Every team needs a gut check. A point where everything goes against you, your opponent capitalizes on your mistake and refuses to relent. Georgia experienced their first gut check of the season yesterday. The Bulldogs jumped to an early 27-10 lead and it looked like a rout, but in a span a span of 4:11, the Volunteers capitalized on UGA turnovers and took a 30-27 lead and Dawg fans developed a sinking feeling that the team’s path to the SEC Championship game was about to become slightly harder.
Thankfully, Georgia was able to go into halftime 30-30 after a 50 yard field goal. The Vols started the third quarter with the ball, but the G-Day defense caused a three and out and the offense was able to score 3 touchdowns in the third quarter. The fourth quarter started with Georgia leading 51-37, but Rocky Top would not quit. They were relentless during the fourth quarter and got within seven, but with the game on the line, the G-Day defense forced 3 turnovers to preserve the victory.
I do not know how well Georgia will do this year, but their confidence is at an all-time high. It looks like the offense can score at well, and Aaron Murray appears to have complete control of the offense as he went 19 of 25 for 278 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception, and 1 fumble.
At the beginning of the season I worried about productive Georgia’s running game would be without Isaiah Crowell. Fortunately, there is such a thing as addition by subtraction. Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley are the truth. Although Marshall fumbled once, he more than made up for this mistake, going for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns. His 75 yard touchdown was a slight to behold.
Gurley equally impressed. He finished with 130 yards and 3 touchdowns. His shoulder juke touchdown run was jaw dropping. His postgame interview impressed me more than his on-the-field play. Gurley came across humble, and more importantly he thanked his teammates and acknowledged that he would not have rushed for 130 without their contribution. He and Marshall are only true freshmen. Their potential is scary.
The G-Day defense made the most of a difficult situation. If you give any SEC team a short field, they will probably score and Tennessee did just that. However, when Georgia needed a stop, the Red & Black attacked Tennessee without warning or mercy.
Next week the Dawgs travel to Colombia, South Carolina to play the Gamecocks. It will be a primetime matchup of undefeated teams and the winner will be in the driver’s seat to win the SEC East title. Georgia’s had their gut check and came out on top. Now it’s time to apply the lesson learned to cook the Chickens.
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