Georgia shows balance on both sides during smashing of Southern

Southern’s visit to Athens on Saturday fit the classic definition of a trap game for Georgia. It was sandwiched in between a big win over South Carolina the week before and an even bigger game with Alabama looming next week.

The Bulldogs sidestepped the FCS Jaguars, 48-6, and dominated both sides of the ball in an easy win.

5 TAKEAWAYS

• Mission accomplished: Before this game kicked off, an ideal Georgia day would have featured an easy win with no injuries, an efficient day from the offense and a dominating effort from the defense. Check, check and check.
• Nick Chubb is good: This isn’t exactly breaking news, but the sophomore running back rolled up 155 yards of total offense and found the end zone three times. And this was after a relatively quiet first half. His presense makes everyone better.
• Always on target: Greyson Lambert has put together a pair of very good weeks. In the last two games, Lambert is 33 of 35 through the air with 476 yards, five scores and no picks. If he plays at this level, Georgia will be tough to beat.
• Getting defensive: Southern had one very good touchdown drive in the game — a 14-play, 75-yard march that ate up half of the second quarter. Other than that, the Bulldogs made life tough on the Jaguars while rotating in a bunch of players.
• Mark Richt has won a bunch of football games at Georgia: With Saturday’s win, Richt now has 140, which ties him for second in school history with Wallace Butts. He is 71 wins away from Vince Dooley’s 201.

REPORT CARD

Offense: A- — A balanced day from the Bulldogs with plenty of yards and touches to go around. A slow start for the running game in the first half and settling for three field goals are really the only points of contention.

Defense: A — Take away a second-quarter march from the Jaguars, and we’re talking about a shutout, and 28 different players had at least one tackle, too.

Special Teams: C+ — Marshall Morgan hit a pair of field goals, and the Bulldogs blocked a punt, but otherwise, this wasn’t a great day for the special teams. Patrick Beless missed a field goal, Collin Barber’s lone punt on the day traveled only 24 yards, and the return game was ineffective as well. Isaiah McKenzie also muffed a punt in the second half. There’s room for growth here.

Coaching: A — It’s not too tough for a SEC coaching staff to make a plan to face Southern, but the Bulldogs were in control of this game from the jump. Nothing to fuss about here.

Overall: A — The Bulldogs won big. They put up some good numbers. They played a ton of guys, and everyone stayed healthy. What else could you ask for?

GAME PLAN

For most of the game, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer had his choice of methods to move the ball. Chubb, Sony Michel and company piled up 261 yards on the ground while Lambert and Brice Ramsey put up 271 yards passing. Defensively, the Bulldogs managed to get pressure on the Jaguars without blitzing. And aside from that one second-quarter drive, Southern never reached the red zone.

GAME BALLS

• RB Nick Chubb: With 131 yards on 15 carries, Chubb has now rushed for at least 100 yards in 12 straight games. That’s one shy of Herschel Walker’s 13 in 1980 and 1981.
• WR Malcolm Mitchell: The senior had five catches for 96 yards and a touchdown and seems to be building good chemistry with Lambert.
• DT Trenton Thompson: The highly touted freshman tied for the team-high with five tackles, including a half-sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.

INJURY UPDATE

• Southern’s Devon Gales was carted off in the third quarter with what looked like a head injury. ESPN reported that he was moving his hands en route to a local hospital.
• Georgia’s Davin Bellamy is expected to return from a concussion next week.

Randy Capps

Randy Capps is a contributing writer for Saturday Down South. He covers SEC football, South Carolina and Georgia.