ATHENS – Determining who gets the game ball in a 49-7 rout is not an easy task, especially when that result included the number of highlight plays that the Georgia Bulldogs put together Saturday against Middle Tennessee.
But for everything he meant to the Bulldogs on Saturday, we’re going to give this week’s ball to junior running back Elijah Holyfield.
It was hardly a workmanlike day for Holyfield, who at the end of it all had only eight carries. But he set the tone early for the Bulldogs, taking a handoff into the A gap at right guard, breaking a linebacker’s tackle attempt, and then rambling 66 yards down the sideline.
Ultimately, Holyfield was run out of bounds at the 7 by Middle Tennessee’s Gregory Grate. But the Bulldogs would score three plays later for a quick 7-0 lead, and their dominance was clearly established.
Holyfield would go on to carry the ball eight times on the day and finish with 100 yards. That makes him the first 100-yard rusher for the Bulldogs this season.
It was a quiet day for the rest of Georgia’s backs. Receiver Tyler Simmons had the second-most yards with 56, all of which came on a touchdown run off a jet sweep. D’Andre Swift barely played and finished with 12 yards on 4 carries. Brian Herrien had five rushing attempts for 44 yards.
But the Bulldogs managed 261 yards rushing on the day and finished with 484 total yards. Quarterbacks Jake Fromm and Justin Fields each were heavily considered for game balls as wel. They threw only four incompletions between them on 20 attempts and finished with 223 yards passing.
For Holyfield, it was the first 100-yard game of his career. His previous best was 51 yards against Tennessee last season.
Georgia Football Coverage
- Slowly, surely Georgia RB Elijah Holyfield making name for himself
- Middle Tennessee coach says Georgia ‘swallowed us up’
- Jake Fromm not thrilled with offensive performance, despite big-play day
- Georgia QB Justin Fields showing rapid improvement
- Georgia football stock report: Mecole Hardman and Deandre Baker look golden
- No. 3 Georgia Bulldogs follow script in 49-7 win over Middle Tennessee