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GEORGIA – 45
MISSISSIPPI STATE - 19
BY: CLAY WATKINS
A look back at what decided the game
between Georgia and Mississippi State.
0
MSU converted zero of its three attempted
fourth down conversions. Coming into
the game, Coach Smart said that third and
fourth down conversions would be the
45-19
key to this game. UGA’s defense did not
disappoint. MSU was only 3-of-14 on thirddown
conversions. After the game, Smart
seemed pleased with the defensive effort,
noting that Kamari Lassiter made “a really
good play” with an open-field tackle on a
fourth and one from Georgia’s 9-yard line.
Georgia’s defense continues to play at an
“elite” level.
141
Ladd McConkey powered Georgia’s
offense with a combined total of 141 yards
running and receiving. The highlight was
a spectacular 70-yard touchdown run on
an end-around that saw McConkey out run
the MSU secondary for a score. McConkey
added five catches for 71 yards and another
touchdown. McConkey’s latest offensive
explosion follows his 94-yard effort against
Tennessee. McConkey will likely earn an
All-SEC selection at some level. As noted by
Stetson Bennett after the game, McConkey
has been “a stud from the moment he
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rushing attack that ranks second-to-last in
walked [on campus].” With AD Mitchell still
the SEC, one spot ahead of MSU.
on the shelf recovering from an ankle injury,
McConkey has proven to be WR1 for the
Dawgs.
67
Zavion Thomas’ 67-yard punt return for a
touchdown in the closing seconds of the
first half evaporated Georgia’s comfortable
lead heading into the locker room. Georgia
had controlled the momentum but suffered
a quick three-and-out that forced the
Dawgs to punt to MSU with 19 seconds
remaining in the half. Thomas, who came
into the game
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ranked third in the SEC with
9.9 yards per punt return, fielded the punt
off a bounce and outran the punt coverage
unit for a TD that brought MSU within one
score at the break. Georgia has struggled
just a bit of late with both kick coverage and
kick returns. This is an issue that the Dawgs
will need to button up heading into the
final two regular season games and the SEC
Championship game against LSU.
47
BULLDAWGILLUSTRATED 36 ISSUE THIRTEEN • KENTUCKY
Georgia gave up only 47 yards to MSU on
the ground while gaining 179 yards rushing.
Georgia’s run defense has been spectacular
and the return of Jalen Carter from injury
has bolstered an already stout defensive
front. Carter produced a total of seven
tackles, including one sack and 1.5 tackles
for loss. Georgia will look to bring the same
defensive effort to Lexington next week
when the Dawgs face a struggling Kentucky
4
LADD SILENCED
THE STARKVILLE
COWBELLS!
PHOTO BY: ROB SAYE
The number of touchdowns produced
by Stetson Bennett. Bennett was 25/37
throwing the ball for 289 yards and three
touchdowns. Bennett also ran for another
score. Bennett’s TD run only covered
four yards but Bennett looked like Barry
Sanders as he figuratively broke an MSU
defender’s ankles with a stutter step move
that cleared his path into the endzone.
“The three touchdowns were critical,
really good throws,” Smart said. “He had
some really good throws to Ladd.” Smart
acknowledged that Bennett, who also
had two interceptions, had some throws
“he’d like to have back.” However, neither
interception came from a bad throw, as the
first resulted from Bennett having his arm
hit while throwing and the second was on a
tipped pass.