« Back to Issue Issue 14 - Ole Miss Index | 10/28/2012

Kevin Butler’s Players of the Game

by Kevin Butler

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Kevin Butler, former University of Georgia
legendary kicker and a member of the
Georgia radio broadcast team, will each
week during the 2012 football season select
his offensive, defensive and special
teams players of the week for Bulldawg
Illustrated. Here are Butler’s selections
and reasons why for the Bulldogs’ 17-9
win over Florida Saturday.

OFFENSE – Sophomore wide receiver
Malcolm Mitchell, who caught
five passes for 74 yards including a
45-yard touchdown catch and run
with just over seven minutes remaining
that sealed the Bulldogs’
upset of the 2nd-ranked Gators.
“I think it definitely needs to be pointed
out that prior to Malcolm making that
play he put himself the goat of the game
(personal foul penalty for taunting a
Gator defender),” said Butler. “Malcolm is
a tremendous offensive weapon and
more importantly a leader and we need
him to keep playing like he did against
the Gators and at the same time mature
into a leader of this football team by example.
His athletic ability to make a big
play after he catches the ball is as good
as the Georgia team has right now.”

DEFENSE – Junior outside linebacker
Jarvis Jones, who turned in the most
complete game of his Georgia career
with 13 total tackles (12 solo), three
sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, two
forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries
to lead a Bulldog defense
that held Florida without a touchdown.
“There’re just not enough words to describe
what Jarvis brings every Saturday,”
said Butler. “He’s as competitive as it gets
and if there’s any linebacker in the United
States that is mentioned in the Heisman
race, they are second to Jarvis Jones.
This was by far his best performance in
an already great performance season and
I’ll go one step further by saying it will
probably be the best defensive performance
by any one player this year in college
football.”

SPECIAL TEAMS – Freshman
punter Collin Barber, who while
kicking in a strong wind, averaged
37.2 yards on five punts and
twice backed the Gators up inside
their own 20-yard line with his
kicks.
“As a true freshman punter who struggled
some earlier in the year, Collin
has become very consistent,” said Butler.
“He came through with great kicks
that resulted in great field position for
the Bulldogs. His strength certainly
showed because of the gusty winds
and the control that he had on his
punts. I think it’s a great game for
Collin to grow on and he will be a big
punter for Georgia over his career and
this was the first of many big games.”