Halftime Notes: Georgia leads Texas 23-0

AUSTIN, Tex. — Georgia still hasn’t played its best football of the season on both sides of the ball but it’s defense absolutely dominated the first two quarters. The Bulldogs lead 23-0 at the half and DawgsHQ is telling you what we think about it.

*** I do not understand the play calling and the amount of empty sets we’ve seen. I do not understand throwing the football so much when the run game is really clicking, especially when Trevor Etienne is carrying the football. Georgia left some opportunities out there because of it’s lack of commitment to the run. The Bulldogs will need to commit to that in the second half to win this game.

*** Carson Beck hasn’t played well at all. There have been a few nice throws and I’m sure he has made some good decisions at the line of scrimmage, but he has been off. I can appreciate how he’s navigating the pocket and moving around when he has time. I think he has settled down some since the two early mistakes. He must play better in the second half and going forward. I’m pretty shocked that it just hasn’t clicked with him yet.

All in, bad half of football from Beck and Mike Bobo. I know Texas is really good defensively and I’ve personally been impressed with the way they’ve covered Georgia downfield at times, but the lack of run game and the misfires are a big reason this game isn’t completely out of hand.

*** Trevor Etienne has been tremendous for Georgia and should have a lot more touches than he does. His ability to find daylight and create at the second level was pretty impressive in that first half. Nate Frazier hasn’t had as much room or success but he has stuck his nose in there and gotten downhill.

*** Too many drops from the pass catchers in that half. Beck threw some very catchable balls and the Bulldogs just didn’t make plays. Other than Dominick Lovett, I don’t think that group has done as much as it can after the catch, either. Arian Smith has blocked really well on the outside and I’ve noticed Ben Yurosek out there, too.

*** The offensive line is mauling Texas in the run game. That’s just all there is to it. If Texas lets the Bulldogs get hat on a hat, it is getting covered up and moved at the point of attack. I think the emphasis on slinging it around has put the offensive line in a tough spot. Earnest Greene has strugged in pass pro but Texas is also very good up front, evidenced by them standing tall on third down right there before the half.

*** The Bulldog defensive line is playing at a really high level. Texas can’t get the run game going and whether it’s Quinn Ewers or Arch Manning at quarterback, they’ve squeezed the pocket and they’ve been disruptive.

*** The linebacker play has also been great. Georgia has chased well and the angles have been pretty crisp. Jalon Walker has put together a dominant half and has played great in off-ball situations, a lot better than previous weeks. That was a Jarvis Jones in Jacksonville type of first half from No. 11. Raylen Wilson has also been active. That strip sack by Damon Wilson at the end of the half was absolutely massive. Georgia’s pass rush has been absolutely relentless.

*** What a half of football from Daylen Everette? I didn’t think the DPI was a poor play at all. Just one of those deals where he’s digging to stay in phase and the ball is under thrown. It’s not easy. Then he comes back with two massive plays with the turnovers. Those loom large right now for sure with the offense sputtering. The entire defensive backfield has been really good, in fact. Dan Jackson has run the alley well. Joenel Aguero turned in an excellent half of football. KJ Bolden and Julian Humphrey have also flashed.