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Olivia Sayer
Georgia tight end Brock Bowers (19) catches the ball with one hand during the second half of a NCAA college football game between Georgia and Auburn at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama, on Saturday, Sept. 30, 2023. Georgia won 27-20. (Photo/Landen Todd @whats_landophoto)
Before Georgia football takes the gridiron Aug. 31 for its season-opening game against Clemson, here’s a lookback on its 2023 campaign. The Bulldogs left their expectations of a three-peat unfilled but set the stage for the future.
Home, sweet home
Georgia opened the 2023 season with a couple of question marks — none bigger than the quarterback position. With Stetson Bennett out of eligibility, the Bulldogs started a new signal caller for the first time in three years. Carson Beck had no shortage of time in the league, but the majority of it was spent buried in the Bulldogs’ depth chart.
Georgia’s first four games of the season were at Sanford Stadium, allowing Beck to ease his way into the starting job. The Bulldogs rolled past their first two opponents, UT Martin and Ball State, but found themselves trailing South Carolina by 11 at the half.
Under the raindrops, Georgia drove down the field to score its first touchdown of the game. The defense followed with a quick three-and-out, while the offense put together another drive ending in the end zone.
Beck and company began to find their groove through the running game, while the defense shut down South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler. After going 16 for 18 in the first half, Rattler finished the game 22 for 42 with two fourth-quarter interceptions.
Georgia carried the momentum of its 24-14 victory against South Carolina into a 28-point win over Trent Dilfer’s UAB squad.
A close call
In week five, Georgia traveled to Jordan-Hare Stadium for a matchup on the plains with Auburn. Facing their first road test of the season, the Bulldogs quickly found themselves in a 10-point deficit.
Georgia looked destined for its first regular season loss in three years, but the Bulldogs found their composure in front of a raucous crowd. With the game on the line, Beck went to his safety blanket, Brock Bowers. Georgia used a no huddle offense to put together a go-ahead drive capped off by a 40-yard touchdown by Bowers. A defensive stand then secured Georgia’s 27-20 victory.
Building momentum
Georgia followed its narrow win over Auburn with a thrashing of undefeated Kentucky. Beck had a career game, passing for 389 yards and four touchdowns, as the offense scored on all five first-half possessions.
The defense shut down Ray Davis and a prolific Kentucky running game. A week prior, the Wildcats ran for 329 yards against Florida, with Davis rushing for 280. Under the bright lights of Sanford Stadium, Georgia held the group to just 55 yards on the ground.
In week seven, Georgia traveled to Nashville for a matchup with Vanderbilt. The Commodores stunned the Bulldogs with an opening drive touchdown by London Humphreys, but they found their composure with a 37-20 win. However, Georgia lost Bowers, who suffered an injury that would later require surgery.
Homecoming
An annual matchup with Florida followed the Bulldogs’ bye week. The game was a homecoming for Jacksonville-native Beck, and he delivered. With Bowers out, the quarterback turned to Ladd McConkey, who tied a career-high 135 yards receiving.
The Bulldogs allowed another opening-drive touchdown, but the defense stood tall afterward. A memorable play occurred on fourth-and-1, when Florida attempted a direct snap to running back Trevor Etienne. After Smael Mondon Jr. dropped him for a two-yard loss, Georgia rolled to a 43-20 victory.
Georgia tight end Oscar Delp (4) poses with fans for a picture during the second half of a NCAA college football game between Georgia and Florida at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida on Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023. Georgia won 43-20. (Photo/Landen Todd @whats_landophoto)
The Bulldogs then returned to Sanford Stadium for their homecoming game against Missouri. For the second straight year, the Tigers gave Georgia all it could handle. A fourth-quarter interception by defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse helped clinch a nine-point win.
Almost too easy
Ole Miss came to Athens for Georgia’s home finale. The Rebels were highly touted, with an offense led by Lane Kiffin and quarterback Jaxson Dart. However, it was Georgia’s offensive unit that stole the show, as the Bulldogs put up over 600 yards.
The defense, led by NFL draftees Kamari Lassiter, Tykee Smith and Javon Bullard, quieted Ole Miss’ offense. With College Gameday in attendance, the Bulldogs limited Dart to just 112 yards passing and sailed to a 52-17 victory. The game also featured the return of Bowers, who found the end zone in his last time playing between the hedges.
Georgia carried its momentum into Knoxville for a matchup with Tennessee. With the Volunteers’ loss to Missouri, the SEC East was already wrapped up. However, they still had a chance to give the Bulldogs their first loss of the year.
Georgia defensive lineman Mykel Williams (13) in action during a NCAA college football game between Georgia and Tennessee at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tennessee, on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023. Georgia won 38-10. (Photo/Landen Todd @whats_landophoto)
Tennessee scored on the first play of the game, but that was all Neyland Stadium had to celebrate. Georgia turned to its passing game, as Beck showcased his connection with Dillon Bell. The wide receiver caught and threw for a touchdown, and the Bulldogs capped their SEC schedule with a 28-point win.
Georgia traveled to Georgia Tech for its first night game at Bobby Dodd Stadium since 2009 with a gutted roster. Bowers, McConkey, Rara Thomas and Tate Ratledge included the long list of Georgia players nursing injuries.
The Bulldogs overcame self-inflicted wounds to continue their dominance over Georgia Tech. A defensive stand preserved Georgia’s 31-23 victory.
Bad timing
Georgia entered the SEC Championship on a 29-game winning streak and began strong. The Bulldogs scored on their first offensive possession while holding Alabama on its first two. However, it went downhill for Georgia from there.
The Bulldogs committed untimely penalties, missed field goals and did not take advantage of their opportunities. The offense could not get into a rhythm beyond the line of scrimmage, while the defense had trouble stopping Jalen Milroe. The miscues culminated in a 27-24 loss.
Setting the stage
With Georgia missing the college football playoffs, many expected a number of Bulldogs to opt out of their bowl game against Florida State. However, the majority instead decided to play and finish the season strong. The Bulldogs did exactly that, as they made history with a 60-point win over the No. 5-ranked Seminoles. It was the largest margin of victory in bowl game history.
Georgia players tomahawk chop during the Capital One Orange Bowl NCAA college football game between Georgia and Florida State at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida, on Saturday, Dec. 30, 2023. Georgia won 63-3. (Photo/Landen Todd @whats_landophoto)
Backup quarterback Gunner Stockton gained valuable experience, as Georgia’s lead had Beck on the bench for the entire second half. Young players on both sides of the ball received playing time, setting the stage for next season. Many walk-ons and depth players also got their time to shine, highlighted by Jackson Muschamp’s run that sparked a celebration from his father on the sideline.
Georgia capped off its season in fitting fashion and was one of few schools to have its NFL-bound players suit up for the game. Their decisions drew praise from head coach Kirby Smart.
“The leaders of the team spearheaded that,” Smart said prior to the game. “I stayed out of it. I met with each player who was draft eligible and the seniors, and I was very honest. Then they had to make a decision with their family. But they want to go out on top. They don’t want their last Georgia outing to be the SEC Championship, so they put their minds to it.”
Georgia will now look to build off the momentum curated from the win when it takes the field against Clemson to begin the 2024 season.