No. 9 Georgia survives scare against Nicholls

Nicholls State University is preparing for two opponents in Saturday’s 2016 season opener – the Georgia Bulldogs and the atmosphere of Sanford Stadium.

“We had a lot of guys today who didn’t play the way they are capable, and I’ve got to figure out why that is”, Smart said. One reason for intrigue, though, is the expected debut start of highly touted freshman quarterback Jacob Eason.

Georgia: The slow start was a reality check for the Bulldogs and fans expecting an easy game.

The Tar Heels might have netted far more than 159 rushing yards had they not been their own worst enemy after taking a 24-14 lead midway through the third quarter. The two would later connect on Eason’s touchdown pass, in what was a jet sweep, pitch but because McKenzie was in front of Eason when he pitched it to him, it counted as a pass. Last year, his least productive game was his 16 carry, 120-yard game against ULM. However, Georgia’s offense could not do anything with the ball and were forced to punt. Eason completed 8 of 12 passes for 131 yards, including a 17-yard touchdown to Isaiah McKenzie in the third quarter. Nicholls now is 0-15 against FBS foes since the start of the 2010 season, and has surrendered at least 44 points 10 times, at least 66 points five times and at least 70 points four times.

Fourcane: While his stats weren’t gaudy, Fourcane threw 2 touchdowns and did everything he could to keep the Colonels in the ball game.

Without a game last week, Nicholls is behind in making weekly improvements. Figaro’s 2015 season ended in his ninth start with a collarbone injury at the end of a 75-yard run against Lamar. The defense allowed a poor offense led by a true freshman quarterback to hang around for the duration of the game. North Carolina in Week 1.

Georgia relied on Chubb, who rushed for 80 yards, to run out the clock.

“Chubb’s big game may have been only an indicator of more to come from Georgia’s running game”.

Freshman Jacob Eason of Lake Stevens has earned the job as No. 9 Georgia’s starting quarterback for Saturday’s home game against FCS team Nicholls State of Louisiana.

In the end, No. 9 Georgia (2-0) won. (After the game, Smart said that the quarterback position battle is still ongoing at this point). However, it would be a live game environment, which would be invaluable for Eason.

For a player like Chubb, what else was there to say? Neither were available after Georgia’s win Saturday. Ham is now 3-of-5 kicking on field goals this season, with his misses coming from 42 and 52 yards out.

“It felt great to finally have a chance to come out here and play as a team”, Chubb said afterward.