Bulldogs OG Xavier Truss on the best running back in the nation
Bulldogs OG Xavier Truss talks to the media about the best running back in the nation
LEXINGTON, Kentucky – The Georgia football team will play its first of two consecutive night games tonight.
The story of former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff and inside linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson facing off against their former team is perhaps more exciting than the game itself.
Kentucky hopes that is not the case.
Vandagriff and Dumas-Johnson each won two national championship rings during their three seasons in Athens.
Georgia players are looking forward to the game against Vandagriff.
“It will be exciting to play against him,” said nickelback Joenel Aguero, who remembered his botched coverage against Vandagriff, but also an interception. “I often had to struggle with the 2s against him last year.”
Georgia football coach Kirby Smart on Kentucky’s loss to South Carolina
Georgia League coach Kirby Smart downplayed Kentucky’s 31-6 home loss to South Carolina last week, when Vandagriff completed 3 of 10 passes for 30 yards and had one interception.
“A lot of things went wrong for them quickly in this game, and in some ways it just got worse,” Smart said. “I know what they’re capable of. I’ve seen them on video. I know the football players they have. I know how physical they are. I know how they’re coached. And we’ve got to prepare for a really tough opponent.”
Watch Georgia vs Kentucky football live on FUBO (free trial)
South Carolina defensive line transfer Xzavier McLeod was listed as a “game-time decision.” He is dressed and warming up, as is cornerback Daniel Harris.
McLeod lined up behind Christen Miller in position drills. Harris, notably, was not the second-team cornerback. That was freshmen Demello Jones and Ellis Robinson IV.
Georgia had all four of its scholarship quarterbacks on the 74-man roster for its first away game. They are Carson Beck, Gunner Stockton, Jaden Rashada and Ryan Puglisi.
“Just a numbers game of special teams,” Smart said. “At 74, you’re not usually talking about starters. You’re talking about a roster of players that have to step in as emergency players if someone goes down. We’ve been up there before and had a couple of injuries and had to step in with guys from Kentucky. Probably the 65th through 74th players are special teams picks and guys that can play on special teams.”
Georgia Bulldogs cornerback Daniel Harris is not on the Bulldogs’ final No. 1 availability list ahead of Saturday night’s game against Kentucky.
This suggests that Harris is not suspended for the game, but it remains to be seen if Kirby Smart decides to let him play.
Harris traveled with the team and is here at Kroger Field.
He was arrested by Athens-Clarke County police Thursday night and charged with reckless driving and four other misdemeanors. Police said his speed was 106 mph, according to radar.
He is dressed and warming up on the field with gloves.
Georgia has designated defensive lineman Xzavier McLeod as a game-decider due to an unspecified injury.
Spotted a bowl rep from the Cheez-It Citrus Bowl. Sometimes bowl reps bring something bowl-related, but there were no Cheez-Its handed out in the press box. I don’t think Georgia or Kentucky will end up in the Orlando Bowl, which Tennessee played in last year.
NFL scouts from seven teams are accredited. They come from the Texans, Giants, Buccaneers, Browns, Saints, Bills and Chargers.
Kirby Smart and son Andrew walked around the field after the team arrived at the stadium. Smart wore what looked like AirPods, as usual. Andrew wore larger headphones. They chatted as they walked. No word about their playlists.
Former Georgia quarterback Brock Vandagriff’s photo and stats have been shown a few times on the video board at Kroger Field, as he looks to have a rebound game after completing 3 of 10 passes for 30 yards with one interception in a 31-6 loss to South Carolina last week.
“He’s a starting quarterback in the SEC,” said Xavier Truss, an offensive lineman at Georgia. “He’s got a lot of talent. He’s agile. He can do pretty much anything you ask of him. He’s very coachable. I know what level of player he is. He’s got a lot of talent. It’s going to be exciting to see him play again this Saturday.”
Georgia’s captains tonight: inside linebacker Smael Mondon, safety Malaki Starks, running back Trevor Etienne and offensive guard Tate Ratledge.
It’s an SEC team for conference play. The referee is Kyle Olson. He and almost the entire refereeing team were on duty at the Georgia-Kentucky game in Athens last season, which the Bulldogs won 51-13.
This section will be updated when the game starts
Georgia vs. Kentucky Time Today
- Date: Today
- Time: 19:30
- Location: Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky.
What channel is the Georgia vs Kentucky game on today?
NOTE: Georgia vs. Kentucky will be televised nationally on ABC. Sean McDonough and Greg McElroy will provide commentary from the Kroger Field locker room, with Molly McGrath reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+. (subscription required) and and FUBO, which offers a free trial to new subscribers.
History Georgia vs. Kentucky
- Series record: Georgia leads with 63-12-2
- Georgia’s last victory: 51-13 in 2023
- Kentucky’s last victory: 34-27 in 2009
Predictions for Georgia vs. Kentucky
Georgia 34, Kentucky 6.
Kentucky was only able to get two field goals from Alex Raynor last week and Georgia limited the Wildcats to 6 and 3 points in their last two road games in Lexington. Georgia has not lost at an opponent’s home stadium since a win at Kentucky in 2020.
Georgia vs. Kentucky Betting Odds
BetMGM betting lines and odds as of Thursday:
- Spread: Georgia -22 1/2
- Over/Under: 44.5
- Money line: Georgia -3000, Kentucky +1250
Injury updates for Georgia vs. Kentucky
Georgia: DE/OLB Mykel Williams (ankle, out), DL Warren Brinson (ankle, out), DL Jordan Hall (legs, out), DL Xzavier McCleod (unknown, questionable), RB Roderick Robinson (toe, out).
Kentucky: RB Chip Trayanum (hand, out), WR Hardley Gilmore IV (collarbone, out), WR Brandon White (unknown, questionable), LB Devin Smith (unknown, out), DL Darrion Henry-Young (unknown, out), OL Courtland Ford (unknown, out), DL Tavion Gadson (unknown, out), DL Josiah Hayes (unknown, out), RB Jason Patterson (unknown, questionable), OL Jager Burton (unknown, out), DB Maxwell Hairston (unknown, questionable), DL Keeshawn Silver (unknown, probable), OL Gerald Mincey (unknown, questionable), QB Brock Vandagriff (shoulder, probable).
Weather update for Georgia and Kentucky
According to weather.com, mostly clear skies with temperatures between 25 and 25 degrees Celsius are forecast for the end of the game, with wind speeds between 8 and 16 kilometers per hour.
Football schedule for Georgia 2024
- August 31: Georgia 34, Clemson 3
- September 7: Georgia 48, Tennessee Tech 3.
- September 14th in Kentucky
- September 28th in Alabama
- October 5 Auburn
- October 12, Mississippi State
- October 19th in Texas
- November 2 against Florida in Jacksonville
- November 9 at Ole Miss
- November 16 Tennessee
- November 23 UMass
- November 29, Georgia Tech
- Record: 2:0
Buy Georgia football tickets this season with Stubhub
Kentucky Football 2024 Schedule
- August 31: Kentucky 31, Southern Miss 0
- September 7: South Carolina 31, Kentucky 6
- 14 September, Georgia
- September 21 Ohio
- September 28 at Ole Miss
- October 12 Vanderbilt
- October 19 in Florida
- October 26 Auburn
- November 2 in Tennessee
- November 16, Murray State
- November 23 in Texas
- November 30, Louisville
- Record: 1-1.
Football news from Georgia
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