No. 1 Georgia moves to 4-0 with an ugly 39-22 win at home versus Kent State.
The Golden Flashes forced three UGA turnovers and put up 22 points, the most given up by the Bulldogs since Alabama’s 41 points in the 2021 SEC Championship game.
Quarterback Stetson Bennett completed 27 of 36 passes for 272 yards and threw his first interception of the season. ‘The Mailman’ added a score on the ground. Redshirt sophomore receiver Ladd McConkey struggled mightily with a muffed punt, a lost fumble and three drops. McConkey finished with six catches for 65 yards. The Dawgs were exposed in run defense at times. Kent State scored the first rushing touchdown the Bulldogs have given up this season and racked up 93 yards on the ground.
Georgia had several bright spots. Tight end Brock Bowers ran for a 75-yard touchdown and a two-yard score, while adding five catches for 60 yards. Running back Daijun Edwards finished as the team’s second-leading rusher behind Bowers with 12 carries for 73 yards, and safety safety Christopher Smith nabbed his second interception of the season, the only Kent State turnover.
Here’s how UGA Twitter is reacting to the tough day in Athens.
Turnovers
It took Georgia 182 minutes and 13 seconds to turn the football over in 2022 😳
Ladd McConkey muffs the punt, Kent State recovers and converts on a field goalpic.twitter.com/M0DH9tWtR9
— The Transfer Portal CFB (@TPortalCFB) September 24, 2022
Stetson throws his first interception of the day. Picked off at the 5 yard line.
Georgia has two turnovers in first quarter.
— UGA Football Live (@UGAfootballLive) September 24, 2022
Ladd McConkey fumbles and Kent State recovers.
Ladd with his second turnover, plus that drop in the end zone. Would not be surprised if his day is over.
— UGA Football Live (@UGAfootballLive) September 24, 2022
There's Georgia's first turnover of the season. Kent State recovered fumble at UGA 26 when Ladd McConkey couldn't handle punt.
— Marc Weiszer (@marcweiszer) September 24, 2022
Ladd McConkey with his second fumble of the game.
Georgia now has three turnovers.
— Connor Riley (@Kconnorriley) September 24, 2022
Run defense
Really didn’t think I’d have to use this one today.
Touchdown Kent State. pic.twitter.com/mzUWVVBiwy
— UGA Football Live (@UGAfootballLive) September 24, 2022
Georgia run defense is looking very bad today. Flashes gash them repeatedly on another drive. At least they missed the 2-point play. 32-22.
— Junkyard Blawg (@junkyardbillk) September 24, 2022
There’s the back step we thought was coming after last years defense. Awful game, awful run defense, Georgia looks less than mediocre at this point #GoDawgs #cfb #uga
— Gawgia (@Gawgia3) September 24, 2022
Jalen Carter leadership and abilities on the field are surely missed today but even that is not an excuse for the way UGA is playing today! Someone give Jordan Davis his flowers again cause the middle of Georgia defense last year against the run wasn't going!!
— Wastelandthoughts (@Wastelandmind) September 24, 2022
Yeah, biggest surprise is our defense today. Gotta give some props to the Kent State game plan though. They run the RPO well.
— Nate🐶🏈 (@NateDawgUga) September 24, 2022
Brock Bowers
Bowers for 6 pic.twitter.com/xUa7N2rADF
— UGA Football Live (@UGAfootballLive) September 24, 2022
Brock Bowers in the first half:
🐶 6 touches
🐶 131 yards
🐶 2 TDs pic.twitter.com/IEV5Xtw9fM— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 24, 2022
Brock Bowers is the most versatile weapon in college football
— Graham Coffey (@DawgOutWest) September 24, 2022
Brock Bowers has more rushing TDs than Anthony Richardson has passing TDs.
— ᑕOᗩᑕᕼ YEᗩᕼ 🏆 (@EVILCOACHYEAH) September 24, 2022
If Heisman goes to best player in college football then @GeorgiaFootball TE Brock Bowers at least needs to be in conversation.
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) September 24, 2022
Final thoughts
Teams to score 20+ points against Georgia since 2021:
– Alabama
– Kent State pic.twitter.com/tNGYI8xGyi— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) September 24, 2022
Georgia will absolutely be fine.
If you’ve never been in the locker room on an elite team, you may not believe it but… the best thing that can happen sometimes is a game like this vs Kent State.
— Jon Tweets Sports (@jontweetssports) September 24, 2022
Georgia fans are addicted to dominance. Today was not dominant. And that's ok. #GoDawgs
— Logan Booker (@LoganMBooker) September 24, 2022
Thinking positively here Georgia. A bunch of young players have only known dominance. Good to learn that this game will never just be given to you no matter how talented you are.
Let’s see how much fire the Dawgs have in them in the 2nd. @UGAfootballLive
— J.C. Shelton (@jc_shelton_) September 24, 2022
Georgia head coach Kirby Smart: "If you turn the ball over four times, you're going to be in ballgames like that. We've got to prevent that."
Important to note Smart counted Kent State's successful fake punt as a turnover
— Jordan D. Hill (@JordanDavisHill) September 24, 2022
It's going to be a rough week at Georgia practice
— Wes Blankenship (@Wes_nship) September 24, 2022
The Bulldogs will travel to SEC foe Missouri (2-2) next Saturday.
