UGA Football Linebacker Talks About Georgia's "Three-Headed Monster"
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ATHENS - Kirby Smart and the UGA football team have one of the best linebacking cores in college football. You could say that just about every year now.
While most already know about Smael Mondon Jr and Jamon-Dumas Johnson, veteran Xavian Sorey is also making an early impact in the 2023 season.
Sorey, along with veteran defensive lineman Zion Logue, spoke with the media this week about a number of different topics.
#18 Xavian Sorey Jr. | ILB | R-So.
On the key to improving red zone defense to keep opponents out of the end zone...
"It's definitely our standard here where folks don't score on us. The coaches really harped on that. On Monday, we went to the doctor to clean everything up and watch film. We just get better day by day and next week try not to let anybody in the end zone."
On using Jamon Dumas-Johnson and Smael Mondon's early success as motivation...
"We came in together, so just seeing them play, they motivate me. They push me hard, and they want to see me succeed. When we came in, we always said we wanted to be the three-headed monster like Nakobe [Dean], Quay [Walker], and Channing [Tindall] was."
On the defense's pressure on Spencer Rattler in Georgia's win over South Carolina...
"I feel like we didn't do good enough. We don't want anybody to score on us, so as a whole defense we didn't accomplish that goal. We're going to work on it this week and get better, grow from it, and learn from it."
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#96 Zion Logue | DL | Sr.
On the pride surrounding not allowing touchdowns…
“The number one thing we always speak about when we get in the red zone is, 'No one in our endzone.' That doesn't matter if the first group is out or the rotational guys. No one in our endzone. And we just have to take pride in that from week to week. We know that's where everybody's going to attack us right now, especially when they get down there, so we just got to stand on [the] 10 and really bow our necks and not let people in the endzone.”
On the difference in red zone defense compared to the rest of the field…
“It's just the space is a lot tighter. It's not really a threat for shots, maybe a play action, but once people get down there they're going to try to put the big guys in. We got to go bigger personnel and they're just going to try to move us just because it's the Georgia defense. They want to be able to say they ran it in on us and we know we have to stand on our principles and stand on our morals about that.”
On expecting a high volume of passes due to Georgia’s historically tough run defense…
“We talk about it throughout the week, but I think it really hits home when we get out there on Saturdays. Because, a lot of teams might try to go play action shots, or they might try to start out running a little bit just to keep us honest, but we know once that second, third series comes around it turns into a lot of play action. They might run it here once or twice sparingly, but we know a lot of teams probably will try to chuck it downfield on us and you got to be ready to transition and let's get to the quarterback.”
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About UAB
The UAB Blazers (1-2), coached by former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, are coming off a 41-24 home loss to Louisiana. After a scoreless first quarter, the game was delayed one hour and 51 minutes due to weather. Then, Louisiana struck for 24 points in the second quarter and cruised to a victory. Earlier this year, UAB beat N.C. A&T 35-6 and lost at Ga. Southern 49-35. UAB is averaging 30.3 points per game while allowing 32.0 ppg. Against the Ragin’ Cajuns, quarterback Jacob Zeno finished 27-for-38 for 280 yards and one TD with two INTs. Also, he netted 52 rushing yards despite being sacked seven times.
Bulldogs Again Among The Leaders In Scoring Defense
Since the arrival of Kirby Smart in 2016, the Bulldogs have featured talented defenses and twice led the nation in Scoring Defense. This season, Georgia is ranked third nationally allowing only 8.0 points/ game. Glenn Schumann is in his second season as the Fain & Billy Slaughter Defensive Coordinator. Also, the 2023 defensive staff features Will Muschamp (co-Defensive Coord.), Fran Brown (DB), Tray Scott (DL) and Chidera Uzo-Diribe (OLB). The Bulldogs return 12 players who have starting experience from a group that ranked fifth nationally in 2022 allowing opponents only 14.3 points per contest.
The Bulldogs carried a shutout to the fourth quarter during their first two games of 2023 and allowed just 10 total points. UT Martin scored a TD with 6:39 left in the contest. Ball State kicked a field goal with 9:05 remaining. In game three, South Carolina was blanked in the second half. After scoring 14 points in the first half, USC’s second half possessions ended with three punts, once turned it over on downs and two on interceptions. Last year, Georgia shut out four teams in the second half.
The Bulldogs are +5 in turnover margin, which ranks tied for eighth nationally. All six turnovers forced this season have been interceptions.