ATHENS, Ga. — As No. 3 Georgia prepares to open its season Saturday against Tennessee State, coach Kirby Smart made clear where the program’s priorities remain: establish the run on offense and clamp down on the ground game defensively.
Running game emphasis returns as central theme
On the first day of preseason work, Smart reiterated a message he has long delivered to the Bulldogs: the foundations of championship teams include a powerful rushing attack and a stingy run defense. Even after a 12-2 season in 2025 and a second consecutive Southeastern Conference championship, Smart said his staff and players are focused on improving in that area.
“You cannot get away from that point of emphasis. That’s not going to change ever in our program,” Smart said.
The Bulldogs averaged 182.1 rushing yards per game last season, which ranked fourth in the SEC, while their defense allowed just 81.5 rushing yards per game, second-best in the league. Those numbers reflect strength but not the standard Smart seeks: a finish short of the College Football Playoff semifinals — a Sugar Bowl loss to Mississippi — left the program wanting more.
Who returns to carry the load?
Georgia’s backfield returns established contributors. Junior Nate Frazier, who approached the 1,000-yard mark in 2025, is expected to lead the ground attack. Supporting him are Chauncey Bowens, Bo Walker and Dwight Phillips Jr. Bowens rushed for 526 yards and six touchdowns last season.
On the perimeter, Georgia faces turnover at receiver after losing its top five pass-catchers to the NFL draft. The top returning target is London Humphreys, who had 18 catches for 276 yards in 2025, while quarterback duties are in the hands of Gunner Stockton.
Tennessee State views trip to Athens as opportunity
Tennessee State arrives off a 26-24 opening-week loss to Jackson State and will visit Athens for its second game. Tigers coach Reggie Barlow called the matchup “a blessing,” saying the experience will help his young players measure themselves against elite competition.
For Georgia, the contest offers a chance to showcase early progress in the areas Smart singled out: ball control, offensive line ascendancy and run-stopping discipline.
- Georgia goal: Reaffirm identity by establishing run on offense and limiting opponent rush yards.
- Key players: RB Nate Frazier, Chauncey Bowens; WR London Humphreys among returning receivers.
- Tennessee State: Young roster, seeking measuring stick in season’s second game.
Context and stakes for the Bulldogs
Smart’s insistence on running the football aligns with a broader football axiom: sustained championship contenders typically control the line of scrimmage and manage the clock. Georgia’s statistical profile from 2025 shows a strong run defense and an above-average rushing offense, yet Smart characterized those results as insufficient to reach the program’s loftier goals.
In practical terms, that translates to repeated emphasis in practice on blocking assignments, gap discipline, tackle technique and situational rushing — especially in short-yardage and late-game scenarios. It also signals a likely conservative game plan early in the season while new receivers gain experience.
| 2025 Stat | Georgia Rank (SEC) | Figure |
|---|---|---|
| Rushing yards per game (offense) | 4th | 182.1 |
| Rushing yards allowed per game (defense) | 2nd | 81.5 |
Saturday’s opener is rarely the ultimate test of a season, but it provides an early reading on whether the Bulldogs have tightened the areas Smart called out. Georgia’s personnel advantages on paper make it a heavy favorite, but elements such as offensive line cohesion and wide receiver development will shape how committed the Bulldogs are to a run-first identity when game action begins.
For Tennessee State, the trip to Athens is both a challenge and a chance for growth. For Georgia, it’s a chance to demonstrate that last season’s numbers were a baseline, not a ceiling. The emphasis remains simple and repeated: run the ball, and stop the run.
