ATHENS — Whether you look at post-game win expectancy or net successful rate differentials, there are cases to be made that Georgia outplayed Auburn.
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This is when leadership can step in and make a difference for the Georgia Bulldogs. Not just coaches, I'm talking about the veteran players who have earned the respect of the other players who make up this team. Players like Gunner Stockton, Lawson Lucky, Chris Cole, and KJ Bolden (and I'm sure there are a couple more) are in a position to lead this team to learn from and recover from this loss, and to prepare to play the way they know they can. Everything mentioned in this article that lead to that loss was avoidable, and that will undoubtably be a big part of the message. These leaders, and ultimately this team can choose to eliminate that from happening again with the correct response going forward.
They can say what they want but I fully believe Gunner was suffering from a mild concussion and possibly a stinger in his shoulder. He was just off, way off. When the official stops play and makes a player go for a medical evaluation, then it's a little more than a minor thing. When Gunner was struggling, it might have been a good idea to give Puglisi at least one series to see what he could do. Nate Frazier wasn't one hundred percent and that was obvious. We have two weeks to get healthier, clear our heads and prepare for the next gauntlet. The SEC is still attainable, the playoffs ought to be in the works for a 10-2 Georgia team (assuming one more loss), but there isn't any room for error going forward.
Ultimately it is the coach's fault. Kirby should have let Puglishi come in after the second interception and lead the next series. Bo Walker should have replaced Frazier after he was doing nothing in first half. Riddle was a riddle and should have been replaced. Gunner was definitely off and should have stayed in the tent longer. Remember when Saban changed QBs and beat us in the second half? Be a smarter Coach!
No call out of special teams?
One of the worst losses in many a year. Kirby got a too quick 14-0 lead and then went to auto-drive mode. He and the entire staff need to be better. We will face another flat game after the super excitement of the UF game, so we will see if he has learned from this debacle.
Yes, that series with the two easy missed passes by Gunner, and then the inexplicably botched field goal attempt—I remember saying something like, "What are they doing?" as there was mild chaos trying to line up for the FG—something was not right with Gunner at that point. Should have had a minimum of 3 points from that drive.
And this: "Both second-half Auburn scoring drives were spurred by Georgia defensive penalties."
I put this one on Coach Smart. Puglisi should have stayed in until he failed. Then cycle in Montgomery until he failed. Only then, send Gunner back in. I can't explain the D's collapse. They couldn't function at a basic level: couldn't tackle and couldn't avoid penalties.
But this one is an epic failure of the coaching staff. And we have no depth there. Should have never let Boomer go.
The miscues from Stockton, injury concerns, and not keeping Puglisi in do not account for the overall program failure. If fatigue was as big a variable as discussion suggests, then CKS was responsible to tailor the prep week to offset that. Whatever his plan was it didn't work. Further, it doesn't explain how Bobo and Schuman had no answer for their counterparts adjustments after the 14 point lead was established. Smart, Bobo, and Schuman are the executive leadership and ultimately responsible for the implosion we all witnessed. Fix it.
The guy was hurt when his head hit the turf . Must be the same medical staff Philadelphia uses .
There's not much adjusting you can do except execute better. A coordinator does not miss tackles, commit pass interference penalties, throw interceptions, fumble the ball or miss reads. There were plays to be made on the field and the players didn't make them. Every fan talks adjustments, but adjustments don't win games, players win games.
THe Stockton fumble was just a messed up play on several accounts. 1 Helton was obviously holding the nearest lineman trying to tackle Gunner, pulling his jersey from behind him(just watched the frame by frame replay), how the refs missed that I don't know. 2. THe Auburn lineman because he was being held actually raises his right foot out and trips hunter anough to where he more or less stumbles into Bobo(that coulda shoulda been called also), and Gunner's foot get's tangles up with Bobo's foot becasue of the trip. There was a hole to Bobo's left that was more wide open than going to the right of Bobo(the one Gunner chose), but he would have been tackled for a 5-6 yard gain versus a possible 7-10 yard gain. So, in the end 2 pnealties could have been called that offset and replayed the down, but none were called. Roll of the dice I guess.
Two plays before the fumble, Gunner had Peanut open to his right but couldn't loft the ball over the rushing defender's arms that might have broke big as it was well blcoked ahead of him.
Agree with you about that funky second-quarter series where Stockton missed both Phillips and Dandridge, then inexplicably ran off the field as the FG unit came on. I just wonder, did NO coaches or players or staff notice that he was leaving the field? That baffles me. However, I disagree with you on the final fumble. Stockton ran it as a QB draw but if you watch the play frame by frame, it's clear that was a pass play and that he just decided on his own to run it. The snap occurs at 1:04 seconds left. One second later, at 1:03 seconds, Strockton has already tucked it and started to run. And unlike for a QB draw, ALL of his linemen stay in to pass protect. Not one tries to get a block upfield. Then, look at the receivers. Five go out on the play, including Phillips, and all of them are running routes (they get open, too). Before they can get out of their breaks, though, Stockton is already moving forward. And not one of those guys is trying to block anyone downfield, as they would if it had been a designed QB draw called in the huddle. Again, it's one of the brain-fog plays that Stockton did Saturday that makes you wonder if his mind was totally clear. Maybe he has the option to run the ball on those plays, but there was no reason for him to because he wasn't being pressured (the ball had just been snapped). And had he thrown it to any of those receivers (except possibly White-Helton who only did a three-yard out route), UGA would have picked up substantial yardarge.
My understanding is they did alter the practice routines. At least one day without pads that they would normally have practiced in them. Maybe they shouldn't have altered it, or maybe they didn't take Auburn seriously enough.
It's football....People get hurt....or they get injured. There's a difference. Getting hurt can effect you for a few plays...or a few quarters...or a few games. Getting injured puts you on the sidelines....getting hurt allows you to play at reduced capacity....like Frazier and a few others.
There's no doubt in my mind....Stockton "hurt" his shoulder in the 1st qtr. By the 4th quarter...he shook it off and played like a Champion. Once again. It's not the first time he's been "hurt".... and, I guarantee you...it won't be the last. He's one tough hombre.
Leaving him in, was the best option...imo. He still had great command of the offense, although his timing and velocity were off in the passing game. The backfield was already at a significant disadvantage operating at 25% without 3 of the backs & Frazier obviously lame.
Stockton provided the leadership and stability, that eventually brought em back. To think Publish was gonna come in and save the day, is a bit shortsighted and naive. He very possibly, would've provided more turnovers along with losing the field position battle.
Nobody....including Kirby, imo....saw the Defensive collapse coming. So, it could've been much worse for Puglisi than Stockton....just from an experience standpoint. You don't use a rookie, to play catchup.
It didn't work, when Bennett "hurt" his shoulder against Florida in the first quarter....in 2020. Which....Ironically....occurred after he threw his 2nd TD pass to Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint. Whom are was injured on the play...broken leg, if I'm not mistaken.
It was 14-0 when Bennett got hurt in that game....very similar to the situation last Saturday. With the exception that Mathis and Puglisi/Montgomery aren't comparable talents. There's a huge difference between a 2020 D'wan Mathis...and, a 2026 Ryan Puglisi. But, that doesn't change the experience factor.
The final score, wound up 44-28 after he was relieved by Mathis. And, the Defense scored 7 of those additional 14 pts in the midst of a collapse that resembled Saturday's.
Switching QB's hardly ever works...unless you have a solid defense. So, a QB Change probably wouldn't have worked against AUB in 2026. Just sayin. The Defense, O-Line & Running Backs were operating at reduced capacity as it was. Throw in a guy that hasn't seen much of the field lately....and, you have a guaranteed loss.
WITH Stockton...there was a chance and they almost pulled it out in the end. But the defense was too pooped to pop, as they say. Lol. Team loss...nothing more. They'll be ready for Florida, though...you can bet that.
And one more thing. The 2nd interception Stockton threw....was to TE #9. The receiver was late looking back for the ball....and it was well within his high point access. It wasn't a bad pass. Just bad timing between the receiver & QB. I believe #9 is a Freshman TE....and, probably didn't realize he was in the progression, cause he looked like he was getting ready to block upfield when he saw the ball coming. It was too late to make a play on it over his head...imo.
Bad luck....bad timing....poor discipline….inconsistent defense.…poor blocking....hurt quarterback arm.…hurt/injured running backs....exhausted and beat up "Team". Take your pick for excuses. Lol..."All", uncharacteristic of a Kirby Smart Team, but, applicable to the Auburn game.
Go get em Big Red. Flush it and move on. Nothing to see there. Lol
