JACKSONVILLE, Fla. - Who knew Georgia senior receiver Lawrence Cager had so much more respect for Florida receivers than Gators defensive backs?
Minutes after Cager racked up seven catches for 132 yards and a 52-yard touchdown reception during Saturday's 24-17 victory over Florida at TIAA Bank Field, the 6-foot-5, 220-pounder was asked about upstaging Florida's deep and talented collection of receivers.
"I know all those guys over there, and they're a great corps, especially tight end Kyle Pitts," Cager said.
Hours later, Cager decided to revel in his torturing of the Gators, posting on his Instagram account, "I thought they was DBU."
Whether showing respect or poking fun of the opposition, Cager has left no doubt the Bulldogs have a much better offense when he is available. The graduate transfer from the University of Miami was unable to finish the double-overtime loss to South Carolina on Oct. 12, and he missed the following week's win over Kentucky with shoulder and rib injuries.
An open date on Oct. 26 aided Cager's recovery, and he responded with Georgia's top receiving performance of its 7-1 season that includes a 4-1 mark in Southeastern Conference play.
"I never doubted that Lawrence would play, but I had no idea what role he would take," Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart said. "I didn't know how many hits he would be able to take or how many blocks he would be able to make. He's a warrior and a competitor, and I never doubted that."
AP photo by Joshua L. Jones / Georgia wide receiver Lawrence Cager heads for the end zone and a touchdown as Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart celebrates in the background during Saturday's game against Florida in Jacksonville.Cager came up clutch in Georgia's 23-17 topping of Notre Dame on Sept. 21, amassing 82 yards on five catches, including a key 15-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. He was even better against the Gators, collecting two receptions in each of the first three quarters before being left alone for his 52-yard score with 10:01 remaining.
With Cager sidelined, Smart and quarterback Jake Fromm had to answer multiple questions last month about a lack of receiver separation. There were no such queries early Saturday night.
"Obviously he can go out and make plays for himself," Fromm said, "and I think he really ups the level of everyone else around him. He's so intelligent, and he really helps the other guys around him play to a higher level."
Said Cager: "When Jake throws it my way, I try to make the best play I can no matter where the ball is and no matter whether it's a run or a block. Master the little details and win your one-on-one battles. That's really all there is to it."
Cager's big day against the Gators has vaulted him into the team lead in catches (26), receiving yards (377) and receiving touchdowns (four). With the Bulldogs now in control of the SEC East race entering this Saturday's 7 p.m. home game against Missouri (5-3, 2-2), which will be televised by ESPN, keeping Cager healthy and busy will certainly enhance their chances of getting where they want to go.
"With his size, he matches up with Jake and the things that he does well," Smart said. "It wasn't like he had an unbelievable camp. We didn't know if he would be the guy or one of the guys. He has emerged, and he is such a competitor."
Odds and ends
ESPN reported Sunday that Georgia is the first FBS team in at least 20 years to go eight games into a season without allowing a rushing touchdown. Georgia moved up to No. 6 in Sunday's Associated Press poll and is the highest-ranked one-loss team. Georgia ranks fourth nationally in scoring defense (11.4 points per game) and rushing defense (77.6 yards per game). The Bulldogs opened Sunday as 14.5-point favorites over Mizzou.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524. Follow him on Twitter @DavidSPaschall.