Pound for Pound: Naw-inspiring

Published 10:45 am Tuesday, September 17, 2024

My blood pressure medication really got put to the test Saturday night when Georgia went on the road and came within a banjo string’s width of losing to Kentucky.

With gritted teeth I watched from my feet – because who can sit when your team is playing like that – as the Bulldog defense struggled to get off the field on third downs.

Meanwhile, on offense, Carson Beck looked as out of rhythm as I’ve ever seen him. Attempts were made to get the offense going. Those quick throws to the outside where success of the play hinges on a wide receiver or tight end’s ability to block a defensive back? I counted four or five instances of UGA just completely whiffing on the necessary perimeter blocks. What should have been at least gains of 10 yards went for either zero or negative yardage.

As is tradition at this point, people were calling for offensive coordinator Mike Bobo’s head during and after the game. I ask, was he the one missing those blocks?

It was frustrating. Frustrating because everyone knows this team is capable of better.

Thank goodness for the defense. Although UK punts weren’t as often as fans would’ve liked, the players on that side of the ball did their job in keeping Kentucky out of the end zone. Georgia has yet to allow a touchdown this season. The latest effort was the most impressive as the defensive line depth was thin due to injury.

Several reminders were served up in the wake of the ugly win. Reminders that UGA football has produced victories in three stinkers over the last two seasons.

There was the Missouri game in 2022 where the Dawgs didn’t take the lead until the fourth quarter. Last year there were two within the same month. Unranked South Carolina came into Sanford Stadium and was up 14-3 at halftime before Georgia kicked into gear.

Then two weeks later on that cursed ground known as Jordan-Hare Stadium, the Dawgs do not win that game if Auburn would have just put any defender in the same area code as Brock Bowers. You know, the best tight end in the country all three years he was in college? I miss that man.

Another reminder from this latest naw-inspiring performance by Georgia, Kentucky had two players on its roster who spent multiple years in Athens. If you don’t think Brock Vandagriff and Jamon Dumas-Johnson did not work overtime this week in helping the Wildcats prepare, then you don’t know football. Not to mention the fact that when Georgia plays in Lexington, a defensive struggle often ensues.

There. A list of justifications for the ugly win that was. I can feel better about the future now.