Georgia Football: 3 takeaways from blowout of Arkansas State in Week 3

2. The Georgia defense is ready for bigger tests

With Notre Dame lurking on the schedule in Week 4, the Bulldogs defense came out strong in this critical warm-up opportunity against a Group of Five opponent. Arkansas State struggled to move the ball consistently on Georgia all day long.

In the first half, the Red Wolves made it onto Georgia’s side of the field just once. They were stalled at the 33, and Arkansas State kicker Blake Grupe pushed his 50-yard field goal attempt wide right. On every other one of their eight first-half possessions, the Red Wolves were forced to punt. At halftime they had just 81 total yards of offense, as Logan Bonner went 14-of-25 but threw for just 74 yards.

While Georgia’s offensive production slowed down in the second half, as the starters came out of the contest and the coaching staff got the back of the bench some playing time, the Bulldogs defense continued to suffocate the Red Wolves. Arkansas State finished the game with only 220 total yards of offense, and punter Cody Grace ended up launching 10 punts over the course of the mismatch.

Notre Dame is going to struggle moving the ball, as will every SEC opponent the Bulldogs face this season. A big reason why Georgia must be seen as the overwhelming favorite in the SEC East this season is because of this high-octane unit.