Freshman outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins got the first start of his young career Saturday as the Bulldogs chose to rest all-star defender Jarvis Jones.
Jones, who received several national defensive player of the week honors after the Missouri game, was limited in practice all week with a groin injury. The All-American was dressed out Saturday and looked as though he could have played but Georgia held him out as a precaution.
That gave Jenkins, the highly-touted signee from Harris County, the unexpected opportunity to start.
“It was sort of hinted to me on Thursday,” the 6-foot-3, 257-pound freshman said. “But I didn’t want to get my hopes up because I thought it might not happen. But it did and I was definitely glad and surprised and excited. I thank God for it. I know my parents are glad about it. I didn’t tell them so I know they were surprised.”
Jenkins finished with three tackles and a pass break-up.
Commings’ return is at free safety
Georgia put Sanders Commings to work quickly upon his return from a two-game suspension.
A 13-game starter at cornerback last season, the Bulldogs utilized Commings at free safety instead. He played there most of the game Saturday, though he said afterward he did get some snaps at the boundary corner.
“It wasn’t that difficult because I always rep both,” said Commings, who finished with 4 tackles and a pass break-up. “It felt great just to be back out there with the guys. It’s great just to put all that other stuff behind me.”
Outside linebacker Chase Vasser also returned from a two-game suspension and made an impact. The junior compiled 7 tackles and added a forced fumble, 1.5 tackles for loss and a quarterback pressure.
Meanwhile, linebacker Alec Ogletree and free safety Bacarri Rambo, both starters, remained sidelined due to suspensions for the third consecutive week. They're thought to be serving four-game suspensions but Richt still won't confirm that.
“I don’t know,” Richt said. “We’ll talk about that next week sometime.”
Upon review, Lynch scored
No one was happier in Georgia's postgame locker room than tight end Arthur Lynch. The junior from Dartmouth, Mass., caught his first career touchdown pass and it was a doozie.
Lynch hauled in a quick out on the right hash and outran the FAU pursuit to the pylon in the East end zone. He dove at the last minute and was ruled out of bounds. But Georgia's Mark Richt pleaded for an official's review, which was granted. The ruling on the field was overturned and Lynch was awarded a 36-yard touchdown.
“I honestly never judge the refs’ calls, because they have a better view of it than me,” said Lynch, who finished with 73 yards on three catches. “But I felt pretty confident about it. I knew I got the ball across the plane; I just didn’t know if I’d stepped out of bounds. So it was a relief when they overturned it.”
Records aside, turnovers trouble Bobo
You'd think a 713-yard, 56-point effort would thrill an offensive coordinator. But Georgia's Mike Bobo wasn't completely happy after the Bulldogs' lopsided win.
“I wish we had taken care of the ball,” said Bobo, who is also quarterbacks coach. “I don’t like the turnovers; I don’t like a pick-six; I don’t like throwing interceptions in the red zone. Those were negatives, and we’ve got to continue to build and learn that can cost us some games. But I did like the effort and the way we answered in the first half.”
Malcolm Mitchell plays offense
For the first time all season, Malcolm Mitchell finally got to play some offense, and he made the best of his opportunity. The wide receiver-turned-cornerback hauled in a pass for a 49-yard gain on his only offensive play.
“I still think one of our most explosive players is on defense,” Bobo said. “He got us one play and made it an explosive one.”
Etc… .
Senior safety Shawn Williams led the Bulldogs with 12 tackles. He also had a tackle for loss and a pass break-up… . Sophomore Amarlo Herrera turned his first career interception into a 35-yard touchdown return. It was Georgia's first TD return off an interception since Rambo did it against Auburn last season… . Nose guard Kwame Geathers blocked an FAU extra point in the second half. Williams blocked one against Tennessee last year… .
Left guard Dallas Lee suffered a sprained ankle in the second quarter and did not return. The Bulldogs then moved left tackle Kenarious Gates to Lee's position and brought in sophomore Mark Beard to play left tackle… . Lee is expected to be able to play against Vanderbilt next week.
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