Every week, UGASports.com teams up with 11Alive.com and hands out grades to Georgia’s position groups. Here is the Bulldogs’ report card from their 40-17 loss to Auburn:
Quarterbacks: C-
Jake Fromm looked like a four-year starter on the opening drive of the game, leading the Bulldogs down the field for a touchdown. After that, however, was when things started to go downhill for the true freshman. Fromm finished 13-of-28 passing for 184 yards and a touchdown. In his defense, Fromm was often scrambling because the offensive line couldn’t hold Auburn’s defensive front for longer than a few seconds. Fromm did connect with wide receiver Javon Wims for three competitions where each pass was placed only where his tall receiver could come down with the ball. Yet overall, the quarterback had a tough time as nothing ever fully meshed into place.
Running Backs: D
This is the first game all season in which Georgia’s running game never got going. Nick Chubb and Sony Michel combined to rush for only 48 yards on 20 attempts, a lowly 2.4 yards per carry. Chubb could not find any of his normal running lanes in between the tackles and Michel was consistently getting hit before he made it to the line of scrimmage. Freshman D’Andre Swift, who is normally the change of pace back, contributed only 18 yards on four carries. The offensive line could not get a push up front, but none of the running backs broke many tackles in one-on-one situations when the line did provide running lanes.
Wide Receivers/ Tight Ends: D
The only real positive of this group was Wims and his ability to high point the football. He finished with three catches for 96 yards, each of which helped extend a drive. Besides Wims, the rest of the receiving corps had its worst performance of the season. The inability to gain yards after the catch stalled numerous drives while the blocking for the running backs was substandard. Riley Ridley did have a touchdown catch late in the fourth quarter, but a critical drop earlier in the game will be the only thing some fans will remember about his performance.
Offensive Line: F
After playing like a complete unit for essentially the entire season, the offensive line regressed significantly against a very good Auburn front seven. The interior of the line, led by Lamont Gaillard at center, consistently was pushed off the line of scrimmage which helped allow the Tigers into the backfield at will. The interior offensive linemen weren’t the only ones who had a rough game. Tackle Andrew Thomas finally looked like a true freshman, allowing a sack and numerous pressures. Overall, Georgia’s passing game and running attack never stood a chance because of the inability of the offensive line to perform at its routine level.
Defensive Line: F
Just like the offensive line, the defensive line was pushed around. Auburn’s offensive line isn’t elite or even great, but it did the job against a Bulldogs unit which supposedly features several potential NFL draft picks. The defensive line especially had a problem stopping interior run plays which helped running back Kerryon Johnson pile up 167 rushing yards. Also, the unit again did not register a sack of the opposing quarterback—a huge area of concern now for the team, as it’s starting to become a trend. Trenton Thompson did total six tackles, but he did not wreak havoc in the opponent’s backfield like he normally does.
Linebackers: D
Roquan Smith did his part in trying to stop the Auburn offense, leading the way with a team-high 12 tackles and having a touchdown-saving pass breakup in the end zone. However, Georgia’s other linebackers looked sloppy and inconsistent. Outside linebacker Davin Bellamy was baited into the run-pass option way too many times and ended up guessing wrong more often than not. On one play, he bit on the run and Auburn threw the ball into the flat, an area where Bellamy should’ve been, and a touchdown was scored. His counterpart, Lorenzo Carter, was also far from his best, finishing with four tackles and a quarterback hurry. With the defensive line not getting into the backfield, it is critical Georgia forms a pass rush in the coming weeks, especially from the outside linebacker position.
Defensive Backs: C
The defensive backs suffered from the defensive line and linebackers not being able to pressure the quarterback, as they had to stay in pass coverage far longer than expected. Thus, the unit was beat a few times due to the defense breaking down, but overall they did a decent job of limiting the damage. Auburn wide receiver Darius Slayton made an exceptional touchdown catch over Malkom Parrish, who actually had good coverage on the play. Aaron Davis tallied seven tackles and a quarterback sack and J.R. Reed had 11 tackles from his safety spot. The Tigers did pass for three touchdowns and had a couple drops. So middling results gets a C.
Special Teams: D
The special teams miscues cost Georgia field position, points, and potentially the game. The leaping penalty by D’Andre Walker, the fair catch interference penalty by Jayson Stanley, and the personal foul by Sony Michel on a return were all mental mistakes that ended up either giving the ball back to Auburn or putting the Tigers in better field position to score. Kicker Rodrigo Blankenship even missed a field goal, which is extremely rare these days for the sophomore. Mecole Hardman had a few returns almost break free, but his big day was offset by his muffed punt a punt which eventually led to an Auburn touchdown. One bright spot for the Dawgs was punter Cameron Nizialek. The graduate transfer punted eight times for a 44.6 average with four of his punts downed inside the 20-yard line, including one landing on the two-yard line.
