Georgia Football DGDs, Standout Performers following win over Missouri
The Georgia Bulldogs scored on their opening possession of the football game on a 25-yard strike from Jake Fromm to the highly touted freshman, George Pickens, and never looked back.
Scoring twenty-seven unanswered points, as Georgia's defense pitches a shut out against a Missouri Tigers offense that played without its starting quarterback in Kelly Bryant who was sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Georgia's offense sputtered at some points in the contest and showed signs of explosiveness during others, but nonetheless, it was a decisive win over a Missouri Tiger team that is led by one of the conference's stingiest defenses.
Here are our Damn Good Dawgs for the week, the guys we felt were standout performers in Saturday's win:
Brent Wilson - SS Richard LeCounte
Richard LeCounte III played his heart out on Saturday. It was one of those nights where he just seemed to be in the right place at the right time, especially when he returned an interception for 71 yards on a drive where Missouri was on the brink of scoring. LeCounte also posted 4 total tackles, including .5 tackles for loss. When LeCounte holds his ground in the secondary, things tend to go right for the Bulldogs. Georgia will need more performances like this from the former 5-star if they have plans to win the SEC Championship.
LeCounte had obvious energy in pregame, as he came out early and simply sprinted a lap around the middle of the field, twice, then returned to the locker room to finish putting on his pads prior to coming out with the rest of the team.
Hunter Gosseck - OL Cade Mays
Cade Mays has been an extremely versatile offensive lineman for Georgia football since arriving in Athens in 2018. After spurning the Tennessee Volunteers in favor of the Bulldogs Mays has been an integral figure on the offensive line. He has become the epitome of "next man up" as he has now played at every position on the offensive line. All 5. And, he's played them as good as anyone can. He has even lined up as a tight end when the play call warrants an extra lineman on the line of scrimmage. There have even been moments where he has played the role of a fullback in 2018. None too big or complicated for Mays. He wants to play football and he wants to win. Here's what former Auburn center turned ESPN analyst had to say about Mays:
"I like the way he plays more than any of those other guys in that entire group,” Cubelic said earlier this season. “Cade is a finisher, he has that nasty you love to see and plays the game the way it’s supposed to be played."
High praise from a man who knows the game, especially the offensive line. Cade has done everything asked of him for Georgia and he has become a sort of an X factor for the offense in terms of protection. He clearly loves Georgia and plays with a ferocity and passion and that is why he is my DGD for the week.
Jordan Jackson - ILB Monty Rice
My Damn Good Dawg this week is linebacker Monty Rice. When a defense limits their opponent to 50 yards rushing and posts a shutout, it's obviously a team effort. That effort starts upfront with the big guys, as they take on blocks and create havoc with penetration. Jordan Davis, Devonte Wyatt, and Tyler Clark did a great job of setting the table.
Monty Rice took full advantage of the defensive line's work, flowing to the football, and making plays all over the field. He finished with six tackles, which was one short of the team lead. He made it difficult for Missouri runners Larry Roundtree III and Tyler Badie to find any running room. He also did great work covering running backs and tight ends in the passing game. On a defense that is stocked full of talent, it is Monty Rice that leads the way, bringing his total number of tackles up to 53.0 on the season. He is a key cog on the nation's best defense.
Brooks Austin - WR, George Pickens
We have got to throw the freshman some love for the show he put on Saturday night. For some reason, it seems like every single catch Pickens has is a highlight real. Whether he's diving for a ball against Murray State or toe-tapping for a touchdown against Missouri this Saturday. He leaves the contest with 5 grabs for 67 yards and two scores, though he would have had a third had he lined up correctly and not gotten an illegal procedure penalty late in the fourth when he broke open for a long would be touchdown where he went untouched he scorched the corner and safety so bad.
We all knew Pickens would have to play a pivotal role in this offense, we wrote a piece on it all the way back in July.
