ATHENS – For coach Kirby Smart, it’s all about positivity, even if he knows this version of Georgian football isn’t yet at the level of the last two seasons.
The good news is that wasn’t necessary, thanks to a comfortably light schedule that has allowed the No. 1-ranked Bulldogs to add depth and rest some ailing players.
Georgia (4-0, 1-0 SEC) plays Auburn (3-1, 0-1) on the road next Saturday at 3:30 p.m.
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Here are three quick takeaways from Georgia’s 49-21 win over UAB on Saturday at Sanford Stadium.
feed the beast
Carson Beck’s career day was largely on the back and legs of All-American Brock Bowers, who had 9 catches for 121 yards and a team-high 2 touchdowns.
Beck’s nine completions against Bowers were of the quick, high-percentage variety, as the tight end managed 110 of his 121 receiving yards after the catch.
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It was effective, even though Bowers struggled with bumps and bruises early in the season.
Smart has said he wants to see more explosive plays, noting there were two instances where the Bulldogs had wide open receivers downfield and Beck and targets Arian Smith and Jackson Meeks failed to connect, and a fourth down pass in Direction from Rara Thomas was off.
Defensive disappointment
Perhaps the most shocking development was UAB’s ability to lead the field at the end of the first half, and no one was more surprised than Smart.
The Blazers took over a 28-7 deficit at their own 30-yard line with 1:20 remaining in the half and called for a running play up the middle that went 4 yards on first down.
At the 1:16 mark, Smart called a timeout, a sign that he was confident Georgia would get a stop and perhaps another possession.
Instead, the Blazers pulled no punches and completed a nine-play, 70-yard touchdown drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass to cut Georgia’s lead to 28-14 at halftime.
Get well
Georgia was missing several key players against UAB, many of whom likely could have played if the Bulldogs were facing a major opponent.
Receiver Ladd McConkey hasn’t played yet this season but has targeted Auburn for his return from a back injury that sidelined him.
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Defensive end Mykel Williams (illness) and safety Javon Bullard (ankle) are also likely to be back for the Auburn game.
Other key players who were sidelined will be back at some point: tight end Lawson Luckie (ankle), tailback Kendal Milton (knee), tailback Roderick Robinson (ankle), offensive tackle Amarius Mims (ankle).