ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia senior punter Cameron Nizialek was named last week as a semifinalist for the Ray Guy Award.
Midway through the first quarter of Saturday's 42-13 thumping of Kentucky, however, Nizialek lay motionless on the Sanford Stadium grass after a roughing-the-kicker flag on Lonnie Johnson Jr. The graduate transfer from Columbia University was eventually helped up and walked off the field after being struck in the knee.
"I think it was more shock," Nizialek said. "You never want to get hit like that, because you're in a vulnerable spot when you're up in the air and come down. They came off the back side, and it was definitely late. I'm glad we got a penalty, but I don't like getting hit right on my knee.
"I was fortunate to not be injured more than I was."
Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart agreed: "I was very concerned. It looked pretty bad, and I'm glad he came out all right."
Nizialek went to the sideline, practiced some punts and felt fine. He wound up punting twice in the game, averaging 48.0 yards.
Alabama's JK Scott is the only other Guy semifinalist from the Southeastern Conference, which is quite the achievement for Nizialek given the productivity of Florida's Johnny Townsend and Tennessee's Trevor Daniel.
"Those guys are phenomenal punters," Nizialek said, "but if you look at what the award is about, it's given to the highest net punt, pretty much. Our net is higher than theirs."
Cleveland rocks
Redshirt freshman Ben Cleveland earned his first career start Saturday for the Bulldogs, supplanting classmate Solomon Kindley at right guard.
The 6-foot-6, 340-pounder from Toccoa, Ga., found out about the promotion before Friday's meetings.
"I was a little nervous, because there had been good competition going on all week," Cleveland said. "I knew that it was anybody's game, because Solomon and I switched out first-team reps. It was a good feeling, but there were some nerves that didn't go away until after the first series.
"I kind of calmed myself down a little bit and went at it, but there was no better feeling than hearing your name called and seeing your picture shown on the big screen before the game."
Cleveland aided a Georgia offense that amassed 504 total yards. Jake Fromm was sacked only once, and the Bulldogs pounded out 389 rushing yards and averaged 8.7 yards per carry.
"I thought he did well," senior tailback Nick Chubb said. "He had a great week of practice and carried it over to the field. He's a big guy who makes big plays."
Odds and ends
Georgia upped its commanding series edge over Kentucky to 57-12-2, which includes eight consecutive triumphs. Junior inside linebacker Roquan Smith led the Bulldogs with nine tackles, including a sack. Senior defensive back Aaron Davis had his first interception of the year and fifth of his career. Representatives from the Sugar, Orange, Peach, Citrus, Music City and TaxSlayer bowls attended the game. Sophomore defensive end David Marshall got his first start of the season and fifth of his career.