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Comparing Jacob Eason and Matthew Stafford after three months
Oct 29, 2016; Jacksonville, FL, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason and Matthew Stafford are compared a lot because of their similar builds, recruiting rankings and the fact that they started as true freshmen. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The regular season is over so it’s time to revisit the comparison between Jacob Eason and Matthew Stafford during their true freshmen seasons.
Dawn of the Dawg has already done two comparisons between Jacob Eason and Matthew Stafford. Going by stats, wins, accomplishments and intangibles, Eason had the edge over Stafford in September and October.
In November 2006, Georgia went 2-1. Stafford had secured the starting position as Mark Richt was looking to the future after a 6-3 start and a close loss to Florida. But he began the month with one of the ugliest quarterback performances in Georgia history. However, he ended the month by leading two upsets over two of the Bulldogs biggest rivals.
In November 2016, Georgia went 3-1. But Eason has controlled the starting position since week two of the season. Eason had an efficient November, and the month was a success until the loss to Georgia Tech.
Now we’ll break down the November’s of the both true freshmen Jacob Eason and Matthew Stafford.
Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) throws the ball during the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Wins and Losses
The most important of all these categories, how did Georgia do with each freshman as quarterback. Both 2006 and 2016 saw Georgia have bad first two months, but the month of November was kind to both squads.
Matthew Stafford
As far as yards and completion percentage goes, Stafford should have opened November 2006 with his best game. He went 16-of-28 for 230 yards. But he only threw one touchdown and threw three interceptions. Those turnovers negated what was a really good day for Georgia’s offense and the Bulldogs lost 24-20.
But it got better a week later. Georgia traveled to play no. 5 Auburn where they were supposed to get demolished. Instead the Bulldogs won 37-15. Stafford went 14-of-20 with 219 yards and one touchdown, he also had seven carries for 83 yards and a touchdown.. But this game is known more for the four interceptions by Georgia’s defense, including three by Tra Battle.
Georgia ended the season against heavily favored no. 12 Georgia Tech. The offense did not play well that day, but in the fourth quarter Georgia only trailed 12-7. Stafford led a great drive and hooked up with Mohamed Massaquoi with a 1:45 remaining to take a 13-12 lead. Stafford threw another pass to Massaquoi for two points and Georgia won 15-12.
In November, Georgia went 2-1 and ended the 2006 regular season 8-4.
Nov 12, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) drops back to pass against the Auburn Tigers during the first quarter at Sanford Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Wins and Losses
Jacob Eason
Eason also began his first November against Kentucky and Auburn. In a trip to Lexington, Eason 17-of-31 with 245 yards and one touchdown. Eason led a long drive in the final minutes to set up a game-winning field goal for Rodrigo Blankenship as time expired. Georgia won 27-24.
The Bulldogs hosted no. 8 Auburn a week later and the offense failed to score any touchdowns, but Maurice Smith scored on an interception and Blankenship made a pair of field goals. Eason completed 20-of-31 passes for 208 yards in the 13-7 upset win.
Eason only had 165 yards on 13-of-19 passing against Louisiana Lafayette. But he had two touchdowns in the 35-21 win. Although he did throw one interception. He went 14-of-27 in Georgia’s final game of the year; a 28-27 loss to Georgia tech. He threw one touchdown and two interceptions, but one pic was on a hail mary.
Georgia went 3-1 in November, and ended the 2016 regular season 7-5.
Nov 24, 2016; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) yells at head linesman Kent Payne (not pictured) after a penalty on the Minnesota Vikings during the fourth quarter at Ford Field. The Lions won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Stats
Matthew Stafford
In November 2006, Stafford had 620 passing yards and completed 46-of-77 passes with three touchdowns and interceptions. He ended the 2016 regular season with 1,620 yards and completed 126-of-235 passing with six touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
Jacob Eason
In November 2016, Eason had 157 yards and completed 64-of-108 passes with four touchdowns and three interceptions. He ends the 2016 regular season with 2,266 yards and he completed 192-of-349 passes with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Nov 19, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) passes against the Louisiana-Lafayette Ragin Cajuns during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Louisiana-Lafayette 35-21. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Conclusion
Stafford’s first November was a lot better than his first two months, and it compares much better to Eason’s first November. But since Jacob Eason’s first two months were much better than Stafford’s first two, we can conclude that Eason had the better freshman season personally.
More from Dawn of the Dawg
Georgia did have a better season in 2006 than in 2016, but you can hardly place all that weight on the quarterbacks. Eason flips Stafford’s touchdown to interception ratio, showing that he’s more of a scoring threat and he takes care of the ball better.
We have on more Jacob Eason and Matthew Stafford piece and that’s the post-bowl game comparison. In that we will recap their entire freshman seasons and also go over Matthew Stafford’s sophomore season.
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