2 Bulldogs receive SEC Player of the Week honors
By Brad Rowland
Nov 2, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive end Garrison Smith (56) sacks Florida Gators quarterback Tyler Murphy (3) during the second half at EverBank Field. Georgia Bulldogs defeated the Florida Gators 23-20. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
It was a busy Saturday in Jacksonville for the Bulldogs, and in addition to grabbing a rivalry victory over Florida, the team generated two major awards with regard to the SEC. First, senior defensive lineman Garrison Smith earned a high honor on Monday after his career-best effort against the Gators.
#UGA senior Garrison Smith's big game against the Gators earns him SEC Defensive Lineman of the Week honors.
— Radi Nabulsi (@RadiNabulsi) November 4, 2013
Smith was all over the Field on Saturday, generating career-highs in tackles (9), sacks (2.5), and tackles for loss (2.5) while generating 3 recorded quarterback hurries. The senior was one of many defenders who had a special day in the game, but his statistical effort was good enough to place him atop the list of D-Linemen in a conference known for producing great ones.
Not to be outdone, Smith was joined by another Bulldog with “Player of the Week” honors for Saturday’s performance.
#UGA kicker and Florida native Marshall Morgan was named the SEC Special Teams Player of the Week for his performance against the Gators.
— Radi Nabulsi (@RadiNabulsi) November 4, 2013
Earlier in the day on Monday, Morgan was named as a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award as the nation’s top kicker, but his effort on Saturday stood out even more than mormal. He was 3-for-3 on field goals for the day, and his 49-yarder late in the 1st quarter was an example of the kind of special leg that the sophomore possesses.
In the grand scheme, “Player of the Week” honors probably don’t move the needle much, but when they come against one of the team’s biggest rivals in a must-win spot, the recognition seems even more deserved.