Georgia Looks to Roll Against UMass

Nov 22, 20242 min read

Kirby Smart | Georgia HC — ©Joshua L. Jones/USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Head coach Kirby Smart and the No. 10 Georgia Bulldogs (8-2, 6-2 Southeastern Conference) look to continue their winning streak as the UMass Minutemen (2-8) come to town after the Bulldogs defeated the No. 11 Tennessee Volunteers (8-2, 5-2) on Nov. 16, while the Minutemen fell to the Liberty Flames 35-34 in Week 13. The Bulldogs and Minutemen face off at 12:45 p.m. EST on Nov. 23 at Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga.

What's at Stake?

The Bulldogs look to make it 30 consecutive home wins and keep their postseason hopes alive with a victory over the Minutemen.

The Minutemen look to tie the all-time series against the Bulldogs at 1-1 with a victory.

Key Players: Georgia

QB Carson Beck, LB Chaz Chambliss

Beck put on quite a show in the victory over the Volunteers, completing 25 of 40 passes for 347 yards and 2 touchdowns. He needs to maintain the consistent play he demonstrated against the Vols for the Bulldogs to make a run in the College Football Playoff.

Georgia relies on Chambliss substantially in its defensive schemes, and he delivered for the Bulldogs in the win over the Volunteers, with 3 tackles and 2 sacks. Both sacks were difference-makers in the victory. Chambliss is a major anchor for the Bulldogs' defense and looks to continue that status in the latter stages of the season.

Key Players: UMass

RB Jalen John, DE Kofi Asare

Despite the loss to the Flames, John turned in a solid performance for the Minutemen offense, finishing with 15 carries for 119 yards and 2 touchdowns. That is an impressive stat line on a Minutemen team that struggles to consistently score points.

Asare also excelled against Liberty defense despite the Minutements' loss. He made a critical strip sack that resulted in a fumble recovery. That was a highlight play for a defense that struggles to get consistent stops.