Grading the game: Not a good game for anyone in Georgia's loss to Ole Miss

Here’s how Georgia graded out following its 45-14 blowout loss at Mississippi.

Offense: D

Georgia somehow finished the game with 230 rushing yards, although the final output wasn’t indicative of how the game actually went. When both teams had their starters in Georgia was essentially shut out. The run game struggled once again up the middle, although it wasn’t as bad as it was a week ago against Missouri.

Quarterback Jacob Eason reminded everyone he’s still a true freshman. He made some overthrows and other poor decisions. Facing a faster pass rush than in previous weeks, Eason didn’t seem as confident with his throws. While it’s easy to point at the offensive line for this, Eason has to learn to step into a throw before absorbing a hit.

He took some shots and should be able to grow from it. But with Eason off the mark and only going 16-of-36 passing for 137 yards and an interception, it proved to be tough sledding for the Bulldogs all game.

Eason wasn’t the only one in the passing game to blame, and he did have plenty of nice throws too. Georgia’s receivers, however, dropped five passes in the first half. Jayson Stanley dropped what should have been a big-play touchdown down the right sideline. Isaiah McKenzie, Georgia’s most reliable receiver all year, had a couple of drops.

It was just a bad day all around for Georgia’s offense.

Defense: F

It doesn’t get much worse than this. Georgia’s defense couldn’t do much of anything against the high-octane Mississippi attack.

The Rebels racked up 511 total yards, with quarterback Chad Kelly throwing for 282 yards and two touchdowns, as well as rushing for 53 yards and a score. The Georgia defense never had an answer for the Rebels and let them do just about whatever they wanted.

The score could’ve been much worse if Ole Miss didn’t begin to let up in the third quarter. Once the starters were pulled, the Rebels coasted to a victory with Georgia putting up two touchdowns offensively.

But when it was starters vs. starters, Ole Miss asserted its will offensively. Georgia’s adjustments never worked as Monday’s film session will likely be a tough deal for everyone involved.

Special teams: D

There weren’t too many opportunities for the entire phase of special teams to be evaluated. But this grade mostly comes down to one thing and that’s Georgia’s inability to hit field goals.

Rodrigo Blankenship got the nod and missed a 36-yard field goal wide right. It was a new kicker and the same result as Georgia kickers haven’t hit a field goal since the Nicholls State game.

Georgia punter Marshall Long averaged 39.7 yards per punt but did land two inside the 20. Long also threw a pass on a fake punt that converted into a 29-yard gain to Sony Michel. The latter two things save Georgia’s special teams from receiving a failing grade.

Coaching: D 

There’s probably nothing the Georgia coaching staff could have done to prevent this loss. Even so, there wasn’t much done in this area to help put Georgia in position to get a win.

There were no noticeable adjustments on defense to slow down the Rebels outside of swapping cornerback Malkom Parrish for Deandre Baker. On offense, Georgia stayed stubborn with the run game inside, even when it was clear it wasn’t going to work as well as the coaches had hoped.

This story was originally published September 25, 2016 at 9:44 AM with the headline "Grading the game: Not a good game for anyone in Georgia's loss to Ole Miss."