What just happened: Georgia blows past Kentucky
Gunner Stockton looked to the left side of the field and noticed that Dillon Bell had a step on his defender, even if there wasn’t much separation. But seeing what looked to be an advantage, Stockton let the ball rip, which turned into the play of the game in Georgia’s 35-14 win over Kentucky.
Stockton placed the ball over cornerback J.Q. Hardaway’s reach, with Bell extending his arm to catch the ball with one hand for a 33-yard pickup. This play occurred in the third quarter with the Bulldogs in cruise control for a victory. But this pass showed Stockton is gaining more confidence in his ability to push the ball downfield.
For the first three games of the season, Bell was a non-factor. He then had a 43-yard end-around rush last week against Alabama before Saturday’s breakout against Kentucky. Bell totaled four catches for 68 yards and added two rushing touchdowns. Bell’s emergence gives Georgia another play-maker for opposing defenses to worry about moving forward.
The Bulldogs (4-1, 2-1) will look to carry the momentum from this win into next week’s game against Auburn.
What it means
While Georgia’s lead widened in the third quarter, this could have been a much closer game. Trailing 21-7, Kentucky missed an easy field goal at the end of the first half and followed it with a fumble on its first drive of the third quarter. The Bulldogs’ offense capitalized and was able to put the game out of reach.
Georgia has now played three games in the SEC. The early evidence suggests the offense, despite injuries on the offensive line, is improving and hasn’t peaked yet. The Bulldogs are opening holes for Chauncey Bowens and Stockton is gaining more confidence throwing down the field. Those are positive developments.
The defense, well, that’s a different story. Despite the blowout win there is still a lot to be desired on that side of the ball.
A question that needs answering
Will Georgia generate a pass rush this season?
Here’s a post from Friday, which Georgia fans may find depressing:
Of course, Wilson, who would have played a big role on Georgia’s defensive line, transferred to Missouri this past offseason. But would it have mattered if Wilson was still with the program? It’s not like the Bulldogs lack four- and five-star talent on the defensive line and at edge rusher. With each game it’s becoming more difficult to cite youth or lack of talent for Georgia’s pass-rush struggles. There hasn’t been much, if any, creativity injected into the defensive scheme to generate a pass rush. Defenders look like they’re overthinking as opposed to being instinctive.
Georgia did record two sacks, although one was from CJ Allen for a loss of only 1 yard and the other came from backup Nnamdi Ogboko in the fourth quarter with the game decided. Before Georgia pulled away, it was unable to generate a consistent pass rush.
Will the Bulldogs be able to change this as the season progresses?
Three important plays
Missed field goal: Kentucky drove down the field at the end of the first half and stalled for what should have been an easy field goal attempt. However, place-kicker Jacob Kauwe missed a 26-yard field goal to keep the game in Georgia’s favor at 21-7 at the half.
First fumble recovery: The Wildcats received the opening kick of the third quarter and picked up a first down before Allen forced a fumble from running back Seth McGowan. Allen also recovered the ball, which became the first forced fumble recovery for the Bulldogs in 2025.
Delp’s catch and run: Georgia has an athletic group of tight ends, which has folks wondering why they aren’t being used more. A great example came two plays after Allen’s fumble recovery. Stockton found Oscar Delp over the middle, who then took the ball for 36 yards down to Kentucky’s 5-yard line. This set up Bell for a 3-yard touchdown run to put the Bulldogs up 28-7.
Grading Georgia
Offense: A-
Georgia managed the offensive line’s injuries admirably with a balanced effort running and passing the ball. Stockton’s game ended in the third quarter as he completed 15 of 23 passes for 196 passing yards, a touchdown and an interception. Stockton also added 48 rushing yards and two touchdowns on the ground. In total, Georgia combined for 425 yards in a strong performance.
Defense: C-
While the score indicates a good day for Georgia’s defense, the Wildcats shot themselves in the foot with a missed field goal at the end of the first half and a fumble early in the third quarter — although Allen deserves plenty of credit for punching the ball out. Still, without a consistent pass rush, this is very much a vulnerable defense.
Special teams: B-
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Brett Thorson is the nation’s best punter. His 60-yard punt that bounced sideways and allowed Landon Humphreys to bat it out of bounds was a thing of beauty. He should enjoy a long NFL career. However, the punt return group had a poor outing. Zachariah Branch fair caught a punt inside the 5-yard line, which seems to be an epidemic across football these days. Justin Williams got away with a roughing the punter penalty early in the second quarter and was later called for holding on a punt Branch otherwise returned to the Kentucky 29-yard line.
Season grades to date
Offense: C
Defense: D
Special teams: A-