Georgia receiver Ladd McConkey tabbed for weekly honors
Georgia put together a dominant win in the World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party on Saturday, besting the Florida Gators 43-20, and the efforts of Ladd McConkey in the victory have earned weekly honors from the SEC as a result.
The junior wideout, who finished the day with six receptions for 135 yards, was named the conference offensive player of the week. Both the reception and yardage total tied career highs for the former North Murray standout. McConkey also contributed a 41-yard touchdown on Saturday, his first score of the 2023 season.
McConkey has played in just four games for the Bulldogs this season after returning from injury, totaling 15 receptions for 242 yards.
Having McConkey’s presence in the lineup once again has been a welcome addition for the Bulldogs, something fellow receiver Dillon Bell noted in early October.
“It’s always great to have Ladd back out there. He’s one of the veteran guys on the team. It’s great to have his leadership back,” Bell said in the leadup to Georgia’s matchup with Kentucky. “We were all smiling when he was making clutch plays on third downs.”
Head coach Kirby Smart was quick to point to the same in his post-game press conference in Jacksonville.
“I think it came at the right time, right? With Brock out, had Ladd step up and make plays,” Smart said of McConkey. “We’ve gotta keep him healthy because he’s such a weapon. He’s such a competitor. The yards after catch is what he gives us that a lot of other guys haven’t done. He catches it and runs with it, and he does a tremendous job. But hey, you’ve gotta give the O-line a lot of credit for the protection to get it to Ladd and the quarterback for making some plays. That third-down play he made was really special.”
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In addition to conference honors, McConkey was also named Reese’s Senior Bowl Co-Offensive Player of the Week for his work on Saturday.
McConkey is Georgia’s first receiver to garner the honor from the SEC this season, though both quarterback Carson Beck and center Sedrick Van Pran have received conference honors on the offensive side of the ball for the Bulldogs, as well.
Linebacker Smael Mondon and kicker Peyton Woodring have also been among Georgia honorees in the conference this season.
Georgia now turns its attention to Missouri, with kickoff in Athens slated for 3:30 on CBS this Saturday.
