ATHENS – Georgia coach Kirby Smart left the Mercedes-Benz Stadium proud of his team on Friday, but he was well aware that it was far from the Bulldogs’ best performance.
Georgia beat Cincinnati 24-21 in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, despite having ten former rookies out of the game due to opt-outs, injuries and, in the case of James Cook, the death of his father.
It was a bad win for the Bulldogs in 9th place (8-2) as they trailed Cincinnati (9-1) in 8th place 21-10 in the fourth quarter before winning the final. seconds on Jack Podlesny’s 53 goal field goal.
The Bearcats, Smart said, deserve credit for their preparation and intensity of the game.
Indeed, Cincinnati held UGA just 1 of 11 for the third time and held the Bulldogs’ ground game on 24 attempts to 45 yards.
The Bulldogs averaged 498.3 yards per game and 41.7 points per game with Daniels below center in the previous three games, but finished with 449 yards in the 24-21 victory.
Georgia intentionally prepared and did not overlook the game, but the Bearcats played with a tremendous sense of urgency and emotion that was passed on to their fans.
Here’s a look at one perspective on how the team rated:
Back (B)
Daniels advanced to the winning game, 5-out-7 passing 44 yards, without working out in the final 1:28 to set up the field-winning field goal. Daniels’ interception was just as much on Pickens, but his whisper was completely his own because he could not secure the ball. Daniels was sacked three times, forcing a large part of the game. Stetson Bennett came off the bench to make a sharp 12-yard pass on his only cut when Daniels was forced out because his helmet came off.
Running Rugby (B)
The Georgia backs could not break a run longer than 12 yards against the Bearcats because many times they did not have much room to work due to the problems of the offensive line. Zamir White led the backs with 11 yards for 39 yards, including a hissing 12-yard carry and 9-yard TD dash. White was tricked by TE John Fitzpatrick. Kenny McIntosh inflicted his injury with 5 catches for 43 yards – winning three of his grips on the match. Kendall Milton 4 has 10 meters and an impressive catch and run range of 22 meters.
Receiver (B-)
Georgie Pickens had a game high of 7 catches for 135 yards with an attack and a diving 51 catch. Pickens had a fourth downward conversion catch, but he also misread coverage, which led to an interception in the end zone and a call. The tighthead, Darnell Washington, shows his big head with an inspiring reception from 38 yards, and John FitzPatrick had 4 catches for 41 yards. Karis Jackson won 3 points for 47 yards, but also a fourth down. Jermaine Burton was limited in practice and it showed because he had 1 catch for 6 yards. Arian Smith showed promise with his 55 catch.
Offensive line (D +)
The Bulldogs chose to shuffle the offensive line and change pieces at three positions when Ben Cleveland pulled away. Xavier Truss had his problems in his first start at left-back, including a block in the back penalty area, and Warren McClendon and Justin Shaffer were asked for a header block. Daniels was sacked three times and the running game was wheeled. The Bearcats’ defensive line was the clear winner up front.
Defense line (A)
Smart regards his OLB as part of the defensive line, so this Azeez Ojulari raises the bar here with his three pockets and important fourth quarter forced that changed the momentum in the game. Adam Anderson also had 2 bags. Jordan Davis was dominant between the tackles, and Devonte Wyatt had 4 stops and 2 TFLs.
Linebacker (B)
Nakobe Dean and Quay Walker led the defense with 7 tackles each, but there was apparently an alignment issue when Cincinnati broke loose on his 79-yard TD run. Dean had six solos, including an open field stop that could stop for the first time, which enabled UGA to get the ball back one more time and win.
Secondary (C)
Georgia was understandably out of action with three former beginners missing and Covid-related complications forcing changes in practices. Tyrique Stevenson started out on the substitute position out of position and apparently got beaten by the corner defender regularly, but he came up with an important pass late in the fourth quarter. Brini was another player transferred to action, and he had an important third PBU and played better as the game progressed. Lewis Cine missed an open face in the 79-yard TD race. Christopher Smith was solid.
Special teams (B +)
Jack Podlesny’s 53-yard field goal made an oil-painting moment and eventually brought Georgia to victory. Jordan Davis also played a 3-point with a blocked field goal that was definitely big as the game played. On a deaf note, Jake Camarda conceded a 4-yard point that set up Cincinnati’s opening drive. Kearis Jackson has two kicking returns for a total of 30 yards, and two points for a total of 1 yard. UGA was also caught sleeping on a false point that the Bearcats teamed up with.
Coaching (B)
Great credit to Kirby Smart and his defensive staff for the halftime adjustments, and UGA allowed just 32 yards on 27 games after the 79-yard run during the second game of the second half. Smart said they may have underestimated the Cincinnati QB entering the game. The offensive game plan was disrupted by the surprising inability of UGA to handle and handle pressure, which caused the speculation that the offensive staff may have also underestimated his opponent. However, the team remains ready and wins despite missing ten former predecessors, and that says a lot for Smart and his assistant coaches.
Overall (A)
It gets no more claws than seeing offense, defense and special teams come through in the last two minutes. Georgia has had to overcome Covid-19 like never before with practices and personnel both executed. It also appears that the Bulldogs look like the rustier team, as they have not played since December 12th. The win at the last second makes for a good feeling in the off-season, and there is a healthy reminder that there is room for a lot of improvement.
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