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ATHENS - The Georgia Bulldogs proved once again why they may have the best defense across college football.
Kirby Smart’s angry Bulldog defense faced a high-powered Alabama Crimson Tide offense over the weekend and won the war. They gave up only 17 points to a team that was averaging close to 50 through the first five weeks of the season. They faced their first big test of the season and passed with flying colors.
Stating linebacker Chris Cole, one of the best defenders in college football, told reporters after Georgia’s big 20-17 win that they were prepared for what’s coming.
“We knew coming in that this game was going to be back and forth. There were going to be ups and downs, but we knew that we just had to reset and refocus on what we did wrong to be able to fix it. Just go back on the next drive and compete.”
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“Our mindset was just to not let them score, and that’s our mindset every time we go out on that field. We knew coming in that we had to put the team on our back, and it was going to come down to the fourth quarter and us being on the field to be able to stop them.”
In order to play at that level, it takes a full week of hard work on the practice field. New safety transfer Khalil Barnes told reporters that the physical style of practice, something he didn’t see at Clemson, was a big reason why the team was able to come out and perform at an elite level.
“It was four days [of pads]. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday. It’s nothing new now. It was new to me when I first got here. We just didn’t do it like that at Clemson. He [Coach Smart] preaches physicality, and it’s not just some cliché. We really live it.”
That physicality allowed Georgia to win the game. After surrendering two first-half touchdowns the Bulldogs clamped down in the second half, giving up just three points over the final two quarters. The gave up zero points in the final quarter, proving that they were the tougher, more physical team. This team prides themselves on their physicality, and they won that battle against the Crimson Tide.
Chris Cole was terrific in the big win, securing eight tackles with 2.5 TFLs and one sack to go along with two pass-breakups. He’s made 30 tackles so far this season with 7.5 TFLs, three sacks, two fumble recoveries, three pass deflections, and one defensive touchdown.
Barnes made five tackles, one tackle for a loss and one pass-breakup in coverage. The veteran safety has made with 13 tackles, two TFLs and two pass-breakups so far this season.
The Bulldog defense has an opportunity to have another giant game this weekend against a struggling Auburn Tigers offense. The two rivals will battle for the 131st time inside Sanford Stadium next Saturday at 3:30. Georgia currently leads the all-time series against Auburn
