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Olivia Sayer
Scenes from the second half of the Georgia vs. Texas game at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium in Austin, Texas on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2024. Georgia won 30-15.(Photo/Laney Martin;@LaneyMartinPhotography)
No. 5 Georgia football upset No. 1 Texas on Saturday night in Austin, Texas. Following the game, digital sports editor Olivia Sayer graded each position group’s performance during the Bulldogs’ 30-15 victory.
Quarterbacks
Georgia’s offense was efficient against the top-ranked scoring defense in the country, but it was primarily through the ground. Carson Beck threw for just 175 yards with no touchdowns and his lowest quarterback rating of the season. The fifth-year senior repeatedly stared down his receivers and looked uncomfortable in the pocket at times, resulting in three interceptions. He completed a couple of nice passes on a drive that started at Georgia’s own 11-yard line, but Beck will need to throw with more conviction if the Bulldogs’ offense is going to rival the best in the country.
Grade: D
Running backs
Georgia leaned heavily on its running game with Trevor Etienne rushing for 87 yards on 19 attempts. The running back accounted for all three of Georgia’s touchdowns, including one on fourth-and-goal from the 1-yard line. Etienne provided a veteran presence in the backfield, as Georgia used its running game to try and establish the pass.
Grade: A
Wide receivers
Georgia’s passing game was non-existent throughout the game, which was primarily due to drops from the Bulldogs’ wide receivers. Two drops from Dillon Bell on Georgia’s opening drive led to a three-and-out. Georgia especially struggled with mid-range passing, completing just one of eight attempts for 9 yards. The Bulldogs are still waiting for one of their wide receivers to step up as a “go-to guy.”
Grade: D-
Tight ends
Beck’s longest completion came when tight end Oscar Delp hauled in a 43-yard pass that traveled about 18 yards in the air. Delp finished as Georgia’s leading receiver with 45 yards on two catches. Lawson Luckie was relatively uninvolved in the passing game, only catching two of his four targets. The Bulldogs’ tight ends were targeted on two of Beck’s three interceptions, showing a concerted effort to get them the ball. For the most part, the group blocked well throughout the game.
Grade: B+
Offensive line
Jared Wilson returned to the starting lineup, and his presence was immediately felt. Texas only sacked Beck one time, and Georgia’s offensive line consistently won in the trenches. The group gave Beck time in the pocket and created holes for Etienne to run through. The Bulldogs’ offensive line put up a solid performance reminiscent of past seasons.
Grade: A
Defensive line
Georgia’s defense wreaked havoc on Quinn Ewers through the majority of the game. When Texas made the switch to Arch Manning, the Bulldogs limited his running ability — a stark contrast from how they defended other mobile quarterbacks this season. Georgia held the Longhorns to just 29 yards on the ground, making their offense one-dimensional. Mykel Williams returned from injury and recorded two sacks with a forced fumble.
Grade: A+
Linebackers
Jalon Walker was arguably the player of the game with eight solo tackles, three sacks and four quarterback hits. He consistently penetrated Texas’ offensive line and disrupted the backfield. Georgia did a better job defending the perimeter, which the Longhorns attempted to attack early. Damon Wilson recorded a strip-sack, as the linebackers held strong without Smael Mondon Jr.
Grade: A+
Secondary
Texas tested Georgia’s secondary often, and the Bulldogs stepped up to the challenge. Daylen Everette played the best game of his collegiate career with a forced fumble/recovery and an interception. The unit could have forced more picks, but a pair of passes sailed through its hands. Georgia played physical but relatively clean football with the exception of two targeting ejections. Julian Humphrey surrendered a few long passes but came up with a key fourth down stop. The Bulldogs’ secondary looked vastly improved against one of the best offenses in college football.
Grade: A
Special teams
Brett Thorson flipped the field with an average of 54 yards per punt, while Peyton Woodring made all three of his field goal attempts and extra points. Georgia also defended Texas’ return game well, limiting the Longhorns to just two punt returns for a loss of 9 yards. Texas had a long kick return called back due to a penalty as well. The special teams unit would have received an “A,” but head coach Kirby Smart said Woodring “missed the ball” in the second-half kickoff. It resulted in a squib kick and Texas beginning the drive at its 45-yard line.
Grade: A-