The Georgia Bulldogs played their first home game since their national championship victory back in January. They beat the Samford Bulldogs 33-0.
It was a drama-free win for Georgia. Samford head coach Chris Hatcher proposed the idea of cutting three minutes off the clock in the fourth quarter to end the game early, and Kirby Smart accepted. Second and third-string players were able to get playing time early in the second half.
Smart and his team expressed how they knew they didn’t play their best football in this game. However, they got the win and that’s what matters.
“We got to play better. We didn’t play our best game, and we know that,” Smart said. “Our kids acknowledged that.”
The offense started off the game settling for two field goals, but finally got into the end-zone when Stetson Bennett faked the handoff and ran it in for a 3-yard touchdown.
Bennett finished the game completing 24 of his 34 pass 
attempts for 300 yards and one passing touchdown along with his rushing touchdown.
Running back Kenny McIntosh was once again the leading receiver this week with five receptions for 61 yards. Tight end Brock Bowers had three receptions for 57 yards. Freshman wide receiver Dillon Bell finished with three receptions for 22 yards and caught the only receiving touchdown of the game.
Kendall Milton was the leading rusher for the second week in a row with 85 yards on 10 rushing attempts. He talked about how the veteran presence of Stetson Bennett and the experienced offensive line have helped him get more comfortable in the offense.
“I feel very comfortable. Especially in this offense having the lineman we have, having the quarterback who knows everything in and out,” Milton said. “I know they’re going to work for me. When it’s my time to make a block, I want to return the favor.”
The main concern in games like these against lesser opponents is getting out of the game healthy. Adonai Mitchell left the game early in the first quarter with an ankle injury. He didn’t return to the game, but Kirby Smart said that the injury is not serious.
“He looks okay; probably could’ve gone back in, but we held him at that point,” Smart said.
Another Bulldog trying to get back to full health is safety Tykee Smith. The former All-American from West Virginia has anticipated his return to the field after being out all last season with a torn ACL. He is still progressing in terms of his health and confidence in his knee.
“That’s the biggest thing, just confidence,” Smith said. “Still getting back to a hundred percent, and then the reps. I’m glad to be out there with the guys and help us win.”
Georgia didn’t score as many points as they did last week against Oregon, but that shouldn’t be anything to panic about.
The real test will be next week when the Bulldogs begin SEC play against South Carolina in Columbia. Expect Georgia to open up the offensive playbook a little bit more next week, and generate more explosive plays along with more touchdowns.
