Football Xs and Os regarding Georgia

[McDad]

In the Sugar Bowl CFP last season, Notre Dame beat UGA. Gunner Stockton started at QB for UGA. There was a special teams score (I think kickoff return) by ND as well.

For those of you who can interpret game plans, how did ND beat UGA. What did they do and can we copy it?

 

[Visidog]

In the Sugar Bowl CFP last season, Notre Dame beat UGA. Gunner Stockton started at QB for UGA. There was a special teams score (I think kickoff return) by ND as well.

For those of you who can interpret game plans, how did ND beat UGA. What did they do and can we copy it?

This Dawg will answer:

ND played really, really strong on the DL and gave UGA a hard time running the ball. It was a defensive slugfest. UGA gained more yards (passing yards were very lopsided) but ND held the ball forever and went slow. Their longest drive of the game was only 49 yards.

The difference in the game was UGA being -2 in turnovers, with one of those turnovers resulting in a 1-play 13-yard TD drive, and ND scoring on a kickoff return. UGA fumbled in the redzone, too, and also got stuffed on 4th down in the redzone.

Credit to ND. It was a rock fight. They made their own luck when they couldn’t sustain drives against UGA, and they stood tall on D when UGA got into dangerous areas.

 

[McDad]

This Dawg will answer:

ND played really, really strong on the DL and gave UGA a hard time running the ball. It was a defensive slugfest. UGA gained more yards (passing yards were very lopsided) but ND held the ball forever and went slow. Their longest drive of the game was only 49 yards.

The difference in the game was UGA being -2 in turnovers, with one of those turnovers resulting in a 1-play 13-yard TD drive, and ND scoring on a kickoff return. UGA fumbled in the redzone, too, and also got stuffed on 4th down in the redzone.

Thanks for the reply.

Do you think the uncharacteristic play of UGA was more about bad luck or did ND do things which contributed? Did UGA play tighter or press as the game 'got away" from them, for example?

 

[AlsaceFreak]

In the Sugar Bowl CFP last season, Notre Dame beat UGA. Gunner Stockton started at QB for UGA. There was a special teams score (I think kickoff return) by ND as well.

For those of you who can interpret game plans, how did ND beat UGA. What did they do and can we copy it?

Notre Dame won with a strong running game. Gunner Stockton also ended up with 10 rushing attempts for -23 yards. Notre Dame out gained Georgia in rushing by almost 100 yds.

 

[McDad]

Notre Dame won with a strong running game. Gunner Stockton also ended up with 10 rushing attempts for -23 yards. Notre Dame out gained Georgia in rushing by almost 100 yds.

How do you see our D line and linebackers compared to the units for ND in the sugar bowl?

 

[VFL-82-JP]

Based on Visidog's description of the ND-UGa game, doesn't sound like they present us with a template we can use. I mean, we are a running team, but we're not a plodding, ball-control kind of offense. We're a very different team than that.

So we're just gonna have to figure out and do it our way.

Go Vols!

 

[McDad]

Based on Visidog's description of the ND-UGa game, doesn't sound like they present us with a template we can use. I mean, we are a running team, but we're not a plodding, ball-control kind of offense. We're a very different team than that.

So we're just gonna have to figure out and do it our way.

Go Vols!

That's true. We aren't slowing it down. But we can control the game with our running attack. We have two, maybe three RBs who can stay fresh and contribute. Also, think we may see Swaguilar choose some opportune moments to run for gains.

 

[Visidog]

Thanks for the reply.

Do you think the uncharacteristic play of UGA was more about bad luck or did ND do things which contributed? Did UGA play tighter or press as the game 'got away" from them, for example?

You’ll forgive my lack of objective recollection as I was pulling my few remaining hairs out in despair…

I think ND should get credit. It was a good defensive game plan that had Stockton confused. They ran some pressure schemes that had UGA a bit confused. He was not as fluid at the line changing plays as Carson Beck, and his style of movement behind the line was different from Beck, who was more static. It was also his first start and he has some jitters.

It was a game that really depended on who made the best play when it counted. UGA chipped away and pressed, but ND always seemed to find what they needed to hold on defense or convert on offense. They made their breaks on special teams, too.

By the end, UGA was all pass and no punting and ND was all run.

 

[McDad]

You’ll forgive my lack of objective recollection as I was pulling my few remaining hairs out in despair…

I think ND should get credit. It was a good defensive game plan that had Stockton confused. They ran some pressure schemes that had UGA a bit confused. He was not as fluid at the line changing plays as Carson Beck, and his style of movement behind the line was different from Beck, who was more static. It was also his first start and he has some jitters.

It was a game that really depended on who made the best play when it counted. UGA chipped away and pressed, but ND always seemed to find what they needed to hold on defense or convert on offense. They made their breaks on special teams, too.

By the end, UGA was all pass and no punting and ND was all run.

Thanks again for the insight.

Hope youre pulling your hair out in despair this Saturday, too.

 

[Visidog]

Thanks again for the insight.

Hope youre pulling your hair out in despair this Saturday, too.

I’m confident I won’t be. But that’s because I have none left.

Good luck. Should be a war.

 

[Hulavol]

I don’t believe we can replicate NDs Dline from that game. OLine maybe, but I question that too.
ND had the ability to push and shove with grown ass five star veterans turned men. We aren’t gonna beat UGA playing man ball for four quarters. We are going to have to score when we have the ball and win turnover margin. Tall task.

I think we actually do it.

 

[WillisWG]

ND shutdown their run game run forced DS to beat them with his arm. Georgia's self inflicted fumbled at ND10 after 13 play 71 yard drive took away that early scoring opportunity. Then a 2nd Georgia fumble on their own 14 led to easy ND TD. Georgia gave opening 2nd half kick off return TD and the rest is history.

So run the ball down their throats, stop their run game and Boo return one.

 

[adam.vol]

Based on Visidog's description of the ND-UGa game, doesn't sound like they present us with a template we can use. I mean, we are a running team, but we're not a plodding, ball-control kind of offense. We're a very different team than that.

So we're just gonna have to figure out and do it our way.

Go Vols!

If we can pull off winning our way, that should bode well for the remainder of the year. Monumental test for our Vols this Saturday.

 

[Visidog]

I don’t believe we can replicate NDs Dline from that game. OLine maybe, but I question that too.
ND had the ability to push and shove with grown ass five star veterans turned men. We aren’t gonna beat UGA playing man ball for four quarters. We are going to have to score when we have the ball and win turnover margin. Tall task.

I think we actually do it.

I think this is fair. Tennessee plays with a lot of schematic aggression: take shots downfield, send pressure, go fast. ND was more schematically conservative and focused on trying to win small battles on the line. They did it.

A lot of us dawgs think the third rock fight in a row was just too much. We went 8 overtimes with Ga Tech then to overtime against Texas and then got ND with our backup QB and a bunch of guys playing through it. No excuses from me—I think ND was down their best defensive lineman—but the team looked spent.

 

[EastTNVol6240]

Same recipe every time you play someone better than you. You must win the TO battle, you must limit mistakes, win the ball control battle, score when you get in the RZ(FG don’t beat GA).

No rocket science needed.

 

[PEPPERJAX]

UT's defense couldn't get the job done defensively against Carson Beck last year or in 2023. Beck had time to throw in both of those games and absolutely torched us. If UT is going to win this game it feels like Banks is going to have to scheme up the defense forcing Stockton to beat us throwing the ball. That is the big question, can he? The problem is we were unable to get pressure with our front 4 against a very good UGA OL in the previous matchup and banks dropped the rest in coverage. Can we get to the QB this game?

 

[PEPPERJAX]

I don’t believe we can replicate NDs Dline from that game. OLine maybe, but I question that too.
ND had the ability to push and shove with grown ass five star veterans turned men. We aren’t gonna beat UGA playing man ball for four quarters. We are going to have to score when we have the ball and win turnover margin. Tall task.

I think we actually do it.

Our O line and D line will have to win their fair share of battles or the game will turn out to be the same old story I am afraid. I think we have better athletes and players on the OL this year and it also helps that Heard is in much better shape. The defense looks solid but probably a notch or two below depth wise honestly. We will know much more about them soon. Most likely a more opportunistic defense and less of a shut you down type that the 2024 squad was. UGA is going to score some points and it feels like the first team to get to 24-27 points first probably wins. I would be a tad bit surprised if either team scored in the 30s

 

[Sarms58]

duplicate

 

[Sarms58]

A big key to the ND win was an absolutely horrendous play call right before the half that gave ND a free TD…just ask any Georgia fan who is semi knowledgeable and they will immediately relive the pain…in a defensive struggle you just don’t make stupid play calls like that

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

Based on Visidog's description of the ND-UGa game, doesn't sound like they present us with a template we can use. I mean, we are a running team, but we're not a plodding, ball-control kind of offense. We're a very different team than that.

So we're just gonna have to figure out and do it our way.

Go Vols!

LSU v UGA 2019 is our model. Quarterback led offense and playmakers on defense. Tennessee is not beating Georgia 17-14. Not in this lifetime. We need to score to win. We haven't put more than 17 points on the board against their asses since 2017.

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

UT's defense couldn't get the job done defensively against Carson Beck last year or in 2023. Beck had time to throw in both of those games and absolutely torched us. If UT is going to win this game it feels like Banks is going to have to scheme up the defense forcing Stockton to beat us throwing the ball. That is the big question, can he? The problem is we were unable to get pressure with our front 4 against a very good UGA OL in the previous matchup and banks dropped the rest in coverage. Can we get to the QB this game?

That offensive line from last years Georgia team lost 3 starters who are now starting in the NFL right now. All top 100 picks.

We have got to break through their line this year. And if we have to blitz not because we choose to, but because we cant get pressure with 3or4, then we're cooked again.

Also, our safety play has been horrendous against the Bulldogs. Way, way too many completions over the middle of 15-18 yards. Our mandate is clear. And it won't take long to see if we are up to the challenge. If they take off to an early lead of 10 or more i don't think we can come back. We need to set the tone and make them chase us. GoVols

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

 

[Ned Ray McWorkher]

 

[Go47]

LSU v UGA 2019 is our model. Quarterback led offense and playmakers on defense. Tennessee is not beating Georgia 17-14. Not in this lifetime. We need to score to win. We haven't put more than 17 points on the board against their asses since 2017.

I agree. I think we need to score 31 plus.

 

[kckempf]

UT's defense couldn't get the job done defensively against Carson Beck last year or in 2023. Beck had time to throw in both of those games and absolutely torched us. If UT is going to win this game it feels like Banks is going to have to scheme up the defense forcing Stockton to beat us throwing the ball. That is the big question, can he? The problem is we were unable to get pressure with our front 4 against a very good UGA OL in the previous matchup and banks dropped the rest in coverage. Can we get to the QB this game?

The Georgia game plan against our rush was constant presnap motion and unpredictable pocket movement to always present a moving target to our rush. They didn't use these schemes with any previous opponent, so there was no film to prepare for the strategy. Kirby rightly considered our game to be the game on the schedule that decided whether they got to the playoff and planned accordingly.