Georgia’s season is off to a 1-0 start, as the Bulldogs defeated Marshall 45-7 on Saturday at Sanford Stadium.
UGASports breaks down three of the biggest reasons why Georgia got its season off to a good start.
Stifling defense
The Georgia defense talked all offseason about getting back to the Georgia standard. It certainly played closer to that championship level against Marshall.
Georgia limited the Thundering Herd to just 40 total yards on 24 plays in the first half. Marshall picked up just one first down in the first half and went 0-for-7 on third-down conversions.
“I think that team was overmatched a little bit, but that’s beyond our control,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said. “All we can measure is how hard we play. We talked about how many plays we would have 11 hats outside the hash, and that’s a measurement for us. And I know the first couple plays we had all 11 hats all the way outside the hash where the ball was.”
The defense kept the pressure on after halftime. Marshall picked up just 19 yards and one first down on its first two drives out of the locker room against mostly Bulldog starters.
Marshall did get on the board in the fourth quarter against the Georgia backups. But overall, the defense got its 2025 campaign off to a strong start.
Gunner Stockton’s legs
Defenses will be forced to respect Georgia’s quarterback in the running game in 2025.
Gunner Stockton proved that in his first start in Sanford Stadium.
The new Georgia signal caller ran for 63 yards on seven carries in the first half. He also scored two touchdowns, both coming on plays where he faked a handoff and raced to the end zone in the red zone.
Stockton also made plays off-schedule, scrambling for gains including an 11-yarder during Georgia’s two-minute drive late in the first half.
“The idea is if you can use the quarterback to run the ball, it adds an extra element, and it makes it harder to stop the run,” Smart said. “You’re seeing that across college football. I saw it last night in the Auburn game, Georgia Tech game. When you’ve got a quarterback that can run, guys, it’s, you know, running the ball is easier than throwing the ball, but running the ball in some conferences is harder than others. There are no free yards in football. You learn everything you get, so when you have the extra element, it certainly helps, but, you know, you’ve got to be smart about it, too.
Big-time players made big time plays
Two of Georgia’s most electric playmakers showed out in their 2025 debuts.
USC transfer receiver Zachariah Branch wasted no time showing what he can do with the ball in his hands. On Georgia’s first possession, Branch picked up 25 yards on third and four after hauling in a quick screen from Stockton.
Later in the first half, another third-down reception picked up 23 yards for Branch.
Finally, in the third quarter, Branch caught a pass from Stockton in the left flat. He turned upfield and sprinted 47 yards untouched into the end zone to put Georgia up 31-0.
For the game, Branch finished with 95 yards on three receptions.
“I told the team, I said, don’t be surprised if he has a very explosive, great game because he practices so hard,” Smart said. “So it becomes natural in a game when you practice the way you practiced. And I thought that showed today on some of the screens he caught, the punt returns he had, the third down conversion over the middle. He did some good things.”
Speedy running back Dwight Phillips also flashed his skillset.
The sophomore running back scored Georgia’s first touchdown of the year, exploding for a 17-yard score on a toss sweep. Phillips added another explosive play in the third quarter, breaking a tackle on another 18-yard run.
“Dwight’s a great back,” Smart said. “Dwight’s a competitor. He works really hard. He’s well-coached. He’s tough, disciplined. I love Dwight. Dwight’s been one of our bright lights of fall and spring. He does what he’s supposed to do. He doesn’t say a whole lot, works really hard. He’s really fast. He enjoys football, and he continues to get better.”