Georgia duo recognized as SEC Players of the Week
Georgia kicker Jack Podlesny played a big part in the Bulldogs’ 16-6 win over Kentucky on Saturday, and on Monday, the St. Simon’s Island, Ga. native had his efforts recognized by the SEC. Podlesny made all three of his field goal attempts, plus his lone PAT, on what was a windy afternoon at Kroger Field. Defensive lineman Nazir Stackhouse also was named Defensive Lineman of the Week for his five-tackle day with Georgia holding Kentucky to 89 yards on the ground.
This is Podlesny’s third time winning SEC Special Teams Player of the Week this season. He previously was recognized after Georgia’s wins over Kent State and Missouri. Stackhouse on the other hand has never been recognized but becomes the second Georgia defensive lineman to be recognized this season.
On the season, Podlesny has made 20 of 22 kicks, tying him for fifth in the country in made kicks and making him just one of three FBS kickers to kick at least 20 field goals with a 90 percent hit rate. He is 55-for-65 in his career which would top 2019 Lou Groza Award winner Rodrigo Blankenship for the Georgia record for field goal percentage. Podlesny is a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award himself and was named one of the award’s Stars of the Week.
Stackhouse has started all 11 games so far this season with 25 total tackles. His five tackles ties a career-high previously set earlier this season against Florida. He’s had multiple tackles in seven games this season, all in the last eight.
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At least one Georgia player has been recognized by the conference eight weeks so far this season. Christopher Smith won Defensive Player of the Week after the season-opener with six tackles and an interception against Oregon followed up by Brock Bowers’ Offensive Player of the Week accolade for his big day at South Carolina. Podlesny then won Special Teams Player of the Week each of the last two weeks for his performances against Kent State and Missouri. Branson Robinson took home SEC Freshman of the Week honors after his 98-yard day, one-touchdown day against Auburn before Bowers and Smith won Offensive and Defensive Players of the Week last week against Florida. Then, after Georgia’s big win over Tennessee, Stetson Bennett, Malaki Starks and Jalen Carter were all recognized, winning Offensive Player of the Week, Freshman of the Week and Defensive Lineman of the Week respectively.
Georgia closes out the regular season this Saturday against Georgia Tech as 35.5-point favorites according to Vegas Insider. The Bulldogs and Yellow Jackets kick off at 12:00 p.m. ET on ESPN. Georgia will honor its senior class before the game with it being their final career game at Sanford Stadium. In 115 all-time meetings between these two teams, Georgia holds a 69-41-5 advantage including four straight since a loss in Kirby Smart’s first season on the job. The Bulldogs won 45-0 last year in Atlanta. This will be the Yellow Jackets’ first trip to Athens since 2018 with the 2020 game being cancelled due to COVID-19.
