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Georgia RB Kenny McIntosh breaks out in beatdown of Oregon

On3 imageby: Jake Rowe09/04/22JakeMRowe

Kenny McIntosh has had made big plays in a Georgia uniform. The senior tailback has even had some big games. But none have been as the one he had in the Bulldogs 49-3 season-opening win over Oregon.

With UGA beginning its defense of a National Championship for the first time in 41 years, McIntosh got going early and never let up. He ran the ball once and caught two passes in Georgia’s first three plays from scrimmage, racking up 34 yards and helping get the offense in a position take a 7-0 lead.

His impact grew from there as he reached the end zone from one yard out and finished as the team’s leading receiver with nine catches for 117 yards and a score. He made guys miss, fought through tackles, finished runs with power, and bounced off defenders on his way to racking up 135 total yards. It was truly a first for the Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. native.

“It’s real fun because I love catching the ball. Not only running the ball, I love catching the ball out of the backfield. I don’t think I ever had a game like that,” McIntosh said. “…it was real fun out there just to be able to run with the ball in my hand like a receiver and stuff like that. So real fun.”

It’s fair to say that McIntosh was a complementary running back during his first three years with the program. His output grew year over year as he battled a few nagging injuries but he never got the touches to put up big numbers. It was clear, however, that the potential was there.

The 2021 season is a prime example. McIntosh touched the football just 80 times in 15 games but he used those opportunities to pile up and impressive 572 yards of total offense and five touchdowns. With primary backfield weapons Zamir White and James Cook moving on to the NFL, it was finally his time to shine.

A fast start as a primary tailback a needed on Saturday and a fast start was achieved. Three years of practice and games have allowed McIntosh to earn the respect and trust of his coaches. The same can be said for a number of other Bulldog playmakers.

“I think you want to get the ball to players that can make plays and make people miss, and when you start ranking the chart you say, okay, who do you have that are going to make people miss and extend plays,” Kirby Smart said after the game. “Kenny is one of those guys, but we’ve got several other guys at tight end that can make people miss, receivers that can make people miss.

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