Top-ranked Georgia (2-0) will see a few familiar faces this week in Lexington when it faces Kentucky (1-1, 0-1 SEC).
Former Bulldog quarterback Brock Vandagriff and inside linebacker Jamon Dumas-Johnson play for the Wildcats, who are struggling early this year. This past week, South Carolina left Lexington with a 31-6 win.
Still, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart doesn’t want his team to overlook a tough Kentucky squad.
“I can’t think of a time I’ve ever been to that stadium and played an easy game. It’s never easy up there. Never,” Smart said after the win over Tennessee Tech. “It’s never easy on the road to SEC at all. I don’t know if people truly appreciate and respect a win on the road in Kentucky or how hard it is. They’re well-coached and physical. They do a great job. They have a good football team, so our work will be cut out for us.”
In week one, Kentucky knocked off Southern Miss 31-0 but struggled against the Gamecocks. The offense struggled, totaling only 183 yards, with 139 coming from the ground game. They also struggled in the passing game.
Vandagriff completed just 3 of 10 passes for 30 yards and an interception before being replaced by backup Gavin Wimsatt. Wimsatt didn’t fare well, either. The transfer completed 3 of 7 passes and also tossed a pick.
Georgia quarterback Carson Beck said he’s excited about facing his former teammate and backup.
“We talk every now and then. I haven’t gotten an opportunity to talk about next week with him,” Beck said of Vandagriff. “I’ll probably shoot him a text this week. I’m always rooting for him. He’s a great friend of mine.”
Kentucky running backs Demie Sumo and Jason Patterson were the highlights of Kentucky’s offense against South Carolina. The duo combined to rush for 115 yards on 17 carries, averaging 6.7 yards per attempt in the loss.
Dumas-Johnson plays on a defense that gave up only 282 yards to South Carolina. Vandagriff and Wimsatt's interceptions didn’t help, putting the Wildcats’ defensive unit in a bad spot a few times.
Kentucky is led defensively by junior defensive tackle Deone Walker, a potential first-round draft pick.
“He’s extremely physical, a versatile player,” Smart said of Walker on Monday. “He can play inside [and] out [on the line of scrimmage]. It seems like he’s been there forever. He’s a kid we recruited, a highly recruited kid. A tremendous athlete. He’s like a wrecking ball. He can wreck a play from any position.”
Georgia’s offense, averaging 41 points per game through two weeks, will have to gameplan around Dumas-Johnson and Walker. The Bulldogs might also have to stick to their run game in possible inclement weather.
Georgia’s run game features transfer Trevor Etienne, returner Branson Robinson, and freshman Nate Frazier.
Linebacker Chaz Chambliss believes Georgia has one of the nation’s best stable full of running backs.
“You’ve got guys with speed, you’ve got guys with power,” Chambliss said. “You’ve got guys with a mix of both.”
Georgia and Kentucky will kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday at Kroger Field in Lexington.