For the third time this season, a Georgia player has been named the SEC’s Defensive Lineman of the Week.

Freshman end Montez Robinson, who had the first five tackles of his Bulldog career Saturday against Tennessee Tech, was given the award Monday, following in the footsteps of Justin Houston and Geno Atkins.

“It was exciting,” Robinson said after the game. “It was my first two sacks of my college career, period. It’s the highlight of my life right now.”

Robinson, a native of Avon, Ind., has seen action in all nine of Georgia’s games this season, but got his first shot at significant playing time against the Golden Eagles. He recorded two sacks and 2.5 tackles for loss.

“We did have some very nice play from our freshman defensive ends as well as the young guys on the interior line,” head coach Mark Richt said.

Robinson’s effort was part of the first shutout by a Bulldog defense since 2006. Georgia sacked Tennessee Tech quarterbacks six times in the game, charting 15 tackles for loss.

“It all starts with practice,” Robinson said. “The linemen we go against are so good, and it just better prepares you for the real thing.”

Houston, the Bulldog’s usual starter at defensive end opposite Demarcus Dobbs, is expected to return for Saturday’s game against Auburn.

Kentucky matchup a night game

Georgia’s final home game of the season, it’s Nov. 21 date with Kentucky, will be another night game on the ESPN networks.

The final SEC contest for the Bulldogs will be a 7:45 kickoff on either ESPN or ESPN2, their fifth night game of the season.

This week’s clash with Auburn will be a 7 p.m. kick on ESPN.