WATCH: Carson Beck, Georgia players share postgame thoughts after UMass win

ATHENS, Ga. — Georgia beat UMass on Saturday to move to 9-2 on the season. While it was a win that was expected, it was one that keeps the Bulldogs alive in their chase of the College Football Playoffs. DawgsHQ was on hand to take in the action at Sanford Stadium and afterwards, we got the chance to speak with a few of those that helped it happen. Postgame interviews with Georgia quarterback Carson Beck (full transcript included), linebacker CJ Allen, wide receiver Arian Smith, defensive back Malaki Starks and offensive lineman Tate Ratledge can be found below…

Carson Beck | QB | No. 15

On where the offense is right now despite missing several guys…

“Yeah, I mean, I think first and foremost just the execution. Just taking it one play at a time, first down, second down, third down. Once we get to the red zone, it’s kind of different to be able to punch it in and score touchdowns is something that, you know, we’ve been able to do the past two games. I thought today we started out really fast and then just executed on all levels like I said.”

On Senior Day game and moving the ball well…

“Yeah, I mean, anytime we get to play at home it’s always a lot of fun. Knowing that, I mean, there’s not too many opportunities left when it comes to playing at home. Obviously we might be able to earn that. We don’t know what that looks like. One week at a time. We don’t wanna look too far ahead. But for right now, I mean, last guaranteed home game is next week, so it’s always fun to have that opportunity to get to go out there and play with the guys.”

On the shot he took on his last play…

“I mean, I was hurting a little bit. Body’s hurting for sure. It’s football, so, you know. I don’t have a black jersey on out there like I do at practice. But no, I mean, I’m good. I was just hurting a little bit, but I mean, it is what it is. It’s football, so keep it pushing.”

On this senior class…

“I mean, yeah, shoot, we’ve been together for a long time. For me, I mean, five years, two other guys on the team, six years. Obviously, the true seniors that have been here for four, but I mean, shoot, we’ve been through a lot. We’ve been resilient. I mean, two national championships in there. We focus on this season. I mean, shoot, we’ve had a gauntlet of a schedule. One of the hardest, if not the hardest in the country. I don’t know how people would look at that. For me, I’d say that, I mean, there’s not another team that has gone through what we’ve gone through this season. 

Super proud of these guys. I mean, we’re a resilient group. I mean, we have everything that we want in front of us.”

On Nate Frazier’s game… 

“I mean, he’s had a great season, and being able to step up with Etienne being down and just kind of getting mixed into the rotation, I thought he had a great game today. Just being able to make guys miss on the second level and have explosive runs. Then obviously once you get down to the red zone, you really want to be able to be able to run the ball. He was able to do that today, so really proud of him and the way he’s been able to step up, you know, being a freshman.”

On if it’s hard not to speculate about what their playoff situation looks like…

“Oh yeah, no, I mean, we’re not worried about any of that at all. I think that’s something that we do a great job of is just taking it week by week and just trying to go 1-0 every week. I know I say that all the time, but that’s how you have to be. We can’t look past anybody. We have a tough game this next week. I mean, they just beat a top-ranked opponent not too long ago. They have a really good offense, a good defense that’s gonna challenge you. So no, I’m excited to watch the film and enjoy this one and then move on tomorrow and start prep for Georgia Tech. 

On Oscar Delp…

“Yeah, I don’t think anything was missing. I just think it’s, I mean, the play calling and then obviously him being the one that’s in there. Those guys rotate in a lot in the tight end room. We have a lot of talented tight ends. But no, I think he’s just been in the right spot and has ended up making the plays, you know? So yeah, no, I’m proud of him, and you know what he’s been able to do in the past two weeks.”

On if he and Brett Thorson had words after Thorson didn’t get to punt… 

“Oh, we haven’t talked yet. He’s probably mad at me. No, I’m just kidding. But no, I mean, as I always say, the punter-quarterback relationship part, we always joke about it. But no, it’s a good day when he doesn’t have to play, so.”

On playing clean football lately..

“I think the first thing is, obviously, the offensive line is playing so well. When I’m not getting pressured as much and I can sit back there comfortably and make my reads, it makes life a lot easier for me. That’s my right guard. 

[Tate Ratledge yells ‘Go Carson!’] 

Anyway, speaking of the offensive line, he’s been playing amazing. It’s good to have him back out there as he has battled through his ankle injury and come back Tate I’m talking about.

No, it starts with the offensive line. And then obviously, you know, our wide receivers are being explosive. And then, I mean, the run game. The run game always helps the pass game, play-action pass, being able to throw the ball deep and check it down when I have to. But no, I mean, our offense has been executing on a lot of levels.”

On Georgia Tech coming up, every game mattering so much…

“No, absolutely, and when I talked to the team before Tennessee, I kind of talked about it, I said, we control our own destiny. Every game is a playoff game from here on out, and that’s how you have to approach it. I mean, I think the challenge has been accepted week in and week out. We’re just focused on going 1-0, and then we control our destiny from there.”

On possibility of going unbeaten at home, versus Georgia Tech…

“I mean, it’d be unbelievable. I think that’s a huge thing, a big rivalry like that, to be able to win out and never lose to them in our time here, I think would be huge for us.”

On if Georgia is finally hitting its stride…

“Absolutely. I think offensively, really, and obviously, guys being on the ground and all that, and things like that. I think we’ve really, like you said, kind of found our stride kind of late in the season, whether it’s in the run game, and being able to find explosive plays in the pass game, and executing in the red zone. I think we’ve just had a really high level of execution here lately, and it is a good time to start hitting guys.”

On Nate Frazier…

“Yeah, I mean, obviously, as a freshman, it’s always difficult to come in and have to play such a big role. I mean, we played three freshman backs today, which is crazy.

But with the Etienne out, and Cash, I mean, he can’t go every single play. I mean, we can really put a guy like Nate in there, and he’s been able to just ball whenever he’s gotten his opportunity.”

CJ Allen | LB | No. 3

Arian Smith | WR | No. 11

Malaki Starks | DB | No. 24

Tate Ratledge | OL | No. 69

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