Georgia 59, Coastal Carolina O

I have gone to lots of Georgia games over the past several years, and I cannot remember a time where Georgia laid the smack down as they did today.  The Bulldogs needed a slump buster, and Chanticleers were the perfect opponent because they allowed our players to dominate and hopefully get their confidence back as we prepare to enter conference play.  It was a perfect fall afternoon for The Shad and me to travel to the Classic City to watch UGA.  We had great covered seats off the 50 yard line.

Aaron Murray finished 18 of 26 for 188 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Murray’s passes were accurate today, but he needs to work on not focusing on one receiver and working through his progression.  Additionally, I would have also liked to see Murray try to throw the ball down field.  Backup quarterback Hutson Mason got some snaps with the first team offense and threw a beautiful pass to Orson Charles for a touchdown.  I was looking forward to seeing Christian LeMay play, but he did not get any playing time; however, I did see him try to kick a football into the kicker’s net, which he missed.  The football went into the stands and hit somebody in the head.  It was funny.

Isaiah Crowell finally got the start at runningback and once again showed why he was highly recruited and why he should be starting.  He finished with 86 yards and 1 touchdown.  His 27 yard long run was beautiful.  Get well Richard Samuel.  Carlton “5’7” Thomas tried to show the coaching staff why he should get more playing time, finishing with 71 yards and 1 touchdown off 15 carries.  I still do not understand why Georgia makes him run through the middle.  Georgia’s other “mini” tailback, freshman Brandon “5’6” Harton got some carries in the fourth quarter and finished with 33 yards.

If I had to name one player that needed a slump buster, I would pick Tavarres King.  You could tell the coaching staff was trying to rebuild his confidence as the offense went through him during the first half.  He finished with 6 receptions for 65 yards and 2 touchdowns.  If UGA is going to make a run at the SEC title, then they will need King.  Malcolm Mitchell was also part of the “Dream Team” signing class and he is living up to the hype.  He finished with 43 yards and 1 touchdown.  Orson Charles reappeared after his South Carolina disappearance, finishing with 42 yards and 1 touchdown.  Coming into the season, I had not heard much about freshman Michael Bennett, but he is scrappy and a playmaker.  He finished with 40 yards.

The Red & Black Attack caused three turnovers and Bacarri “First Blood” Rambo had an amazing interception, but subsequently fumbled it for no apparent reason.  We can only wonder what his impact would have been had he played in the Boise State game.  The defense needed a shutout.  It was also good to see Ray Drew come off the edges.  He is still raw, but he has the size and speed to be a playmaker.

Georgia returns to league play next week as the take on Ole Miss in Oxford, Mississippi.