UGA Escapes Starkville with Ten-Point Victory
Dawgs Defense Struggles
The Dawgs were comfortably leading the Mississippi State Bulldogs by 3 scores when the wheels came off of the defense. The secondary busted multiple times as Qb Michael Van Buren hit multiple explosive passes against the Bulldogs. Reads more UGA escapes Starkville with ten-point victory.
The State offense was totally stymied for the first half of the game, but they made some adjustments that capitalized on UGA mistakes to keep the game close in the second half. Let’s look at the notable performances from this game.
The Good
Offensively, it seems UGA may have found an identity since the second half of the Bama game. Throw the dang ball. While State had the worst run defense in the SEC, they decided to opt for soft coverage in the first half. QB Carson Beck and OC Mike Bobo took advantage of the soft coverage with tons of short throws and screens to move the ball down the field. Then, as State adjusted their coverage, Beck had his best game throwing downfield to date.
He let it fly, connecting with Dillon Bell on a 31 yard touchdown pass and found Arian Smith for a couple of big plays, including a 55 yarder. Even TE Ben Yurosek got in the mix with his first catch for 29 yards. The Dawgs let Carson rip it, and despite an early unlucky turnover, Beck looked about as polished as he ever has. He finished with 459 yards, 3 TDs and 2 INTs.
As I wrote going into this game, it has historically taken UGA several games to find their offensive identity and UGA may have found it. Bobo called a great game and showed several new plays to keep Texas thinking going into next Saturday. I love that RB Trevor Etienne is getting more involved in the screen game to get him more touches, even when we aren’t running often.
Short Receiver Rotation
With Colbie Young suspended, we saw the UGA receiver rotation shorten up, but also feature Anthony Evans much more. Evans finished with 52 yards rushing and 4 catches for 41 yards. He showed the ability to make guys miss in small spaces and create explosive plays. UGA needs more of this from Evans moving forward.
I liked that UGA showed some different looks on offense in this game. They showed a jumbo package for the first time, using OG Micah Morris as a fullback. They featured this formation twice in the game, once for a passing TD and another time for a rushing TD. We also saw a trick play where RB Cash Jones snapped the ball, he pitched it to Beck who was rolling right. Beck hit TE Oscar Delp for a nice gain that almost resulted in a TD. This kind of creativity and new looks are key for this offense moving forward.
Player Perspectives
Safety Dan Jackson is the clear best player in the secondary this year. I can’t believe I’m saying that. He’s the only one who seems to be playing free and fast, making plays in coverage and in the run game. Strangely enough, the Dawgs will miss the walk on dearly next year. I love what I’ve seen from him.
OLB Chaz Chambliss also had himself another nice game. Yes, he got a facemask that extended a drive on a sack. UGA isn’t leaving him in 3rd down situations, but on first and second downs he’s showing himself to be effective lately.
WR Arian Smith didn’t have a perfect game, far from it. However, he was explosive, notching 134 yards on 5 catches. He’s still very much a work in progress, and could have hit close to 200 yards and another tud if he could catch better. However, he’s being explosive when UGA needs him, which means defenses will have to pay attention to him, freeing up other guys moving forward.
The DL play from UGA continues to shine this year. No, they don’t have crazy stats, sacks, etc. However, they have been stout against the run, only allowing 13 first half rushing yards in this game. Christen Miller and TID have both been studs so far. Nazir Stackhouse has quietly stepped up his game as well. Fans should be quite happy with their progression this year, especially missing Jordan Hall and Mykel Williams being limited. If they were fully healthy, this unit could be a force.
Safety KJ Bolden got his first career INT at the end of the first half.
I’m excited that freshman LB Chris Cole has played the last two games, and got in early in the first quarter in this game. He did get a PI to extend a drive, but I’m excited for his potential in the future.
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The Bad
Safety Malaki Starks had another poor game. It’s been baffling to see his regression this year. He was one of two certified studs on this defense before the season started, the other being Mykel Williams. Williams hasn’t been healthy since the first half against Clemson and Starks has played so poorly, fans are questioning if he’ll even go pro next year. Starks busted a coverage resulting in a TD. Everyone blames CB Daylen Everette, who did indeed get beat. But Starks should have had help over top, but he bit on a run fake that wasn’t really there. UGA needs him to step up big time.
RB Branson Robinson started looking more decisive after poor performances in his last few games. Then he sprained his MCL. Not as serious of an injury as it could be, but another setback for the young man who just seemed to be putting it together is tough.
LB Raylen Wilson had a tough cay. He has progressed some this year, but not as much as you’d hope. He was slow and missed assignments.
The Ugly
Lord have mercy, that secondary was just awful today. Everybody got cooked. Everette, Humphrey, Starks, Harris, and Aguero all got smoked at different points in the game. After the State game UGA’s secondary has been exposed as a major weakness. So far this year Everette has given up 19 completions on 21 targets. Humphrey 7 on 11 targets. Harris 6 on 10 targets. Our DB’s are far from the UGA standard. What happened?
Well, UGA did just put 3 DBs into the NFL last year, all of who are balling out at the next level. Just like UGA saw a major drop off at the DL position last year when their mega-talented crop went pro, UGA is now seeing that same regression in the secondary. Compound that with Stark’s game taking a step back, and UGA has a massive problem if a freshman QB and one pretty good receiver can carve you up. The unfortunate reality is that these aren’t transfer guys. These are guys who have been in the program and not developed, and while both Humphrey and Harris flirted with the portal in the offseason, I expect Harris and likely at least one other DB to hit the portal next time. It might be time to let 5 star freshman Ellis Robinson get more runs.
Offensive Tackle play in this game was ugly, no matter who was in. Xavier Truss was poor and got a personal foul for talking smack after a touchdown run in which he, personally, was beat on his assignment. Monroe Freeling got plenty of playing time, and got beat repeatedly in the game. His holding call took away an Etienne touchdown. And LT Ernest Greene once again struggled
Penalties were incredibly costly in this game yet again. UGA extended drives 3 times with personal fouls or PI calls, and they all ended in touchdowns. 
Final Thoughts
If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Just when the Bulldog offense seems to be figuring things out, the defense, which was utterly dominant the first 3 games of the year, looks like it’s falling apart. The good news for UGA is that it looks like it has the ability to win games in a variety of ways. They can beat you 13-12 and grind it out.
They can outscore you 41-31 if needed. And they can lose in a variety of ways. The offense can disappear, their DBs can get lit up by any level of talent, they can turn the ball over and get bad penalties. Simply put, this team still lacks the discipline that has been a hallmark of Kirby Smart teams. They are good, probably really good. But they won’t be great until they can have their discipline match their talent.
