Jake Fromm and the Georgia Bulldogs made a statement-win Saturday, edging out Notre Dame 23-17 in a clash of college football heavyweights.
The game was a tale of two halves for the Georgia offense, but Fromm found success as the game went on and continues to display the ability to win from the pocket. The 6-foot-2, 220-pound signal-caller finished the game completing 20 of his 26 pass attempts for 187 and a touchdown.
Georgia came out utilizing a quick passing game with limited success to start. Fromm displayed accuracy on a few hooks on the opening drive and most of the play call was designed to take advantage of the Bulldogs’ speed at the skill positions. They opted for quick, easy throws behind the line of scrimmage and Notre Dame’s ability to clean up in space limited them to just seven points early on.
Fromm’s stat line wasn’t pretty and he managed just 59 yards in the first half despite an efficient 11-for-12 passing line.
They were able to establish the running game in the 2nd half with dynamic running back D’Andre Swift, creating opportunities in the vertical passing game for Fromm.
He was able to finally get rolling in the fourth and displayed tremendous ball placement to Lawrence Cager’s back shoulder for a 36 yard gain on 2nd and 7 in the 4th quarter.
A few plays later, Fromm found Cager again on a perfectly placed ball on a fade route for a touchdown on 3rd and 7. Cager made a great play and got a single foot in bounds, but it isn’t a touchdown in the NFL.
The following drive the Bulldogs leaned on the rushing attack before Fromm delivered a tight window throw on a 15-yard post route to Demetris Robertson, moving them into borderline field goal range. He followed it up with a physical run through contact to make things a little easier for kicker Rodrigo Blankenship, who nailed a 43-yarder to make it a two-possession game.
The matchup came to a dramatic finish that nearly changed the entire narrative around the game.
Failing to secure the onside kick attempt following a quick touchdown, the Irish held strong against Georgia’s attempts to run out the clock. Facing a 3rd-and-16, Fromm was able to draw the Irish offsides to set up a more manageable 3rd-and-9.
Fromm bobbled the low snap but was able to get off a solid pass attempt downfield, stopping the clock and giving Notre Dame one more chance. Luckily for him, the stout Georgia defense held strong to secure their biggest victory of the season.
Fromm continues to be over shadowed by Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert, but the Georgia signal-caller continues to display the pocket passing ability NFL teams covet in first round caliber prospects.
He didn’t put up the most attractive stat line and his production doesn’t always match that of his counterparts, but he has all the tools (not to mention he has yet to throw an interception this season). With matchups against Florida and Auburn looming in November, Fromm will have plenty of chances to prove he’s one of the best the quarterbacks the country has to offer.