Isaiah McKenzie experiences another high, low in Georgia win

Georgia wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie scores a touchdown past Kentucky defender Mide Edwards during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, in Lexington, Ky. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Georgia wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie scores a touchdown past Kentucky defender Mide Edwards during the first half of an NCAA college football game on Saturday, Nov. 5, 2016, in Lexington, Ky. (Curtis Compton/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)

LEXINGTON, Ky. - Isaiah McKenzie has a nose for the end zone at Commonwealth Stadium, but he had a nose for trouble Saturday night as well.

Georgia's 5-foot-8, 175-pound junior receiver capped Georgia's opening possession during its eventual 27-24 triumph with a 38-yard touchdown reception from Jacob Eason. It was McKenzie's third career touchdown at Kentucky, as he had scored on a 90-yard kickoff return and a 59-yard punt return during a 63-31 rout of the Wildcats in 2014.

McKenzie became the first player in Georgia history to return a kickoff and a punt for scores in the same game.

Another stellar Saturday at Kentucky for McKenzie soured at the 11:03 mark of the second quarter, when he fumbled away a punt return at the Georgia 38-yard line. Kentucky covered the 38 yards in just three plays, taking its first lead at 14-10 on a 13-yard run off a direct snap by Stanley "Boom" Williams.

Long bounces back

After averaging just 32.0 yards per punt on five attempts during last week's 24-10 loss to Florida, Bulldogs freshman punter Marshall Long looked vastly improved against the Wildcats. The 6-2, 217-pounder punted five times and averaged 41.2 yards.

Long was replaced for the first time all season last week by redshirt junior Brice Ramsey but regained his starting role this past week in practice.

Rolling in recruiting

Georgia has moved up to No. 3 behind Ohio State and Alabama in 247Sports.com's recruiting rankings for the 2017 signing class after getting a commitment from Walter Grant of Cairo, Ga. The 6-foot-4, 235-pounder is rated by 247Sports as the nation's No. 14 outside linebacker prospect and the No. 202 prospect overall.

Grant is Georgia's 16th commitment and picked the Bulldogs over scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Florida and Florida State.

Odds and ends

Freshman defensive end Julian Rochester had eight tackles, including an 8-yard sack, and also forced a fumble. Sophomore defensive end DaQuan Hawkins-Muckle and sophomore receiver Jayson Stanley (infection) did not make the trip to Lexington after being in the starting lineup in Jacksonville. Sophomore defensive tackle Trenton Thompson suffered a left hip injury during the first half. Rodrigo Blankenship registered the first game-winning field goal for the Bulldogs since Marshall Morgan had a 34-yarder with 1:44 remaining in last season's 9-6 win over Missouri.

Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.

Upcoming Events