WATCH: Tate Ratledge’s father shares heartwarming reaction to son’s first play in Georgia football win
For all the hemming and hawing about the Georgia quarterback situation this week, the Bulldogs seemed to pretty emphatically answer any questions people had about the team with a 27-6 thrashing of the No. 7 Auburn Tigers.
And it the final result had many people talking about it on various social media platforms.
The single best piece of social media to come out of the game came late in the game when freshman Tate Ratledge entered the game. His parents were able to attend the game and his father Dean, captured video of the play.
Ratledge shared the play to Twitter with a caption that will warm any parent’s heart.
PROUD DAD ALERT! Tate’s first snap! I’m shaking, wanna throw up! Momma’s about to hyperventilate! #GATA pic.twitter.com/T9nm73VWf0
— Dean Ratledge (@dratledge81) October 4, 2020
As for the rest of the game, much of the reason for optimism came because of the play by Stetson Bennett IV. He completed 17 of his 28 pass attempts for 240 yards and a touchdown. He kept the Georgia offense moving all night and was surgical on third down, completing 8 of his 11 pass attempts for 111 yards and a touchdown. Georgia converted on 9 of their 14 third-down attempts on the night.
“Ever since I’ve been here Stetson has always been a baller,” receiver Kearis Jackson said. “He’s always stood out. Because whatever’s thrown at him he’s ready to attack it. He’s the starting quarterback now, so he has a major role now and he’s been doing a great job. He’s confident back there.”
Not bad for a player who was once a walk-on and no name recruit. This game also doubled as Bennett’s first career start.
“My goal is always to start here, that’s why I came here in the first place,” Bennett said. “I came here to win an SEC championship and a national championship for the Georgia Bulldogs.”
Following his performance, Bennett earned wide-spread acclaim in part because of his play but also because of his story.
Stetson Bennett was all smiles after his first win as starting QB 😄 pic.twitter.com/f3C7gZUQWD
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) October 4, 2020
Stetson Bennett
240 passing yards and 1 TDAuburn’s offense
216 yards and zero TDs https://t.co/A51iDJdJAJ— AXactly (@DawgAXactly) October 4, 2020
Decide for yourself how to explain it and where to place blame…but it's my duty to inform you Stetson Bennett is a better quarterback than Bo Nix.
— Josh Pate 🎙🏈 (@LateKickJosh) October 4, 2020
Highest passer rating on throws 20+ yards downfield:
1. Myles Brennan, LSU – 156.3
1. Stetson Bennett, Georgia – 156.3
3. Jordan Travis, FSU – 149.3
3. Feleipe Franks, Arkansas – 149.3 pic.twitter.com/uJisoaUZhj— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 4, 2020
As good as Stetson Bennett IV, a 0-star recruit, has been on third down, Bo Nix, a 5-star recruit, has been the opposite.
— Connor Riley (@Kconnorriley) October 4, 2020
GeOrGiA dOeSnT hAvE a QuArTeRbAcK.
Stetson Bennett through 2 games:
37/57 65% 451 yards 3 TD 0 INT
— Eric Taylor (@EricTaylorFS) October 4, 2020
Stetson Bennett took off the glasses and Georgia fans realize it was meant to be all along.
— taylor denman (@taylorddenman) October 4, 2020
Stetson Bennett waking up this morning like #MailMan 💯🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/ArMrlTkT73
— Mad Dawg 🐾🦴 (@Mad_Dawg19) October 4, 2020
Live look at Stetson Bennett. pic.twitter.com/9eD9h91awc
— UGA United (@UGAUnited) October 4, 2020
The rest of the SEC waking up this morning thinking about Stetson Bennett: pic.twitter.com/0mzNRUEcHT
— Benjamin Wolk (@benjaminwolk) October 4, 2020
I think they know you now lol @StetsonIV pic.twitter.com/eUkMWQdWHj
— Jeremiah Holloman (@Obey_Classics) October 4, 2020
Bennett was the only quarterback to play meaningful snaps for Georgia on the night, with D’Wan Mathis entering the game only or mop-up duty. USC transfer JT Daniels had been cleared to play on Monday, but he did not take a snap in the game.
As good as Bennett and the offense were, the defense might have been even better. The Bulldogs kept the Tigers out of the endzone and made life miserable for Auburn quarterback Bo Nix.
Auburn ran for just 39 yards. Nix was sacked three times, all in the second half. He also threw his first interception since Oct. 26 of 2019, with defender Mark Webb making the play.
Georgia was also without All-American safety Richard LeCounte due to a targeting penalty from the first half.
Still, Georgia coach Kirby Smart wants to see more out of his defense, which has given up just 16 points in two games thus far.
“I didn’t think we finished well, I thought we had four or five missed sacks, just couldn’t get him on the ground,” Smart said. “I was pleased with the way we finished (statistically); six points and the production.
“But we don’t usually give up a lot of third downs. We’ve been good at getting off the field on third down, and (Auburn was) 7 of 16, we don’t meet our goal.”
Social media was much more forgiving of the Georgia defense, as it recognized how little fun Auburn seemed to be having against the group.
Bo Nix all night vs UGA Defense 🤣 pic.twitter.com/tEmkMQztgq
— JustIN 🥱 (@Sir_Nike) October 4, 2020
AFTERTHOUGHTS: WOW MOMENTS
Kearis Jackson HUUUGE
Zues, the knee is good
Stenson, he is QB 1
DEFENSE, Maybe best ever
RB Position, We loaded
Malzahn, paid $850k this game
OH THAT NEW FIELD
GoDawgs🐶🏈❤🏆 pic.twitter.com/GgmXIhUAZC— Sugurray from UGA🏌️♂️🍻🏈🍻🏆 (@sugurray4UGA) October 4, 2020
Thanks to the UGA defense, the offense could have scored a mere 7 points last night and still beaten Auburn.
Offense could have scored 3 points and beaten Arkansas.
10 offensive points would still have the Dawgs at 2-0.
You’ll tell your grandkids about this defense one day.
— Logan Booker (@LoganMBooker) October 4, 2020
In media, we make so many predictions, you miss some. When I do, I take it like a man. I just wonder why them same Auburn fans from last week are not blowing up my notifications. As I told you this off season. UGA has the best defense in the nation and Bo Nix is not elite yet.
— Dr. SEC (@thedrsec) October 4, 2020
The falcons wish they had this UGA defense
— Will Holleman (@willholleman24) October 4, 2020
Idk about y’all, but I love watching this side of the ball play football pic.twitter.com/vDofxPJolR
— AXactly (@DawgAXactly) October 4, 2020
Through 2 games, UGA has the largest points differential in the league at +24
Here’s a look at points allowed
UGA 16
Tennessee 39
Alabama 43
LSU 51
Floridia 59They have said that defense wins championships but this defense just strangles the life from you! pic.twitter.com/uDXktD1Aww
— Kelly Sr (@ChopnWoodUGA) October 4, 2020
Fun levels seem dangerously low on the Auburn offense right now. Playing the Georgia defense will do that. https://t.co/UEPjnPQykQ
— Connor Riley (@Kconnorriley) October 4, 2020
As for what some of the national media is saying, they all seemed to come away impressed with Georgia’s dominant performance.
Whether it be David Pollack or Kirk Herbstreit, they saw why Georgia is one of the top teams in the country.
2 observations about Georgia’s defense tonight that if they hold true the rest of the season they will be the best D in the Country. 1-Pass rush 19, 13,44,4 and many more can get after the QB. 2-They might have a true lockdown corner Tyson Campbell
— David Pollack (@davidpollack47) October 4, 2020
Update: Georgia has run 40 plays to Auburn's 14.
Perhaps related: Georgia is absolutely mauling Auburn, now 24-0.
— Stewart Mandel (@slmandel) October 4, 2020
My top 4 THIS WEEK. Again only ranking teams THAT HAVE PLAYED!!!
1-@AlabamaFTBL
2-@ClemsonFB
3-@GatorsFB
4-@GeorgiaFootball
Next 2@CanesFootball @BYUfootball— Kirk Herbstreit (@KirkHerbstreit) October 4, 2020
#Georgia's defense is phenomenal. #Alabama might be the only team that can match up in the trenches this season. Florida gonna have some trouble, but #Gators have safety valve in passing game at tight end and twitch RBs.
— Brandon Marcello (@bmarcello) October 4, 2020
#UGA makes a big statement; #Bama and #Clemson cruise while #BYU remains dominant… Here's our first Saturday night college football Top 10 ranking of the season: https://t.co/9m1UVSGDay
— Bruce Feldman (@BruceFeldmanCFB) October 4, 2020
Georgia will have another big test at home next weekend, as the Bulldogs welcome the Tennessee Volunteers to town. Tennessee is 2-0 to start the season, though the wins have come against South Carolina and Missouri. This game will once again have many eyes as the two teams play on CBS at 3:30 p.m. ET.
Tennessee looks legit. next week we'll find out just how legit: https://t.co/8nAxhN0ddR
— Barton Simmons (@bartonsimmons) October 3, 2020
Tennessee vs. Georgia will be what you wanted Auburn vs. Georgia to be.
— Josh Pate 🎙🏈 (@LateKickJosh) October 4, 2020
Already looking forward to the matchup of Tennessee's offensive line vs. Georgia's defensive front next weekend.
It's going to be a war.
— SEC Mike (@MichaelWBratton) October 3, 2020
More Georgia football stories from around DawgNation
- Georgia football: What Auburn and Gus Malzahn had to say after that 27-6 loss
- Georgia football-Tennesse game time, TV Network announced for Week 6 game
- Georgia QB Stetson Bennett ‘The guy’ right now; jumbo package impressed
- Third down demonstrates why Stetson Bennett outplayed Bo Nix
- Georgia football instant observations following dominant win over Auburn
- WATCH: Georgia’s Kirby Smart makes light of wizardly improvement in 27-6 win
- Georgia football injury report from 27-6 win over Auburn; update on James Cook
- RECAP Georgia 27, Auburn 6: Bulldogs’ defense smothers Tigers
- Social media gushes over Stetson Bennett, Georgia football for first half against Auburn