SRINAGAR: Konark Suryas Odisha, the cricket team owned by San Priya Group, is making waves in the Legends League at Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar. The team is eager to make a strong mark in the upcoming matches, with an ambitious goal of lifting the cup. Rajat Bokalia, Chief Marketing Officer of San Priya Group, expressed confidence in the team’s potential to clinch the championship, highlighting their impressive performance thus far.
“We are here to win, and we believe in our team’s capability to take home the cup,” Bokalia said. “The support from our fans and the synergy among our players have been remarkable, and we’re excited for the challenges ahead.”
San Priya Group, a diversified conglomerate with interests in real estate, interior solutions, and education, is taking significant steps in the sports sector. Their involvement with Konark Suryas Odisha is just the beginning of a larger sports development strategy, with plans to expand beyond cricket. Bokalia shared the group’s future initiatives, including the creation of a women’s hockey team and a rugby team for India, underscoring San Priya Group’s commitment to fostering a rich sports culture in Odisha and beyond.
The group is also developing a 12-acre, state-of-the-art sports facility in Odisha, which will focus on scouting and nurturing hidden talent across various sports, including cricket, hockey, badminton, rugby, and football. “Our vision is not just about one team – it’s about creating a national platform for athletes to shine across disciplines. We are aiming for a gold medal at the 2036 Olympics,” Bokalia added.
Konark Suryas Odisha boasts a star-studded lineup featuring cricket legends such as Irfan Pathan, Yusuf Pathan, Ross Taylor, Amrathi Raidu, and Kevin O’Brien. These players are enjoying the warm hospitality and pleasant weather of Kashmir while feeling energized by the robust fan support from across the nation.
Bokalia also expressed optimism regarding the region’s sports infrastructure, anticipating improvements in cricket and hockey facilities in Jammu and Srinagar due to ongoing government support. “This is just the beginning,” he said. “With the government’s backing, we are confident that sports in this region will continue to flourish, and we are excited to be part of that journey.”
Konark Suryas Odisha’s vision extends beyond this tournament. “Our goal is to become a symbol of national sporting excellence – not just with one team, but through a consortium of teams and our sports academy,” Bokalia emphasized.
As Konark Suryas Odisha prepares for the next matches, they are committed to carrying the hopes of Odisha and inspiring the nation with their performances on and off the field. Fans across the country are rallying behind the team, optimistic that this campaign marks the beginning of a golden era for Odisha in sports.
Junior midfielder Charlie Gaffney battles for possession against Harvard during the game on Oct. 22.
Credit: Nathaniel Sirlin
Rest at the end, not in the middle.
Although it may be fall break at Penn, no respite was needed for men’s soccer who continued its quest for an Ivy League Championship this past weekend in dominant fashion.
In its first road Ivy League game of the season, No. 25 Penn (7-1-1, 2-0 Ivy) defeated Harvard (1-4-3, 0-2 Ivy) by a final score of 1-0. Being a defensive battle for most of the game, the Quakers broke through in the 58th minute with a goal by senior forward Stas Korzeniowski, who continued his stellar play on the pitch. The victory comes in familiar fashion as last weeks match versus Columbia also finished in a tight 1-0 contest.
“It’s always good to get a win in Ivy League games because it is always harder to get points against a team like Harvard,” sophomore midfielder Jack-Ryan Jeremiah said. “Going up there to play is hard and travel up there is a lot … just happy with the win.”
The game started the way it would end, with Penn’s defense leading the way. Having scored three goals in their previous game against Merrimack College, Harvard looked to continue their multiple goal streak against the Quakers. However, the Red and Blue had other plans, preventing the Crimson from getting a shot on goal in the first half.
In fact, Harvard didn’t record its first shot until the 35th minute. Stifling defense has continued to be a positive trend for the Quakers, who have only allowed a total of two goals in their past four games.
On the offensive side, Penn came out with a flurry of shots on goal by sophomore defender Owen Sullivan and junior midfielder Erickson Sakalosky in the eighth and ninth minutes. Despite a shotless game that ensuing for the next thirty minutes, the Quakers would get the final opportunity of the quarter with a shot from senior midfielder Charlie Gaffney in the 42nd minute.
Knotted at the half 0-0, Jeremiah, who had two shots during the game, credited his team’s willingness to stick together amidst a scoring drought as the key to winning the match.
“We know at halftime there was still a lot of game left, and a lot of the guys felt pressure during the game, [as] we felt like we should’ve been up,” Jeremiah said. “We [know we] can be playing better. It goes to show how together this group is and how we have each other’s backs.”
Indeed, the dry spell of goals would see its end in the 58th minute, when Korzeniowski took advantage of an opponent’s give-away and snuck the ball past Harvard’s goalkeeper to put the Quakers up 1-0. The score would add to Korzeniwoski’s team-leading tally of six goals on the season, underscoring his ability to come through for his team when they need him the most. He would finish the game with three shots, two of which were on goal.
“He’s obviously a leader-figure for us on the team, and obviously his talent and skill is something I have never seen before,” Jeremiah said of Korzeniwoski’s playing ability. “The play that he gives us … it’s really tough to play against him.”
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As good as Penn played defensively, it didn’t come without Harvard having their fair share of chances. The Crimson had eight corner kicks throughout the game, while the Quakers only had two corner kicks. Nonetheless, the Red and Blue stood tall in front of the goal, keeping Harvard’s offense at bay.
“We always try to keep a one game at a time mentality, focusing on the details, pushing each other during training, and doing the small things right, and our goals will come eventually,” Jeremiah said. “[We] can’t be thinking too far ahead, just want to go step by step, game by game, and focus on the now.”
With a ranked opponent on the horizon in No. 14 Hofstra, the team will return home and look to continue a promising performance. With still five more Ivy League matchups to go, a “break” is not in this team’s vocabulary.
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Calel Olicia-Aramboles scored on a pair of 1-yard runs as the University of Redlands picked up its first win of the season, a 38-17 victory over visiting University of La Verne in a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference game Saturday at Ted Runner Stadium in Redlands.
La Verne (0-4 overall, 0-2 in conference) grabbed the lead when Jayson Lopez kicked a 26-yard field goal with 5:32 left in the opening quarter.
Redlands (1-3, 1-1) answered quickly, as Jayden Mckey connected with Grant Chaney for a 60-yard touchdown pass less than a minute later. The Bulldogs extended their lead to 14-3 later in the first period when Olicia-Aramboles scored the first of those two touchdowns.
La Verne cut into the deficit when Jordan Hernandez found Masen Uribe for a 9-yard touchdown with 25 seconds remaining in the first half.
Mckey scored on an 11-yard run in the third quarter, but La Verne’s Ronald Ropke returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown.
Redlands pulled away and scored the final 17 points of the game. Olicia-Aramboles scored in the third quarter, and Isaia Alverado added a 24-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter. Sergi Rodas-Mendoza capped the scoring with a 40-yard field goal with 5:23 left on the clock.
Alverado led the ground attack for Redlands with 149 yards on 15 carries. Kailob Haag, Cole Smith and Elijah Valles each intercepted a pass to lead the defensive effort for the Bulldogs. La Verne’s Jimmy Rumsey finished with eight receptions for 89 yards.
Redlands travels to Pomona-Pitzer for a SCIAC game Oct. 12 at Merritt Field in Claremont.
La Verne hosts Cal Lutheran in a SCIAC homecoming game Oct. 12 at Ortmayer Stadium.
CHAFFEY’S WIN STREAK COMES TO END
Kaden Taylor tossed two touchdown passes and added another score on the ground as Pasadena City College held off a late charge from visiting Chaffey College and escaped with a 21-19 victory in a nonconference game Saturday night at Robinson Stadium.
Chaffey (4-1 overall) saw the program’s 15-game winning streak come to an end with the loss.
Christian Bozeman scored on a 1-yard run to get Chaffey within 21-19 with 5:27 remaining in the game, but Julian Viramontes’ pass on the 2-point conversion attempt fell incomplete. The Panthers gained possession with 3:12 on the clock but ultimately turned the ball over on downs.
Pasadena (4-0) grabbed the lead in the opening quarter, when Taylor connected with Flip Fox for a 76-yard touchdown. Chaffey answered with a big play of its own in the second quarter, as Viramontes tossed a 61-yard touchdown pass to Nehemiah Harrison.
The score was tied at 7 at halftime, but Pasadena regained the lead in the third period. Taylor threw a 14-yard touchdown to Deven Muniz, and Taylor added a 4-yard scoring run later in the quarter to help extend the Lancers’ lead to 21-7.
Viramontes and Corey Cabriales connected for a 54-yard touchdown to help Chaffey cut the deficit to 21-13 with 2:54 left in the third period.
Viramontes completed 20 of 29 passes for 243 yards. Cabriales caught seven passes for 96 yards, and Harrison finished with four catches for 91 yards. Ryan Woods had a pair of interceptions on defense for the Panthers.
Taylor passed for 173 yards, and Fox had five receptions for 110 yards. Micah Mendoza led Pasadena’s ground attack with 141 yards on 21 carries.
Chaffey has a bye next week and then travels to West LA College for an America-Metro Conference opener Saturday, Oct. 19, in Culver City.
After a disappointing 0-3 start to Big Ten play, Indiana women’s soccer tallied its first conference win Thursday with a 3-1 victory on the road against Oregon. The win pushes the Hoosiers’ record to 6-3-1 on the season, 1-3 in conference play following their first conference road test of the season.
The storyline of the match was the resurgence of Indiana’s offense following a disappointing three game stretch that amounted to zero goals.
Against the Ducks, the Hoosiers were able to flip the script. Indiana displayed a quantity over quality approach, finishing with 22 shots with just six on goal, converting three of them into goals.
Graduate senior defender Avery Snead got the party started with a goal in the 23rd minute. Snead,playing much of the game on the defensive end, frequently pushed in the offensive half. She’s tallied three goals and two assists so far this season.
In the 40th minute, sophomore midfielder Elle Britt added to the margin with a goal of her own to mark her third of the season. Britt was incredibly influential all on offense, as she finished with a team high seven shots.
The Hoosiers kept the offensive pressure in the second half, wearing the Ducks out with shots throughout the half, while containing the opposing offense. The Hoosiers finished with eight shots in the second half and a goal via freshman forward Layla Sirdah.
Sirdah had been neutralized for the first three games of conference play, unable to record a goal or an assist. Since winning Big Ten Freshman of the Week on Sept. 10. She’s struggled against opposing defenses, but against Oregon, she earned both a goal and an assist.
The Hoosier defense was practically flawless, allowing five shots with just one on target. This gave senior goalkeeper Jamie Gerstenberg a much-needed night off after facing three potent offenses that tallied 39 total shots in the last three matches.
Gerstenberg secured the victory while finishing with zero saves. The one blemish on the defensive scorecard was a goal via penalty kick after a Gerstenberg foul to make it 2-1 Indiana.
The Hoosiers will look to build off their reignited offense on the current west coast road trip, as they prepare for this weekend’s match against Washington at 4 p.m. EST Sunday at Husky Soccer Stadium in Seattle.
Follow reporters Sam Elster (@samelster1)and Matt Rudella (@mattrudellaIDS)for updates throughout the Indiana women’s soccer season.
Friday night he was back on the football field helping his team to a 40-0 win against the Stevensville Yellowjackets (0-3) for Browning’s first victory of the season.
Tahj Wells (2) of Browning stands on the field during a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
“We’re a young team, so this is good for us to hopefully have a successful season,” Hall said.
Wells said he’s been working on his rodeo skills since he was six years old and has been playing football since a young age too.
“Growing up, I always loved contact sports,” Wells said. “Rodeo and football, they’re obviously pretty good contact sports.”
Wells emerged for Browning last season, rushing for 1,156 yards and averaging 128.4 yards per game on the ground. The campaign also marked Browning’s first season with three or more wins since 2018. Now in his last year on the team, Wells serves as a key engine that drives Browning’s offense.
While bull riding and football require separate skills, Hall said the work ethic and determination Wells wields helps him immensely.
“He can take a beating, get up and get going,” Hall said. “He’s a humble, quiet kid and leads by example. Hard, hard worker.”
“Once he gets going, it helps him a lot.”
Wells’ grittiness was on full display in Stevensville. The first half was tighter than Browning might have wanted with the offense failing to score a touchdown. Despite a 14-0 lead after two quarters, fumbles from Wells prevented his team from jumping out to an insurmountable lead early on.
“We could’ve did a lot better on handling the ball,” Wells said. “We just gotta keep working, we’ll get better.”
After the miscues, though, Wells went to work in the second half. The veteran running back heated up as the game progressed, turning intermediate runs into chunk plays.
The workhorse finally broke loose at the start of the fourth quarter with a 41-yard touchdown run that all but sealed victory. With a 27-0 lead in hand, Browning coasted the rest of the way.
“As the game went on I got a little warmer, felt a little better,” Wells said.
“I wore ’em down pretty good.”
For Stevensville, the loss marks the third in as many tries. Head coach Gabe Brown recognized the need to work on details, but emphasized keeping the bigger picture in mind for his young team.
“When you’re rebuilding, you just want to be proud of the kids working hard for four quarters,” Brown said.
Brown, a former defensive coach at Carroll College, took the helm at Stevensville over the summer. His team is still seeking its first points of the season after losses to 40-0 and 55-0 losses to Libby and Dillon, respectively.
“You’ve gotta stay positive with these kids,” Brown said. “They’re re-learning how to play football and how to have fun, as frustrating as that can be sometimes.”
Browning returns home next Friday for a matchup with Livingston. Stevensville heads to Hamilton next week for a cross-town rivalry matchup.
Photos: Stevensville vs. Browning boys high school football
Cooper Miller (8) of Stevensville and Randy RunningRabbit (13) of Browning leap for the ball during a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
The Yellowjackets line up before a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
Tahj Wells (2) of Browning is tackled by Stevensville during a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
Tahj Wells (2) of Browning stands on the field during a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
London Smith (20) of Browning is tackled by Stevensville during a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
Shan Madula (17) of Browning tackles Tahj Wells (2) of Browning during a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
The Yellowjackets fight for the ball during a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
The Yellowjackets celebrate on the sideline during a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
Henry Hyde (4) of Stevensville sacks Tahj Wells (2) of Browning during a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
Rodale Dog Taking Gun (3) grabs the ball during a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
Tahj Wells (2) of Browning runs the ball during a high school football between the Stevensville Yellowjackets and the Browning Indians on Friday, Sep. 13 in Stevensville, MT.
SHANNA MADISON, Missoulian
Carson Cashion is a sports writer for 406 MT Sports, primarily covering the Bitterroot Valley. Follow him on X @CarsonCashion or contact him at carson.cashion@406mtsports.com.
But Friday night, despite playing the fewest minutes amongst the Hoosier starters, the senior forward regained his goal-scoring touch, powering Indiana to a 1-0 victory over Rutgers in its first Big Ten contest of the season.
Indiana began the match with three new changes in the starting 11, the most crucial being the return of graduate student forward Justin Weiss. Lauded as a clinical finisher and playmaker, Weiss has yet to earn a goal or assist in the Hoosier kit, but his contributions on the frontline were evident in his 90 minutes against Rutgers.
Another big change came with redshirt sophomore Breckin Minzey, who stepped into the right back position for his second career start. Yeagley praised his performance in the second half against the Flyers, and he opted to carry the momentum over by granting the start.
For 86 minutes, Indiana produced a dominant performance with nothing to show for it in the goal column. The first half alone saw three clear cut chances for the Hoosiers, two falling to Mihalic.
The first chance highlighted a combination play yet to be consistently shown by Indiana in the young season, with a one-time pass from Weiss slipping Mihalic through on goal. The senior placed his shot to the bottom left corner of the net, but it ricocheted off the post and back into play.
Only moments later, Indiana worked the ball around and lifted a cross into the box. Mihalic rose at the six-yard box, completely unmarked, but his header blazed over the crossbar.
Senior forward Sam Sarver created the next big chance 12 and a half minutes later, with his shot smashing against the crossbar.
Indiana’s defense held a relatively unnerving performance, with the only clear chance of the game falling to Rutgers sophomore center back Nick Collins. A ball into the box met the head of Collins, which produced a looping shot that sailed over fifth year senior goalkeeper JT Harms and bounced off the crossbar.
The following 41 minutes after halftime featured many astounding saves from Rutgers goalkeeper Ciaran Dalton, highlighted by a point-blank effort from Weiss that the junior emphatically blocked.
It seemed Dalton, Collins and the rest of the Scarlet Knights were going to emerge from the game with a point, a tremendous success considering the level of domination they endured. Indiana finished the match with 13 shots to Rutgers’ seven, five shots on goal to one and seven corners to three.
But the Hoosiers continued to push, even in the final minutes. And when Sarver beat his man to the endline and drove a ball across the box that Mihalic finished off, it wasn’t a total surprise given how Indiana played the game for the previous 86 minutes.
The Hoosiers compiled a 1-2-2 record through their first five games.
A late push from Rutgers was never enough to generate any clear chances, and Indiana left Piscataway, New Jersey, victorious with three points in the Big Ten.
The Hoosiers briefly halt their Big Ten regular season with a home contest against the University of Evansville on Sept. 17, but they return to conference play against Maryland on Sept. 20 at Bill Armstrong Stadium.
Follow reporters Matt Press (@MattPress23) and Mateo Fuentes-Rohwer (@mateo_frohwer) for updates throughout the Indiana men’s soccer season.
ST. CHARLES, MO. – On Sunday, women’s soccer hosted Austin Peay in a highly contested matchup. Lindenwood would come from behind to earn the 3-2 victory, playing down a player for 33 minutes. After the match, Lindenwood improved to 3-3 on the season. The Lions would have three different goal scorers in the match.
OVERVIEW
In the first half, lockdown defense would be the staple of the frame. Both teams in the half would be held off the scoresheet. In the frame, Lindenwood would outshoot Austin Peay 8-3. Austin Peay had the advantage in corner kicks, with eight, while Lindenwood had five. Caroline Ritter would make one save in the first 45 minutes.
In the second half, Austin Peay would break the scoreless tie in the 50th minute of the match, scoring a header off a corner kick. Austin Peay would find the back of the net for the second time of the match in the 64th minute. Austin Peay’s second goal would come from a header off a free kick. With less than, 26 minutes left to go in the match, Lindenwood would trail 2-0. In the 68th minute, Lindenwood would be fouled in the box, leading to a penalty shot. Rachel Jackson would take the penalty shot for the Lions. Jackson’s penalty shot would be saved, but was able to collect the rebound, putting her next shot in the back of the net. With less than 22 minutes left to go in the match, Lindenwood would trail 2-1. In the 74th minute, Lindenwood would once again be fouled in the box, leading to a penalty shot. Georgia Pardalos would take the penalty shot, scoring the ball in the bottom-left corner. At this point, the Lions would be tied 2-2 with the Governors. With less than two minutes to go, the Lions would be fouled outside the box, leading to a free kick. Tasneem Dizdarevic would be the free kick taker for the Lions, taking a shot from long-range, notching the Lions third goal of the game and first lead of the match. In the final minute of the match, Austin Peay had one final opportunity to tie the match up at three with an indirect kick inside the box. Austin Peay’s shot from inside the box went high leading to a Lions goal kick, and a Lions victory.
Ritter got the nod in net, making three stops.
QUOTABLE
“In 19 years of being a head coach, that was one of the greatest efforts of heart I’ve seen out of my team. To go down 2-0 and play a player down, this win showed determination and grittiness. We have a very young talented group of ladies that are learning what it takes to win games at the college level,” said head coach Dave Musso.
STATISTICAL LEADERS
Points – Jackson (2), Pardalos (2), and Dizdarevic (2)
Goals – Jackson (1), Pardalos (1), and Dizdarevic (1)
Shots – Mackenzie Compton (5)
Shots on Goal – Jackson (2), Pardalos (2)
Minutes Played – Five individuals recorded 90 minutes.
TEAM STATISTICS
1
2
T
Shots
APU
3
8
11(5)
LWU
8
8
16(7)
Saves
APU
1
3
4
LWU
1
2
3
Corner Kicks
APU
3
5
8
LWU
2
3
5
Fouls
APU
8
8
16
LWU
7
5
12
() Shots on goal.
UP NEXT
Lindenwood will take on Southern Illinois Carbondale on the road, September 8th, at 1:00 PM CT.
ATHENS, GEORGIA – AUGUST 31: Head coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs speaks to the fans … [+] following the 34-3 victory over the Clemson Tigers in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Granted, No. 1 Georgia looked on the verge Saturday of sprinting toward a third national championship in four years. With barking from their followers throughout Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Bulldogs smashed No. 14 Clemson 34-3, but you know what?
It was just one game.
It also was the season opener for both teams.
That said . . .
Georgia may never lose again.
If nothing else, the Bulldogs will keep stringing together victories through this regular season, and perhaps longer.
OK, that’s a bit much, but all things are possible for your college football program when you’re nearly guaranteed to pocket the estimated $3 million to $5 million going to everybody in the new 12-team College Football Playoff, and when you can make the case for having each of the following:
The best coach (Kirby Smart, who is 95-16 during his eight seasons at Georgia, with two national championships and a 9-2 record in bowl games).
The best offensive coordinator (Mike Bobo, who spent his first coaching stint at Georgia turning Matthew Stafford into the No. 1 overall pick in the 2009 NFL Draft as a quarterback and who is trending toward doing the same with Carson Beck in the 2025 NFL Draft).
The best defensive coordinator (Glenn Schumann, who has been a part of three consecutive Top Five defenses, including the Jordan Davis bunch of 2021 that held foes to a modern record of 6.9 points per game).
The best quarterback (Beck, see Bobo above, and Beck is among the top Heisman Trophy candidates).
The best defensive player (or at least the best defensive back, especially since Malaki Starks has the early lead for Defensive Play of the Year in the Secondary with his running, leaping and backwards grab of an interception against Clemson).
The best talent to complement the best quarterback and the best defender (The Bulldogs are guaranteed their ninth consecutive Top Five recruiting class under Smart).
ATHENS, GEORGIA – AUGUST 31: Nate Frazier #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs stiff arms Jeadyn Lukus #10 of … [+] the Clemson Tigers during the fourth quarter in the Aflac Kickoff Game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on August 31, 2024 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images)
Getty Images
Now consider: Even though this isn’t the Clemson program that made six consecutive trips to the playoffs through 2020, the current Tigers are solid enough to capture the ACC championship and to send its usual massive collection of players to the NFL Draft, especially on defense.
Then consider: Trevor Etienne is Georgia’s first-string running back, but he was suspended for the Clemson game by the university for an arrest earlier this spring on DUI and reckless driving charges.
Then consider: Against Clemson, Georgia had seven penalties for 70 yards; Beck wasn’t always his vintage self as the master of pinpoint passes; and the Bulldogs only led 6-0 at halftime.
In sum, without their A Game, Smart’s latest collection of future NFL Pro Bowlers still crushed a pretty good Clemson team by more than four touchdowns with something like their B-minus Game.
“It was a good first half. Tough, hard-fought first half. Then they just freaking kicked our tails in the second half,” said Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, owner of two national championships during his 17 seasons with the Tigers. “Congrats to them. They’re a great team. They’ve been a great team.”
The Bulldogs are so great that they’ve won 43 of their last 45 games, including 40 in a row during the regular season. That’s the stuff of those Oklahoma teams with a 47-game winning streak from 1953 to 1957.
Actually, Georgia’s streak is more impressive.
Unlike Oklahoma, Georgia is dominating during the era of the transfer portal (which essentially is free agency without the salary cap), and Name, Licensing and Image (NIL) deals that can distrupt a locker room in a flash.
That means rosters are constantly evolving.
Despite it all, Smart has gone weeks, months and years keeping his players and coaches focused on winning — no matter the opponent, the venue, the circumstances (on and off the field, where a slew of other Bulldogs have joined Etienne with driving-related arrests) or anything else.
What’s the key to Georgia’s ability to keeping “the main thing the main thing” as Kirby and his players like to say?
ATHENS, GA – APRIL 13: Georgia Bulldogs Head Coach Kirby Smart during the G-Day Red and Black … [+] Spring Game on April 13, 2024, at Sanford Stadium in Athens, GA. (Photo by John Adams/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
“I think it’s a process. We believe in what we do. The leaders on our team that I meet with, they believe in it, they sell it, they push it to the younger players,” Kirby told me after the Clemson game when I asked him the question.
“I think somebody said the other day we had 38 or 42 my advisor brought to me. We had 42 or 38, I can’t remember what it was. I had to sign something saying they were all eligible and they were all new. We had 38 or 42 new people. New.
Kirby was just getting started, adding, “When you turn over that much, you’d better have a nucleus around them that can keep them grounded. That is what we’ve been able to sustain at Georgia is, we’re not going to change what we do based on who we play. We’re going to do what we do and we’re going to try to out-execute you and just do it the right way.
“I think a lot of people that’s hard to do it the hard way all the time, because everybody wants to find an easier way. There’s no easy way to win these games. They’re all hard.”
