett had arguably the best pass of the day, hitting Kearis Jackson deep down the sideline to set up the game-winning field goal. Bennett was 15/35 for 273 yards and three touchdowns with two INTs.
Backup Brock Vandagriff looked a little off, but his arm talent was easy to see. He’s a gunslinger, but he needs to be more consistently accurate. He tried to fit the ball in some tight windows, but he does have the arm strength to pull it off. It certainly wasn’t his best day, but again, it’s easy to see the potential he brings to the table.
Staying with the offense, it’s clear Todd Monken wants to continue featuring the running backs in the passing game. Kenny McIntosh is an excellent weapon out of the backfield, but we also saw Kendall Milton have a big receiving touchdown as well. If he’s healthy, the Bulldogs will be just fine at running back this fall.
Other standout players on offense include receiver Dominick Blaylock, receiver Arian Smith, and tight ends Arik Gilbert and Oscar Delp.
Gilbert has plenty of size and can be a mismatch in the redzone. He has excellent hands and reeled in two touchdowns on the day. Smith looked shifty, explosive, and could have a breakout 2022 season if he stays healthy. Blaylock looked like the guy we saw in 2019, and Delp showed why he was one of the top TE prospects in America last fall.
Defensively, they didn’t go after the offense like they would another opponent. The defensive line played well and finished with a handful of sacks. They also did a nice job of deflecting multiple passes at the line of scrimmage. Nolan Smith and Warren Brinson had notable sacks on the day. Kelee Ringo was reliable in coverage.
Linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson could be the biggest breakout player on defense. He's smart, quick, and he knows how to deliver a hit. He’s bound for a big season this fall.
In the end, the Black team, led by the 1st-team offense and the 2nd-team defense, edged out the Red team 26-23 on the final play of the game.