(Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
The Bulldogs entered the season with questions aplenty:
How would Joe Cox handle starting QB duties?
Who would anchor the running game?
Would the defense recovery from a less-than-stellar year?
and others. Let's go through and see how and if some of the questions were answered on Saturday, with the caveat that one game does not a season make.
How would Joe Cox handle starting duty?
My grade - C
Cox looked good in the opening drive and ended the day with 162 yards going 15-30 on completions. But it was after the opening drive he started looking like an average QB, nothing wrong with being an average QB but you have to make good decisions and be able to step up when you need to do so. Joe missed several open receivers late in the game when the Dawgs were trying to rally and threw a few that could have easily been picked off. Cox had been suffering from flu-like symptoms so that may have had something to do with it. However he looked at times like a freshman quarterback on the field, not knowing when to ditch the ball and when to tuck it to avoid a fumble. These decisions are critical in a game that your defense keeps you in. I just didn't see any of the on field command of the game we had hoped he could muster. I'm not calling for his job, he needs a couple of games to settle in but in the SEC you don't have much time for learning on the job.
Who would anchor the running game?
Richard Samuel
My Grade - B+
Samuel ran for 87 yards and a respectable 4.4 per carry and showed toughness that should continue to develop as the season goes on. Our offensive line, much injured last year, showed up today and provided good pass and run defense. I think when Caleb King returns from a ham string injury, hopefully next week, we should have more of a 1-2 punch. One a side note Shaun Chapas did a nice job as usual at fullback, blocking and even pulling in a pass for 10 yards. Fullbacks often don't get the credit they deserve for their important but decidedly non-glamorous job. One of the things I like about RB Samuel is his second effort, he keeps his legs pumping and gets you those extra 1-2 yards with last pushes. One mistake I think Georgia made was getting away from the run game that served them so well in the first drive.
Would the defense recover from a less-than-stellar year?
My Grade - A-
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