After leading Georgia last Saturday night with seven tackles, senior inside linebacker Jake Ganus proposed to longtime girlfriend Peyton Thomas.ATHENS, Ga. -- Georgia inside linebacker Jake Ganus has proven that he can tackle in his one season with the Bulldogs.
After last Saturday's 52-20 victory over South Carolina, the transfer from UAB proved he can scheme as well.
Ganus orchestrated a successful marriage proposal to Peyton Thomas, his high school sweetheart from Chelsea, Ala., on the midfield "G" inside Sanford Stadium. The two have dated for six years, so there was no danger of rejection, but the 6-foot-2, 233-pound senior did have to stretch the truth to create the setting.
"I told her that I was the 'Senior of the Week,' which doesn't even exist, and that I could take family and friends on the field after a game," a smiling Ganus said Tuesday.
Ganus approached Bulldogs coach Mark Richt during preseason camp about his plans to propose after a game. He then got senior right tackle Kolton Houston to sell Thomas on how special it was to be the "Senior of the Week."
Thomas wondered why there were so many cameras as she walked to midfield, but by that point she had been duped.
"I think I did a good job of surprising her," Ganus said. "She's pretty smart, too."
Ganus led the Bulldogs with seven tackles against the Gamecocks. He admitted to being focused on the game until coming out with five minutes remaining, which is when the stomach started turning and teammates began walking up to him and giving him a playful nudge.
What if South Carolina had won?
Georgia linebackers Jake Ganus (51) and Jordan Jenkins (59) celebrate after South Carolina quarterback Perry Orth (10) was sacked during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 19, 2015, in Athens, Ga."There was a contingency plan," he said. "It would have been off. I told her that the 'Senior of the Week' only happens after a win."
The couple has not set a wedding date, but senior outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins believes they have set a standard.
"I'm happy for him, but I know he messed things up for some other guys," Jenkins said. "A lot of guys have girlfriends who now want them to do the same thing."
Youth being served
Through three games this season, Georgia has played 21 true freshmen, which is the highest total nationally.
"I think they are learning how to play," Richt said. "They play with a lot of energy, enthusiasm and athleticism. All of those things are great, but we talked about it today as a staff - fundamentally and technique wise, we have to get better, and those guys in particular.
"The group that struggled the most was probably our kickoff-coverage team. We were offsides. We had one called against us, but we could have had four called against us. We've got a bunch of puppies in there right now, but we know we're coaching the right guys."
'Stick of dynamite'
Georgia is hosting Southern University this week, and the most dynamic player for the Jaguars is 5-foot-5, 150-pound receiver and return specialist Willie Quinn.
Quinn has 10 receptions for 153 yards and a touchdown this season, and he's also scored via punt return and two kickoff returns.
"I think you've just got to guard him like anybody else, or at least try to," Richt said. "Oregon State had a back one year (Jacquizz Rodgers) who was not very tall at all, and they started running zone plays and you literally could not see him in the gap.
"This guy is more on the edge, more on the perimeter, so I don't think that will be an issue."
Locating the diminutive Quinn could be most difficult for those Bulldogs on the kickoff-coverage team, including redshirt junior tailback Keith Marshall.
"That's probably why he's so good, especially if he's quick," Marshall said.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.