It was not a pretty start for the Bulldogs, but after going down 7-0 to Notre Dame, Georgia was able to string together a pretty drive that eventually ended in a D’Andre Swift short touchdown run.
However, directly following that, Notre Dame was able to march the ball down the field with ease and wound up scoring a field goal just before halftime.
Currently, Notre Dame leads 10-7. Georgia gets the ball to start the second half and can take its first lead with a touchdown.
Injuries have gotten to Georgia early, including ones to starters Solomon Kindley and Eric Stokes.
Offensive guard Soloman Kindley:
Kindley, a preseason all-American, went down towards the end of the second quarter. He had to be helped off the field after a Notre Dame player fell on his ankle.
Cornerback Eric Stokes:
Stokes left in the first quarter with a knee injury, according to CBS. He went into the locker room and was back on the sidelines moving around. Georgia needs him to be able to play considering other starting corner, Tyson Campbell, is out with an injury.
The most noticeable injury has come to Stokes, leaving DJ Daniel and Tyrique Stevenson as Georgia’s main corners. Daniel has been picked on and was beat on a deep pass on Notre Dame’s final drive, plus got called for a pass interference that set up the Irish’s first touchdown.
Additionally, Georgia has been getting burned defensively by Notre Dame star tight end Cole Kmet, who has returned from injury and is terrorizing the Bulldogs. He currently has 7 catches for 68 yards and a touchdown. Georgia needs to limit his production if it has any hopes of slowing down Notre Dame’s offense.
On offense, Georgia started really bad, and punter Jake Camarda did not help with a terrible first punt.
But the Dawgs looked to figure things out late in the half and were able to drive down the field for a touchdown. Jake Fromm was hitting his guys, Georgia ran the ball well and were able to punch it in.
Georgia’s going to need to keep pounding the rock and maybe look to get James Cook more involved in some jet sweeps to keep Notre Dame honest to the edges.
Fromm has been efficient, but has not been able to do much deep. He is 11/12 for 59 yards.
