MO. COLUMBIA — The Georgia Bulldogs will travel today to resume SEC play after a closer-than-expected victory against a MAC foe.
In Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium, No. 1 Georgia (4-0, 1-0 SEC) and Missouri (2-2, 0-1 SEC) will square off at 7:30 p.m. ET. The Bulldogs just defeated Kent State 39-22, while Missouri is coming off a challenging 17-14 overtime loss to Auburn on the road.
Prior to the contest on Saturday, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart had a lot of complimentary things to say about Missouri.
When referring to Missouri, Smart remarked on Monday, “They’re a team I have a lot of respect for. It’s difficult to win on the road in the SEC, as we frequently discuss, and I have a lot of respect for Eliah [Drinkwitz] for the job he’s done and what he does on offence and defence. They perform well. I’ve always given his offensive work a lot of thought, as well as the problems they bring up defensively. They have a lot of personnel up front this year. They play rough.
“Against Auburn, they just played an incredibly difficult game. a difficult way to drop a game. However, we’re eager to prepare for these opponents and travel throughout the SEC.
Like it has done since the Tigers joined the SEC, Georgia is seeking success versus Missouri. Nine of the last 10 encounters between the Bulldogs and Tigers have ended in Bulldog victories, including a 43-6 triumph in Sanford Stadium last November.
Several Bulldogs players are struggling with a variety of injuries heading into Saturday’s game. As the Bulldogs get ready to meet the Tigers, here is the most recent information on each of those players.
RB ANDREW PAUL (OUT)
In his first fall camp as a Bulldog, rookie running back Andrew Paul made an impression, but during the team’s second scrimmage of the season, he tore his ACL. Paul was due to undergo surgery earlier this week as he focuses on his rehabilitation.
Dell McGee, the coordinator of Georgia’s running game, mentioned Paul and his persuasion to visit Georgia in August.
He comes from a nice home and is a great child. He possesses all the qualities we look for in our football players—he is quiet and a dedicated worker. We also required a second running back. We like to always have five people on our roster. Six people are on the lineup, but due to the talent in the room, we’ve been kind of shorting that number,” said McGee. There was a connection because he has family in Georgia. Here, the history of the running backs speaks for itself. That custom was established long before I arrived .
RB KENNY MCINTOSH (IN)
Last Saturday, during Georgia’s victory over Kent State, it appeared that running back Kenny McIntosh had been shot in the knee, giving the Bulldogs a great scare. Fortunately, as McIntosh was assisted on the sidelines, the injury was not as terrible as it appeared.
McIntosh was present for team warm-ups before the game and seems prepared to participate. The question will be how much he plays.
In a Monday interview with the media, McIntosh identified the damage as a quad contusion. Given that McIntosh ranks third among the team’s non-quarterbacks in total yards this season, his availability is essential for Georgia (97 yards).
“I’ll be all right. I simply have a lot of ice baths ahead of me. I’ll be clear “Added McIntosh. “I’ve been bothered by it a little bit, but [the defender] simply took a shot at it. All it was was that. Only a minor bump. I’ll be truthful.”
Through four games this season, McIntosh has been effective both as a receiver and a ball carrier. He has a total of 25 carries for 97 yards and two touchdowns, as well as 21 receptions for 227 yards. For the first two weeks of this fall, McIntosh was the team’s top receiver.
McIntosh is anticipated to be available on Saturday, Smart said on Monday.
WR LADD MCCONKEY (IN)
Ladd McConkey, a wide receiver for Georgia, played poorly against Kent State last week. Following the game, Smart said McConkey’s reps had been somewhat restricted as the sophomore dealt with a toe ailment. According to what Smart said on Wednesday, McConkey hasn’t been quite as sparse in his Missouri preparation.
The sophomore wide receiver has been “much better” this week, according to Smart, who also stated that McConkey had been given restrictions during practise to control his volume.
Georgia’s Ladd McConkey, a wide receiver, performed terribly last week against Kent State. As the sophomore fought with a toe injury, Smart claimed after the game that McConkey’s reps had been slightly limited. Smart claimed on Wednesday that McConkey’s Missouri preparation hasn’t been as minimal as Smart’s.
The sophomore wide receiver has improved significantly this week, according to Smart, who added that McConkey was subjected to limitations in practise to manage his volume.
WR ARIAN SMITH (QUESTIONABLE)
During Missouri’s initial warm-ups and the normal warm-ups, Arian Smith was on the field with the other wide receivers.
Prior to last week’s game against Kent State, Smith was fully prepared and participated in warm-ups, but he never on the field. Tuesday, Smart provided an update on Smith’s condition, noting that he had participated in more practises this week than teammate wide receiver AD Mitchell (ankle), and that the team is “still hopeful” that both will be able to play.
Prior to the Kent State game, Smart provided a more thorough report on Smith, though the Bulldogs’ head coach made it plain at the time that there was no set timetable for his recovery.
Yes, Arian is returning. He has been able to run while carrying weight. He’s been moving at really impressive speeds. We don’t know when he’ll be back, but maybe he’ll be able to return, Smart said. He probably won’t return this week, He has returned to running, but he is not fully recovered. but delighted about what he’s accomplished. He isn’t breaking and cutting. He is using the treadmill at AlteredG. You can see it in his eyes that he is improving. His health is improving. We simply don’t know when he’ll return.
After the Bulldogs’ second scrimmage in August, Smart informed the media that Smith sustained a high ankle sprain. Smith’s return date was not specified by Smart, who was careful to point out that Smith’s ankle was not broken.
“Man, that poor kid has no luck. When he initially arrived here, he suffered an injury while jumping in a long jump pit. Then, in his sophomore year, he suffered another injury. He has put in so much effort to return. He gave up track this year despite the fact that he is an elite track runner, elite, in order to have a successful season, “In August, Smart stated. We’re hoping to get him back, because he’s such a great kid and has endured so much.
Smith recorded a grab in each of the first two games last fall, including a 61-yard touchdown against UAB, but injuries kept him out of the remaining five games after participating in four games as a true freshman in 2020. He participated in the game against Florida without recording a catch, but the following week, against Missouri, he caught a 35-yard touchdown pass.
Unfortunately for Smith, his season was practically over when he shattered his leg during practise the next week, setting him on the comeback track.
WR AD MITCHELL (DOUBTFUL)
Wide receiver AD Mitchell went through preliminary warm-ups for Saturday’s game against Missouri as well as the regular warm-ups. We will see how much he plays tonight.
Mitchell warmed up during last week’s game against Kent State, but he was not dressed out. Ultimately, the sophomore did not warm up with the rest of the wide receivers as the opening kickoff drew closer.
Mitchell has missed the past two games for Georgia after suffering an ankle injury against Samford on Sept. 10.
Mitchell caught 5 passes for 69 yards and 1 touchdown in the Bulldogs’ season opener before sustaining an ankle injury on the first play from scrimmage against Samford.
In the second game of the 2021 campaign against UAB, Mitchell caught his first two passes as a Bulldog. By the third game, he had earned the starting position, which he kept for 11 of the Bulldogs’ following 13 contests.
Following the victory over UAB, Mitchell caught at least two passes in six of Georgia’s next eight games before recording just one grab in three straight contests: the Bulldogs’ routs of Charleston Southern and Georgia Tech as well as their defeat to Alabama in the SEC championship game.
In Georgia’s victory against Michigan in the CFP semifinals, Mitchell returned with a fury by making an 18-yard touchdown reception.
OLB DARRIS SMITH (PROBABLE)
Darris Smith participated in team warm-ups before the Missouri game and didn’t seem to be restricted in any way.
Darris Smith’s injury, which prompted him to miss last week’s special teams practise and allowed Jalon Walker, another true freshman, to block a punt, was termed as “undisclosed” by Smart. Smith left the game against the Golden Flashes but has since practised and “done some things and continues to work several positions for us,” according to Smart.
Smith has participated in each of Georgia’s four games so far this season, but he has not yet made a tackle.
ILB XAVIAN SOREY (PROBABLE)
Inside linebacker from Georgia Xavian Sorey joined the group for warm-ups on Saturday and didn’t seem to have any limitations.
Although Sorey did not play against Kent State, Smart told reporters on Wednesday that Sorey had a promising future. As the Bulldogs hit the halfway mark of Missouri week, Smart was asked about Sorey and defensive back Tykee Smith. Smart responded that both players are “fine.”
According to Pro Football Focus, Sorey participated on special teams versus Kent State but did not take a defensive snap. He has participated in each of Georgia’s four games so far this season, although he has not yet made a tackle.
DB TYKEE SMITH (PROBABLE)
Tykee Smith, a defensive back for Georgia, participated in both the regular and early pregame warm-ups without experiencing any obvious limits for the Missouri game on Saturday.
Although Smith did not play against Kent State, Smart told reporters on Wednesday that Smith had a promising future. As the Bulldogs approached the halfway point of Missouri week, Smart was questioned about both Smith and Sorey. He responded that both are “fine.”
According to Georgia’s official participation list, Smith did not participate on defence or special teams versus Kent State. He participated in the first three games for the Bulldogs and made a total of five tackles.
DB JAVON BULLARD (OUT)*
Javon Bullard, a defensive back for Georgia, was not present for Saturday’s pre-game warmups.
Bullard’s condition is uncertain going into Saturday, but it’s not because of his health.
When questioned on Monday about Bullard, who was detained early on Sunday morning on seven misdemeanour charges, Smart did not have much to say. When asked whether the sophomore would be available to play against Missouri, Smart said only that his matter will be handled internally.
Javon has let me down, Smart stated. “I feel bad for him. He has a great family, but his bad choices will be dealt with inside.”
To decide what happens next, Bullard will appear before a committee that includes athletic director Josh Brooks, according to Smart’s detailed explanation.
Bullard was arrested at 4:57 a.m. on Sunday for seven offences, including DUI (alcohol) under 21 with a concentration of 0.02 grammes, licence to be carried and displayed on demand, improper turning, providing, purchasing, and possessing alcoholic beverages as a person under 21, failing to maintain lane/improper driving on the road, failing to use lighted headlights and other lights when necessary, and physically holding or supporting—with any part of his body—another person. The seven accusations are all regarded as misdemeanours.
According to the jail log, Bullard was released at 8:30 a.m. on bonds totaling $4,250.
Bullard had just made another start for Georgia as the nickel and finished the win over Kent State on Saturday with three tackles. According to PFF, Bullard participated in 37 snaps of the Golden Flashes victory last week.
This season, Bullard has seven tackles and one pass breakup through four games.
