In what was supposed to be a “cupcake” game for the top-ranked bulldogs we saw the team face adversity. The rolling Georgia offense was supposed to easily dominate this MAC conference defense and very early that appeared as though it was going to happen. However, some struggles soon followed. Though the first half was rough the second half was headlined by something we haven’t exactly seen from this top-ranked bulldog offense this far into the season. Patience, the offense “dinked and doinked” the hard-hitting Kent State defense.
First Half of Surprises
This crazy high-powered offense came out strong. We saw who I think could be a quiet Heisman candidate in Sophmore tight end Brock Bowers. Brock took an end around hand-off seventy-five yards to the house to put the top-ranked bulldogs on the board first. Which was needed because the struggles soon followed. Headlined by the normally reliable Ladd McConkey struggling to hold onto the ball after a muffed punt led to Kent States’ first points of the game coming from their kicker. The next offensive drive was finished by an unusual interception by quarterback Stetson Bennett.
Lucky for the top-ranked bulldogs’ offense the defense stopped the Kent State offense forcing a punt deep in their own territory. The special teams went and did what they do in Athens. They went and blocked the punt resulting in safety for the Bulldogs. Ladd McConkey would cough the ball up once again, but that man Brock Bowers would get his second, yes second rushing touchdown of the day. Then the start of a more patient offense showed up before the half. The top-ranked Bulldogs definitely had some improvements at halftime going into the locker room only up by thirteen points.
Second Half Patience
The second half was the beginning of a lot of patience by the top-ranked bulldog’s offense. The offense was “dinking and doinking” the Kent State defense the whole second half. The offensive play-calling saw a lot more balance in the attack. Which was a little unusual considering the offensive fireworks we had seen from this unit in the first few games. It was almost as if they could see their defense was having some trouble with the shiftiness of the Kent State offense. This really allowed you to see the impact of not having star defensive lineman Jalen Carter at one hundred percent health-wise.
The shifty and unusually quick offense of Kent State was able to move the ball enough and keep the top-ranked bulldogs on their heels for a little while. However, the patience enlisted into this offense at halftime was too much for the Kent State team.
Thoughts After The Final Whistle
Even though we saw receiver Ladd McConkey struggle early. The trust in him did not waiver by coaches or his quarterback Stetson Bennett. We saw Kenny McIntosh limp off the field in the fourth quarter due to an apparent leg injury. I almost had to check my screen again because I saw a lot of former Bulldogs back James Cook in him with his versatility. As the season goes on keep an eye on Brock Bowers. If they keep using him as a do-everything player this guy could sneak into some Heisman talks.
Overall the defense put together a decent game only allowing two hundred eighty-one yards total out of Kent State. The yards after catch are what hurt the top-ranked Bulldogs yesterday. Tackling has got to improve to keep that from happening in the coming SEC battles that wait for the Bulldogs.
Kent State shocked me watching that team. I saw a team not afraid or scared to play the defending national champions. They came out ready to make a point and were led offensively by the combo of running back Marquez Cooper and receiver Devontez Walker. They accounted for both of Kent States’ touchdowns.
Either way head coach Kirby Smart wanted to see his team face some adversity and do what they did yesterday. Going forward it will be interesting to see how the Bulldogs can improve on today’s game filled with miscues.
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