Nolan Smith named SEC Defensive Player of the Week for second time this season
Georgia linebacker Nolan Smith was named co-SEC Defensive Player of the Week on Monday after his impressive performance against Florida. This is his second time winning the weekly award this season, following up his Week 3 designation after the South Carolina game.
Smith, a junior out of Savannah, Ga. and IMG Academy, donned the spiked turnover pads twice on Saturday, taking the ball away from the Gators on back to back possessions.
The first one came with Georgia up 3-0 and Florida backed up in its own territory. The Bulldogs had just thrown an interception with the defender going down at the 2-yard line, and just two plays later, they got the ball back thanks to Smith. He wrapped up Florida quarterback Anthony Richardson and ripped the ball out of his hands, less so knocking it out and more so simply taking it away. That led to a Georgia score to put the Bulldogs up 10-0 with 2:16 to go before halftime.
Then, on the next possession, Smith once again came away with the ball. This time it was on his first career interception. Georgia defensive lineman Travon Walker dropped back into coverage and dove to get a hand on the 2nd and 15 pass. That deflected the ball into the hands of Smith at the Gator 36. The Bulldogs once again cashed in one play later to go up 17-0. It was followed shortly after by another score, a Nakobe Dean pick-six.
“It was just a momentum swing. Anybody could have done it,” Smith said. “Nakobe’s pick-six, that’s a momentum swing. When momentum goes the other way, guys feed off of each other. We always talk about connection, and you feel it.”
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“We emphasized turnovers through fall camp. Those are things that change the game,” he added. “Coach Smart talks about it, Coach Schumann talks about it all the time. Turnovers on defense, guys punching it out, we watch reels every night of guys punching the ball out in the NFL, guys going after the ball.”
On the season, Smith has 29 tackles included 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks. He’s forced two fumbles and had his hand in on three turnovers, including the two on Saturday.
Georgia players have been well represented so far this season on the conference’s weekly awards. Christopher Smith earned Defensive Player of the Week after returning an interception for a touchdown against Clemson. Then, Stetson Bennett earned SEC Offensive Player of the Week following the UAB game. Other players to be recognized in some capacity include Brock Bowers, Jalen Carter, Jordan Davis, Ladd McConkey and Devonte Wyatt.
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