Georgia football underclassmen show out during Senior Day, Charlotte win

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The blowout was expected, Georgia football over Charlotte. There wasn’t any question about it.

The No. 4 Bulldogs (10-1) domineered the 49ers in the final home game of the regular season. It almost didn’t feel real, the sun still shining after Dooley Field at Sanford Stadium had long been cleared, another home slate chalked up in the books and another group of seniors waving goodbye to the turf that raised them.

Despite it being Senior Day, hearing names called that may never have been in their time wearing the G, when redshirt senior running back Cash Jones earned his first start, the underclassmen were the ones who stood out. The young bucks.

“It’s great to see those guys gather and play,” Kirby Smart said. “I mean, so many of them practice all year and they don’t get an opportunity to play.”

Nobody was prouder of the rookies than the veterans.

“They work really hard, whether that’s on scout team or coming up when we go against the scouts,” sophomore linebacker Justin Williams said. “They train just like us every week and I’m so proud of them.”

“It means everything (to see those guys go out and do big things),” junior tight end Lawson Luckie said. “I’m so proud of those guys. Those dudes work so hard during the week. Daniel’s always giving us a great picture on scout team and to see him get rewarded like that. And then Bo, like Bo has been talking all week about maybe’s he going to get a chance this week and then to get three touchdowns was crazy. I’m so happy for that dude. Everyone loves him.”

Here are a few things that happened for Georgia in its 35-3 win over Charlotte on Saturday, Nov. 22.

Daniel Okonkwo dons the golden savage pads

On Charlotte’s last drive of the game, redshirt sophomore quarterback Grayson Loftis threw a pass intended for sophomore wide receiver Miles Burris in the end zone. Instead, it was snatched up by the hands of freshman safety Daniel Okonkwo, a perfect pick. This was not only his first career interception, but Okonkwo’s first career minutes of the field. He was given the specialty golden savage pads after the play and displayed on the big screen.

Ellis Robinson also had an interception. Kirby Smart said the redshirt freshman defensive back is beginning to understand things better, asking really smart questions and growing.

“That play in particular, he was beaten and they were throwing the ball to the other guy,” Smart said. “That’s one of those deals that you benefit from someone else’s mistake in the rush that we had. The quarterback was throwing the ball to the other player, and he was beat by, his guy was behind him, and he was able to go up and make a good play.”

Bo Walker got his chance

Freshman running back Bo Walker almost didn’t get to play his senior year of high school. He has seen field time this season in four games, collecting 13 touches but no touchdowns. Until today, when he set his first career highs. Walker had three touchdowns, recording nine touches for 48 yards. His longest run was 15 yards, which scored his first.

“He can cut. His cut is so smooth,” Williams said. “So, like, when he cuts, he’s one foot in and he be giving me some Tylenol. Me and him go back and forth a little bit, a lot of competition, but Bo’s a dog and I love him to death.”

Williams remembered being shocked about a time in fall camp when Walker hit him with a one-two on a major run while he was in the gap.

Sophomore running back Nate Frazier also popped off with 12 touches for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Ryan Puglisi is getting better

Redshirt freshman quarterback Ryan Puglisi did some good things, coach Kirby Smart said. Despite the few drops, and no touchdown passes, redshirt junior Gunner Stockton’s backup is getting better and Smart’s pleased.

“I get a better review of him in practice every day,” Smart said of Puglisi.

Puglisi threw 7 completions on 11 attempts (a career-high) for 49 yards against Charlotte. He had 5 completions on 8 attempts for 59 yards and a score against Marshall on Aug. 30 and 3 completions on 4 attempts for 49 yards and an interception against Kentucky on Oct. 4.

Several of his teammates said they’ve seen Puglisi’s confidence grow with each repetition here, and that comes through Smart and his staff challenging them.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Getting better, earning chances: Georgia football’s underclassmen stand out

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