Georgia Football: Past, Present and Future on Display in Win
The Georgia Bulldogs future was also on full display, in Saturday’s home victory over Murray State. Several UGA newcomers, scored touchdowns on offense.
Running back Zamir White was one player who scored his first career touchdown, as he continues to write a comeback story for the ages. He scored that touchdown on the Bulldogs final drive of second quarter on a powerful run. During the run he appeared to be stopped after two yards, but powered through multiple defenders for the six yard score.
Overall Zamir White carried the football eight times for 72 yards, which is a super strong nine yards per carry. Included in those numbers was an exciting 29 yard run. So far he is amazingly averaging 9.5 yards per carry, after returning from tearing his ACL in both knees, in less than an year’s time.
Just as impressive as his running, Zamir White was also impressive in blitz pickup. That is an ability that will help him receive more and more snaps.
Zamir is making as strong case as the Georgia Bulldogs second best running back. UGA would be smart to give him the second most carries behind D’Andre Swift, to form a thunder and lightning combo.
Coach Kirby Smart praised Zamir for his blitz pickup in this video by the Georgia Football YouTube channel:
George Pickens is a freshman wide receiver for the Georgia Bulldogs. He broke out in a big way against the Racers. Pickens tied for the team lead with four catches and led the Dawgs with 78 yards receiving.
Pickens made two spectacular catches, including a one-handed grab and a diving effort in which he laid out and pulled the ball into his body. Pickens also added his first career touchdown on a 15 yard pass from Jake Fromm.
The thing that head coach Kirby Smart values most in his receivers, is the ability to block down field in the running game. Pickens was terrific as a blocker all game long.
He kept his man tied up on nearly every running play to his side. Pickens had a key block on D’Andre Swift’s 40 yard run, the Dawgs longest of the day. With the way that Pickens is playing as a blocker and receiver, expect him to soon emerge as the Georgia Bulldogs number one wide receiver.
Dominick Blaylock another freshman wide receiver, also made his presence felt in this past week’s ballgame. Like Pickens and White, Blaylock also scored his first career touchdown.
Dominick caught three passes for 48 yards against Murray State. The 25 yard touchdown reception on a pass from Stetson Bennett, was his longest play of the afternoon. Blaylock also received one opportunity to return a punt. He did well gaining 11 yards.
The Georgia Bulldogs receiver core is shaping up nicely, despite concerns entering the season and an injury to Kearis Jackson. Demetris Robertson, George Pickens, Matt Landers and Dominick Blaylock have the makings of a formidable quartet, as they continue to gain experience.
Kenny McIntosh is yet another freshman who shinned on Dooley Field dedication day. Unlike the aforementioned freshman McIntosh did not score his first touchdown, but his presence was absolutely felt.
Kenny McIntosh saw the first action of his career as a Georgia Bulldog, after not playing against Vanderbilt. He did very well in his first action rushing for 61 yards on nine carries.
McIntosh helped the Dawgs keep the chains moving, in the second half of Saturdays game, averaging 6.8 yards per rush. His 61 years were third on the team behind Zamir White and D’Andre Walker.
With the incredible depth that UGA has at running back, Kenny McIntosh is a likely candidate to receive a redshirt after playing in the allowed four games. Yet the future is bright for McIntosh and he has the talent to step in, should an emergency call for it.