Georgia sees standout freshman DB exit late on special teams play

ATHENS — Georgia freshman defensive back Tyriq Green had a stellar game for the Bulldogs, scoring a defensive touchdown and returning a kickoff for a touchdown in the 70-20 win over Western Kentucky.

However, the former Buford High School star also made news for his early exit.

While playing on kickoff return deep into the fourth quarter, Green had his leg rolled up on by teammate Bo Walker. Green needed help leaving the playing field. Once the game ended, Green was assisted by the Georgia training staff to the locker room.

With the injury happening so close to the end of the game, Smart was unable to offer an update on Green’s injury.

Green’s first score came when he recovered a fumble by defensive back Blake Stewart after he came down with an interception in the third quarter.

“He’s been doing that ever since he got here to Georgia,” cornerback Ellis Robinson said. “Just seeing him make plays out there on the field, it’s not a shocker at all. That’s what he does.”

In the fourth quarter, Green returned a kickoff return for a touchdown. The 91-yard return was Georgia’s first kickoff return for a score since a 2016 game against South Carolina.

“He never quit, he kept chasing,” Smart said of Green. “He’s a bright kid and a competitor.”

Green, the AJC’s All-Class Player of the Year last season, was a standout for the Bulldogs during spring practice. He came down with an interception at cornerback in Georgia’s spring game.

Before the Green injury, Georgia seemed to exit the game with a clean bill of health. The Bulldogs saw defensive back Jontae Gilbert dress out after missing last week with a hand injury.

Smart added that second-year wide receiver Thomas Blackshear was dealing with a wrist injury. He had a cast on and did not play in the 70-20 win.

The Bulldogs were without outside linebackers Chase Linton and Amaris Williams.

Georgia begins SEC play next week, facing Arkansas on the road.