GEORGIA NOTES:
Georgia-Alabama Quick Comparison
| Georgia | Alabama | |
| Scoring Offense/Game: | 39.0 | 42.7 |
| Rushing Offense/Game: | 209.0 | 123.7 |
| Passing Offense/Game: | 261.3 | 335.7 |
| Total Offense/Game: | 470.3 | 459.3 |
| Scoring Defense/Game: | 18.0 | 15.0 |
| Rushing Defense/Game: | 82.7 | 138.3 |
| Passing Defense/Game: | 217.0 | 108.0 |
| Turnover Margin: | -1 | +6 |
SEC Nation Coming to UGA
The SEC Nation traveling pre-game show will originate from Myers Quad from 10 a.m. to Noon ET Saturday on the SEC Network. Laura Rutledge serves as host and will be joined by Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Jordan Rodgers and Tim Tebow. Additionally, Marty (Smith) & (Ryan) McGee will be live Saturday from 9-10 a.m. Myers Quad will be home to The Paul Finebaum Show live Friday from 3-7 p.m.
Georgia In The Polls This Week
The Bulldogs (3-0, 1-0 SEC) check in at No. 5 in the Associated Press top 25 poll, No. 3 in the Coaches top 25 poll and No. 2 in the FWAA-NFF Super 16 poll.
Playing With FPE (Fire, Passion & Energy)
One of Georgia’s main themes during the preseason and now in 2025 will be to play with “FPE.” Fifty-four percent of Georgia’s roster is made of players in their first or second seasons in Athens, and they have displayed youthful exuberance throughout the spring, fall camp and now in season.
Redshirt junior quarterback Gunner Stockton is in his first season as a starter. He helped Georgia pass its first SEC road start, leading the Bulldogs to a 44-41 win in overtime against No. 15 Tennessee in front of a crowd of 101,915. Georgia trailed five different times including in OT.
Three of Georgia’s past six games have gone to overtime, and the Bulldogs are 3-0 in those contests including the past two against SEC teams (22-19 over No. 2 Texas for the 2024 SEC title in Atlanta and the 2025 SEC opener at No. 15 Tennessee). The other game in this stretch was in Athens, a 44-42 thriller over Georgia Tech in eight overtimes to end the regular season.
Georgia registered 502 yards of offense (198-rushing, 304-passing) on 87 plays in the road win over No. 15 UT while the Vols tallied 496 yards (125-rushing, 371-passing) on 70 plays. Georgia is 4-6 when allowing 40 points in the Smart era including 3-1 since 2022. UA (2-1) is averaging 42.7 ppg and quarterback Ty Simpson is 41-of-46 for 608 yards and 7 TDs in his last two games.
In the 2025 opener, the Bulldogs tallied 488 yards of total offense and led 45-0 until Marshall scored with 10:27 remaining in the contest. Against Austin Peay, Georgia leaned on its ground game for 190 yards on 40 carries with four scores in a 28-6 victory.
Due to injuries, Georgia has started three different offensive line units this season.
A total of 22 true freshmen Bulldogs (most in the Smart era) made their debut in the season opener and two drew a starting assignment, Ethan Barbour (Bar-bore), one of two tight ends, and Juan Gaston Jr., at right guard. Under Smart, only 13 true freshmen have started a season opener. Unfortunately, Gaston injured his ankle in the first quarter of the opener and didn’t return until seeing action versus the Vols after true freshman Dontrell Glover made his first start. Barbour missed the second half against Austin Peay with an ankle injury and is out.
The Elephant In The Room
Georgia and Alabama first met on the gridiron in 1895, a 30-6 Bulldog win in Columbus.
Alabama holds a 44-26-4 advantage in the series. Georgia’s last win in Athens over UA came in 2003 (37-23). Since then, UA only has made two visits to Athens (2008 and 2015).
The Bulldogs are 1-6 against the Crimson Tide under Smart, and none of those games have been in Athens. The lone victory came in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game, a 33-18 triumph in Indianapolis, Ind. The teams have met four times in Atlanta (the 2018 CFP National Championship Game and three SEC Championship Games) and twice in Tuscaloosa (2020, 2024).
In 2024, No. 4 Alabama raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and 30-7 at halftime before the Bulldogs came charging back. Georgia took a 34-33 lead with 2:31 remaining when Carson Beck connected for a 67-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Bell. However, the lead was short-lived as Jalen Milroe answered with a 75-yard TD strike to Ryan Williams and held off No. 2 Georgia 41-34.
Georgia saw its school and SEC record streak of 28 consecutive regular season wins in league play end last year at Alabama.
Georgia is 34-2 in its last 36 SEC regular season games. The 2024 Bulldogs finished 6-2 in the SEC including making road trips to #1 Texas (W), #4 Alabama (L) and #16 Ole Miss (L) plus a home game against #7 Tennessee (W).
SMART Football
Kirby Smart is in his 10th season at the helm of his alma mater with a 108-19 mark. He is one of only two active coaches (Dabo Swinney, Clemson) with multiple national championships. *Georgia is the only team in the CFP-era to win back-to-back national titles, doing it in 2021-2022.
In 2024, the Bulldogs made their fourth straight appearance in the SEC Championship Game (SECCG) and seventh overall trip under Smart. After a 22-19 overtime win over then No. 2 Texas, the Bulldogs claimed their 15th SEC title in school history and the No. 2 seed in the CFP.
Stockton Delivers
Redshirt junior Gunner Stockton, a 6-1, 215-pound native of Tiger, Ga., is 3-1 as starter in his career. In his first SEC road start, the Bulldogs defeated No. 15 Tennessee in front of a crowd of 101,915. Rookies are behind him in redshirt freshmen Ryan Puglisi and true freshmen Ryan Montgomery.
Stockton named Davey O’Brien National QB of the Week after 44-41 overtime win over #15 UT. Georgia trailed five times, including 21-7 after the 1st quarter, 38-30 with 6:40 left in regulation, and in OT.
Stockton posted a successful home debut in the 2025 opening win over Marshall as the team’s leading rusher (73 yards on 10 attempts with 2 scores) plus threw for 190 yards and 2 TDs…First Georgia player to have two passing TDs and two rushing scores in a season opener in the past 80 years per ESPN Stats.
2024 Highlights: Started the 2nd half of the 2024 SECCG against Texas who had the No. 1 rated pass defense and No. 3 total defense after Carson Beck was injured…Led the Bulldogs on scoring drives of 75, 61 and 72 yards in three of the first four possessions and then the game-winning TD in OT…Made first career start versus No. 5 Notre Dame in the CFP Quarterfinal Allstate Sugar Bowl (20-for-32 for 234 yards, 1 TD despite being sacked four times).
Stockton’s Career Highs
| Passing Yards | 304 @ #15 UT, ’25 |
| Completions | 26 vs. AP, ’25 |
| Attempts | 34 vs. AP,’25 |
| TD Passes | 3x/last @ #15 UT,’25 |
| Passing Yards | 439 @ #4 UA, ’24 |
| Longest Pass Play | 67 vs. #5 ND, ’25 |
| Longest TD Pass | Longest TD Pass: 47 vs. MU, ’25 |
| Long Rush | 73/10 vs. MU ’25 |
| Interceptions | 1 (2x, last vs. #2 TX-2,’24) |
Stockton’s Career Passing Statistics
| Year | G/GS | Cmp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | INT | TD | Eff. | LG |
| 2023 | 4/0 | 12 | 19 | 63.2 | 148 | 1 | 2 | 152.8 | 31 FSU |
| 2024 | 5/1 | 45 | 64 | 70.3 | 440 | 1 | 1 | 130.1 | 67 ND |
| 2025 | 3/3 | 63 | 89 | 70.8 | 721 | 0 | 4 | 153.7 | 47MU (TD) |
| Total | 12/4 | 120 | 172 | 69.8 | 1,309 | 2 | 7 | 144.8 | 67 ND |
Stockton’s Career Game-By-Game
| Game | Cmp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | INT | TD | SK | EFF | LG |
| 2023 | |||||||||
| UT Martin | 3 | 5 | 60.0 | 29 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 108.7 | 20 |
| Ball State | 1 | 1 | 100.0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 133.6 | 4 |
| UAB | 2 | 3 | 66.7 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 53.2 | 15 |
| #4 FSU (Orange) | 6 | 10 | 60.0 | 96 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 206.6 | 31 |
| 2024 | |||||||||
| #14 Clemson | 0 | 0 | 00.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – |
| Tenn. Tech | 10 | 12 | 83.3 | 90 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 146.3 | 21 |
| UMass | 3 | 4 | 75.0 | 45 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 169.5 | 23 |
| #2 Texas (SEC) | 12 | 16 | 75.0 | 71 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 99.8 | 18 |
| #5 ND(CFP Qtr.) | 20 | 32 | 62.5 | 234 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 134.2 | 67 |
| 2024 | |||||||||
| Marshall | 14 | 24 | 58.3 | 190 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 152.3 | 47TD |
| Austin Peay | 26 | 34 | 76.5 | 227 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 132.6 | 19 |
| @ #15 UT (W) | 23 | 31 | 74.2 | 304 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 177.9 | 45 |
| Career Total | 120 | 172 | 69.8 | 1,309 | 2 | 7 | 11 | 144.8 | 67 |
Puglisi’s Career Passing Statistics
| Year | G/GS | Cmp. | Att. | Pct. | Yds. | INT | TD | Eff. | LG |
| 2025 | 3/0 | 6 | 11 | 54.5 | 63 | 1 | 1 | 114.5 | 23 MU (TD) |
| Total | 3/0 | 6 | 11 | 54.5 | 63 | 1 | 1 | 114.5 | 23 MU (TD) |
Puglisi made his Bulldog debut in the 45-7 win over Marshall, directing four possessions in the second half with one TD drive covering 80 yards in eight plays…Finished the game 5-for-8 for 59 yards and one TD, a 23-yard strike to freshman TE Elyiss Williams…Went 1-for-2 for 4 yards versus Austin Peay… Tried Hail Mary on final play of first half at No. 15 UT and resulted in INT.
Georgia’s Explosive Plays In 2025 (12-yd Rush, 16-yd Comp.)
| Game | Georgia | Opp. | Final (AP rank then CFP) |
| MU | 10 (6R, 4P) | 2 (0R, 2P) | #5 Georgia, 45-7 |
| AP | 5 (2R, 3P) | 6 (3R, 3P) | #4 Georgia 28-6 |
| @ #15 UT | 12 (4R, 8P) | 7 (1R, 6P) | #6 Georgia 44-41 (OT) |
Longest Rush by Georgia: 23-yd by Dwight Phillips Jr (AP)
Longest Rush by Opp.: 27-yd by Star Thomas (#15UT)
Longest Completion by Georgia: 47-yd TD (Stockton to Branch vs. MU)
Longest Completion by Opp.: 72-yd TD (Aguilar to Brazzell II, #15UT)
2025 STATISTICAL LEADERS
RUSHING
#3 Nate Frazier 189 yards, 39 att., 4.8 avg., 2 TD, 21 LG
#20 Dwight Phillips, Jr. 144 yards, 17 att., 8.5 avg., 1 TD, 23 LG
#14 Gunner Stockton 124 yards, 28 att., 4.4 avg., 3 TDs, 14 LG
#33 Chauncey Bowens 121 yards, 29 att., 4.2 avg., 2 TDs, 21 LG
PASSING
#14 Gunner Stockton 63 comp., 89 att., 721 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT, 47 LG
#12 Ryan Puglisi 6 comp., 11 att., 63 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 23 LG
RECEIVING
#8 Colbie Young 13 rec., 179 yards, 13.8 avg., 0 TD, 45 LG
#1 Zachariah Branch 11 rec., 181 yards, 16.5 avg., 2 TD, 47 LG
#16 London Humphreys 8 rec., 96 yards, 12.0 avg., 2 TD, 31 LG
TACKLES
#5 Raylen Wilson, ILB 23 total tackles, 14 solo, 9 assist, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack
#3 CJ Allen, ILB 22 total tackles, 10 solo, 12 assist, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack
#4 KJ Bolden, DB 16 total tackles, 4 solo, 12 assist, 1 INT, 1 PBU
#31 Kyron Jones, DB 14 total tackles, 5 solo, 9 assist, 0 INT, 0 PBU
Running Back Rotation Keeping Everyone Fresh
Georgia’s top returning running back is 5-10, 205-pound sophomore Nate Frazier from Compton, Calif. He appeared in 13 games with three starts and led the team with 671 yards and eight TDs. This season, he has started all three games with a team-high 189 yards on 39 attempts and two scores.
Overall, Georgia is averaging 209 rushing yards per game with 10 TDs.
Redshirt freshman Chauncey Bowens, sophomore Dwight Phillips Jr., senior Cash Jones and redshirt senior Josh McCray, have had their moments.
The Bulldogs had 55 rushes for 198 yard in the win at No. 15 UT. Frazier had a team-long 21-yard scamper on the first play in overtime to set up the game-winning score by McCray who notched a pair of scores in the triumph.
Bowens had a breakout performance against Austin Peay with a career-high 11 carries for 56 yards and two scores. Phillips finished with 55 yards on seven carries including a team-best 23-yard scamper. He is averaging 8.5 ypc.
In the 45-7 win over Marshall, QB Gunner Stockton was the leading rusher with 73 yards on 10 attempts with a pair of scores. Phillips Jr., was next with 60 yards with one TD. Frazier started and tallied 47 yards on 11 carries.
Ready To Receive
Georgia’s top receivers to date have been senior Colbie Young (13-for- 179 yards), junior Zachariah Branch (11-for-181 yards, 2 TDs) and junior London Humphreys (8-for-96 yards, 2 TDs). Branch and Humpreys account for all four TDs in the room as they have two apiece.
The Bulldogs are averaging 261 receiving yards a game.
Young had seven catches for 76 yards in the win over Austin Peay and then followed that up with four receptions for 73 yards at No. 15 UT.
Branch, who tallied 47 receptions for 503 yards and one TD last year as a USC Trojan, had a team-high five catches for 69 yards in the road win over No. 15 UT. Against the Vols, he registered a 36-yard TD and caught the game-tying two-point conversion with 2:32 left in the contest.
Humphreys had THE catch of the season. Down 38-30 with 2:38 remaining in the game at No. 15 UT, it was 4th-and-6. He hauled in a 28-yard touchdown strike from Gunner Stockton.
Senior Dillon Bell, redshirt freshman Sacovie White-Helton plus true freshman Talyn Taylor have been targeted as well. Taylor had his first two catches for 28 yards against the Govs. White-Helton had just one catch for 17 yards against the Vols, but it was a big one, coming on 2nd-and-12 in the fourth quarter on the game-tying drive.
Senior Texas A&M transfer Noah Thomas had three catches for 24 yards against the Govs after one target against Marshall. Last year for the Aggies, he had 39 catches for 574 yards and eight TDs.
Twelve Bulldogs caught a pass in the season opener against Marshall with receivers accounting for 12 of the 19 receptions. Branch led the group with three catches for 95 yards including a 47-yard TD.
Next Man Up Again On The Line
Georgia was banged up on the offensive line in 2024 while facing the nation’s toughest schedule per ESPN’s FPI. Still, the Bulldogs won another SEC title. This year, the Bulldogs have a retooled group because All-American Tate Ratledge, Dylan Fairchild, Jared Wilson and Xavier Truss are all in the NFL. Fairchild and Truss were the only ones to start all 14 games last year.
Due to injuries, Georgia has used a different starting unit in all three games this year. While the left side has been the same with Monroe Freeling (LT) and redshirt senior Micah Morris (LG) plus Drew Bobo (C) in the middle, the Bulldogs have employed three different starting right guards and two different starting right tackles. Freeling has longest the starting streak on the line at eight games. Bobo earned Outland Trophy National Player of the Week honors for his performance in leading the line in the road win over No. 15 UT.
The Bulldogs did not allow a sack in their first two games before the Vols collected three. Still, when the UT game was on the line, the offensive line came through. In overtime, it was three rushing plays for 25 yards that rallied the No. 6 Bulldogs to victory. Also of note, when Georgia trailed No. 15 UT 21-17 to start the 3rd quarter, the Bulldogs leaned on their running game, going 75 yards for a TD on 14 plays (13 rushes) to take their first lead.
True freshmen Juan Gaston Jr. and Dontrell Glover have started a game at right guard along with redshirt freshman Michael Uini (his first career start).
Georgia’s depth was tested early this year as Gaston and Earnest Greene III (RT) both left the Marshall game with injuries and neither played against Austin Peay. Sophomore Jahzare Jackson (RT) and Uini made their first starts.
Redshirt freshmen Bo Hughley and Daniel Calhoun, redshirt sophomore Jamal Meriweather and freshmen Cortez Smith have been in the rotation. Hughley saw action at right tackle late in the win at No. 15 UT.
Did You Know? Gaston joined Andrew Thomas (RT, 2017) as the only true freshman offensive lineman to start a season opener in the Smart era. Thomas went on to be a first round pick (fourth overall selection) in the 2020 NFL draft by the New York Giants. He remains a starter for the Giants.
Not Just Blocking
Tight ends always have played a significant role in the Bulldog offense with seven currently in the NFL, and the 2025 group is no different. Junior Lawson Luckie and senior Oscar Delp are playing the lead roles. Redshirt freshmen Jaden Reddell has appeared in all three games this year.
Highly-touted freshmen Ethan Barbour and Elyiss Williams have contributed too. Barbour joined Delp in the starting lineup in the opener while Williams notched a 23-yard TD on his first career catch. Incidentally, the last Bulldog to do that was Delp in 2022 against South Carolina. Barbour injured his left leg at the end of the first half against Austin Peay. He is now out.
In the win over Marshall, the tight ends had four catches for 62 yards and one score. Delp had the longest catch, a 28-yarder, while Williams had the score.
A tight end did not have a catch against Austin Peay, marking the first time that happened since a 2021 win over Arkansas. Georgia was 7-for-11 that day.
In the road win over No. 15 UT, Luckie had three catches for 25 yards while Delp had one for 18 yards. Georgia posted a season-high 502 yards of offense.
Did You Know? Luckie is a second generation Bulldog. His father Mike (LB) was part of Bulldog triplets from 1996-98 (uncles Dustin-LB and Miles-C).
Defensive Playmakers at Each Level
Georgia has had 55 players drafted over the past five seasons, including 30 on defense and 11 of those defenders have gone in the first round.
2025 Scoring Defense: 18.0 ppg; Rushing Defense: 82.7: Pass Defense: 217.0
Began 2025 by blanking Marshall for three quarters and shut out Austin Peay in the first and fourth quarters to give the Bulldogs five scoreless quarters.
Recovered from a 21-7 first quarter deficit at No. 15 Tennessee to blank UT in the second quarter and then allowed just 17 points in the final two quarters; Forced UT to a field goal in OT and then Bulldogs won 44-41.
Stopping The Run Starts Up Front
One of the hallmarks of an elite defense is stopping the run. In 2025, Georgia is replacing a host of seasoned veterans now playing in the NFL like Mykel Williams, Nazir Stackhouse, Warren Brinson and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.
This year, Marshall was limited to 78 rushing yards on 31 attempts while Austin Peay gained just 45 rushing yards on 28 attempts.
No. 15 UT came in averaging 252.5 rushing yards/game and 605 yards of total offense/game; UT posted 125 rushing yards and 496 yards of total offense.
Redshirt junior Christen Miller and junior Jordan Hall are the veterans up front. Miller had 2 tackles and 3 QB pressures versus No. 15 UT. Hall battled leg injuries last year that limited him to six games and admitted that rehabbing the mental side more than the physical was the toughest part. Hall made his first career start in the 2025 opener against Marshall. He had three tackles against No. 15 UT.
Redshirt freshmen Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Nnamdi Ogboko, and Jordan Thomas, redshirt sophomores Xzavier McLeod and Josh Horton (Miami) and freshmen Elijah Griffin and JJ Hanne are in the rotation. Jonah-Ajonye and Griffin posted a career-high three stops versus Austin Peay.
Allen And Wilson Leading The LB Room
In 2024, junior CJ Allen ranked second in tackles behind safety Malaki Starks (1st round pick of Baltimore) with 76 while fellow junior Raylen Wilson posted 47 stops. Currently, they are the team’s top two tacklers with Wilson registering 23 while Allen has 22.
The duo had career-highs in the win at No. 15 UT as Allen made 11 stops with two QB pressures and Wilson collected nine and three QB pressures.
One of the most veteran linebackers, junior Gabe Harris Jr., made his first start against Marshall and had a pair of TFLs.
Redshirt junior Terrell Foster made three tackles, and in the second quarter, he recovered a blocked punt at the Marshall 20 that set up an eventual score.
Freshmen All-SEC selections Chris Cole and Justin Williams stepped up last year when Smael Mondon (now with the Philadelphia Eagles) was hurt, and that duo is even better in 2025. Cole had a career-high five tackles in the win over Marshall and got his first career sack plus three tackles against Austin Peay while Williams made a career-high four stops.
Cole’s elite speed, length and flexibility help him cover as he made a career- high six tackles, one sack and two QB pressures against No. 15 UT.
Sophomore Quintavius Johnson has started all three games.
Meanwhile redshirt freshman Kris Jones plus freshmen Zayden Walker and Anthony Kruah are aiming to contribute too. Junior transfer Elo Modozie (Army), who made 34 stops, including eight tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, last year, has seen action in every game for the Bulldogs.
Secondary Tested Early And Often At No. 15 Tennessee
Georgia’s defense faced a passing attack at No. 15 Tennessee that was averaging 352 yards per game (ypg), and the Vols tallied 371 yards in a shootout with the Bulldogs. Coming in to the contest, the Bulldogs had not allowed a passing TD, and the Vols collected four on the day including three big ones that covered 32, 56 and 72 yards. Joenel Aguero, who collected a career-best seven tackles versus the Vols, and KJ Bolden came up with interceptions.
Marshall finished 11-for-21 for 120 yards and no passing TDs or INTs.
Austin Peay went 16-for-23 for 151 yards and no passing TDs with 1 INT.
Redshirt junior Zion Branch led the team with a career-high seven stops versus Marshall while Bolden had six stops against Austin Peay. Bolden blocked a punt against Marshall too.
Senior Daylen Everette, the MVP of the 2024 SEC Championship Game, entered 2025 with a team-best 28 consecutive starts but that was snapped when he missed the opener against Marshall due to an injury. He has returned to his starting role since week two.
Junior Daniel Harris, redshirt freshman Ellis Robinson IV and redshirt sophomore Kyron Jones plus senior JaCorey Thomas have seen the most action. Robinson had the team’s first INT of the year against Austin Peay. Jones, who was a running back in high school and recruited to play defensive back, posted a career-high 10 stops against the Vols.
Something Special About These Specialists
In 2024, Georgia was the only team in the FBS that had its punter (Brett Thorson), placekicker (Peyton Woodring) and snapper (Beau Gardner) named a semifinalist for a national award at their position, and all three are back! Thorson and Gardner were named finalists for the Ray Guy Award and Patrick Mannelly Award, while Woodring was up for the Groza Award.
Are We Punting? We’re Going For It!
In the Kirby Smart era, the Bulldogs have a 64% success rate on 4th Down Conversion attempts (86-for-134) with 17 TDs.
In 2025, Georgia is 5-for-5 with 3 TDs on 4th Down to ranked tied for 1st nationally in 4th Down Conversion Percentage. Central Florida (8-for-8) is the only school to be perfect with more conversions.
Down 38-30 with 2:38 remaining in the game against No. 15 Tennesseee in Knoxville, Georgia converted a 4th-and-6 at the UT 28 for a TD (Stockton pass-to-Humphreys). Also that day, Georgia trailed 21-7 in the 1st quarter and converted a 4th-and-3 at the UGA 48.
Did You Know? The only other fourth quarter 4th down conversion featuring a TD pass when Georgia was behind under Smart came in 2016 at Missouri. The Bulldogs trailed 27-21 with 1:31 left in the game and faced a 4th-and-10. Jacob Eason hit Isaiah McKenzie for a 20-yard TD in a 28-27 win.
In 2024, Georgia led the SEC and ranked 16th nationally in 4th Down Conversions at 67% (18-for-27 with 4 TDs).
G’day Mate! Thorson Returns
With elite distance, hang time, placement and a strong coverage unit, All-America punter Brett Thorson and the Bulldogs ranked 5th nationally in Net Punting (43.5) in 2024. Currently, Georgia is 23rd at 44.0. In the 2024 SEC Championship Game, Thorson’s season ended due to a knee injury during a return after a punt. He missed the 2025 opener while still recovering with redshirt freshman Drew Miller serving as the punter. Thorson returned to his starting role in week two versus Austin Peay.
In his first two games back, Thorson has been named to the “Ray’s 8,” the weekly Ray Guy Award group. At #15 Tennessee, he had three punts for a 47.7 average including a long of 52 with two placed inside the 20 and no return yards.
A native of Melbourne, Australia, Thorson was a 2024 finalist for the Ray Guy Award after averaging 47.6 yards on 42 punts, the second best mark in school history. His average would’ve ranked 3rd nationally in 2024, but the NCAA’s minimum for leaders is 3.6 punts a game.
Thorson’s career average of 45.6 (5,339/117) ranks 2nd best in school history, trailing only Jake Camarda’s record mark of 45.8 set from 2018-21.
Thorson’s social media features a comedic slant about his lack of playing time because the Bulldogs punted a record low 32 times in 2023 after just 36 punts in 2022 (15 games), the two lowest totals dating to at least 1948.
Along with Cole Speer, gunners in 2025 have included KJ Bolden, London Humphreys, Daniel Harris and Jeremy Bell.
Single Game Career Highs For Thorson
Punts: 6 (UK24)
Long: 75 (Tenn22)
Avg. (Min 2 punts): 54.0 on four (@ #1 Texas24) with minus 5 PR yards
Single Game Career Highs For Miller
Punts: 6 (MU25)
Long: 54 (MU 25)
Avg. (Min 2 punts): 48.0 on six (MU25) with 14 PR yards
#at least two punts
Geaux Dawgs
Junior All-SEC specialist Peyton Woodring, a native of Lafayette, La., returns as a two-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist. In 2025, he has a teamhigh 25 points (4-4 on FGs, 13-for-13 on PATs, 20 Kickoffs, 18 Touchbacks)
Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week in 44-41 OT road win versus #15 Tennessee, accounted for 12 points including a 48-yard FG plus eight kickoffs, all touchbacks. Did You Know? After missing three of his first seven field goal attempts as a freshman in 2023, he’s been good on 42 of his past 45 FG (all three misses from 50 yards). He’s made all 132 PATs too.
His 91.3 FG% in 2024 ranked 2nd in the SEC and 3rd best in Georgia history.
Team-high 111 points in 2024, going 21-for-23 on FGs (both misses from 50+), 48-for-48 on PATs and handled kickoffs too (80 of 85 overall with a 63.7 avg.).
Single Game Career Highs For Woodring
Points: 15 (UK23)
PATs: 9 (vs. FSU23, Orange Bowl, Miami Gardens, Fla.)
FGA: 3 (7x, last @ #15 Tennessee ’25)
FGM: 3 (6x, last @ #15 Tennessee ’25)
LG: Clemson 24 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Redshirt senior Liam Badger and freshman Connor Ferguson are options too. Ferguson made his debut with the final kickoff versus Marshall.
Did You Know?
Georgia’s last game-winning field goal with two minutes or less to play came in the 2021 Peach Bowl against undefeated and No. 8 Cincinnati. Jack Podlesny hit a 53 yarder with three seconds left for a 22-21 lead, and the Bulldogs woud register a safety on the final play for a 24-21 final.
Snap Judgment: Gardner Named Finalist
In 2024, San Franicsco native Beau Gardner, a graduate transfer from UCLA, became Georgia’s first finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award (nation’s best long snapper, annual award began in 2019). He is back in 2025.
Snapped on a combined 71 field goal attempts and PATs as well as each of the 46 punts in 2024.
Back Deep For The Bulldogs
The experienced kickoff returners include USC transfer junior Zachariah Branch (Career: 31-for-595 yards, 1 TD including 2 for 48 yards for UGA) and graduate Cash Jones (4-for-58 yards in 2024; None in 2025).
Branch was named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for his performance in the road win over No. 15 Tennessee. He had five catches for 69 yards including a 36-yard TD, caught the game-tying two-point conversion with 2:32 left in regulation, had one KOR for 28 yards and one rush for four yards.
At punt returner, Branch has done this as well during his career with the Trojans and Bulldogs (Career: 33-for-439 yards, 1 TD including 4 for 33 yards for UGA). In 2023, Branch won The Jet Award for the nation’s top returner. Also, redshirt-freshman Sacovie White-Helton has one PR for 12 yards.
In the season opener against Marshall, the Bulldogs did not have any kick returns while Branch had three PR for 24 yards. KJ Bolden blocked a Marshall punt and was credited with a two-yard return.
Did You Know? Georgia’s last punt return for a TD came in 2023 (Mekhi {MUH-kye} Mews vs. Ball State, 69 yards)
Did You Know? Georgia’s last KOR for a TD came in 2016 (Terry Godwin @ South Carolina, 43 yards)
It’s Blocked
Under Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have blocked eight punts and eight field goals. There’s two players on the current squad with a block for Georgia.
In the 2025 season opener against Marshall, KJ Bolden blocked a punt that led to an eventual TD after the Bulldogs recovered it at the MU20. Junior DB Joenel Aguero blocked a Florida punt in 2023 that resulted in a safety.
Junior transfer OLB Elo Modozie blocked field goal attempts by Rice and Notre Dame in 2024 while playing for Army. Senior transfer DB Adrian Maddox blocked a field goal attempt by Prairie View A&M in 2022 while playing for Alabama State. Georgia’s last blocked field goal came in 2024 by Dan Jackson against Auburn. He is now with the Detroit Lions on IR.
Putting Points On The Board
Georgia ranks 3rd in NCAA history for consecutive games scoring and among schools with active streaks: Florida: 466 games (1988-present); TCU: 410 games (1991-present); Georgia: 390 games (1995-present).
Georgia’s All-Time Overtime Record (11-7)
Home: 2-2; Away: 5-2; Neutral: 4-3
Bowl Game/CFP: 3-2 !SEC Games: 4-4
!Includes SECCG & CFP National Championship)
The Bulldogs are 3-2 in overtime games under Kirby Smart. Georgia’s complete overtime history can be found on page 110 of the media guide.
Overtime In The Kirby Smart Era (4-2)
Home: 1-1; Away: 1-0; Neutral: 2-1
(Bowl Game/CFP: 1-1; *SEC Games: 2-2)
Includes SECCG & CFP National Championship)
Jan. 1, 2018: #3 Georgia beat #2 Oklahoma 54-48 (2-OT) in Pasadena, Calif. (CFP Semifinal: Rose Bowl Game)
Jan. 8. 2018: #4 Alabama beat #3 Georgia 26-23 in Atlanta, Ga. (CFP National Championship, Mercedes-Benz Stadium)
Oct. 12, 2019: S.C. beat #3 Georgia 20-17 (2-OT) in Athens, Ga.
Nov. 29, 2024: #7 Georgia beat Ga. Tech 44-42 (8-OT, SEC Record) in Athens, Ga.
Dec. 7, 2024: #2 Georgia beat #5 Texas 22-19 in Atlanta, Ga. (SEC Championship, Mercedez-Benz Stadium)
Sept. 13, 2025: #6 Georgia beat #15 Tennessee 44-41 in Knoxville, Tenn.
Bulldog Honor Roll
Drew Bobo, C
Outland Trophy National Player of the Week (@ #15 UT game)
Zachariah Branch, WR/Return Specialist
Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll (@ #15 UT game)
Gunner Stockton, QB
Davey O’Brien National QB of the Week, also Davey O’Brien Great 8 in Week 3, SEC Offensive Player of the Week, Manning Award Star of the Week, Johnny Unitas Golden Arm Player of the Week (@ #15 UT game);
Brett Thorson, P
“Ray Guy, Ray’s 8” For Week Two (AP game); “Ray Guy, Ray’s 8” For Week Three (@ #15 UT game);
Peyton Woodring, PK
SEC Special Teams Player of the Week (@ #15 UT game);
Points Off Turnovers In 2025
Georgia is -1 in Turnover Margin.
Georgia has 3 points off three turnovers.
Opponents have 6 points off five turnovers.
MU: No turnovers by either team
AP: No points off 1 TO; AP got 3 points off 2 TO
UT: 3 points off 2 TO; UT got 3 points off 2 TO
Bulldog Career INTs & Pick-Six
Georgia has 3 INTs in 2025: Ellis Robinson IV (AP), Joenel Aguero (UT), KJ Bolden (UT);
Opp. have 1 INT.
| Bulldog | INT | TD | Last INT |
| Daylen Everette, CB | 3 | 0 | #2TX-SECCG24 |
| CJ Allen, LB | 1 | 0 | vs. UF24 |
| Joenel Aguero, S | 1 | 0 | @ #15 UT25 |
| KJ Bolden, S | 1 | 0 | MSU24 |
| Kyron Jones, Star | 1 | 1 | UTM23 |
| Ellis Robinson IV, DB | 1 | 0 | AP25 |
Bulldog Career Fumble Recoveries
Georgia has no FR in 2025; Opponents have two FR.
| Bulldog | FR | Last FR |
| Chris Cole, LB | 2 | UMass24/td> |
| Daylen Everette, CB | 1 | @ #1 TX24/td> |
| Raylen Wilson, LB | 1 | UMass24/td> |
| Cole Speer, WR | #1 | vs. #4 FSU23 |
^on Offense; #on Special Teams
Bulldog Career Sacks
Georgia has 4 sacks in 2025; Opponents have 3.
| Bulldog | ’25 | ’24 | ’23 | ’22 | ’21 | Total |
| Raylen Wilson, LB | 1 | 1.5 | 0.5 | n/a | n/a | 3 |
| Christen Miller, DL | 0 | 1.5 | 1 | 0 | n/a | 2.5 |
| CJ Allen, LB | 1 | 0 | 1 | n/a | n/a | 2 |
| Gabe Harris Jr., LB | 0 | 2 | 0 | n/a | n/a | 2 |
| Chris Cole, LB | 2 | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 |
| KJ Bolden, S | 0 | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 |
| Daylen Everette, CB | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | n/a | 1 |
| Daniel Harris, CB | 0 | 0 | 1 | n/a | n/a | 1 |
| Jordan Thomas, DL | 0 | 1 | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 |
10 First-Time Starters In 2025
MU (7): E. Barbor (TE), Z. Branch (WR), J. Gaston, Jr. (RG), J. Hall (DL), Q. Johnson (OLB), K. Jones (FS), E. Robinson IV (CB);
AP (2): Jahzare Jackson (RT), Michael Uini (RG);
@ #15 UT (1): Dontrell Glover (RG);
Last year, there were 21 first-time starters during the season.
True Freshmen Getting A Taste
The Bulldogs had 22 true freshmen make their debut in the 2025 season-opening win over Marshall: Ethan Barbor (TE), Juan Gaston, Jr. (RG) started while 20 others saw action: Elyiss Williams (TE), Zayden Walker (ILB), Talyn Taylor (WR), Darren Ikinnagbon (OLB), Tyler J. Williams (WR), Anthony Kruah (ILB), Bo Walker, (RB) Dominick Kelly (CB), Rasean Dinkins (S), Isaiah Gibson (OLB), Cortez Smith (OL), London Seymour (DT), CJ Wiley (WR), Dontrell Glover (OL), Mason Short (OL), Landon Roldan (WR), Thomas Blackshear (WR), Elijah Griffin (DL), JJ Hanne (DL) and Connor Ferguson (K). Last year, 13 true freshmen made their debut in the opening win over No. 14 Clemson.
The Bulldog Captains In 2025
MU:CJ Allen, Christen Miller, Drew Bobo, Earnest Greene III
AP: AP: Gunner Stockton, Colbie Young, KJ Bolden, Raylen Wilson
@ #15UT:CJ Allen, Christen Miller, Drew Bobo, Oscar Delp
HEAD COACH KIRBY SMART QUICK FACTS
- 10th season as Georgia coach
- Career Record: 108-19 (.850)
- 2021 & 2022 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
- 2017 CFP national runner-up
- One of just two active coaches with multiple national titles (Dabo Swinney-Clemson, ’16 & ’18)
- T5th fastest coach in NCAA FBS history to win 100 games, doing it in 117; Fastest to do it in SEC history
- Best record & winning percentage (85-15, .850) after his first 100 games of any coach in SEC history
- 2017, 2022 & 2024 SEC Champions
- Georgia has been ranked in the top five nationally in Scoring Defense five times including leading the nation in 2019 & 2021; Been ranked in the top 10 in Scoring Offense three times (2021-23)
- 2017 George Munger award (National Coach of the Year by Maxwell Club)
- Three-Time SEC Coach of the Year, 2017, 2021-22
- Bulldogs have won three Butkus Awards and two Mackey Awards, One Outland Trophy, Bednarik Award, Thorpe Award, Groza Award, Manning Award & Burlsworth Trophy; Two NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards, One Heisman Trophy finalist
- 25 1st-team All-Americans
- 76 NFL Draft Picks
- 20 First Round NFL Draft picks
- 290 players on SEC Academic Honor Rolls, including a high of 48 on the 2024 team
THE KIRBY SMART RECORD
| Year | W | L | Pct. | SEC | Bowl | AP Rank |
| 2016 | 8 | 5 | .615 | 4-4 | Liberty | NR |
| 2017 | 13 | 2 | .867 | 8-2# | CFP Rose/NCG | 2nd |
| 2018 | 11 | 3 | .786 | 7-2# | Sugar | T7th |
| 2019 | 12 | 2 | .857 | 7-2# | Sugar | 4th |
| 2020 | 8 | 2 | .800 | 7-2 | Chick-fil-A | 7th |
| 2021 | 14 | 1 | .933 | 9-1# | CFP Orange/NCG | 1st |
| 2022 | 15 | 0 | 1.000 | 9-0# | CFP Peach/NCG | 1st |
| 2023 | 13 | 1 | .929 | 8-0 | Orange | 4th |
| 2024 | 11 | 3 | .786 | 7-2 * | CFP Sugar (Qtr.) | 6th |
| 2025 | 3 | 0 | 1.00 | 1-0 | ||
| Total | 108 | 19 | .850 | *67-16 |
#4-5 (includes 2017-19, ’21, ’22, ’23, ’24’ SECCGs, 2018 & 2022 CFPNC)
17 VICTORIES WHEN TIED OR TRAILING LATE
| SEASON | OPPONENT | START OF 4TH QUARTER OR DEFICIT | FINAL |
| 2016 | % #22 UNC | Trailed 24-23 | 33-24 |
| 2016 | @ Missouri | Trailed 27-21 | 28-27 |
| 2016 | @ Kentucky | Trailed 21-16 | 27-24 |
| 2016 | #8 Auburn | Tied 7-7 | 13-7 |
| 2016 | ^TCU | Trailed Trailed 23-21 | 31-23 |
| 2017 | @ #24 Notre Dame | Trailed 17-16, trailed 19-17 with 10:21 left | 20-19 |
| 2017 | $ #2 Oklahoma | Tied 31-31, trailed 45-38 with 0:55 left | 54-48 2ot |
| 2020 | ~ #8 Cincinnati | Trailed 21-10, trailed 21-19 with :03 left | 24-21 |
| 2022 | ! #1 Alabama | Trailed 18-13 with 10:14 left | 33-18 |
| 2022 | @ Missouri | Trailed 19-12, trailed 22-12 with 14:09 left | 26-22 |
| 2022 | ~ #4 Ohio State (CFP Semi) | Trailed 38-24, trailed 41-35 with 2:43 left | 42-41 |
| 2023 | @ Auburn | Tied 17-17, tied 20-20 with 6:21 left | 27-20 |
| 2024 | @ Kentucky | Trailed 9-6 | 13-12 |
| 2024 | @ Kentucky | Trailed 9-6 | 13-12 |
| 2024 | vs. Florida in Jax. | Tied 20-20 with 7:29 left | 34-20 |
| 2024 | Ga. Tech | Trailed 17-6; then 27-13 with 5:37 left; 40-34 in 2nd OT | 44-42 (8-OT) |
| 2024 | #2 Texas (SECCG) | Trailed 19-16 in OT | 22-19 |
| 2025 | @ #15 Tennessee | Trailed 28-27; then 38-30 with 6:40 left; 41-38 in OT | 44-41 (OT) |
%Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic; ^Liberty Bowl; $Rose Bowl Game; ~Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl; !CFP National Championship
TOP IND. SINGLE GAME PERFORMANCES UNDER SMART
Rushing Yards: 222, Nick Chubb vs. #22 UNC in Atlanta (9/3/16);
Rushing TDs: 3, Sony Michel vs. UK
(11/18/17); vs. #2 Oklahoma in CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl (1/1/18); Daijun Edwards vs. AU (10/8/22); Trevor Etienne @ #1 Texas (10/19/24); Nate Frazier vs. UMass (11/23/24);
Longest Rush: 83-TD, D’Andre Swift @ #9 UK (11/3/18)
Passing Yards: 459, Carson Beck vs. MSU (10/13/24);
Passing TDs: 5, C. Beck (TT-9/7/24, GT-11/29/24), S. Bennett (UAB-9/11/21);
Receiving Yards: 197 (8 rec.), Jermaine Burton vs. MSU (11/21/20);
Receiving TDs: 2, by nine Bulldogs multiple times;
Longest Pass/TD Pass: 89-TD, S. Bennett to Brock Bowers vs. UAB (9/11/21);
Tackles: 15, Nakobe Dean vs. #8 UF in Jacksonville (11/7/20);
Sacks: 3, Trenton Thompson vs. TCU (12/30/16);
Azeez Ojulari vs. #8 UC in Peach Bowl (1/1/21); Channing Tindall @ UT (11/13/21); Jalon Walker @ #1 Texas (10/19/24);
TFL: 3, Azeez Ojulari vs. #7 AU (10/3/20), vs. #8 UC in Peach Bowl (1/1/21); Trenton Thompson vs. Nicholls (9/10/16); Channing Tindall @ UT (11/13/21); Jalon Walker @ #1 Texas (10/19/24) & #2 Texas in SECCG (12/7/24);
31 DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS SCORES UNDER SMART
The Bulldogs are 28-1 (loss came versus #8 UF in 2020) when they register a non-offensive score under Smart.
In 2024, freshman LB Chris Cole returned a fumble 28 yards for a TD; In 2023, freshman DB Kyron Jones returned an INT versus UT Martin 26 yards for a score; redshirt sophomore Mekhi Mews took a punt return 69 yards for a TD against Ball State; and Joenel Aguero blocked a punt for a safety versus Florida.
DEFENSIVE SCORING IN THE SMART ERA
114 Points: 17 TDs, 6 Safeties
2016: 14 points in 3 different games (Pick-Six, Fumble Ret., Safety);
2017: 6 points in one game (Fumble Ret.);
2018: 12 points in 2 different games (Pick-Six, Fumble Ret.);
2019: 18 points in 3 different games (2 Fumble Ret., 1 Fumble Rec.);
2020: 22 points in 4 different games (2 Pick-Sixes 1 Fumble Ret., 2 Safeties);
2021: 28 points in 6 different games (4 Pick-Sixes, 2 Safeties);
2022: none
2023: 8 points in two games (Pick-Six, Safety)
2024: 6 points in one game (Fumble Ret.)
48 POINTS ON SPECIAL TEAMS IN THE SMART ERA
2016: 12 points in 2 games (KOR, PR);
2017: none;
2018: 12 points in 2 games (PR, Blocked Punt Ret.);
2019: none;
2020: none;
2021: 8 points in 2 games (Blocked Punt Ret.; Safety/Blocked Punt);
2022: 8 points in 2 games (Safety/Blocked Punt; Blocked FG Ret.).
2023: 8 points in 2 games (PR, Safety)
2024: none;
