Although the start of Georgia’s 42-10 win over Auburn wasn’t too impressive, it came with a certain degree of satisfaction.

Last Wednesday, Auburn center Brandon Council predicted the Tigers’ offensive line would “demolish” Georgia’s defensive line, a challenge defensive tackle Zion Logue said he and the rest of the Bulldogs took to heart.

“Everything was motivation with us this week, man,” Logue said. “Hats go off to those guys (Auburn). They tried to put us in some difficult situations, but that (Council’s words) was definitely a motivation this week.”

When asked if he remembered specifically what Council had said, Logue smiled.

“He said 'demolish,'” Logue said. “Striking and attacking was our theme all week and from the first play today we had to make sure that happened.”

Given he’s an offensive player, center Sedrick Van Pran said he did not get too caught up in Council’s words. But like Logue, he read what the Auburn player had to say.

“I never try to get too caught up in that stuff, because ultimately it’s just words,” Van Pran said. “At the end of the day, anybody who comes in here is trying to beat us—we just wanted to make sure that we set the tone.”

… Running back Kendall Milton entered the injury tent early in the second quarter with a groin injury and did not return. "It's a groin (injury),” head coach Kirby Smart said. “He said that he got tackled, and the guy fell on him and stretched his groin out, and it bothered him. I don't know how severe it is."

…Wide receiver AD Mitchell (ankle) dressed out and took a handful of reps. After the game, Smart revealed that Mitchell has been dealing with a sprained thumb.

"Really thought he was going to be able to go, you know? Ironically, he had a thumb sprain in the week because we were using him. He fell down and had a thumb sprain, and it became more of the thumb sprain than the ankle,” Smart said. “Now, he did have a little bit of a limp, and as the game goes on, he got to the point where he's not in it and you're not using him, he gets cold. We tried to keep him on a bike, tried to run him. But we thought he could have gone had we needed him. We did end up getting out to a lead, and I guess he did play a couple snaps. But it was just, we didn't get to really use him like we normally do. We need him back."

… Tight end Arik Gilbert dressed out but did not play.

… Linebacker Smael Mondon (ankle) dressed out but did not play.

… Linebacker Chaz Chambliss (hamstring) and offensive lineman Earnest Green III (undisclosed) did not dress out.

… Defensive tackle Jalen Carter (MCL sprain) spent the day standing on the Bulldog sideline.

Cornerback Kelee Ringo acknowledged it’s been a difficult week for safety Malaki Starks after friend and former Jefferson High teammate Elijah Dewitt was murdered earlier this week.

“All I can say is God bless to the family,” Ringo said. “(Starks) is a tough player for actually being able to cope with that. I’ve been through something like that myself. He’s a strong person.”

Smart also offered his best to the Dewitt family after the game.

“We did talk to him about it. He was very close. Thoughts and prayers with his family,” Smart said. “Malaki’s parents reached out to us. He was close to him. Malaki handled it very maturely. He did his job today."

…Ladd McConkey’s day as a punt returner did not get off to a good start when he muffed his first catch in the opening quarter before recovering. He made up for it later in second quarter when he returned one 38 yards to set up Georgia’s second touchdown.

“It was great. Ladd’s been really aggressive. I’m really proud of Ladd. I don’t know what Auburn was in punt cover. Somebody told me they were number one in the country or number one in the conference at negating punt returns with the way the punter kicks it. We worked really hard this week saying we could spark a drive, change field position, and not who we put on punt return,” Smart said. “I think Ladd will be the first to tell you he’d give a lot of credit to the guys up front who affected the kicker by almost blocking one. It speeds up. The sooner he kicks it, the sooner it gets to Ladd. They’re elite at holding the ball and not giving up returns. They probably had us on the fake. Nolan (Smith) made a great play. It was one of those times where they didn’t execute, but they had a good look and they checked it. Kudos for them, but kudos for Nolan stepping up. That was a huge play.”

…Georgia only had one penalty for 15 yards in the first half, but it was a costly one. A block below the waist call on Broderick Jones negated a first down for the Bulldogs deep in Tiger territory. Georgia would ultimately not come away with any points as Jack Podlesny missed a 47-yard field goal attempt. In the third quarter, a blind-side personal foul call on Darnell Washington negated another big gain.

… The Bulldog defense limited the Tigers to 10 points with 258 yards of offense on 63 plays.

… For the third time this season, the Bulldogs blanked a team in the first half (Samford and at South Carolina).

…Auburn’s lone touchdown came on a 62-yard touchdown pass to running back Jarquez Hunter that made it 35-10 with 9:51 left in the game.

…The leading tackler Saturday was sophomore linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson with five stops, to give him a team-leading 29.

… Georgia went 5-for-5 in the red zone with five touchdowns. Auburn was 1-for-1 with a field goal.

The Bulldogs improved to 35-for-36 in scoring in the red zone this season with 24 TDs and 11 FGs on the year.

… Junior Daijun Edwards had 12 rushes for 83 yards and three TDs. He had a season-high 28-yard run today. He has eight TDs for his career. Edwards is the first Bulldog to rush for three touchdowns since Sony Michel against Oklahoma in the 2018 Rose Bowl win. Freshman running back Branson Robinson collected a career-best 30-yard rush on a fourth-and-1. He finished with 12 carries for 98 yards, both career highs, and his first career TD, a 15-yarder to make it 42-10 with 4:45 left in the game.

… Georgia’s touchdown drives covered 31, 36, 63, 64, 65 and 81 yards today.

… Senior Kenny McIntosh (8 carries for 37 yards) notched his third touchdown of the year and ninth of his career on a one-yarder to make it 7-0 with 11:42 left in the first half. It capped a seven play, 36-yard drive in 3:43.

… Senior quarterback Stetson Bennett completed 22-of-32 passes for 208 yards. Also, he scampered 64 yards for a TD; his previous high was 30 versus Auburn. That made it 28-3 with 14:49 left in the game.

… Freshman punter Brett Thorson punted five times (41.4 avg) and placed all five inside-the-20, giving him eight this year.

… In the first half, Georgia stopped a fake punt as Auburn tried one on a fourth-and-6 at the Auburn 34. The Tigers gained just two yards. The Bulldogs took over and turned it into a touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 11:42 left in the half.

… Podlesny entered today’s game fourth nationally in scoring with 58 points. Saturday, he had six points, all on PATs.

…Georgia used Xavian Sorey as an edge rusher a few times during the game.

…Linebacker Rian Davis made his first career start in place of Mondon.

… Georgia returns to action next Saturday against Vanderbilt (3:30 p.m., SEC Network).

… Atlanta Braves organization pitcher Ian Anderson attended Saturday’s game.

… Georgia won the toss and deferred to the second half.

… The Bulldogs implemented three tight ends (Brock Bowers, Darnell Washington, and Oscar Delp) on their second offensive snap.

Georgia Postgame News and Notes is brought to you by My Perfect Franchise.

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