ATHENS — Georgia quarterback Stetson Bennett is keeping his spot as the Bulldogs’ No. 1 option at center with two weeks remaining in the spring football session.
Coach Kirby Smart said Thursday he was looking forward to the team’s first major practice session, the ninth of 15 allotted spring practices, culminating with the April 16 G-Day game.
“Coaches go off the field and (we) find out who can attack,” said Smart.
Bennett was the first-team quarterback for the first two drives before Carson Beck and Brock Vandagriff’s turn in the team’s scrimmage at Sanford Stadium on Saturday.
The quarterback position has been a focus in recent weeks after Smart said he challenges 24-year-old Bennett on and off the field to improve his decision-making.
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“They could come back in 10 years and it’ll be the same as last year — decision making, accuracy, leadership, intangibles — great quarterbacks are accurate and they make good decisions,” Smart said.
“I want to see them run the offense, lead the offense, play with their feet when things break — things that make the difference for them — and overcome failure because there’s going to be some adversity out there.”
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Bennett’s scrambling drills were featured, but just like the CFP Championship Game, he was sacked more than once and his throwing success wasn’t consistent.
Bennett’s experience on offense makes him a prohibitive favorite for the job, despite all the questions some have asked.
RELATED: Bennett said things “have gotten easier” since he was taken on as the No. 1 QB
Beck, on the other hand, had one of the best throws on Saturday, a deep pass to Dominick Blaylock.
Blaylock, who has had two knee surgeries and a thigh strain, is close to being in the form he showed in 2019 as a freshman, according to viewers of the scrimmage.
Blaylock’s performance is encouraging as coach Kirby Smart said Georgia was limited in the receiver position.
RELATED: Kirby high on Dominick Blaylock’s comeback from injuries
Sophomore AD Mitchell, who took on “X” receiver duties last season with superstar George Pickens, who was out with a knee injury, had a rough day.
Mitchell, viewers said, had several drops on what would normally be routine catches for him.
RELATED: Kirby Smart challenges AD Mitchell in UGA practice
Running backs Kenny McIntosh and Kendall Milton both looked good catching the football. Milton hit tight cover in the end zone to roll in a well-thrown pass from Vandagriff.
However, Milton had also pried a ball loose for a fumble.
McIntosh, meanwhile, took a shot from rising defensive star Jalen Carter but was not injured.
Daijun Edwards, the No. 3 running back, has also reportedly been looking sharp.
Vandagriff, who had 3 touchdown throws that day, also had an interception when a ball he delivered to Jackson Meeks went off Meek’s hands and was picked up.
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Tight end Arik Gilbert, whose height (6-5, 265) and athleticism set him apart on the field, was also looking good with a few catches.
The media was not allowed to observe scrimmage and neither Smart nor any of the players were made available for interviews after Saturday’s practice session.
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