The Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Kentucky Wildcats, 30-13, in Athens on Oct. 16. The Dawgs looked like the No. 1 team in the country and built a 30-7 lead in their victory.
Kentucky fought hard and kept it close in the first half, but Kirby Smart and Georgia came out stronger in the second half. Stetson Bennett looked particularly comfortable throwing down the field in the second half.
Bennett finished averaging 12.5 yards per passing attempt. His favorite target was freshman tight end Brock Bowers, who showed off his impressive ability to track the football.
Here’s three plays that mattered from the Kentucky-Georgia game:
Kendall Milton’s fumble recovery
Georgia Bulldogs running back Kendall Milton recovered a seemingly pedestrian incomplete pass late in the first quarter. Milton hustled past several closer Kentucky defenders and picked up the football.
Referees are instructed to rule plays as fumbles if it is not obvious. In this case, the referees ruled the play on the field as a fumble. Stetson Bennett’s hand went forward without the football, but at first glance the play looked like an incomplete pass due to how far forward the ball traveled. Upon further review, the play stood as a fumble.
Milton’s recovery gave UGA a manageable third down. UGA scored its first points on the next play.
Naboke Dean shuts down screen pass
Nakobe Dean is INSANE. Identifies this almost immediately, fights through blocks, and charges in for the TFL. Triumphantly declaring himself as one of the best linebackers in the 2022 NFL Draft.pic.twitter.com/s7Sf6J7dOz
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) October 16, 2021
Kentucky offensive Liam Coen dialed up a beautiful drive to help the Wildcats score a touchdown late in the second quarter. Coen used misdirection and screen plays to slow the Georgia defense.
Later, Coen tried running the same screen play in the second half. He made the right call. He called it into UGA’s blitz and the Kentucky quarterback found the running back with three blockers ahead of him.
The problem on the play was Georgia linebacker Nakobe Dean was not ahead of the blockers. Dean showed excellent play recognition and made the key tackle to force third-and-long. Georgia then blocked Kentucky’s field goal attempt ending the Wildcats’ hopes for a comeback.
Brock Bowers’ first touchdown
The Mailman delivers one through the air to Brock Bowers for six. pic.twitter.com/SmE8aFUJG1
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) October 16, 2021
Brock Bowers scored a big touchdown to open the second half for UGA. Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett diagnosed the Kentucky blitz, which was well-blocked, and quickly found Brock Bowers for a 27-yard touchdown pass.
Bowers drew a defensive pass interference penalty and still reeled in the catch. Bowers showed the ability to be a go-to-guy for Georgia. He looks like UGA’s best pass catcher right now.
His touchdown gave Georgia a 21-7 lead and forced Kentucky into uncomfortable positions on offense for the rest of the half.
