Grading Georgia football after its CFP quarterfinal loss to Ole Miss

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NEW ORLEANS – Georgia football lost its second straight Sugar Bowl and fell to 5-8 all-time in the game when No. 6 Ole Miss beat the No. 3 Bulldogs 39-34 on Thursday night, Jan. 1, in the Caesars Superdome.

The 13 Sugar Bowl appearances by the Bulldogs outpaces the Peach Bowl, which the Bulldogs have made the second-most trips to with seven.

Here’s how we graded the Bulldogs, which fell to 12-2 after the CFP quarterfinal loss.

Georgia football offense: B-

Georgia’s offense scored three touchdowns but produced just 343 yards of total offense. Georgia eventually got around to feeding Nate Frazier (86 yards on 15 carries) and Colbie Young stretched out for a 13-yard catch in his return. The Bulldogs’ run blocking was inconsistent and Gunner Stockton had several passes batted down but he showed toughness in delivering passes while getting hit, while also rushing for two touchdowns and throwing for one on a day he passed for 203 yards.

Georgia football defense: C

Daylen Everette’s scoop-and-score 47-yard touchdown was a momentum-changer, but the Bulldogs gave up 473 total yards of offense, including 362 passing yards and two touchdowns to Trinidad Chambliss and 98 rushing yards and two touchdowns to Kewan Lacy. Georgia lost two starters by the end of the first half with linebacker Raylen Wilson injured and safety JaCorey Thomas ejected for targeting but Wilson returned. Outside backer Quintavious Johnson had two pass breakups and Georgia got a big fourth-down stop early in the third.

Georgia football special teams: B

Brett Thorson had four punts for 48.5 yards including two downed inside the 20. The Rebels did not have a punt or kickoff return yard. Peyton Woodring was short on a 55-yard field goal try but was good from 37 and 24. A fake punt completion by Landon Roldan to Lawson Luckie paid off.

Georgia football coaching: C

Georgia had the more talented team but even Kirby Smart said after the game that the Bulldogs were outcoached. The critical fourth-and-2 that resulted in a Gunner Stockton sack is on both coaches and players. The job is to win and advance and Georgia fell short again in the quarterfinals.

Georgia football overall: C

This was a good Georgia season. Fifteen other SEC teams would gladly take an SEC championship, but the Bulldogs have bigger goals. Lifting a trophy in Atlanta maximized this team but getting bounced in their first playoff game is a disappointment.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Grading Georgia football after falling to Ole Miss in CFP Sugar Bowl

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