The Trifecta: Three reasons Georgia beat Austin Peay
Georgia defeated Austin Peay 28-6 on Saturday afternoon in a rain-delayed game at Sanford Stadium. Here are three reasons the Bulldogs took down the Governors.
More good defense
While Georgia’s offense didn’t have an elite showing, the defense continued to play well early in the season.
Georgia did give up a field goal in the first half, but the Bulldogs limited Austin Peay to 80 total yards and a 1-for-5 rate on third-down conversions over the first two quarters.
Georgia allowed another field goal in the second half after a turnover, but still limited Austin Peay to six total points and under 200 yards of offense for the game.
Situational stops
Georgia’s offense turned the ball over twice. But each time, the defense answered the call.
Nate Frazier fumbled on the Bulldogs’ first drive of the game, giving Austin Peay the ball near midfield. But a three-and-out resulted in a punt.
In the second half, London Humphreys coughed up the ball to give the Governors possession at the Georgia 31-yard line. The defense once again did not allow a first down, although Austin Peay did turn the giveaway into a field goal.
“Just putting the fire out,” linebacker CJ Allen said. “It’s the first thing we say when we touch the field, put the fire out. We don’t look around and complain. We get up and go, keep our composure.”
The Georgia defense came up big one more time late in the game. Austin Peay had a goal-to-go situation from the three, but Georgia stopped four straight attempts to score and forced a turnover on downs.
“We were hype,” linebacker Justin WIlliams said. “I mean, anytime you get a goal line stand in this place, I mean, in this crowd, I mean, it’s hype. You’ve just got to be hyped and excited for it.”
Good day for the running backs
While the offense didn’t have a particularly strong game overall, the Georgia running backs did prove to be a bright spot.
Frazier rushed for 69 yards and his first two touchdowns of the year on 14 carries. Dwight Phillips followed a breakout season-opener with 55 yards on seven carries.
“He grows. He gets better, you know?” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “He’s continuing to develop, get size and strength. He’s got to get a little more size and strength to run behind his pads. He seems more electric. You hold your breath when he comes in there because you’re glad he can break out any time, but then when he’s running east and west, sideways, he’s got to cut it up and go somewhere.”
Saturday’s breakout performer proved to be redshirt freshman Chauncey Bowens. He ran for 56 yards and two touchdowns, the first two scores of his Georgia career, on 11 carries.
“I thought he got yards after contact,” Smart said. “He was running violently. He’s got really good power in his lower body. He runs behind his pads, you know? We’ve noticed that all camp. He’s broken a lot of tackles. I thought he had a little more burst and spring in his step today, and he got yards after contact, which is big for us.”
Overall, Georgia ran for 190 yards and four touchdowns on 40 attempts.