Georgia entered the 2020 Sugar Bowl without Brian Herrien, who missed the game due to personal reasons. D’Andre Swift entered the game with a shoulder injury and his participation was limited in the first half as he had just one touch.

And to add to the issues at the running back injuries, James Cook is now dealing with a rib injury he suffered in the first quarter.

Speaking to Holly Rowe of ESPN at halftime, Smart said he “didn’t know if (Cook) would return” to the game.

After picking up the injury in the first quarter, Cook went straight to the injury tent.

Cook missed last year’s Sugar Bowl game due to an ankle injury. On the season, Cook came into the game 176 rushing yards and 132 receiving yards. He had three carries for 12 yards in the first half.

Cook had been arrested prior to the Sugar Bowl, but Smart told reporters that any discipline was handled internally. 

Georgia’s running game has been led by redshirt freshman Zamir White who had 12 carries for 58 yards.

Georgia holds a 19-0 halftime lead over the Baylor Bears thanks to a standout effort from George Pickens. He caught 11 passes for 165 yards and a touchdown. Pickens outgained Baylor in the first half 165-97.

The Georgia defense had a shutout in a half for the 12th time this season, the most in FBS.

The fast start for Georgia is a stark contrast from the 2019 Sugar Bowl, when the Bulldogs fell behind 17-0 early in the second quarter. Smart added in his halftime interview that there was still a lot of game left to play.

For live updates on the 2020 Sugar Bowl between Georgia football and Baylor, click here.

More Georgia football stories from the 2020 Sugar Bowl