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Dillon Bell does it all for Georgia in win over Tennessee

Palmber-Thombsby:Palmer Thombs•11/18/23•

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Dillon Bell
Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell (86) runs the ball while defended by Tennessee defensive back Doneiko Slaughter (0) during a football game between Tennessee and Georgia at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Saturday, Nov. 18, 2023.

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Have a day Dillon Bell. The do-it-all Georgia playmaker had a career-high receiving total, over 100 total yards and two touchdowns in the Bulldogs’ 38-10 win over Tennessee.

Bell’s first touchdown came with a little bit of trickery from offensive coordinator Mike Bobo. The receiver lined up as a running back as he has done at times this season for Georgia. He took the toss sweep from quarterback Carson Beck, only this time, Bell became the quarterback.

Bell pulled up and found a wide open Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint in the end zone for Georgia’s first touchdown of the day. It put the Bulldogs on top after trailing for the majority of the first quarter.

“We repped it a lot, probably like six times during the week. A lot of walk-through and practice reps. When it came up that we were going to run a play like that, I was like, ‘Alright, bet. I used to do that in high school. Might as well do it in a game,'” Bell said.

Bell, who played quarterback at The Kinkaid School back in Houston, admitted it wasn’t his best ball. It fluttered a little bit, but got the open receiver for six.

“It’s just a blessing. I was very happy, and my team was happy because we had practiced and repped it,” he added. “I thought, it better be a good pass, and then it happened, and I was like, ‘Wow.’ All my emotions showed.”

Two drives later, Bell was in on another Georgia score. This time, it was a 9-yard catch and run in the red zone.

All in all, Bell had a career day for the Bulldogs. His five catches tied a mark he set last season. His 90 yards was the most he’s had in a Georgia uniform. A dynamic player capable of doing just about anything, he’s certainly a key to the success of this Georgia offense.

“He can do so much. Put in him the backfield at running back, obviously what put him out wide, it’s a way to create matchups and mismatches and things like that,” Carson Beck said about Bell, one of his weapons. “That’s what football’s all about: putting players in the right places, and he had a hell of a game tonight.”

Bell and the Bulldogs are back in action this coming Saturday against in-state rival Georgia Tech (7:30 p.m. ET, ABC). There could be continued opportunities for him considering the fact that a trio of Georgia’s receivers in the regular rotation are dealing with injuries. Ladd McConkey (ankle) was limited in Knoxville while Rara Thomas (foot) left the sideline for X-rays that came back negative. Meanwhile, C.J. Smith (knee) who has contributed at times did not travel with the team to Tennessee.

“Great competitor. When his number is called he’s ready,” Georgia head coach Kirby Smart said of Bell. “He made plays on back-shoulder 50-50 balls, made a great play that Bobo put together for him with the opportunity to the pass, and the runs after the catch were big. So, he stepped up big today, and we continue to have guys do that when other guys are down.”

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