Game & Broadcast Info

 

Georgia-Alabama Quick Comparison

	Georgia	Alabama
Scoring Offense/Game:	39.0	42.7
Rushing Offense/Game:	209.0	123.7
Passing Offense/Game:	261.3	335.7
Total Offense/Game:	470.3	459.3
Scoring Defense/Game:	18.0	15.0
Rushing Defense/Game:	82.7	138.3
Passing Defense/Game:	217.0	108.0
Turnover Margin:	-1	+6

Simply The Best (Since 2021)

Georgia owns the best record in the FBS since 2021 at 56-5. This run includes back-to-back CFP national titles (2021-22) and two SEC titles (2022 & 2024).

Georgia and Ohio State are the only FBS schools to win 11+ games in each of the past four seasons.

Rank	School	Record
1.	GEORGIA	56-5
2.	Michigan	51-9
3.	Ohio State	50-8
4.	Oregon	49-10

ESPN College GameDay On Site

The GameDay crew will be in Knoxville for Saturday’s tilt. Georgia is 20-18 when the ESPN show is on site including 4-6 in road games. Last year, the crew watched the Bulldogs upset No. 1 Texas 30-15 in Austin, beat No. 7 Tennessee 31-17 in Athens and the No. 2 Longhorns again (22-19 OT) for the SEC title in Atlanta.

SEC Nation Coming to UGA

The SEC Nation traveling pre-game show will originate from Myers Quad from 10 a.m. to Noon ET Saturday on the SEC Network. Laura Rutledge serves as host and will be joined by Paul Finebaum, Roman Harper, Jordan Rodgers and Tim Tebow. Additionally, Marty (Smith) & (Ryan) McGee will be live Saturday from 9-10 a.m. Myers Quad will be home to The Paul Finebaum Show live Friday from 3-7 p.m.

Georgia In The Polls This Week

The Bulldogs (3-0, 1-0 SEC) check in at No. 5 in the Associated Press top 25 poll, No. 3 in the Coaches top 25 poll and No. 2 in the FWAA-NFF Super 16 poll.

Playing With FPE (Fire, Passion & Energy)

One of Georgia’s main themes during the preseason and now in 2025 will be to play with “FPE.” Fifty-four percent of Georgia’s roster is made of players in their first or second seasons in Athens, and they have displayed youthful exuberance throughout the spring, fall camp and now in season.

Redshirt junior quarterback Gunner Stockton is in his first season as a starter. He helped Georgia pass its first SEC road start, leading the Bulldogs to a 44-41 win in overtime against No. 15 Tennessee in front of a crowd of 101,915. Georgia trailed five different times including in OT.

Three of Georgia’s past six games have gone to overtime, and the Bulldogs are 3-0 in those contests including the past two against SEC teams (22-19 over No. 2 Texas for the 2024 SEC title in Atlanta and the 2025 SEC opener at No. 15 Tennessee). The other game in this stretch was in Athens, a 44-42 thriller over Georgia Tech in eight overtimes to end the regular season.

Georgia registered 502 yards of offense (198-rushing, 304-passing) on 87 plays in the road win over No. 15 UT while the Vols tallied 496 yards (125-rushing, 371-passing) on 70 plays. Georgia is 4-6 when allowing 40 points in the Smart era including 3-1 since 2022. UA (2-1) is averaging 42.7 ppg and quarterback Ty Simpson is 41-of-46 for 608 yards and 7 TDs in his last two games.

In the 2025 opener, the Bulldogs tallied 488 yards of total offense and led 45-0 until Marshall scored with 10:27 remaining in the contest. Against Austin Peay, Georgia leaned on its ground game for 190 yards on 40 carries with four scores in a 28-6 victory.

Due to injuries, Georgia has started three different offensive line units this season.

A total of 22 true freshmen Bulldogs (most in the Smart era) made their debut in the season opener and two drew a starting assignment, Ethan Barbour (Bar-bore), one of two tight ends, and Juan Gaston Jr., at right guard. Under Smart, only 13 true freshmen have started a season opener. Unfortunately, Gaston injured his ankle in the first quarter of the opener and didn’t return until seeing action versus the Vols after true freshman Dontrell Glover made his first start. Barbour missed the second half against Austin Peay with an ankle injury and is out.

The Elephant In The Room

Georgia and Alabama first met on the gridiron in 1895, a 30-6 Bulldog win in Columbus.

Alabama holds a 44-26-4 advantage in the series. Georgia’s last win in Athens over UA came in 2003 (37-23). Since then, UA only has made two visits to Athens (2008 and 2015).

The Bulldogs are 1-6 against the Crimson Tide under Smart, and none of those games have been in Athens. The lone victory came in the 2022 CFP National Championship Game, a 33-18 triumph in Indianapolis, Ind. The teams have met four times in Atlanta (the 2018 CFP National Championship Game and three SEC Championship Games) and twice in Tuscaloosa (2020, 2024).

In 2024, No. 4 Alabama raced out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter and 30-7 at halftime before the Bulldogs came charging back. Georgia took a 34-33 lead with 2:31 remaining when Carson Beck connected for a 67-yard touchdown pass to Dillon Bell. However, the lead was short-lived as Jalen Milroe answered with a 75-yard TD strike to Ryan Williams and held off No. 2 Georgia 41-34.

Georgia saw its school and SEC record streak of 28 consecutive regular season wins in league play end last year at Alabama.

Georgia is 34-2 in its last 36 SEC regular season games. The 2024 Bulldogs finished 6-2 in the SEC including making road trips to #1 Texas (W), #4 Alabama (L) and #16 Ole Miss (L) plus a home game against #7 Tennessee (W).

SMART Football

Kirby Smart is in his 10th season at the helm of his alma mater with a 108-19 mark. He is one of only two active coaches (Dabo Swinney, Clemson) with multiple national championships. *Georgia is the only team in the CFP-era to win back-to-back national titles, doing it in 2021-2022.

In 2024, the Bulldogs made their fourth straight appearance in the SEC Championship Game (SECCG) and seventh overall trip under Smart. After a 22-19 overtime win over then No. 2 Texas, the Bulldogs claimed their 15th SEC title in school history and the No. 2 seed in the CFP.

Stockton Delivers

Redshirt junior Gunner Stockton, a 6-1, 215-pound native of Tiger, Ga.,
is 3-1 as starter in his career. In his first SEC road start, the Bulldogs defeated
No. 15 Tennessee in front of a crowd of 101,915. Rookies are behind him in
redshirt freshmen Ryan Puglisi and true freshmen Ryan Montgomery.

Stockton named Davey O’Brien National QB of the Week after 44-41 overtime
win over #15 UT. Georgia trailed five times, including 21-7 after the 1st
quarter, 38-30 with 6:40 left in regulation, and in OT.

Stockton posted a successful home debut in the 2025 opening win over Marshall
as the team’s leading rusher (73 yards on 10 attempts with 2 scores) plus
threw for 190 yards and 2 TDs…First Georgia player to have two passing TDs
and two rushing scores in a season opener in the past 80 years per ESPN Stats.

2024 Highlights: Started the 2nd half of the 2024 SECCG against Texas who
had the No. 1 rated pass defense and No. 3 total defense after Carson Beck was
injured…Led the Bulldogs on scoring drives of 75, 61 and 72 yards in three
of the first four possessions and then the game-winning TD in OT…Made first
career start versus No. 5 Notre Dame in the CFP Quarterfinal Allstate Sugar
Bowl (20-for-32 for 234 yards, 1 TD despite being sacked four times).

Stockton’s Career Highs

Passing Yards	304 @ #15 UT, ’25
Completions	26 vs. AP, ’25
Attempts	34 vs. AP,’25
TD Passes	3x/last @ #15 UT,’25
Passing Yards	439 @ #4 UA, ’24
Longest Pass Play	67 vs. #5 ND, ’25
Longest TD Pass	Longest TD Pass: 47 vs. MU, ’25
Long Rush	73/10 vs. MU ’25
Interceptions	1 (2x, last vs. #2 TX-2,’24)

 
 

Stockton’s Career Passing Statistics

Year	G/GS	Cmp.	Att.	Pct.	Yds.	INT	TD	Eff.	LG
2023	4/0	12	19	63.2	148	1	2	152.8	31 FSU
2024	5/1	45	64	70.3	440	1	1	130.1	67 ND
2025	3/3	63	89	70.8	721	0	4	153.7	47MU (TD)
Total	12/4	120	172	69.8	1,309	2	7	144.8	67 ND

Stockton’s Career Game-By-Game

Game	Cmp.	Att.	Pct.	Yds.	INT	TD	SK	EFF	LG
2023
UT Martin	3	5	60.0	29	0	0	0	108.7	20
Ball State	1	1	100.0	4	0	0	1	133.6	4
UAB	2	3	66.7	19	1	0	0	53.2	15
#4 FSU (Orange)	6	10	60.0	96	0	2	0	206.6	31
2024
#14 Clemson	0	0	00.0	0	0	0	0	–	–
Tenn. Tech	10	12	83.3	90	0	0	1	146.3	21
UMass	3	4	75.0	45	0	0	0	169.5	23
#2 Texas (SEC)	12	16	75.0	71	1	0	2	99.8	18
#5 ND(CFP Qtr.)	20	32	62.5	234	0	1	4	134.2	67
2024
Marshall	14	24	58.3	190	0	2	0	152.3	47TD
Austin Peay	26	34	76.5	227	0	0	0	132.6	19
@ #15 UT (W)	23	31	74.2	304	0	2	3	177.9	45
Career Total	120	172	69.8	1,309	2	7	11	144.8	67

 
 

Puglisi’s Career Passing Statistics

Year	G/GS	Cmp.	Att.	Pct.	Yds.	INT	TD	Eff.	LG
2025	3/0	6	11	54.5	63	1	1	114.5	23 MU (TD)
Total	3/0	6	11	54.5	63	1	1	114.5	23 MU (TD)

Puglisi made his Bulldog debut in the 45-7 win over Marshall, directing four
possessions in the second half with one TD drive covering 80 yards in eight
plays…Finished the game 5-for-8 for 59 yards and one TD, a 23-yard strike to
freshman TE Elyiss Williams…Went 1-for-2 for 4 yards versus Austin Peay…
Tried Hail Mary on final play of first half at No. 15 UT and resulted in INT.

Georgia’s Explosive Plays In 2025 (12-yd Rush, 16-yd Comp.)

Game	Georgia	Opp.	Final (AP rank then CFP)
MU	10 (6R, 4P)	2 (0R, 2P)	#5 Georgia, 45-7
AP	5 (2R, 3P)	6 (3R, 3P)	#4 Georgia 28-6
@ #15 UT	12 (4R, 8P)	7 (1R, 6P)	#6 Georgia 44-41 (OT)

Longest Rush by Georgia: 23-yd by Dwight Phillips Jr (AP)
Longest Rush by Opp.: 27-yd by Star Thomas (#15UT)
Longest Completion by Georgia: 47-yd TD (Stockton to Branch vs. MU)
Longest Completion by Opp.: 72-yd TD (Aguilar to Brazzell II, #15UT)

2025 STATISTICAL LEADERS

RUSHING
#3 Nate Frazier 189 yards, 39 att., 4.8 avg., 2 TD, 21 LG
#20 Dwight Phillips, Jr. 144 yards, 17 att., 8.5 avg., 1 TD, 23 LG
#14 Gunner Stockton 124 yards, 28 att., 4.4 avg., 3 TDs, 14 LG
#33 Chauncey Bowens 121 yards, 29 att., 4.2 avg., 2 TDs, 21 LG
PASSING
#14 Gunner Stockton 63 comp., 89 att., 721 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT, 47 LG
#12 Ryan Puglisi 6 comp., 11 att., 63 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, 23 LG
RECEIVING
#8 Colbie Young 13 rec., 179 yards, 13.8 avg., 0 TD, 45 LG
#1 Zachariah Branch 11 rec., 181 yards, 16.5 avg., 2 TD, 47 LG
#16 London Humphreys 8 rec., 96 yards, 12.0 avg., 2 TD, 31 LG
TACKLES
#5 Raylen Wilson, ILB 23 total tackles, 14 solo, 9 assist, 2.5 TFL, 1 sack
#3 CJ Allen, ILB 22 total tackles, 10 solo, 12 assist, 1.5 TFL, 1 sack
#4 KJ Bolden, DB 16 total tackles, 4 solo, 12 assist, 1 INT, 1 PBU
#31 Kyron Jones, DB 14 total tackles, 5 solo, 9 assist, 0 INT, 0 PBU

Running Back Rotation Keeping Everyone Fresh

Georgia’s top returning running back is 5-10, 205-pound sophomore Nate
Frazier from Compton, Calif. He appeared in 13 games with three starts and
led the team with 671 yards and eight TDs. This season, he has started all three
games with a team-high 189 yards on 39 attempts and two scores.

Overall, Georgia is averaging 209 rushing yards per game with 10 TDs.

Redshirt freshman Chauncey Bowens, sophomore Dwight Phillips Jr., senior
Cash Jones and redshirt senior Josh McCray, have had their moments.

The Bulldogs had 55 rushes for 198 yard in the win at No. 15 UT. Frazier
had a team-long 21-yard scamper on the first play in overtime to set up the
game-winning score by McCray who notched a pair of scores in the triumph.

Bowens had a breakout performance against Austin Peay with a career-high
11 carries for 56 yards and two scores. Phillips finished with 55 yards on seven
carries including a team-best 23-yard scamper. He is averaging 8.5 ypc.

In the 45-7 win over Marshall, QB Gunner Stockton was the leading rusher
with 73 yards on 10 attempts with a pair of scores. Phillips Jr., was next with
60 yards with one TD. Frazier started and tallied 47 yards on 11 carries.

Ready To Receive

Georgia’s top receivers to date have been senior Colbie Young (13-for-
179 yards), junior Zachariah Branch (11-for-181 yards, 2 TDs) and junior
London Humphreys (8-for-96 yards, 2 TDs). Branch and Humpreys account
for all four TDs in the room as they have two apiece.

The Bulldogs are averaging 261 receiving yards a game.

Young had seven catches for 76 yards in the win over Austin Peay and then
followed that up with four receptions for 73 yards at No. 15 UT.

Branch, who tallied 47 receptions for 503 yards and one TD last year as
a USC Trojan, had a team-high five catches for 69 yards in the road win
over No. 15 UT. Against the Vols, he registered a 36-yard TD and caught the
game-tying two-point conversion with 2:32 left in the contest.

Humphreys had THE catch of the season. Down 38-30 with 2:38 remaining
in the game at No. 15 UT, it was 4th-and-6. He hauled in a 28-yard touchdown
strike from Gunner Stockton.

Senior Dillon Bell, redshirt freshman Sacovie White-Helton plus true freshman
Talyn Taylor have been targeted as well. Taylor had his first two catches
for 28 yards against the Govs. White-Helton had just one catch for 17 yards
against the Vols, but it was a big one, coming on 2nd-and-12 in the fourth
quarter on the game-tying drive.

Senior Texas A&M transfer Noah Thomas had three catches for 24 yards
against the Govs after one target against Marshall. Last year for the Aggies, he
had 39 catches for 574 yards and eight TDs.

Twelve Bulldogs caught a pass in the season opener against Marshall with
receivers accounting for 12 of the 19 receptions. Branch led the group with
three catches for 95 yards including a 47-yard TD.

Next Man Up Again On The Line

Georgia was banged up on the offensive line in 2024 while facing the nation’s
toughest schedule per ESPN’s FPI. Still, the Bulldogs won another SEC
title. This year, the Bulldogs have a retooled group because All-American Tate
Ratledge, Dylan Fairchild, Jared Wilson and Xavier Truss are all in the NFL.
Fairchild and Truss were the only ones to start all 14 games last year.

Due to injuries, Georgia has used a different starting unit in all three games
this year. While the left side has been the same with Monroe Freeling (LT)
and redshirt senior Micah Morris (LG) plus Drew Bobo (C) in the middle,
the Bulldogs have employed three different starting right guards and two different
starting right tackles. Freeling has longest the starting streak on the line
at eight games. Bobo earned Outland Trophy National Player of the Week
honors for his performance in leading the line in the road win over No. 15 UT.

The Bulldogs did not allow a sack in their first two games before the Vols
collected three. Still, when the UT game was on the line, the offensive line
came through. In overtime, it was three rushing plays for 25 yards that rallied
the No. 6 Bulldogs to victory. Also of note, when Georgia trailed No. 15 UT
21-17 to start the 3rd quarter, the Bulldogs leaned on their running game, going
75 yards for a TD on 14 plays (13 rushes) to take their first lead.

True freshmen Juan Gaston Jr. and Dontrell Glover have started a game at
right guard along with redshirt freshman Michael Uini (his first career start).

Georgia’s depth was tested early this year as Gaston and Earnest Greene III
(RT) both left the Marshall game with injuries and neither played against Austin
Peay. Sophomore Jahzare Jackson (RT) and Uini made their first starts.

Redshirt freshmen Bo Hughley and Daniel Calhoun, redshirt sophomore
Jamal Meriweather and freshmen Cortez Smith have been in the rotation.
Hughley saw action at right tackle late in the win at No. 15 UT.

Did You Know? Gaston joined Andrew Thomas (RT, 2017) as the only true
freshman offensive lineman to start a season opener in the Smart era. Thomas
went on to be a first round pick (fourth overall selection) in the 2020 NFL draft
by the New York Giants. He remains a starter for the Giants.

Not Just Blocking

Tight ends always have played a significant role in the Bulldog offense
with seven currently in the NFL, and the 2025 group is no different. Junior
Lawson Luckie and senior Oscar Delp are playing the lead roles. Redshirt
freshmen Jaden Reddell has appeared in all three games this year.

Highly-touted freshmen Ethan Barbour and Elyiss Williams have contributed
too. Barbour joined Delp in the starting lineup in the opener while
Williams notched a 23-yard TD on his first career catch. Incidentally, the last
Bulldog to do that was Delp in 2022 against South Carolina. Barbour injured
his left leg at the end of the first half against Austin Peay. He is now out.

In the win over Marshall, the tight ends had four catches for 62 yards and one
score. Delp had the longest catch, a 28-yarder, while Williams had the score.

A tight end did not have a catch against Austin Peay, marking the first time
that happened since a 2021 win over Arkansas. Georgia was 7-for-11 that day.

In the road win over No. 15 UT, Luckie had three catches for 25 yards while
Delp had one for 18 yards. Georgia posted a season-high 502 yards of offense.

Did You Know? Luckie is a second generation Bulldog. His father Mike (LB)
was part of Bulldog triplets from 1996-98 (uncles Dustin-LB and Miles-C).

Defensive Playmakers at Each Level

Georgia has had 55 players drafted over the past five seasons, including
30 on defense and 11 of those defenders have gone in the first round.

2025 Scoring Defense: 18.0 ppg; Rushing Defense: 82.7: Pass Defense: 217.0

Began 2025 by blanking Marshall for three quarters and shut out Austin Peay
in the first and fourth quarters to give the Bulldogs five scoreless quarters.

Recovered from a 21-7 first quarter deficit at No. 15 Tennessee to blank UT
in the second quarter and then allowed just 17 points in the final two quarters;
Forced UT to a field goal in OT and then Bulldogs won 44-41.

Stopping The Run Starts Up Front

One of the hallmarks of an elite defense is stopping the run. In 2025, Georgia
is replacing a host of seasoned veterans now playing in the NFL like Mykel
Williams, Nazir Stackhouse, Warren Brinson and Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins.

This year, Marshall was limited to 78 rushing yards on 31 attempts while
Austin Peay gained just 45 rushing yards on 28 attempts.

No. 15 UT came in averaging 252.5 rushing yards/game and 605 yards of
total offense/game; UT posted 125 rushing yards and 496 yards of total offense.

Redshirt junior Christen Miller and junior Jordan Hall are the veterans up
front. Miller had 2 tackles and 3 QB pressures versus No. 15 UT. Hall battled
leg injuries last year that limited him to six games and admitted that rehabbing
the mental side more than the physical was the toughest part. Hall made his
first career start in the 2025 opener against Marshall. He had three tackles
against No. 15 UT.

Redshirt freshmen Joseph Jonah-Ajonye, Nnamdi Ogboko, and Jordan
Thomas, redshirt sophomores Xzavier McLeod and Josh Horton (Miami)
and freshmen Elijah Griffin and JJ Hanne are in the rotation. Jonah-Ajonye
and Griffin posted a career-high three stops versus Austin Peay.

Allen And Wilson Leading The LB Room

In 2024, junior CJ Allen ranked second in tackles behind safety Malaki
Starks (1st round pick of Baltimore) with 76 while fellow junior Raylen Wilson
posted 47 stops. Currently, they are the team’s top two tacklers with Wilson
registering 23 while Allen has 22.

The duo had career-highs in the win at No. 15 UT as Allen made 11 stops
with two QB pressures and Wilson collected nine and three QB pressures.

One of the most veteran linebackers, junior Gabe Harris Jr., made his first
start against Marshall and had a pair of TFLs.

Redshirt junior Terrell Foster made three tackles, and in the second quarter,
he recovered a blocked punt at the Marshall 20 that set up an eventual score.

Freshmen All-SEC selections Chris Cole and Justin Williams stepped up
last year when Smael Mondon (now with the Philadelphia Eagles) was hurt,
and that duo is even better in 2025. Cole had a career-high five tackles in the
win over Marshall and got his first career sack plus three tackles against Austin
Peay while Williams made a career-high four stops.

Cole’s elite speed, length and flexibility help him cover as he made a career-
high six tackles, one sack and two QB pressures against No. 15 UT.

Sophomore Quintavius Johnson has started all three games.

Meanwhile redshirt freshman Kris Jones plus freshmen Zayden Walker and
Anthony Kruah are aiming to contribute too. Junior transfer Elo Modozie
(Army), who made 34 stops, including eight tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks, last
year, has seen action in every game for the Bulldogs.

Secondary Tested Early And Often At No. 15 Tennessee

Georgia’s defense faced a passing attack at No. 15 Tennessee that was averaging
352 yards per game (ypg), and the Vols tallied 371 yards in a shootout
with the Bulldogs. Coming in to the contest, the Bulldogs had not allowed a
passing TD, and the Vols collected four on the day including three big ones
that covered 32, 56 and 72 yards. Joenel Aguero, who collected a career-best
seven tackles versus the Vols, and KJ Bolden came up with interceptions.

Marshall finished 11-for-21 for 120 yards and no passing TDs or INTs.

Austin Peay went 16-for-23 for 151 yards and no passing TDs with 1 INT.

Redshirt junior Zion Branch led the team with a career-high seven stops versus
Marshall while Bolden had six stops against Austin Peay. Bolden blocked
a punt against Marshall too.

Senior Daylen Everette, the MVP of the 2024 SEC Championship Game,
entered 2025 with a team-best 28 consecutive starts but that was snapped
when he missed the opener against Marshall due to an injury. He has returned
to his starting role since week two.

Junior Daniel Harris, redshirt freshman Ellis Robinson IV and redshirt
sophomore Kyron Jones plus senior JaCorey Thomas have seen the most
action. Robinson had the team’s first INT of the year against Austin Peay.
Jones, who was a running back in high school and recruited to play defensive
back, posted a career-high 10 stops against the Vols.

Something Special About These Specialists

In 2024, Georgia was the only team in the FBS that had its punter (Brett
Thorson), placekicker (Peyton Woodring) and snapper (Beau Gardner)
named a semifinalist for a national award at their position, and all three are
back! Thorson and Gardner were named finalists for the Ray Guy Award and
Patrick Mannelly Award, while Woodring was up for the Groza Award.

Are We Punting? We’re Going For It!

In the Kirby Smart era, the Bulldogs have a 64% success rate on 4th
Down Conversion attempts (86-for-134) with 17 TDs.

In 2025, Georgia is 5-for-5 with 3 TDs on 4th Down to ranked tied for 1st
nationally in 4th Down Conversion Percentage. Central Florida (8-for-8) is
the only school to be perfect with more conversions.

Down 38-30 with 2:38 remaining in the game against No. 15 Tennesseee in
Knoxville, Georgia converted a 4th-and-6 at the UT 28 for a TD (Stockton
pass-to-Humphreys). Also that day, Georgia trailed 21-7 in the 1st quarter and
converted a 4th-and-3 at the UGA 48.

Did You Know? The only other fourth quarter 4th down conversion featuring
a TD pass when Georgia was behind under Smart came in 2016 at Missouri.
The Bulldogs trailed 27-21 with 1:31 left in the game and faced a 4th-and-10.
Jacob Eason hit Isaiah McKenzie for a 20-yard TD in a 28-27 win.

In 2024, Georgia led the SEC and ranked 16th nationally in 4th Down Conversions
at 67% (18-for-27 with 4 TDs).

G’day Mate! Thorson Returns

With elite distance, hang time, placement and a strong coverage unit,
All-America punter Brett Thorson and the Bulldogs ranked 5th nationally
in Net Punting (43.5) in 2024. Currently, Georgia is 23rd at 44.0. In the 2024
SEC Championship Game, Thorson’s season ended due to a knee injury during
a return after a punt. He missed the 2025 opener while still recovering with
redshirt freshman Drew Miller serving as the punter. Thorson returned to his
starting role in week two versus Austin Peay.

In his first two games back, Thorson has been named to the “Ray’s 8,” the
weekly Ray Guy Award group. At #15 Tennessee, he had three punts for a 47.7
average including a long of 52 with two placed inside the 20 and no return yards.

A native of Melbourne, Australia, Thorson was a 2024 finalist for the Ray
Guy Award after averaging 47.6 yards on 42 punts, the second best mark in
school history. His average would’ve ranked 3rd nationally in 2024, but the
NCAA’s minimum for leaders is 3.6 punts a game.

Thorson’s career average of 45.6 (5,339/117) ranks 2nd best in school history,
trailing only Jake Camarda’s record mark of 45.8 set from 2018-21.

Thorson’s social media features a comedic slant about his lack of playing time
because the Bulldogs punted a record low 32 times in 2023 after just 36 punts
in 2022 (15 games), the two lowest totals dating to at least 1948.

Along with Cole Speer, gunners in 2025 have included KJ Bolden, London
Humphreys, Daniel Harris and Jeremy Bell.

Single Game Career Highs For Thorson

Punts: 6 (UK24)
Long: 75 (Tenn22)
Avg. (Min 2 punts): 54.0 on four (@ #1 Texas24) with minus 5 PR yards

Single Game Career Highs For Miller

Punts: 6 (MU25)
Long: 54 (MU 25)
Avg. (Min 2 punts): 48.0 on six (MU25) with 14 PR yards

#at least two punts

Geaux Dawgs

Junior All-SEC specialist Peyton Woodring, a native of Lafayette, La.,
returns as a two-time Lou Groza Award semifinalist. In 2025, he has a teamhigh
25 points (4-4 on FGs, 13-for-13 on PATs, 20 Kickoffs, 18 Touchbacks)

Named SEC Special Teams Player of the Week in 44-41 OT road win versus
#15 Tennessee, accounted for 12 points including a 48-yard FG plus eight
kickoffs, all touchbacks.
Did You Know? After missing three of his first seven field goal attempts
as a freshman in 2023, he’s been good on 42 of his past 45 FG (all three misses
from 50 yards). He’s made all 132 PATs too.

His 91.3 FG% in 2024 ranked 2nd in the SEC and 3rd best in Georgia history.

Team-high 111 points in 2024, going 21-for-23 on FGs (both misses from 50+),
48-for-48 on PATs and handled kickoffs too (80 of 85 overall with a 63.7 avg.).

Single Game Career Highs For Woodring

Points: 15 (UK23)
PATs: 9 (vs. FSU23, Orange Bowl, Miami Gardens, Fla.)
FGA: 3 (7x, last @ #15 Tennessee ’25)
FGM: 3 (6x, last @ #15 Tennessee ’25)
LG: Clemson 24 in Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

Redshirt senior Liam Badger and freshman Connor Ferguson are options
too. Ferguson made his debut with the final kickoff versus Marshall.

Did You Know?

Georgia’s last game-winning field goal with two minutes
or less to play came in the 2021 Peach Bowl against undefeated and No. 8
Cincinnati. Jack Podlesny hit a 53 yarder with three seconds left for a 22-21
lead, and the Bulldogs woud register a safety on the final play for a 24-21 final.

Snap Judgment: Gardner Named Finalist

In 2024, San Franicsco native Beau Gardner, a graduate transfer from
UCLA, became Georgia’s first finalist for the Patrick Mannelly Award (nation’s
best long snapper, annual award began in 2019). He is back in 2025.

Snapped on a combined 71 field goal attempts and PATs as well as each of
the 46 punts in 2024.

Back Deep For The Bulldogs

The experienced kickoff returners include USC transfer junior Zachariah
Branch (Career: 31-for-595 yards, 1 TD including 2 for 48 yards for UGA)
and graduate Cash Jones (4-for-58 yards in 2024; None in 2025).

Branch was named to the Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll for his performance
in the road win over No. 15 Tennessee. He had five catches for 69 yards
including a 36-yard TD, caught the game-tying two-point conversion with
2:32 left in regulation, had one KOR for 28 yards and one rush for four yards.

At punt returner, Branch has done this as well during his career with the Trojans
and Bulldogs (Career: 33-for-439 yards, 1 TD including 4 for 33 yards for
UGA). In 2023, Branch won The Jet Award for the nation’s top returner. Also,
redshirt-freshman Sacovie White-Helton has one PR for 12 yards.

In the season opener against Marshall, the Bulldogs did not have any kick
returns while Branch had three PR for 24 yards. KJ Bolden blocked a Marshall
punt and was credited with a two-yard return.

Did You Know? Georgia’s last punt return for a TD came in 2023 (Mekhi
{MUH-kye} Mews vs. Ball State, 69 yards)

Did You Know? Georgia’s last KOR for a TD came in 2016 (Terry Godwin
@ South Carolina, 43 yards)

It’s Blocked

Under Kirby Smart, the Bulldogs have blocked eight punts and eight field
goals. There’s two players on the current squad with a block for Georgia.

In the 2025 season opener against Marshall, KJ Bolden blocked a punt that
led to an eventual TD after the Bulldogs recovered it at the MU20. Junior DB
Joenel Aguero blocked a Florida punt in 2023 that resulted in a safety.

Junior transfer OLB Elo Modozie blocked field goal attempts by Rice and
Notre Dame in 2024 while playing for Army. Senior transfer DB Adrian
Maddox blocked a field goal attempt by Prairie View A&M in 2022 while
playing for Alabama State. Georgia’s last blocked field goal came in 2024 by
Dan Jackson against Auburn. He is now with the Detroit Lions on IR.

Putting Points On The Board

Georgia ranks 3rd in NCAA history for consecutive games scoring and among
schools with active streaks: Florida: 466 games (1988-present); TCU: 410
games (1991-present); Georgia: 390 games (1995-present).

Georgia’s All-Time Overtime Record (11-7)

Home: 2-2; Away: 5-2; Neutral: 4-3
Bowl Game/CFP: 3-2 !SEC Games: 4-4

!Includes SECCG & CFP National Championship)

The Bulldogs are 3-2 in overtime games under Kirby Smart. Georgia’s complete overtime history can be found on page 110 of the media guide.

Home: 1-1; Away: 1-0; Neutral: 2-1
(Bowl Game/CFP: 1-1; *SEC Games: 2-2)

Includes SECCG & CFP National Championship)

Jan. 1, 2018: #3 Georgia beat #2 Oklahoma 54-48 (2-OT) in Pasadena, Calif. (CFP Semifinal: Rose Bowl Game)

Jan. 8. 2018: #4 Alabama beat #3 Georgia 26-23 in Atlanta, Ga. (CFP National Championship, Mercedes-Benz Stadium)

Oct. 12, 2019: S.C. beat #3 Georgia 20-17 (2-OT) in Athens, Ga.

Nov. 29, 2024: #7 Georgia beat Ga. Tech 44-42 (8-OT, SEC Record) in Athens, Ga.

Dec. 7, 2024: #2 Georgia beat #5 Texas 22-19 in Atlanta, Ga. (SEC Championship, Mercedez-Benz Stadium)

Sept. 13, 2025: #6 Georgia beat #15 Tennessee 44-41 in Knoxville, Tenn.

Bulldog Honor Roll

Drew Bobo, C
Outland Trophy National Player of the Week (@ #15 UT game)
Zachariah Branch, WR/Return Specialist
Paul Hornung Award Honor Roll (@ #15 UT game)
Gunner Stockton, QB
Davey O’Brien National QB of the Week, also Davey O’Brien Great 8 in Week 3, SEC
Offensive Player of the Week, Manning Award Star of the Week, Johnny Unitas Golden
Arm Player of the Week (@ #15 UT game);
Brett Thorson, P
“Ray Guy, Ray’s 8” For Week Two (AP game); “Ray Guy, Ray’s 8” For Week Three
(@ #15 UT game);
Peyton Woodring, PK
SEC Special Teams Player of the Week (@ #15 UT game);

Points Off Turnovers In 2025

Georgia is -1 in Turnover Margin.
Georgia has 3 points off three turnovers.
Opponents have 6 points off five turnovers.

MU: No turnovers by either team

AP: No points off 1 TO; AP got 3 points off 2 TO

UT: 3 points off 2 TO; UT got 3 points off 2 TO

Bulldog Career INTs & Pick-Six

Georgia has 3 INTs in 2025: Ellis Robinson IV (AP), Joenel Aguero (UT), KJ Bolden (UT);
Opp. have 1 INT.

 

Bulldog Career Fumble Recoveries

Georgia has no FR in 2025; Opponents have two FR.

^on Offense; #on Special Teams

Bulldog Career Sacks

Georgia has 4 sacks in 2025; Opponents have 3.

10 First-Time Starters In 2025

MU (7): E. Barbor (TE), Z. Branch (WR), J. Gaston, Jr. (RG), J. Hall (DL), Q.
Johnson (OLB), K. Jones (FS), E. Robinson IV (CB);

AP (2): Jahzare Jackson
(RT), Michael Uini (RG);

@ #15 UT (1): Dontrell Glover (RG);

Last year, there were 21 first-time starters during the season.

True Freshmen Getting A Taste

The Bulldogs had 22 true freshmen make their debut in the 2025 season-opening win
over Marshall: Ethan Barbor (TE), Juan Gaston, Jr. (RG) started while 20 others
saw action: Elyiss Williams (TE), Zayden Walker (ILB), Talyn Taylor (WR), Darren
Ikinnagbon (OLB), Tyler J. Williams (WR), Anthony Kruah (ILB), Bo Walker,
(RB) Dominick Kelly (CB), Rasean Dinkins (S), Isaiah Gibson (OLB), Cortez
Smith (OL), London Seymour (DT), CJ Wiley (WR), Dontrell Glover (OL), Mason
Short (OL), Landon Roldan (WR), Thomas Blackshear (WR), Elijah Griffin (DL),
JJ Hanne (DL) and Connor Ferguson (K). Last year, 13 true freshmen made their
debut in the opening win over No. 14 Clemson.

The Bulldog Captains In 2025

MU: CJ Allen, Christen Miller, Drew Bobo, Earnest Greene III
AP: AP: Gunner Stockton, Colbie Young, KJ Bolden, Raylen Wilson
@ #15UT: CJ Allen, Christen Miller, Drew Bobo, Oscar Delp

HEAD COACH KIRBY SMART QUICK FACTS

 

• 10th season as Georgia coach
• Career Record: 108-19 (.850)
• 2021 & 2022 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS
• 2017 CFP national runner-up
• One of just two active coaches with multiple national titles (Dabo Swinney-Clemson, ’16 & ’18)
• T5th fastest coach in NCAA FBS history to win 100 games, doing it in 117; Fastest to do it in SEC history
• Best record & winning percentage (85-15, .850) after his first 100 games of any coach in SEC history
• 2017, 2022 & 2024 SEC Champions
• Georgia has been ranked in the top five nationally in Scoring Defense five times including leading the nation in 2019 & 2021; Been ranked in the top 10 in Scoring Offense three times (2021-23)
• 2017 George Munger award (National Coach of the Year by Maxwell Club)
• Three-Time SEC Coach of the Year, 2017, 2021-22
• Bulldogs have won three Butkus Awards and two Mackey Awards, One Outland Trophy, Bednarik Award, Thorpe Award, Groza Award, Manning Award & Burlsworth Trophy; Two NFF Scholar-Athlete Awards, One Heisman Trophy finalist
• 25 1st-team All-Americans
• 76 NFL Draft Picks
• 20 First Round NFL Draft picks
• 290 players on SEC Academic Honor Rolls, including a high of 48 on the 2024 team

 

THE KIRBY SMART RECORD

 

Year	W	L	Pct.	SEC	Bowl	AP Rank
2016	8	5	.615	4-4	Liberty	NR
2017	13	2	.867	8-2#	CFP Rose/NCG	2nd
2018	11	3	.786	7-2#	Sugar	T7th
2019	12	2	.857	7-2#	Sugar	4th
2020	8	2	.800	7-2	Chick-fil-A	7th
2021	14	1	.933	9-1#	CFP Orange/NCG	1st
2022	15	0	1.000	9-0#	CFP Peach/NCG	1st
2023	13	1	.929	8-0	Orange	4th
2024	11	3	.786	7-2 *	CFP Sugar (Qtr.)	6th
2025	3	0	1.00	1-0
Total	108	19	.850	*67-16

#4-5 (includes 2017-19, ’21, ’22, ’23, ’24’ SECCGs, 2018 & 2022 CFPNC)
 

17 VICTORIES WHEN TIED OR TRAILING LATE

SEASON	OPPONENT	START OF 4TH QUARTER OR DEFICIT	FINAL
2016	% #22 UNC	Trailed 24-23	33-24
2016	@ Missouri	Trailed 27-21	28-27
2016	@ Kentucky	Trailed 21-16	27-24
2016	#8 Auburn	Tied 7-7	13-7
2016	^TCU	Trailed Trailed 23-21	31-23
2017	@ #24 Notre Dame	Trailed 17-16, trailed 19-17 with 10:21 left	20-19
2017	$ #2 Oklahoma	Tied 31-31, trailed 45-38 with 0:55 left	54-48 2ot
2020	~ #8 Cincinnati	Trailed 21-10, trailed 21-19 with :03 left	24-21
2022	! #1 Alabama	Trailed 18-13 with 10:14 left	33-18
2022	@ Missouri	Trailed 19-12, trailed 22-12 with 14:09 left	26-22
2022	~ #4 Ohio State (CFP Semi)	Trailed 38-24, trailed 41-35 with 2:43 left	42-41
2023	@ Auburn	Tied 17-17, tied 20-20 with 6:21 left	27-20
2024	@ Kentucky	Trailed 9-6	13-12
2024	@ Kentucky	Trailed 9-6	13-12
2024	vs. Florida in Jax.	Tied 20-20 with 7:29 left	34-20
2024	Ga. Tech	Trailed 17-6; then 27-13 with 5:37 left; 40-34 in 2nd OT	44-42 (8-OT)
2024	#2 Texas (SECCG)	Trailed 19-16 in OT	22-19
2025	@ #15 Tennessee	Trailed 28-27; then 38-30 with 6:40 left; 41-38 in OT	44-41 (OT)

%Chick-fil-A Kickoff Classic; ^Liberty Bowl; $Rose Bowl Game; ~Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl; !CFP National Championship

TOP IND. SINGLE GAME PERFORMANCES UNDER SMART

 
Rushing Yards: 222, Nick Chubb vs. #22 UNC in Atlanta (9/3/16);
Rushing TDs: 3, Sony Michel vs. UK
(11/18/17); vs. #2 Oklahoma in CFP Semifinal Rose Bowl (1/1/18); Daijun Edwards vs. AU (10/8/22); Trevor
Etienne @ #1 Texas (10/19/24); Nate Frazier vs. UMass (11/23/24);
Longest Rush: 83-TD, D’Andre Swift @ #9 UK (11/3/18)
Passing Yards: 459, Carson Beck vs. MSU (10/13/24);
Passing TDs: 5, C. Beck (TT-9/7/24, GT-11/29/24), S. Bennett (UAB-9/11/21);
Receiving Yards: 197 (8 rec.), Jermaine Burton vs. MSU (11/21/20);
Receiving TDs: 2, by nine Bulldogs multiple times;
Longest Pass/TD Pass: 89-TD, S. Bennett to Brock Bowers vs. UAB (9/11/21);
Tackles: 15, Nakobe Dean vs. #8 UF in Jacksonville (11/7/20);
Sacks: 3, Trenton Thompson vs. TCU (12/30/16);
Azeez Ojulari vs. #8 UC in Peach Bowl (1/1/21); Channing Tindall @ UT (11/13/21); Jalon Walker @ #1 Texas
(10/19/24);
TFL: 3, Azeez Ojulari vs. #7 AU (10/3/20), vs. #8 UC in Peach Bowl (1/1/21); Trenton Thompson vs. Nicholls (9/10/16); Channing Tindall @ UT (11/13/21); Jalon Walker @ #1 Texas (10/19/24) & #2 Texas in SECCG (12/7/24);

31 DEFENSE AND SPECIAL TEAMS SCORES UNDER SMART

The Bulldogs are 28-1 (loss came versus #8 UF in 2020) when they register a non-offensive score under Smart.

In 2024, freshman LB Chris Cole returned a fumble 28 yards for a TD; In 2023, freshman DB Kyron Jones returned an INT versus UT Martin 26 yards for a score; redshirt sophomore Mekhi Mews took a punt return 69 yards for a TD against Ball State; and Joenel Aguero blocked a punt for a safety versus Florida.

DEFENSIVE SCORING IN THE SMART ERA

 
114 Points: 17 TDs, 6 Safeties

2016: 14 points in 3 different games (Pick-Six, Fumble Ret., Safety);

2017: 6 points in one game (Fumble Ret.);

2018: 12 points in 2 different games (Pick-Six, Fumble Ret.);

2019: 18 points in 3 different games (2 Fumble Ret., 1 Fumble Rec.);

2020: 22 points in 4 different games (2 Pick-Sixes 1 Fumble Ret., 2 Safeties);

2021: 28 points in 6 different games (4 Pick-Sixes, 2 Safeties);

2022: none

2023: 8 points in two games (Pick-Six, Safety)

2024: 6 points in one game (Fumble Ret.)

48 POINTS ON SPECIAL TEAMS IN THE SMART ERA

 
2016: 12 points in 2 games (KOR, PR);
2017: none;
2018: 12 points in 2 games (PR, Blocked Punt Ret.);
2019: none;
2020: none;
2021: 8 points in 2 games (Blocked Punt Ret.; Safety/Blocked Punt);
2022: 8 points in 2 games (Safety/Blocked Punt; Blocked FG Ret.).
2023: 8 points in 2 games (PR, Safety)
2024: none;

UGA COVERAGE ON WAGA FOX 5 ATLANTA TO INCLUDE:

 
“Kirby Smart All Access Presented by Piedmont Healthcare” – This half-hour program will air Monday at 7 p.m. during football season and offer viewers a behind-the-scenes look through the preparation ahead of each game, from exclusive interviews with coaches and players, to features showcasing what it takes to build and maintain a championship program.

“Bulldogs Final” – This short wrap-up program will air on Saturday nights of UGA football games, with a repeat Sunday mornings, and will include highlights, analysis, and exclusive content from that week’s game.

“Bulldogs Now Presented by Hoffman Financial” – This weekly, half-hour program on Saturdays at 8 a.m. will deliver exclusive access and the latest updates on the Georgia Bulldogs all year round. Outside of football season, the show will feature the latest news, in-depth features and updates on all 21 UGA sports programs.