Georgia Bulldogs

Georgia Football: 4 best Bulldog performers vs Missouri

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

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Georgia football fans were treated to an exciting game in the Bulldogs’ comeback win over Mizzou, and here are the players who made a difference.

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In close games on the road in the Southeastern Conference, someone has to step up and be the man that lifts the team past their opponent, and many Georgia players did just that in their 28-27 last minute win on the road against the Missouri Tigers.

The running game was even less effective this week as Missouri loaded the box and outplayed Georgia’s offensive line. Without Nick Chubb being able to break off the big runs he’s known for, the Bulldogs looked elsewhere for stars to shine on offense.

Defensively Georgia allowed Missouri to gain 471 yards, but five Missouri turnovers from a few players kept the Tigers from completely taking the game over.

This game was truly a team effort by the 3-0 Bulldogs, who faced not only a much-improved Missouri team, but also a rowdy crowd at Memorial Stadium in Columbia, Mo.

But with every game, there are some stars who really make a difference, and here are the four Bulldogs who performed the best in week three.

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs offensive cordinator Jim Chaney talks with quarterback Jacob Eason (10) on the sideline during the third quarter of the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Georgia Dome. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports

4. Jim Chaney

While new offensive coordinator Jim Chaney may not have been on the field, he definitely had a big impact on the game. Last week Chaney made the list of Bulldogs who needed to perform better. He kept the offense playing tight against Nicholls State and the they suffered for it.

Against Missouri he went away from tight packages and let Eason stay in the spread. The offensive line could do nothing to slow down Missouri’s pass rush which effectively took away Georgia’s ability to operate under center.

But when Georgia started running more of a spread offense, Eason had much more time to find open receivers, and the run game was a bit more effective as well.

Chaney did what was necessary as a coach to take pressure off of a struggling unit and just let play makers be play makers.

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

3. Quincy Mauger

Georgia’s pass defense looked awful most of the game. Missouri’s Drew Lock went 23-of-38 with 376 yards and three touchdowns. But the secondary rose to the occasion with three interceptions. Quincy Mauger had two of them.

Neither led to points for Georgia, but with how Lock and the Tigers offense moved the ball, it does not make the interceptions any less important.

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His last interception was by far the biggest. In not only kept Lock from completing a touchdown catch, but if it had been an incomplete pass, the Tigers could have attempted a field goal. If good, Georgia would have trailed 30-21.

That could have been the nail in the coffin, but it wasn’t because Mauger made the play.

Sep 17, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) throws the ball against the Missouri Tigers in the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

2. Jacob Eason

True freshman making their first SEC start on the road are usually not very poised and composed. But Eason was. He finished the game 29-of-55 for 308 yards, three touchdowns to one interception.

A pass rush giving him fits all game and a run game that was completely shutdown. Yet he hunkered down. Even consistency errors in the third and early fourth quarters didn’t bother him in the end. He persisted in an environment where most true freshmen would falter.

It all began to pay off after he took over the offense at the Bulldogs 20-yard line. He completed passes of 17, 7 and 6 yards to get the team to midfield. Launched a deep pass that drew a pass interference and converted a third down. And slammed the door on Missouri’s hopes with a 20-yard touchdown pass to McKenzie.

Sep 17, 2016; Columbia, MO, USA; Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie (16) scores a touchdown in front of Missouri Tigers safety Thomas Wilson (8) and safety Ronnell Perkins (3) in the first half at Faurot Field. Mandatory Credit: John Rieger-USA TODAY Sports

1. Isaiah McKenzie

When Georgia needed a big play, he was always there. From 3rd and long situations throughout the game, to an end around near the goal line, and to the very end on 4th and 10 with only a minute and a half to go.

He had 10 catches for 122 yards, two carries for 19 yards and three total touchdowns. Four of McKenzie’s receptions came on either third or fourth down.

Right now, he is the best player on Georgia’s offense. With defenses loading the box to shut down Nick Chubb, McKenzie has been the go to play maker for Jacob Eason and Jim Chaney. So far he has came through in spades.

It’s obvious that Eason feels most comfortable throwing to McKenzie, and the way certain other receivers have been dropping passes (looking at you, Michael Chigbu), that’s probably not a bad thing.

With his ability to change the game as a wide receiver and kick returner, it wouldn’t be surprising to see McKenzie become Georgia’s standout star this season.