Georgia defensive coordinator Dan Lanning took to the podium today for his pre-Sugar Bowl presser.
Arriving in New Orleans without Jim Thorpe Award finalist J.R. Reed, Lanning fielded several questions regarding altering his game plan in the absence of the standout senior safety. In addition, fellow defensive back Tyrique McGhee did not travel with the team and has not participated in bowl practices.
“That’s an opportunity [for younger players]. A lot of young guys got opportunities in this game last year. I think that was critical for their development.”
Lanning noted that last year’s Sugar Bowl was a huge opportunity for redshirt freshman Azeez Ojulari, who saw his first playing time in red and black in last year’s game and his since appeared in the starting lineup.
(Note: bowl games are considered exhibition matches by the NCAA and thus players such as Ojulari with a redshirt may participate without forfeiting a year of eligibility).
He believes that the 2019 Dawgs’ heavy rotational play on defense has them prepared for Baylor’s powerful offense.
“We’ve probably had over forty guys who have had significant roles for us in this defense. You’re not necessarily going to see new [players], but you’ll see more [of rotational players]. More Lewis Cine, more Chris Smith, more Otis Reese.”
The defensive coordinator made it clear he didn’t want to single out any player on Georgia’s historically great 2019 defense.
“What’s great about our players is that they don’t care about who gets the recognition. They want to have success but they realize individual success comes within team success.”
The staff and players have dubbed this selfless style of play a “no-name defense.”
The stout Georgia defense earned a lot of team success in 2019 and enters the Sugar Bowl ranked fourth in total defense, but statistics aren’t Lanning’s primary concern.
“We take a lot of pride in our performance…and it’s great that the numbers reflect that. But our number one goal regardless of the numbers is the win.”
Baylor’s offense provides a challenge for Lanning’s defensive unit, and the coach has high praise for the Bears’ balanced offensive attack.
“They’re extremely well coached. They have big tight ends that can block at the point of attack, and they’re really big at receiver on the outside.”
He later added, “they have shifty backs, and their quarterback [Charlie] Brewer is just a winner.”
The Bears rushed one fifty-five percent of their plays (476 pass to 394 rush) in 2019, a bit uncharacteristic of a Big XII offense. Lanning admitted that it’s difficult to scheme around a group that does “a great job of mixing it up.”
“If you want to take away the wideouts, they’re going to be able to run the ball. If you want to take away the run, they’re going to be able to throw the 50-50 ball to the outside.”
The Dawgs will need to play their usual disciplined defense to contain an equally disciplined Baylor offense.
Lanning stated simply: “They’re a team that doesn’t beat themselves.”
