#11 Georgia 42, #22 Georgia Tech 45

I guess you could say the nerds got their revenge as the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets snapped their seven game slide to the Georgia Bulldogs with a 45-42 victory Between the Hedges. For the record, I want to give all the credit to Tech as their triple-option offense burned the Dawgs for 409 yards. Tech running back Roddy Jones rushed for a career-best 214 yards and 2 touchdowns and ACC top rusher Jonathan Dwyer ran for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns. The Yellow Jackets completely shutdown the Bulldogs in the third quarter. They held Georgia to 1 rushing yard and 0 points while they rushed for 201 yards and scored 26 points in the quarter.

Although Georgia lost, individual players posted great statistics. Quarterback Matthew Stafford tied a school record with 5 touchdown passes. He finished 24 of 39 for 407 yards and 1 interception. Senior wide receiver, Mohamed Massaquoi caught 3 of Stafford’s touchdown passes and finished with 180 yards. Running back Knowshon Moreno finished with 94 yards off 17 carriers and 1 touchdown.

This season started with all the high hopes associated a pre-season #1 ranking – an undefeated season and National Title victory. Unfortunately, Georgia’s dream was derailed by a blowout home loss to Alabama in the early part of the season, and completed destroyed by a humiliating lost to Florida in the later weeks of the season. The Dawgs as a team and coaching staff never seemed comfortable playing the national powerhouse as they started the season with unimpressive victories over early opponents like South Carolina and Arizona State, and the team displayed an uncharacteristically undisciplined style of football, which racked up lots of penalties. When it matter the most, they completely laid eggs against opponents like Alabama and Florida. Lastly, when dreams of grandeur were extinguished, they played uninspired football against teams like Kentucky and Auburn.

I’m not really sure why the Bulldogs played hesitant all season. Some say, early injuries to key players like Brannan Southerland, Tripp Chandler, Trinton Sturdivant, and Vince Vance adversely affected the team’s confidence. Another popular argument blames the Bulldogs’ problems on Defensive Coordinator Willie Martinez.

Several years ago I called for a new defensive coordinator after the Dawgs finished the 2006-2007 season playing in the Chick-Fl-A bowl. Coach Richt defended Coach Martinez and the Bulldogs finished the 2007-2008 season with a blowout victory over Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl and a pre-season #1 ranking. I’m still wary of Coach Martinez’s defense because it appears that he doesn’t make the needed in-game adjustments, he hasn’t recruited or developed any impact players like his predecessor (Coach Van Gorder), and his defense currently appear undisciplined and lacks aggression. With all that being said, I’m torn because the team has found success, but I also wonder if maintaining the status quo will get Georgia to the next level – consistent victories over rivals Florida, Auburn, and Georgia Tech, SEC Titles, and serious consideration for the National Title, or will it lead to stagnation and eventual digression – see recent struggles and losses against Vanderbilt, Kentucky, South Carolina, and Georgia Tech.