Georgia football report card: How we graded the Bulldogs after Mississippi State win
Georgia football (5-1, 3-1 SEC) downed Mississippi State (1-5, 0-3) in a dog park scrap Saturday evening, 41-31.
The No. 4 Bulldogs had a touchdown from Branson Robinson, who went out on the play with a knee injury; a touchdown from Arian Smith, who suffered a hip injury on a 55-yard reception, but returned in the third quarter to take a 42-yard scoring reception; as well as touchdowns from Dillon Bell, Lawson Luckie and Trevor Etienne.
Carson Beck completed 36 of 48 passes for 459 yards — a new career-high to beat out his previous of 439 at Alabama in September — three touchdowns and two interceptions against the worst scoring defense in the SEC.
Glen Powell even showed up at halftime dressed as "Chad Powers," Eli Manning's alter ego, to film a scene for the new Hulu series named after his character.
Here is how we graded Georgia vs. Mississippi State:
Offense: A-
The offense made up for the faults as Arian Smith clocked two huge receptions (55 yards and 42 yards for a touchdown). Dillon Bell had a 31-yard reception for a touchdown as well to dramatically offset the score in the third quarter and, in the end, to bring the team total to 36 receptions for 459 yards and three touchdowns.
Defense: C-
Georgia should not have allowed Mississippi State to get 31 points on them, plain and simple. The Bulldogs are a team that is 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the SEC, averaging 27.4 points per game, and Georgia is ranked nationally at No. 4. They managed zero sacks on Michael Van Buren Jr.
Special teams: B
Peyton Woodring could've brought this grade up had his 55-yard field goal attempt not been short of the uprights. He did however contribute a 47-yard field goal in the first quarter to get the Bulldogs on the board and went 100% on his point-after attempts.
Coaching: B
Georgia let up off the gas big time in the second half, allowing Mississippi State to catch up from a 24-point deficit, turning into a 10-point one.
Overall: B+
Georgia has played better (Clemson), and they've also played worse (Kentucky). This outing just confirmed things are going to be tough in Austin next weekend when they meet with the Longhorns.
This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Here is how we graded Georgia football after Mississippi State win
