Georgia

Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 9)

Published

1 year ago

November 4, 2024

Top Dawgs in the NFL (Week 9)

Continuing a series that debuted last season, UGASports highlights the top NFL performances by former Georgia players for the week entering the Monday night game. With our most outstanding performer for the week—or the Top Dawg—revealed towards the end, we spotlight the top NFL performances by Bulldogs for October 31 through November 3 and preview those participating in tonight’s Monday night game.

Ladd McConkey

A week after a 100-yard receiving performance, McConkey continued his sensational rookie campaign in the Los Angeles Chargers’ 27-10 win yesterday over the Cleveland Browns. Starting at wide receiver and seeing 48 of 57 offensive snaps, he totaled a team-high five receptions for 64 yards with a long of 20. Through eight games this season, McConkey leads the 5-3 Chargers with 35 catches for 440 yards and four touchdowns.

Travon Walker

Although resulting in a 28-23 loss on the road at Philadelphia, Jacksonville’s Walker had one of the top single-game defensive performances in the last few weeks by a former Georgia player. The third-year defensive end totaled seven tackles (six solo), including two for loss, and returned a fumble 35 yards for a touchdown to pull the Jaguars to within a touchdown late in the third quarter. Breaking multiple tackles on his way to the end zone, Walker’s fumble return was a thing of beauty and was his first touchdown since he played at Upson-Lee High School.

Nakobe Dean

With Jacksonville trailing Philadelphia, 28-23, with 1:37 remaining, Dean went up high and made a tremendous, game-sealing interception of the Jaguars’ Trevor Lawrence. For Dean, it was the first interception of his NFL career—and his first pick since the one he returned for a 50-yard touchdown against Florida three years before in Jacksonville. Although he totaled only two tackles against the Jaguars (Dean entered averaging more than eight tackles per game), he defended on a game-high two opposing passes, including the game-clinching pick. Also for the Eagles, defensive tackle Jalen Carter totaled four tackles, defensive tackle Jordan Davis made two tackles, linebacker Nolan Smith had one stop, and cornerback Kelee Ringo had a tackle and fumble recovery on special teams.

The TOP DAWG: Matthew Stafford

A week after having his highest-rated passing game in nearly two years, Stafford earned the Top Dawg recognition for his performance yesterday in the Los Angeles Rams’ 26-20 overtime win over the Seattle Seahawks. The 16-year veteran completed 25 of 44 passes for 298 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Stafford’s second touchdown pass was a 39-yard dime dropped to Demarcus Robinson in overtime to win the game. It marked the former Georgia quarterback’s 46th career game-winning drive in the NFL, ranking sixth all-time in league history.

For some notable group efforts, linebacker Quay Walker had a game-high 12 tackles in Green Bay’s 24-14 loss to Detroit. Also contributing to the Packers defense was safety Javon Bullard (four tackles), cornerback Eric Stokes (three tackles), and tackle Devonte Wyatt (two tackles).

Although resulting in a 41-24 loss to the Cincinnati Bengals, a trio of former Georgia players stood out for the Las Vegas Raiders. Tight end Brock Bowers continued his historic rookie season with five receptions, including a 22-yard touchdown for the second score of his pro career. Also, running back Zamir White rushed for a touchdown for the game’s first score, and 12-year defensive tackle John Jenkins registered a half-sack.

Kicking off at 8:15 pm ET, the lone Monday night game tonight pits the 4-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers at the 7-0 Kansas City Chiefs, where the home team is a 9-point favorite. The Bucs have one former Georgia player on their active roster: rookie Tykee Smith, a No. 2 safety. The Chiefs feature two: Malik Herring, a No. 2 defensive end, and Mecole Hardman, a No. 2 wide receiver (also first-team kickoff return and second-team punt return).

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Georgia

Police officer killed, another seriously wounded in hotel room shootout in Georgia

Published

8 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Police officer killed, another seriously wounded in hotel room shootout in Georgia

LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. — A man being questioned by police at a suburban Atlanta hotel Sunday shot the two officers after inviting them into his room, killing one of them and seriously wounding the other, authorities said.

The suspect, who was shot by one of the officers, was undergoing medical treatment and expected to survive, Gwinnett County Police Chief J.D. McClure said during a news conference.

The shootout happened Sunday morning near Stone Mountain, about 25 miles northeast of Atlanta. The officers were dispatched to the hotel after a caller in another state reported someone had fraudulently used their credit card there, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said in a statement. The agency said the front desk clerk directed the officers to the room of the person who had used the credit card.

McClure said the suspect greeted the officers at the door to his room and invited them inside.

“They began discussing the scenario or the incident with him,” McClure said. “And at some point the suspect produced a handgun and, in an unprovoked attack, fired at our Gwinnett County police officers.”

Officer Pradeep Tamang, 25, died of his injuries at a hospital, McClure said. A native of Nepal, Tamang had joined the Police Department last year.

Office David Reed was hospitalized in serious condition but stable Sunday afternoon, the police chief said.

“This is the latest reminder of the dangers law enforcement face on a daily basis, and we are grateful for every one that puts themselves in harm’s way to protect their fellow Georgians,” Gov. Brian Kemp said on X.

McClure identified the shooting suspect as 35-year-old Kevin Andrews of Decatur, Ga. It was not immediately known whether Andrews had an attorney who could comment on his behalf.

The investigation has been turned over to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, which customarily handles shootings involving law enforcement officers in the state. McClure said it would be up to the GBI and local prosecutors to decide what charges to bring against Andrews.

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Georgia brothers sentenced for Georgia Lottery fraud scheme

Published

20 hours ago

February 1, 2026

Press Room

Georgia brothers sentenced for Georgia Lottery fraud scheme

COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. – Two Georgia brothers have been sentenced after the Georgia Bureau of Investigation said they defrauded the Georgia Lottery more than a dozen times over a years-long period.

Brothers accused of lottery fraud

What we know:

Quinton Watts, 27, and Phillip Watts, 31, both of Sparta, were sentenced Thursday after being arrested for defrauding the lottery.

The GBI began investigating the men in August 2024 at the request of the Georgia Lottery Commission. Agents said the brothers stole money from video poker-style machines—commonly known as Coin Operated Amusement Machines (COAM)—across more than 12 counties between June 2021 and September 2024.

The two were charged with multiple felony charges, including racketeering, lottery ticket fraud, theft by taking, and possession of tools for the commission of a crime.

Lottery fraud sentencing

What’s next:

Columbia County Superior Court Judge Barry A. Fleming sentenced Quinton Watts to 20 years in prison, followed by 45 years of probation. Phillip Watts was sentenced to 20 years in prison, followed by 35 years of probation. Both men were ordered to pay $86,000 in restitution to the Georgia Lottery Commission. Judge Fleming also banned both men from Columbia County, prohibited them from entering any stores involved in the case, and barred them from playing COAMs.

What are COAMs?

Dig deeper:

COAMs are arcade-style machines regulated by the Georgia Lottery and are typically found inside gas stations and convenience stores. The machines award points that can be exchanged for in-store items, gas credits, or Georgia Lottery tickets. The machines are legal as long as they are properly licensed. Under Georgia law, customers may only redeem credits for specific non-cash rewards.

The Source: Information in this article came from a release posted on the GBI’s website.

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Social media reacts to UNC controlling Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon

Published

1 day ago

January 31, 2026

Press Room

Social media reacts to UNC controlling Georgia Tech Saturday afternoon

What did social media have to say after UNC beat Georgia Tech on a snowy, Saturday afternoon in Atlanta?

An easy, dominant win is the best way for teams to keep their fans happy. That’s exactly what the UNC basketball team did on Saturday afternoon, controlling Georgia Tech from start to finish in a 91-75 victory.

North Carolina (17-4, 5-3 ACC) won its second-straight conference road game, a welcomed sight after losing its first three. The Tar Heels shot a solid 46 percent (36-of-79) from the field and, perhaps a more impressive mark, sank 92% (11-of-12) of their free throw attemps.

UNC took amazing care of the basketball, turning the ball over twice compared to 12 turnovers for the host Yellow Jackets (11-11, 2-7 ACC), who lost their third-consecutive outing. North Carolina scored a whopping 18 points off Tech’s 12 turnovers, which averages out to 1.5 points per turnover.

If you predicted Caleb Wilson to have another big game, you guessed correctly. Wilson finished his afternoon with a team-high 22 points, his 15th time reaching the 20-point plateau this season. This broke a previous tie with Tyler Hansbrough, the best collegiate basketball player to come through Chapel Hill, for most 20-point games by a freshman.

Henri Veesaar continued showcasing why he’s a top center in the country, recording a 20-point, 12-rebound double-double. Seth Trimble stepped up to lead the Tar Heels’ backcourt, recording 18 points (most amongst guards), four rebounds, two assists and a steal. Luka Bogavac made his case for a starting lineup return, netting 16 points off the bench.

UNC makes its long-awaited return home on Monday evening, hosting Syracuse in a 7 p.m. tip-off. For now, though, North Carolina players, coaches and fans can celebrate alike.

Take a look at social media for some postgame reactions from Saturday’s domination of Georgia Tech, which proved a needed big win before a big week ahead: