Before the Tennessee game, Georgia wide receiver Dillon Bell received some wise counsel from his teammates: if he was going to throw the ball on the Bulldogs’ newest trick play, he better make it a good one.
Although Bell is primarily used as a receiver and has seen a lot of action as running back, he had an opportunity to showcase his arm late in the first quarter on Saturday. After taking a pitch from Carson Beck, Bell moved to his right and launched a downfield shot in the finest Beck imitation. Marcus Rosemy-Jacksaint was wide open to receive his pass, and he pulled it in for Georgia’s first touchdown of the afternoon.
Sure, the throw might not have earned Bell some quarterback reps, but it got the job done as part of a big day for the sophomore.
“[My teammates] said it was a little bubbly, but I was like, ‘Ahh, my bad y’all,’” Bell said.
“[The throw] went a lot better than some of the ones in practice, I’ll tell you that much,” Georgia tight end Brock Bowers said.
The trickeration was just part of a game Bell won’t soon forget.
Bell got his day started with a touchdown throw, but his work at wide receiver was equally impressive. He stepped up on a day when Rara Thomas left early and Ladd McConkey was limited by catching 5 receptions for 90 yards and 1 touchdown. Bell’s touchdown catch came on a 9-yard reception with 8:04 to go in the first half that put the Bulldogs up 17-7.
“Great competitor. When his number is called, he’s ready,” Kirby Smart said of Bell. “He made plays on back-shoulder 50-50 balls, made a great play that Bobo put together for him with the opportunity to pass, and the runs after the catch were big. So, he stepped up big today, and we continue to have guys do that when other guys are down.”
Bell took on more work early in the season when he added running back reps, and on Saturday there were more opportunities at his primary position. Bell took full advantage of the additional reps, which allowed him to show how dangerous he is as a pass-catcher.
Bell had four receptions Saturday that went for at least 17 yards on his way to 90 receiving yards, second only to Rosemy-Jacksaint. Bell’s touchdown reception was another impressive play, as he caught a dig route across the field, ran through a would-be tackle just outside of the goal line, and crossed the plane for a 9-yard score.
Add 4 rushing yards as well as a solid 25-yard kick return, and it was a strong showing from a player whose teammates recognize the kind of talent he has.
“He can do so much,” Beck said. “Put him in there in the backfield at running back and obviously put him out wide. It’s a way to create mismatches and things like that. That’s what football is about: putting players in the right places, and obviously he had a hell of a day today.”
“He’s a baller. He shows it every single day in practice,” Bowers said. “We trust him a lot, and he does a really good job.
Returning to the trick play, Bell clarified that he was locked in and prepared to make a play, saying that he wasn’t really thinking when he heard the play call. Bell said that immediately Rosemy-Jacksaint hauled in the pass, he let his emotions out. It was an unforgettable experience.
Bell filled multiple roles as Georgia’s offensive players stepped up to meet Tennessee’s demands. The excursion to Knoxville or Bell was fruitful in the end, and it might pave the way for even more from No. 86.
“You know, it’s just a blessing all around.” stated Bell. They provided me an opportunity. They called my number, and I had to take the necessary action.
