What They're Saying About Georgia After Oregon Win
The Georgia Bulldogs are the talk of the town across the College Football world after beating Oregon over the weekend 49-3 to open the 2022 season. Stetson Bennett threw for a career-high 368 yards as Georgia scored touchdowns on its first seven drives of the game. Meanwhile, a defense that lost eight players to the NFL Draft this past spring made sure that Oregon didn’t score a touchdown, the first that’s happened for the Ducks since 2017. The Bulldogs picked off Bo Nix twice. Christopher Smith, who had one of those interceptions, earned SEC Co-Defensive Player of the Week. Malaki Starks, who had the other, was among the more impressive freshmen in all of College Football over the weekend.
So, with all that being said, here’s a compilation of some of the best things being said about the Bulldogs after Week One.
Charles Power – On3 Director of Scouting
On Malaki Starks: No true freshman flashed more on a bigger stage than Malaki Starks. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound safety was among the best players in a game Georgia-Oregon game that featured a bunch of future pros. Starks got his day rolling with a remarkable interception, turning to locate the football and fully extending for the grab. Starks’ afternoon was just getting started. He played 52 snaps – the most of any Georgia defender and registered 8 tackles. The Jefferson (Ga.) High product lined up at both free safety and in the slot. He was targeted in coverage five times and surrendered two incompletions according to Pro Football Focus.
The 2022 On3 Consensus five-star entered the week having garnered steady buzz out of Georgia’s fall camp. Starks was a standout option quarterback and two-way athlete at Jefferson High with elite multi-sport athleticism, including a 10.55 second time in the 100 meters as a junior. With that said, he came to Athens relatively inexperienced as a defensive back. Given how quickly he’s taken to the position, it’s safe to say Starks is in line to make a big impact for the defending national champions.
Pete Nakos – On3 NIL writer
On Jalen Carter: Jalen Carter was on the verge of crashing the top 10 On3 NIL Valuations in the preseason. But Georgia’s dominant defensive performance against Oregon sealed the deal. He blew up plays all day Saturday. He shoved off Ducks offensive lineman Malaesala Aumavae-Laulu with one-hand, then blew up a play in the backfield. He was one of the best defenders on Georgia’s defense last season. And now he’s making a point to remind the country. Last week’s ranking: No. 17 / On3 NIL Valuation: $1.1 million / Movement: Up $255,00
Matt Zenitz – On3 Senior National College Football Reporter
On Todd Monken: It wasn’t just the Bulldogs’ defense that performed at an elite level during No. 3 Georgia’s 49-3 rout of No. 11 Oregon. The offense did, too. Monken’s group accumulated 571 yards and scored seven touchdowns against a Ducks defense that includes at least a few potential early-round 2023 NFL Draft picks.
Mike Huguenin – On3 National Executive Editor
On Stetson Bennett: Stetson Bennett, a senior, threw for a career-high 368 yards and two touchdowns as the Bulldogs eviscerated Oregon 49-3. Bennett finished 25-of-31 against the Ducks – the completions were the second-most in his career – and he also rushed for a score. Bennett guided the Bulldogs to touchdowns on each of their first seven possessions.
