Carson Beck discusses nerves, comfort level in first start

Georgia was noticeably slow out of the gates during Week 1, but once Carson Beck and the Bulldogs offense got going, it was academic from there.

“It took a second to get settled in, but I was excited to be out there,” Beck said after defeating Tennessee Martin 48-7. “Of course I had nerves, it has been a while since I’ve been out there, even since last since. January was the last time we took the field for the national championship, so it’s been a lot of months and we’ve put in a lot of work, so I was super excited to be out there.”

The slow start in the first quarter would not cost Georgia anything and Beck ended the game completing 21-of-31 passes for 294 yards, one touchdown and no turnovers. 

After the game, Beck revealed that there were some nerves he had to overcome as he familiarized himself with his new status as Georgia’s starting quarterback.

“I think it took a transition period. We had two drives in the first quarter where we were working through some things,” Beck said. “It’s our first game, we’re going to have a few bumps in the road. But in the second quarter as an offense we settled in.”

Tight end Brock Bowers was Beck’s leading receiver with five receptions for 77 yards, while Mekhi Mews had Beck’s only touchdown — which came on a 54-yard reception, the longest of Beck’s career — of the night with 75 receiving yards to show for it. C.J. Smith and Rara Thomas combined for 113 yards as well to round out Beck’s top targets.

After the season opener, Bulldogs head coach Kirby Smart said that there were a few throws that he’d like for Beck to have back but aside from that, said he was proud of his QB1 and that he looked as good as he did during their fall camp scrimmages.

Now, the two-time reigning national champions move on to Ball State — who just lost to Kentucky 44-14 during Week 1 — as confident as ever. Week 3’s matchup against South Carolina will be more telling toward that despite the Gamecocks’ poor Week 1 showcase. They were originally slated to be playing Oklahoma, but the Sooners’ impending move to the SEC ruined those home-and-home plans, and Georgia was forced to find a new opponent.

Kickoff vs. Ball State is set for Noon ET between the hedges live on the SEC Network.