Kirby Smart highlights KJ Bolden's incredible work ethic following unexpected blocked punt vs Marshall

It was revealed after the game that running back Cash Jones was the player that Georgia had schemed up to do the dirty work on Marshall's punt. But head coach Kirby Smart had other plans.

“He’s like, ‘KJ, go, go, go, go,’” Bolden said. “Just trying to come off the ball fast. I seen I was close, so I just jumped. I would have never made that play if none of my teammates executed their job as well. Everybody rushed hard after the one. I just became the one that came lucky with the block.”

Bolden’s blocked punt was then recovered by linebacker Terrell Foster, which set the Dawgs up for their third touchdown of the game and extended the lead to 21-0.

Smart credited Bolden's surprise blocked punt to all of the work he's put in behind the scenes.

"Yeah, I didn't know who got it out of him and Cash. I know that it was schemed for Cash or him to be free, and they worked really hard on that," Smart said. "Coach (Kirk) Benedict and his staff did an awesome job putting that together and worked really hard on it. And I was proud of K.J. because it's important to K.J. He stays after practice to work on things like that. And as a leader on our team, not everybody's willing to sacrifice staying after practice and doing stuff like that, and it paid off for him."

In addition to his blocked punt, Bolden also logged two tackles on Saturday.

Bolden enters his second year with the Bulldogs after racking up 59 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, one sack, and an interception in 2024. His next chance to make big plays will come against Austin Peay at home on Sept. 6.