Georgia offensive line aiming to keep quarterback clean better
Georgia’s offensive line has only given up two sacks through four games this season. That’s tied for best fewest in the SEC. Still, offensive linemen Warren McClendon and Tate Ratledge do not seem pleased with the group’s pass protection so far.
“(Stacy) Searels preaches that sacks and TFLs will lose us the game, so we believe in that,” Ratledge explained. “We try to keep Stetson untouched the whole game, which of course hasn’t worked out like we want it to, but that’s our goal going into every game.”
“You know, we always take pride in keeping our quarterback clean throughout the game,” McClendon added. “When that happens, we don’t like it, but we just gotta keep going, keep pushing through. Can’t really think about it too much. We’ll fix it on Monday. And then running the ball, we pride ourselves on running the ball too, being a physical offensive line. Just getting in, watching film, correcting the little mistakes that we made. Just trying to get better at that.”
Of course, the low rate in sack number is in part due to the fact that Stetson Bennett’s ability to run is much greater than one might expect. It’s part of the reason that Kirby Smart and the offensive staff have so much faith in him. If things do go wrong, Bennett’s athleticism gives him the ability to make things right. It also makes the offensive linemen’s job much easier each game.
“He’s just showing his athleticism,” Ratledge explained. “He does it in practice, it’s just seeing it in a game is a little different. It’s just crazy to see…I think looking at him you don’t think he’s about to hit you with that, but he does.”
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Bennett is tied for second in the SEC when it comes to rushing touchdowns by a single player. In fact, he’s used his legs to get into the end zone each game so far this season. But while Bennett’s threat of using his legs in the red zone and extending plays is impressive, Ratledge does not want that to cause him or the rest of the offensive line to get complacent with their responsibility in pass protection.
“I think we still try to take the mindset that we don’t have a mobile quarterback,” Ratledge said. “Try to keep that pocket as clean as possible for him to make throws, which is our goal going into every game. Keep him untouched, make him have to do the least work possible. Just sit back there and throw the ball.”
No. 1 Georgia goes on the road this weekend to take on Missouri. Kickoff time between the Bulldogs and Tigers from Farout Field in Columbia, Mo. is set for 7:30 p.m. ET on the SEC Network.
