ATHENS, Ga. — Accurate and versatile.
That’s how Georgia freshman kicker Blair Walsh appeared during Saturday’s 45-21 opening win over Georgia Southern. Walsh drilled a 52-yard field goal midway through the first quarter, made all six extra-point attempts and handled kickoff chores throughout the afternoon.
“I’m on cloud nine,” said the 5-foot-10, 175-pounder from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. “The fact we won and the fact that I performed the way I wanted to perform, I couldn’t be happier.”
Walsh notched the longest field goal for any Georgia freshman since Hap Hines booted a 54-yarder against Kentucky in 1996, which matched a 54-yarder Allan Leavitt had against Alabama in 1973. Those kicks by Hines and Leavitt, however, were not in season openers.
Walsh displayed his versatility in Georgia’s first three kickoffs.
The opening kickoff was a touchback, which resulted in quick congratulations on the sideline by coach Mark Richt. His second kickoff was fielded at the GSU 24-yard line and his third was taken at the GSU 4, with those distance areas predetermined by assistant coach Jon Fabris.
“Obviously every kicker loves touchbacks, but it’s extremely hard from the 30-yard line to get a touchback,” Walsh said. “The philosophy that Coach Fabris has me doing is the right philosophy and will produce the best coverage. Whatever he wants me to do is the right thing.”
Cox in early, often
Backup quarterback Joe Cox was used in mop-up duty last season but entered Saturday’s game with 3:22 remaining in the first quarter. Cox threw to Knowshon Moreno for a 16-yard gain on his second play, but his third play resulted in a Richard Samuel fumble off a dropped exchange.
The junior from Charlotte played significant minutes and completed 4 of 6 passes for 48 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown to freshman A.J. Green in the fourth quarter.
“Joe is a fine football player and has earned the right to play at Georgia,” Richt said. “When you’ve earned the right to play at Georgia, then you’re going to get in the game.”
A dog’s debut
Several minutes before kickoff, Uga VII was unveiled as Georgia’s new mascot. He was escorted onto the field by members of the Frank W. “Sonny” Seiler family of Savannah, who have owned the continuous line of mascots since Uga I took the mantle in 1956.
At 56 1/2 pounds, he is second only to Uga VI as the biggest mascot in the line.
“He has an excellent coat and bears a striking resemblance to his father,” Seiler said. “He’s a great pet, already answers to his name, and he loves to ride in the car.”
Before the introduction of Uga VII, a video tribute to Uga VI was shown on the stadium scoreboard.
Back in the booth
While Saturday marked a first for Uga VII, it also marked the 43rd season opener for Bulldogs broadcaster Larry Munson. The 85-year-old’s return to the booth was not a guarantee after he underwent brain surgery April 4 for the removal of a blood clot.
“It was kind of like being in a scrimmage,” Munson said of his offseason, “because I never knew which way I was going to get knocked.”
Odds and ends
Senior split end Kenneth Harris injured his right ankle on a 9-yard reception early in the second quarter, watched the second half on crutches and is questionable for this week’s game against Central Michigan. ... Ten true freshmen played for the Bulldogs, the most to play a season opener in the Richt era. ... Georgia became the first team to shut out Georgia Southern in a first half since Appalachian State in 2005. ... Senior middle linebacker Dannell Ellerbe wore jersey No. 44 to honor teammate Marcus Washington, who is out for the season following shoulder surgery. ... Asher Allen was the deep man on punt returns and Ramarcus Brown was deep for kickoff returns. Allen had a 37-yard punt return, and Reshad Jones came in and returned one 32 yards. ... Georgia players are wearing “JW” decals on their helmets the first two games in memory of former snapper Josh Willis, who was killed in a car accident in February.
