Georgia linebacker Tae Crowder pressures Kentucky quarterback Terry Wilson during the second half of Saturday's SEC East showdown in Lexington, Ky.LEXINGTON, Ky. - Georgia's run defense has experienced its ups and downs this season but was at its best when it mattered most.
Facing the challenge of stopping Kentucky junior tailback Benny Snell Jr., the Bulldogs held the Southeastern Conference's leading rusher to 73 yards on 20 carries during Saturday's 34-17 win over the Wildcats. Snell entered the game having averaged 116.9 yards per contest this year.
"This was big," Bulldogs sophomore insider linebacker Monty Rice said. "For me and the whole defense, that was the emphasis for the week, and it's been that way the whole season. We were able to slow him down and not let him get the big runs that he's used to.
"I watched a lot of tape, and he had ripped off a lot of runs against other teams and was falling forward for 2 extra yards. It was nice to slow him down."
Snell did become the first player in Kentucky history with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons, passing the milestone with a 9-yard touchdown run late in the third quarter. Georgia's Herschel Walker (1980-82) and Darren McFadden of Arkansas (2005-07) are the only other players in SEC history to rush for 1,000 yards each of their first three seasons.
Yet Snell's long run of the day against the Bulldogs went for just 11 yards.
Kentucky rushed 35 times for 84 yards as a team, with Georgia's four sacks for 33 yards factoring into that total. The sacks were compiled by Rice, Brenton Cox, Jonathan Ledbetter and Channing Tindall.
"I don't know why we had doubters in the first place," Ledbetter said. "We know what we have, and we know what we do, and we know how hard we practice and how hard we work. All we've heard is that Georgia doesn't stop the run and that Georgia doesn't have any effective pass rushers and how our defensive line doesn't have any sacks.
"It's just disrespect, and we got tired of it."
Neutralizing Allen
Kentucky senior outside linebacker Josh Allen pounced on two fumbles that were the result of Georgia miscues with the snap, but Allen finished with a very quiet three tackles for a unit that surrendered 444 yards.
"I really thought our kids had a chip on their shoulder," Georgia coach Kirby Smart said. "(Left tackle) Andrew Thomas plays his best when he plays (against) the best, and Andrew loves that challenge. (Right tackle) Isaiah Wilson is the same way. I can't say who he matched up against more, but those guys get a chip on their shoulder when they get a chance to go against the leading sack guy in the SEC."
Fields returns
Bulldogs freshman quarterback Justin Fields did not play in the 36-17 win over Florida the week before but had six carries for 26 yards against the Wildcats. In Georgia's last scoring drive of the game, Fields converted on third-and-9 with a 9-yard run.
"Here is a guy who didn't play a snap last week, and all he did was come out and work this week," Smart said. "He had his best practice of the year on Tuesday and a good practice Wednesday. I told the guys that this guy is practicing and buying in and is positive and is cheering on the sideline.
"I wish we could get to the point where we're playing him a little more, because he's getting better, and he doesn't just have to run the ball. The situations today dictated that, and he did a good job."
Stick to the script
Rice was asked afterward about winning the SEC East title.
"We've got a game next week," he responded. "We don't play in Atlanta until December. We've still got a lot more games on the schedule to play. This was nice, but we're ready for the next game."
Asked if Smart was making that a point for the players to say, Rice replied, "Yes, sir."
Odds and ends
Georgia starting center Lamont Gaillard sustained a hyperextended knee early in the game, but Smart did not know the severity. The Bulldogs increased their series advantage against Kentucky to 58-12-2. Georgia quarterback Jake Fromm on receiver Jeremiah Holloman's team-high four catches for 39 yards: "He's stepping up big-time and becoming a big-time player for us. He's a really good security blanket for us out there on the outside." Representatives from the Peach, Citrus, Outback, Gator and Belk bowls were in attendance. Smart on having three freshmen and two sophomores on the offensive line at one point: "It makes me nervous that they're out there, but I also like having good players out there."
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.