MVDs: The Most Valuable ‘Dawgs

You don’t lay a 46 point shellacking on the #11 team in the country without a total team effort. But even then some players are bound to distinguish themselves above all others. They are the MVDs, your most valuable ‘Dawgs from Georgia’s 49-3 defenestration of the Oregon Ducks.

Offense: Ladd McConkey. Could we have gone with Stetson Bennett? Absolutely. Kenny McIntosh? Sure. But Ladd McConkey touched the ball 7 times for 89 total yards and 2 touchdowns.

It seemed like every time his number was called McConkey came up big. Not only did he have a touchdown rushing and receiving, he also picked up a third down conversion rushing and receiving as well. That’s big time.

Defense: Malaki Starks. I don’t want to get too ahead of myself about either the Bulldog defense generally or Starks specifically. But when you lead the team in tackles and scoop a gorgeous interception in the first quarter of your first collegiate game I’m going to start having grandiose visions.

Special Teams: Jack Podlesny. Georgia honestly could have had my Aunt Gertrude kicking off and still won this one by three touchdowns. But Hot Pod hit 7 of 7 extra points, and put 7 of his 8 kickoffs into the end zone for touchbacks, with the other one returned only to the 14. I suspect it’s going to be tough for teams to go 75+ yards on this defense consistently if he keeps doing that.

Am I right? Am I wrong? Feel free to drop your choices in the comments. And…

Go ‘Dawgs!!!