ATLANTA—This was unfamiliar territory with Georgia football for 67 players.
The sophomores, redshirt freshmen and true freshmen had only known winning for a program that won back-to-back national titles and entered Saturday on an SEC-record 29-game winning streak.
Names most Georgia fans recognize — Mykel Williams, Malaki Starks, Dillon Bell, Brett Thorson, Oscar Delp and Peyton Woodring.
Others that those that follow the program closely also knew such as Earnest Greene III and Christen Miller.
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They headed to the locker room while players from No. 8 Alabama celebrated on the field as confetti fell and the Crimson Tide were handed the SEC Championship trophy after a 27-24 victory over the No. 1 Bulldogs.
“It was sad, there were some really upset guys,” Georgia coach Kirby Smart said of the locker room scene. “A lot of guys really care about this team. The culture is really good on this team. They’re hurt in there. Rightfully so.”
Georgia players have slammed things against lockers in the past after a loss to Alabama in Mercedes-Benz Stadium. That space had been open to reporters in the past for postgame interviews but hasn’t been in recent years.
Nickel back Tykee Smith said there was no property destroyed on this night even though Georgia’s loss may have shut the door on a three-peat national championship.
The CFP committee will have the final say on that Sunday when it announces the four playoff teams.
“No, guys ain’t throwing things or anything like that,” Smith said. “Definitely, emotional in there.”
Smart put his arm around freshman linebacker Raylen Wilson after the game and shared some words with him.
Starks, a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/more-60-players-knew-only-024951369.html
Author : Athens Banner-Herald
Publish date : 2023-12-03 02:49:51
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