Georgia

Georgia News and Notes for Tuesday

Published

1 year ago

November 26, 2024

Georgia News and Notes for Tuesday

Running backs Branson and Roderick Robinson continue to make progress ahead of Friday night’s game with Georgia Tech, head coach Kirby Smart said after practice on Tuesday.

Branson Robinson (meniscus) has not played since Georgia’s win over Mississippi State, while Roderick Robinson has not played at all after undergoing preseason surgery to repair a turf toe injury.

“Rod [Robinson II] has done practice, contact. Has done taking reps. He’s looked good out there. Branson [Robinson] has too. Branson is taking some. I didn’t get to see the last part of practice to know how much Branson and Rod did early in practice,” Smart said. “They did take some reps in with the twos and rolled through there, just seeing where they are confidence level and where they are mentally, you know. They’ve been kind of out of contact for a while, but both of them did practice and did some good things.”

Meanwhile, Trevor Etienne – who has missed the past two games with a rib injury – remains unable to go, although he can get some running in.

“Trevor has been able to run. He’s running well. He hit 20-21 miles an hour yesterday, which is really good for him,” Smart said. “He looks good, but he hasn’t gotten to do anything with us.”

… Regarding defensive lineman Christen Miller (shoulder) and wide receiver Dillon Bell (ankle) Smart had this to say: “Christen Miller has not practiced much. He’s been banged up,” Smart said. “He’s recovering, running, doing some treatment stuff. Dillon Bell, he’s done a little bit. He’s done some walkthroughs with us and taking some reps. We’re just trying to get those guys healthy and ready.”

…Smart said he’s still unsure of the status of offensive lineman Earnest Greene III, who has missed the past two games. “He’s done more this week. He’s actually worked at right and left (tackle), Smart said. “I’m very pleased with the play at our left tackle. Outside of a probably two-quarter performance there at Ole Miss) where we had to throw the ball a lot. I think we played well at that position.”

Should Greene not be able to go, Monroe Freeling will start his third straight game at left tackle.

Tray Scott up for Broyles Award

Defensive line coach Tray Scott was tabbed Georgia’s nominee for the Frank Broyles Award, given annually to the nation’s top assistant coach.

“Yeah, he’s a rock. He’s a pillar at this place and he’s one of the guys that’s been here the longest, which I have a lot of respect for because we don’t do it easy around here. You know, we work a tough schedule, work a hard schedule, I’m very demanding of our coaches and I have high expectations and he meets those,” Smart said. “He is tremendous with his group. He’s tremendous with other groups. He inspires people with his story, but you know, he cares about these kids. He’s a tremendous father and husband. He’s really what college coaching is all about.”

Two more Bulldogs up for national awards

Two more Bulldogs are finalists for a pair of national awards, it was announced Tuesday.

The list includes:

…Malaki Starks: Starks is one of three finalists for the Paycom Jim Thorpe Award given to the nation’s top defensive back, according to an announcement from the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame and the Jim Thorpe Association Tuesday.

Starks, a native of Jefferson joins Texas’ Jahdae Barron and Ohio State’s Caleb Downs as the three finalists. While former Bulldog All-American Deandre Baker won the 2018 Thorpe Award, Starks was also a finalist in 2023.

He is tied for the team lead with 55 tackles, including four tackles for loss, and has an interception. Lining up at the Star position as well this season, he has started 39 consecutive games and has helped hold four opponents scoreless in the fourth quarter in 2024, including No. 1 Texas in Austin. In addition, Starks has had to fill in at punt returner and has four returns for 39 yards (9.8 avg.).

…Brett Thorson: Thorson is one of three finalists for the Ray Guy Award given to the country’s best punter, according to an announcement from the Augusta Sports Council Tuesday.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Thorson joins Florida State’s Alex Mastromanno and USC’s Eddie Czaplicki as the three finalists. Jake Camarda was the last Bulldog finalist in 2020. Former Georgia All-American Drew Butler won the 2009 honor.

He stands fifth nationally with a 46.3 average and has forced 12 fair catches and dropped 19 within the 20-yard line. Bombing 13 at least 50 yards this season, Thorson has a season-long of 58 and has helped put the Bulldogs fifth nationally in Net Punting at 43.5. Opponents have had six returns for 18 yards, which also stands fifth nationally.

…Monday, linebacker Jalon Walker was named one of five finalists for the Butkus Award, which goes annually to the nation’s top linebacker.

…Long-snapper Beau Gardner is one of three finalists for the Patrick Mannelly Award given to the top snapper in the FBS, according to a recent announcement.

Gardner, a UCLA graduate transfer from San Francisco, Calif., joins Florida’s Rocco Underwood and Michigan’s William Wagner in the final group. Gardner is now the Bulldogs’ first semifinalist and finalist for the accolade in the award’s six-year existence.

More from Kirby Smart

… With Signing Day and the new Transfer Portal window getting set to hit, roster sizes shrinking to 105, the next 30 days are going to be crazy for college football coaches. That includes Smart, who said he has no idea how everything will unfold. “I can’t answer that question. I wish I could, we haven’t been told anything on the walk-ons in terms of if you guys don’t know,” Smart said. “I ask daily, and a lot of it is conference to conference. A lot of it is the legal case in California, how it resolves itself, and the timing of that. So, I don’t really know, I mean, it’s going to be a strange 30 days.”

… Smart said wide receiver London Humphreys is capable of getting more snaps than he is now. “He’s in good shape. He plays hard. He’s smart,” Smart said. “He plays multiple positions. He does a really good job.”

… Smart thinks Friday night’s game will resemble a heavyweight fight. “We have to have a seeking contact attitude and enjoyment of a street fight. Not everybody loves that,” he said. “So, it’s one of those things that you find out a lot about yourself when you get to play a really physical football team like these guys.”

… With the game on Friday, Smart said the team will have a Thanksgiving meal together on Thursday.

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Georgia

3 killed on Georgia roads so far during Christmas travel period

Published

4 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Press Room

3 killed on Georgia roads so far during Christmas travel period

article

ATLANTA – The Georgia Department of Public Safety has released a preliminary report on holiday traffic statistics through Wednesday, showing that three people have been killed in crashes across the state so far this Christmas.

What we know:

Statewide, all law enforcement agencies have reported three fatalities. Of those, the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) investigated one fatal crash.

The latest statistics from the Department of Public Safety (DPS) also highlight a significant number of arrests and citations as troopers maintain a heavy presence on Georgia’s interstates.

By the numbers:

Through Wednesday, troopers have reported:

DUI arrests: 38
Distracted driving citations: 24
Seatbelt citations: 30
Total crash reports: 36
Total people injured in crashes: 12
Total DUI-related crashes: 4
Commercial vehicle crashes: 0

Local perspective:

The current Christmas travel figures are significantly lower than those recorded during the 102-hour Thanksgiving holiday period. Preliminary GSP figures show that Thanksgiving travel led to 11 fatal crashes and 12 deaths statewide. During that November period, state troopers handled six of the fatalities, while local police departments investigated the remaining five.

What’s next:

DPS will continue to track traffic data throughout the holiday weekend.

The Source: Information in this article came from a Facebook post by the Georgia Department of Public Safety,

Crime and Public SafetyGeorgiaNews

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Georgia

Georgia football: How 5 preseason predictions played out, some still pending

Published

16 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

Georgia football: How 5 preseason predictions played out, some still pending

ATHENS — It’s fair to say the Georgia football season has been filled with surprises, many of the most pleasant variety.

The great success Gunner Stockton has been the most surprising.

Raise your hand if you had Stockton finishing in the Top 10 of the Heisman Trophy voting ahead of the likes of preseason favorites Arch Manning, DJ Lagway, LaNorris Sellers, Garrett Nussmeier and Cade Klubnik.

Here’s a look back at this author’s five fearless Georgia preseason predictions, and how they turned out.

1. Ryan Puglisi will play a key role

To this point? Not at all, and Georgia fans and likely Puglisi himself, the good teammate that he is, probably hopes this one stays wrong.

But if it doesn’t — if the unexpected happens and Stockton has to miss some action in this rough and tumble game that has seen former UGA starting quarterbacks Jacon Eason, D’Wan Mathis, Stetson Bennett, J.T. Daniels and Carson Beck all miss time — Puglisi has the talent to help UGA finish the job.

2. Zachariah Branch will have 1,000 receiving yards

Branch leads the SEC with 73 catches, but he’s at 744 yards — 266 short of the magic 1,000-yard number.

At the current clip of 57.2 yards per game, Branch wouldn’t make 1,000 even if UGA plays the maximum three games that could be remaining.

Branch would need to average 85.3 yards per game over the next three games to hit 1,000 — we’ll stick with the prediction for now.

3 Georgia will average 200-yards plus rushing per game

Looking back, this was a bit too much to expect with four new offensive linemen and a new lead back.

Missouri (234.1) was the only SEC team to average more than 200 yards rushing per game, and of the remaining CFP teams, only Indiana (221.2) and Oregon (217.1) are averaging more than 200 yards per game.

Georgia is averaging 186.6 yards rushing per game — a major jump from the 124.4 yards per game averaged last year — but short of the preseason prediction.

This one came up wrong and seems unlikely to change with the level of competition still ahead.

4. Georgia’s home win streak will end

Yep, it happened against Alabama, 24-21, back on Sept. 27 when the Tide survived and snapped the Bulldogs’ 33-game home field win streak.

The prediction wasn’t so much about knowing Alabama would be the team to beat Georgia, so much as the sheer odds of such a feat continuing with capable teams like the Tide, Ole Miss and Texas all coming to Sanford Stadium.

5. Georgia will play in the SEC championship game

This one was spot on, and so was the logic ….

“Smart’s teams most often get better as the season progresses, and while one SEC loss seems more likely than not, the feeling here is the head coach will get whatever goes wrong fixed.

This Georgia team has stressed the sort of unity great teams possess and have likely realized they will need to band together to accomplish their goals….

The offense, while no longer possessing an NFL talent at quarterback, has more dynamic and consistent pass-catching weapons in addition to a deeper offensive backfield with tailback Nate Frazier ready to prove more reliable and certain with the ball in his hands.

It’s too early to predict Georgia will win the SEC Championship Game as injuries always seem to play a role.”

Injuries did play a role — but for both teams — and the Bulldogs handled those injuries and the playoff-related pressure than Alabama did.

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Georgia

Georgia Bulldogs Christmas Trivia: Festive Facts and Holiday History for Dawg Fans

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

Georgia Bulldogs Christmas Trivia: Festive Facts and Holiday History for Dawg Fans

A handful of Georgia Bulldogs football questions to test the knowledge of Dawg fans during the holiday season.

The Christmas season has arrived as families all over the world gather round to celebrate the holiday. And while there will not be any Georgia Football to watch until the new year, there is still plenty of time for Bulldog fans to brush up on their Dawgs trivia.

So, as many families enjoy time off for the holiday season, here are a handful of Bulldogs related question to test the knowledge of one of college football most passionate fanbases.

Georgia Bulldogs Christmas Day Trivia

Sep 13, 2025; Knoxville, Tennessee, USA; Georgia Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart looks on during overtime against the Tennessee Volunteers at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Alan Poizner-Imagn Images | Alan Poizner-Imagn Images

Questions:

Editor’s Note**: Answers for this article will be made available at the bottom of this page.

Question 1: Kirby Smart has coached Georgia in three total Sugar Bowl matchups. What is his overall record in those games?

Question 2: Which Bulldog receiver currently leads the Bulldogs in receptions and receiving yards this season?

Question 3: Georgia won 11 games during the 2025 regular season. How many times have the Bulldogs accomplished this regular-season feat under Kirby Smart?

Question 4: Nate Frazier is less than 200 yards away from surpassing 1000 rushing yards this season. Who is the last Georgia running back to accomplish this feat?

Question 5: Ellis Robinson currently has four interceptions this season. Who is the last Georgia Bulldog to achieve this feat?

Question 6: How many total touchdowns has Gunner Stockton accounted for this season?

Answers:

Answer 1: Kirby Smart is 1-2 in Sugar Bowl matchups. The Dawgs’ last appearance was during the 2024 season against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

Answer 2: Zachariach Branch currently leads the Bulldogs in both receptions and receiving yards. He is just four catches shy of breaking Georgia’s all-time single-season record

Answer 3: Georgia has won 11 or more regular-season games under Kirby Smart on six other occasions (2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)

Answer 4: D’Andre Swift is the last running back to have surpassed 1,000 rushing yards. He did so during the 2019 season.

Answer 5: Tykee Smith is the last player to record four or more interceptions during a season (2023). No player has recorded more than four interceptions in a single season under Kirby Smart.

Answer 6: Gunner Stockton has accounted for 31 total touchdowns this season. With 23 through the air and eight on the ground.

The Bulldogs will be back in action on Thursday, January 1st, to take on the Ole Miss Rebels in the Allstate Sugar Bowl.

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