**Georgia’s Defense Shines Against Kentucky**
Georgia faced Kentucky this past Saturday and secured a solid 35-15 victory. The goal was clear: start strong and maintain that energy throughout the game. “You have to keep your foot on the gas,” said linebacker CJ Allen. He was focused on giving the ball back to the offense as quickly as possible.
Allen delivered with a standout performance, recording five tackles and a sack in the first half. He also kicked off the second half with a crucial play. Allen charged at running back Seth McGowan, knocking the ball loose and recovering it himself. This moment was pivotal. “We’ve been preaching all week about getting takeaways,” he noted. “This time, we really nailed it during practice.”
Georgia’s defense dismantled Kentucky’s running game, holding them to just 45 rushing yards on 22 attempts. Notably, McGowan, who came into the game with impressive stats, managed only a small fraction of his usual output.
Allen’s forced fumble was hailed as one of the game’s most important plays. Linebacker Raylen Wilson echoed this sentiment, saying they discussed the strategy for days leading up to the match. “We’re just happy to make those plays,” he added.
After a tough loss to Alabama the previous week, where Georgia allowed 13 third-down conversions, improvements were vital. Head coach Kirby Smart highlighted the intense preparation, noting they dedicated about 30-40 minutes purely to drill strip-outs and forcing fumbles. That time paid off when Allen’s turnover set up a short scoring drive.
Allen capped his performance with six tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack. His efforts are evidence of his talent; last year he ranked second on the team for tackles, demonstrating consistent growth. This season, he’s already leading the Bulldogs with 36 stops, four ahead of Wilson.
In the fourth quarter, Georgia added another turnover when defensive back Ellis Robinson IV snagged an interception in the end zone, preventing a Kentucky touchdown attempt. Allen praised Robinson’s athleticism, calling him an “athletic freak.”
As the Bulldogs prepare for a rivalry game against Auburn next week, they’ll likely continue to refine their defensive skills. Allen’s strong performance against Kentucky not only boosted team morale but also showcased how crucial takeaways are in securing victories. Every punch-out drill counts as they strive for success.