Adam Greene
UGA Sports Communications

“When we came back out for the second half, went three-and-out on defense, and then marched down and scored on offense, I felt the energy and enthusiasm in the stadium.”

Those were Georgia head coach Kirby Smart‘s opening remarks after a 28–6 Bulldog victory over Austin Peay on a stormy Saturday afternoon at Sanford Stadium, crediting the fans who braved thunder and lightning to endure a two-hour halftime delay. “We say all the time, if it changes, we’re going to be the best at dealing with change. We have a plan in place, we execute the plan, everybody has confidence in it. It happens on the battlefield all the time.”

Austin Peay’s defense held strong for much of the game, but the running back tandem of Chauncey Bowens and Nate Frazier proved too much to overcome. Each scored two touchdowns, and they combined with Dwight Phillips, Jr., to rush for 180 yards on 32 carries, carrying the Bulldogs’ offense to victory.

Capping off the drive Smart had referenced earlier, Bowens juked multiple defenders before punching the ball into the end zone on a 14-yard run. His shifty running style complemented Georgia’s game plan perfectly, and he was a revelation on the offensive side.

“It’s a tag team. The standard never drops, and that’s something we take pride in,” Bowens said of the running back group. “Whether it’s me, Nate, Dwight, or whoever goes in, we just keep the same standard.”

That “standard” has been a theme Smart has preached throughout training camp and the opening weeks of the season. Both Bowens’ and Frazier’s emergence has met the moment, and their growth has been clear.

However, Bowens emphasized that Georgia’s success in the backfield isn’t just about coaching — it’s about camaraderie. “We all practice hard, and we all take care of each other,” he said. As a freshman last season, he said his transition into the room was made easier by the support of his teammates.

“If I have any questions, every single back in that room is more than able to help me out and communicate with me,” said Bowens, a 5-foot-11 and 225-pound redshirt freshman who played in four games in 2024.

“It’s a really hardworking group. I love running behind them,” Bowens added. “I know they believe in me, and I believe in all of them.”

Smart agreed, praising Bowens’ breakout performance. “Really physical — I thought he was running violently,” Smart said. “I thought he had a little more burst and spring in his step today. He got yards after contact, which is big for us.”

From the sidelines, linebacker Justin Williams was cheering on Bowens as loud as anyone in the stadium. “Y’all see that truck?” Williams joked after the game. “I know y’all saw that. That truck was crazy.” Williams recorded four tackles himself but made sure to highlight the bruising back who ran over a few would-be tacklers Saturday.

“I’m just hype for him,” Williams said. “He’s stuck it through, he’s gone through a little bit of adversity while being here, and I’m so happy for him. I’m happy for Chauncey.”

The Bulldogs now turn their attention to conference play, opening SEC competition next weekend at No. 22 Tennessee. “We have to correct some things. Correct our mistakes, come back, and play hard,” Bowens said.

Smart pointed out the challenge of going on the road for the first time this season, especially with it being against an SEC opponent, but urged his team to keep perspective. “We’ve been preparing for that, knowing it all along, but it’s going to be different when you go up there,” he said.

He reminded his players: “It’s not you against 100,000,” referring to the huge crowd that will pack Neyland Stadium. “It’s you against 11.”

Alongside Williams, linebacker CJ Allen led the defense with seven tackles. He echoed Smart’s forward-looking approach. “We gotta get better,” Allen said. “We gotta get a little bit better each and every day, and it starts tomorrow.”