1/10/17 11:00am

UGA Tries To Get Over Devastating Loss While Looking Ahead to Future: Game by Game Season Recap

Photo: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

By. Andrew Rodberg

Almost 2 days since the OT loss to Alabama in the National Championship, the Dawgs and Dawg Nation have some optimism going into the 2018 season. Although the loss was the last game for seniors Nick Chubb, Sony Michel, Lorenzo Carter, Davin Bellamy, and Dominick Sanders, the future looks bright as the Dawgs have the #1 recruiting class for 2018.

With this being the best season the Dawgs have had in the last 10 years, here is a recap of the season.

Week #1: Appalachian State

Jacob Eason gets injured in 2nd drive of 2017 and true freshman Jake Fromm steps in. Fromm goes 10-15 143 yards 1 TD behind Nick Chubb 15 carries for 96 yards 2 TD’s. Dawgs win 31-10.

Photo: Michael Chang/Getty images

Week #2: Notre Dame

Georgia travels to South Bend and takes over the stadium as Fromm wins first road night game in a thriller. Fromm 16-29 141 yard 1 TD 1 Int. Sony Michel 13 carries 73 yards 1TD. Terry Godwin makes 1 handed highlight catch 2 catches 36 yards 1 TD Dawgs win with last-minute fumble recovery 20-19.

Photo: Michael Conroy/AP

Week #3: Samford University

The 2nd home game of 2017 was no competition. Fromm showcased his passing ability while putting on a clinic. 8-13 165 yards 3 TD’s. Nick Chubb 16 carries 131 yards 2 TD. Terry Godwin had 4 catches 98 yards TD Starters get pulled in 3rd quarter. Dawgs win 42-14.

Photo: Justin Fountain/RedandBlack

Week #4: Mississippi State

Georgia faced who most claimed was the hottest team in College Football with QB Nick Fitzgerald and the Dawgs D showed up. UGA was able to contain the mobile QB and allow their offense to take over the game. Jake Fromm surpassed the 200 yard mark for the 1st time this season with 9-12 201 yards 2 TD. Nick Chubb took the load and torched  Mississippi State with 15 carries 81 yards 2 TD. Dawgs win 31-3.

Photo: Curtis Compton/ AJC

Week #5: University of Tennessee

In a revenge game, the Dawgs traveled to Knoxville and shutout the Volunteers. With the Defense building momentum, they caused 4 turnovers and slowly demoralized the Volunteers. Jake Fromm went 7-15 84 yards 1 TD and 1 Int. The ground game did what they do every week and was unstoppable. Nick Chubb 16 carries 109 yards, Sony Michel 11 carries 64 yards 1 TD, Jake Fromm 7 carries 20 yards 2 TD. Dawgs win 41-0.

Photo: Eric O. Smith/ Times Free Press

Week #6: Vanderbilt University

In a rainy afternoon in Nashville, the Dawgs faced Vanderbilt who beat them last year, the Dawgs looked to ruin their homecoming game this time around. In the 1st breakout game for Sony Michel, he took over this game with his big plays on the ground. He led the team in yardage with 12 carries 150 yards and 1 TD. Jake Fromm delivered the ball and went 7-11 102 yards 2 TD. Dawgs win 45-14.

Photo: Curtis Compton/AJC

Week #7: University of Missouri

This was the 1st game all year that the Georgia secondary was exposed and shown to have a weakness. With Missouri’s QB Drew Lock flinging it around, Jake Fromm was put on the spot and answered the call. Jake Fromm 18-26 326 yards 2 TD and 1 Int. True freshman D’Andre Swift showed up and led the team in yardage, 6 carries 94 yards. Dawgs win 53-28.

Photo: John Bazemore/AP

Week #8: University of Florida

Fresh off a bye-week, the Gators and Bulldogs met up in Jacksonville at “The World’s Largest Cocktail Party.” For the past 3 years the Gators had won this game and spoiled the Dawgs chance of playing in the SEC Championship but this year was different! After multiple UF players talked trash, it became evident that they Dawgs were the superior team as the game got underway. Behind the senior RB’s the Dawgs took over and made the game a blowout. Sony Michel 6 carries 137 yards 2 TD, Nick Chubb 13 carries 77 yards 1 TD. Dawgs win 42-7.

Photo: Curtis Compton/AJC

Week #9: University of South Carolina

The newly named #1 Georgia Bulldogs returned home to play an underdog with nothing to lose in South Carolina. In this game, Jake Fromm proved to all the doubters that he could throw and show improvement week in and week out. With the offense normally the focal point, the defense once again showed up and helped lead the team to victory. With JR Reed and Malkom Parrish both getting interceptions, and Jake Fromm 16-22 196 yards 2 TD, the Dawgs closed the game out with 24-10 victory.

Photo: Dale Zanine/ USA Today

Week #10: Auburn University

In yet another away game, the Dawgs traveled to Auburn to face the Tigers. In the 1st game all season where UGA had difficulty running the ball, the offense lost their identity and the defense was put on the ropes as they fell behind the Auburn Tigers early and could never recover. Dawgs fell and lost their 1st game of the season 40-17.

Photo: Wade Rackley/Auburn Athletics

Week #11: University of Kentucky

In a game that spelled a bounced back game for the Dawgs, they did just that behind the legs of Nick Chubb who ran mad and with purpose. With the game being close for the first 3 quarters, both Nick and Sony put it away with rushing TD’s. Nick Chubb had 15 carries 151 yards 2 TD’s, Sony Michel had 12 carries 87 yards 3 TD’s. Dawgs bounced back and won 42-13

Photo: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Week #12: Georgia Tech

In a rematch of a game that ultimately pushed the seniors to return this past year, the Dawgs traveled to Atlanta to face an inferior opponent in Georgia Tech. With GT having a dual threat QB, the Dawgs had no difficulty containing him and making his afternoon uncomfortable. Big play after big play allowed UGA to build a lead and put this one away pretty early. Jake Fromm 12-16 224 2 TD’s, Sony Michel 13 carries 85 yards 1 TD, Nick Chubb 12 carries 53 yards 1 TD. Dawgs win 38-7.

Photo: CFN

Week #13: SEC Championship (Rematch with Auburn)

In the most highly anticipated SEC Championship in years, the Dawgs and Tigers clashed in Atlanta but this time UGA would not be denied! With a playoff berth in reach it was game-time! After a blowout loss earlier in the season, the Dawgs made adjustments and came out playing hard and strong. With Auburn going right down the field, the Dawgs caused 2 fumbles and jumped out to a big lead that they would never give up. Dawgs win 28-7!

Photo: Dale Zanine/ USA Today

Week #14: Next Stop Pasadena, California! Rose Bowl vs Oklahoma

The first time the Dawgs played in the Rose Bowl since 1943 when they defeated UCLA 9-0. With the task at hand, an uphill battle, the Dawgs looked to face the recently awarded Heisman winner and #1 offense in the country in Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma. After the defense was put on the ropes early, the Sooners jumped out to a 31-17 lead at halftime, but the Dawgs wouldn’t give up! The Dawgs came out guns blazing and made the game a tie at the end of the 3rd quarter. With the 4th quarter underway, both teams continued to go down the field at will and the score kept rising. After a last-minute drive by Fromm and the offense, the Dawgs pushed the game to OT and blocked a field goal attempt in the 2OT to seal the game. A 21 yard TD by Sony Michel sent the Dawgs to the Natty! Jake Fromm 20-29 210 yards 2 TD’s, Sony Michel 11 carries 181 yards 3 TD’s,Nick Chubb 14 carries 145 2 TD’s, Javon Wims 6 catches 73 yards 1 TD. Dawgs win a barnburner 54-48!

Photo: Curtis Compton/AJC

Week #15: 2018 National Championship vs Alabama

In a completely dominant 1st half for UGA, Nick Saban changed his game-plan and put in freshman Tua Tagovailoa who sparked a comeback for the Tide and with the game going to OT, Tua threw a 41 yard post route for the win. Jake Fromm 16-32 232 yards 1 TD and 2 Int. Sony Michel 14 carries 98 yards, Riley Ridley 6 catch 82 yards, Mecole Hardman 2 catches 80 yards 1 TD. Dawgs lose a heartbreaker 26-23.

Photo: AJC

Although his loss will hurt for many years, this team did something no one expected and showed true class and grit. They played for each other and their university. The seniors will be missed but I know the team is left in good hands and their legacies will help build this program for years to come.

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