2006 Georgia Bulldogs Season, Game Recaps, Scores and Reviews
Dec. 30
Chick-fil-A Bowl
Georgia 31 ... Virginia Tech 24
In a tale of two halves, Virginia Tech appeared on its way to
a blowout win after getting out to a 21-3 halftime lead with three second
quarter touchdowns on two one-yard runs from Branden Ore and a 53-yard scoring
pass from receiver Eddie Royal to Sam Wheeler. The nation's number one defense
appeared ready to put the clamps down, but after Georgia's Brandon Coutu hit a
51-yard field goal late in the third quarter, the Dawgs successfully came up
with an onside kick that changed the tone of the game. The offense, which had
struggled against the swarming Hokie D, suddenly got hot going 52 yards in six
plays closing with a six-yard pass to Martrez Milner. Georgia went on a 28-point
run tying the game on a two-point conversion throw to Milner after a three-yard
Kregg Lumpkin run, and put the game away on a fourth-and-goal one-yard score
from Brannon Southerland to capitalize on one of Tech's four turnovers. Virginia
Tech got close with a 28-yard Brandon Pace field goal, but couldn't get close
starting its final drive too deep in its own territory. Each team only managed
nine first downs and combined for 389 yards. Player of the game
...
Georgia QB Matthew Stafford completed nine of 21 passes for 129 yards
and a touchdown with an interception Stat Leaders: Georgia - Passing: Matthew Stafford,
9-21, 129 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin, 12-39, 1 TD Receiving:
Martrez Milner, 3-49, 1 TD Virginia Tech - Passing: Sean Glennon, 13-26, 94
yds, 3 INT
Rushing: Branden Ore, 20-42, 2 TD Receiving:
Eddie Royal, 4-45 Notes & Thoughts ... Michigan State might have the
patent on being flaky, but almost no one feeds off positive momentum, and
collapses when things start to sour, more than Virginia Tech. The defense is far
better than it showed in the second half against Georgia, but once things
started to shift the other way, suddenly, no one appeared able to make a play.
QB Sean Glennon was put in a position to start bombing away to try to get the
offense jump started, and that spelled the end for the Hokies. ... Matthew
Stafford's stats might not have been all that great, but he showed glimpses of
why he has the potential to be a superstar. He came up with a couple of throws
with touch and drive that 90% of college passers could only dream of. Once he
gets more help from his receivers, and gets more comfortable with his reads, he
should be special.
Nov. 25
Georgia 15 ... Georgia Tech 12
The Yellow Jackets got two field goals to go along with a
ten-yard Tashard Choice scoring run, while the defense held the Georgia offense
off the scoreboard until the final two minutes. Georgia got a four-yard
touchdown catch and a two-point conversion from Mo Massaquoi with 1:45 to play,
and then the defense held as Paul Oliver picked off Reggie Ball to seal the win.
The Bulldog defense got the team's first points with an odd 29-yard Tony Taylor
fumble return for a score. Player of the game
...
Georgia LB Tony Taylor tied for the team lead with six tackles and
returned a fumble for a score Stat Leaders: Georgia - Passing: Matthew Stafford,
16-29, 171 yds, 1 TD Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin, 18-51 Receiving: Mo
Massaquoi, 6-46, 1 TD Georgia Tech - Passing: Reggie Ball, 6-22, 42 yds,
2 INT
Rushing: Tashard Choice, 23-146, 1 TD Receiving: Chris
Dunlap, 2-15 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Georgia hasn't been pretty and
hasn't "wowed" anyone, but even with stunning losses to Vanderbilt and Kentucky,
Mark Richt's club has eight wins with a bowl game still to go. Over the last few
weeks, Matthew Stafford, without the benefit of a solid receiving corps (don't
say Mo Massquoi) has showed tremendous poise, good decision-making ability late,
and above all else, has won beating Georgia Tech and Auburn. No interceptions,
two wins over big name teams, and a whole lot of promise; the future is bright
for Stafford and the offense.
Nov. 11
Georgia 37 ... Auburn 15
Georgia's defense stuffed Auburn's offense holding it to 171
yards and picking off Brandon Cox four times. Tra Battle came up with three
interceptions taking one 30 yard for a touchdown, and Matthew Stafford had his
best day as the starting quarterback with a 14-yard touchdown pass to Kregg
Lumpkin and a nine-yard scoring run to put the game away. Lumpkin also ran for
an eight-yard score and Brannan Southerland ran for a one-yard touchdown on the
way to a 24-0 first half Bulldog lead. Auburn scored on a 21-yard Brad Lester
run and a 34-yard touchdown pass to Rodgeriqus Smith, but it wasn't nearly
enough to overcome the mistakes. Player of the game ... Georgia DB Tra Battle made 2.5
tackles, broke up a pass, and picked off three passes taking one for a touchdown Stat Leaders: Auburn- Passing: Brandon
Cox, 4-12, 35 yds, 1 TD, 4 INT Rushing: Courtney Taylor, 2-51. Receiving:
Rodgeriqus Smith, 1-34, 1 TD Georgia - Passing: Matthew Stafford,
14-20, 219 yds, 1 TD
Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin, 21-105, 1 TD Receiving:
Martrez Milner, 3-41 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
You knew Georgia couldn't play like garbage for a
full season. The Bulldog defense came out with an attitude against Auburn
getting pressure all game long on Brandon Cox and keeping Kenny Irons and the
ground game from exploding. Also give credit to Matthew Stafford for a calm,
cool, efficient game and letting the running game do the work. Getting Danny
Ware knocked out with an ankle and knee injury wasn't a plus, but it turned out
to be a positive since it forced the coaching staff to make Kregg Lumpkin the
workhorse. When he gets 20 carries, he produces. The disappointing season can do
a total about-face if the Dawgs can beat Georgia Tech next week.
Nov. 4
Kentucky 24 ... Georgia 20
Kentucky's Tony Dixon ran for a three-yard touchdown with just
over a minute to play, and then Trevard Lindley sealed the upset picking off
Matthew Stafford. The Bulldogs took the lead halfway through the third quarter
on a three-yard Danny Ware touchdown run, but the extra point went wide leaving
the door open for UK to tie it with a field goal and leading to the Dixon run.
Stafford threw a ten-yard touchdown pass to Mario Raley in the first quarter and
Brannan Southerland ran for a one-yard score to take a 14-3 lead in the first
half, but UK came back on two Keenan Burton touchdown catches. Player of the game ... Kentucky WR Keenan Burton caught
seven passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns and returned four kickoffs for 83
yards Stat Leaders: Georgia- Passing: Matthew
Stafford, 16-28, 230 yds, 1 TD, 3 INT Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin, 13-85. Receiving:
Martrez Milner, 4-70 Kentucky - Passing: Andre Woodson, 23-32,
204 yds, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Alfonso Smith, 19-76 Receiving:
Keenan Burton, 7-73, 2 TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Things will get better for Georgia ... next year.
The offense is living through the good and the bad of Matthew Stafford as he
killed the offense against Kentucky with three ill-timed interceptions, even
though he threw for 230 yards. The Dawg offensive balance was as solid as it's
been all year and the drives moved relatively well, but there simply wasn't
enough overall production. The defense has come up with a bad habit of not
coming through clutch, which will have to stop in a big hurry to have a chance
against Auburn and Georgia Tech.
Oct. 28
Florida 21 ... Georgia 14
Andre Caldwell ran for a touchdown and scored on a 40-yard
pass to get Florida up 14-0, and then the defense took over as Derrick Harvey
tackles Kregg Lumpkin forcing a fumble which Ray McDonald picked up for a
nine-yard score. Georgia came back on a 13-yard Matthew Stafford run following
an interception of Chris Leak, and scored on an eight-yard Lumpkin run following
a Tim Tebow fumble, but the offense only gained 215 yards and turned it over
five times. The Dawgs only got the ball one more time after their final score
and went three and out. Player of the game ... Florida WR Andre Caldwell caught
eight passes for 88 yards and a touchdown and ran five times for 28 yards and a
score. Stat Leaders: Georgia- Passing: Matthew
Stafford, 13-33, 151 yds, 2 INT Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin, 11-43, 1 TD. Receiving:
Brannan Southerland, 3-31 Florida - Passing: Chris Leak, 14-28,
163, yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Percy Harvin, 8-37 Receiving: Andre
Caldwell, 8-88, 1 TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The offense was a problem from the start
against Florida, but give credit to the Bulldogs for hanging in there when it
looking like it would be blowout city in the first half. The defense did a good
job of keeping the Gator ground game in check and limited the big plays in the
second half. At this point, if Georgia isn't generating points from its special
teams or from turnovers, the points are going to be hard to come by. That's not
a plus with Auburn and Georgia Tech still ahead.
Oct. 21
Georgia 27 ... Mississippi State 24 Georgia turned it over five
times, but the defense came up with a turnover of its own to save the game. MSU
marched down to the Georgia 23 in the final minute before Johnson came up with a
sack and forced fumble to prevent a second straight disastrous loss. Matthew
Stafford threw two touchdown passes for Georgia, including a 21-yard loft to
Tripp Chandler on fourth down in the second quarter, and Brannan Southerland ran
for a one-yard score, but MSU kept the pressure on thanks to three Anthony Dixon
touchdown runs including a three-yarder early in the fourth. Quinton Culberson
made ten tackles for MSU.
Player of the game ... Georgia QB Matthew Stafford
completed 20 of 32 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns with three
interceptions. Stat Leaders: Georgia- Passing: Matthew Stafford, 20-32,
267 yds, 2 TD, 3 INT Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin, 15-80, 1 TD Receiving: Kenneth
Harris, 4-106 Mississippi State - Passing: Michael Henig, 14-31, 234 yds,
2 INT
Rushing: Brandon Thornton, 15-50 Receiving: Tony Burks, 4-106 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The
Georgia offense is going to struggle all season long with its consistency, but
the defense is starting to slip in a big way. If having problems against
Vanderbilt wasn't enough, the Dawg D struggled against a pathetic Mississippi
State attack. To be fair, the D was put in bad situations by five turnovers from
the offense, but there were a few long MSU drives including an 80-yard march for
a score in the fourth along with the late drive to get in range to win the game.
The offense will have to be flawless next week against Florida to make it
competitive.
Oct. 14
Vanderbilt 24 ... Georgia 22 Bryant Hahnfeldt's 33-yard
field goal with two seconds remaining lifted Vanderbilt to a stunning 24-22 win.
Georgia had pulled ahead in the fourth quarter on linebacker Tony Taylor's
24-yard interception return with 9:22 remaining, but the door was still open for
Vandy after quarterback Matthew Stafford's two-point conversion rush attempt was
stopped short keeping the lead 22-21. Chris Nickson threw two touchdown passes
for the Commodores, while the defense held Georgia's offense to three field
goals and a second quarter 23-yard touchdown catch from Martrez Milner.
Player of the game ... Vanderbilt QB Chris Nickson
completed 15 of 29 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns and ran nine times
for 59 yards. Stat Leaders: Georgia- Passing: Joe Tereshinski, 11-17,
151 yds, 1 TD Rushing: Thomas Brown, 11-75 Receiving: Martrez Milner,
6-67, 1 TD Vanderbilt - Passing: Chris Nickson, 15-29, 190 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Chris Nickson, 9-59 Receiving: Earl Bennett, 8-89, 1
TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Georgia's
offense moved the ball against Vanderbilt, but couldn't close with three field
goals on drives that should've gone for touchdowns. The loss of RB Thomas Brown,
who ran better than he had all year long, to a knee injury killed the offensive
rhythm as Kregg Lumpkin and Danny Ware couldn't pick up the slack. For the
second straight week, the team couldn't capitalize on a big, game-changing play
with Tony Taylor's interception return for a score failing to provide the spark
to help the defense close. The offense had better find more consistency against
Mississippi State next week or the Kiddie Cocktail Party against Florida won't
be pretty.
Oct. 7
Tennessee 51 ... Georgia 33
Georgia got up 24-7 in the second quarter on two Brannan
Southerland touchdown runs and an 86-yard punt return for a score from Mikey
Henderson, and later got a 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown from Thomas
Brown, but it wasn't even close to being enough to stop the Tennessee onslaught
in the highest scoring game ever between the two teams. The Vols went on a 44-9
run over the final 31 minutes with a 27-point fourth quarter with two of Arian
Foster's three one-yard touchdown runs, a 15-yard Robert Meachem touchdown
catch, and a blocked punt recovered by Antonio Wardlow for a score. Erik Ainge
finished with two touchdown passes and ran for a score.
Player of the game ... Tennessee WRs Bret Smith and
Robert Meachem combined for 14 catches fro 192 yards and two touchdowns Stat Leaders: Georgia- Passing: Joe Tereshinski, 12-20,
144 yds, 1 TD, 2 INT Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin, 13-78 Receiving: Mo Massaquoi, 3-56 Tennessee - Passing: Erik Ainge, 25-38, 268 yds, 2 TD
Rushing: Arian Foster, 15-63, 3 TD Receiving: Robert Meachem, 7-98, 1 TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... There are
positives out of getting blasted by Tennessee. Joe Tereshinski wasn't afraid to
throw it deep, Kregg Lumpkin ran well yet again, and the return game was
unbelievable ... that's about it. The total breakdown on defense in the second
half exposed the secondary against the first real passing game it faced all
season long. Once the floodgates opened, Georgia needed to get the running game
going and control the ball and the clock a little more. Fortunately, games
against Vanderbilt and Mississippi State over the next two weeks should help
work the kinks out.
Sept. 30
Georgia 14 ... Ole Miss 9
It took two Brannan Southerland touchdowns in the second half
and a late Paul Oliver interception to put Ole Miss away. The Rebel offense
sputtered only getting a 23-yard field goal in the first half after a blocked
punt, but it made things interesting late with a 49-yard touchdown pass to
Dexter McCluster that had to be reviewed as he got the ball punched away right
as he crossed the goal line. Ole Miss only gained 163 yards before the touchdown
drive, but Georgia didn't do much better gaining 248 yards on the night with QBs
Matthew Stafford and Joe Cox each struggling. Player of the game ... Georgia RB Kregg Lumpkin ran 13
times for 101 yards Stat Leaders: Georgia- Passing: Matthew
Stafford, 7-18, 91 yds Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin, 13-101. Receiving:
Demiko Goodman, 4-71 Ole Miss - Passing: Brent Schaeffer,
6-15, 87 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: BenJarvus Green-Ellis, 24-135 Receiving:
Mike Wallace, 2-16 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Georgia
once again got enough D to win handily, but the offense was way too off to get
rid of a vastly inferior Ole Miss team. The receivers aren't providing much help
to Matthew Stafford and Joe Cox, and the problems in the passing game are
allowing defenses to cheat against the run. Even so, Kregg Lumpkin needs to be
given the ball 20+ times. He rumbled for 7.8 yards per carry and is the type of
back who can wear down a defense. None of the other Bulldog backs were able to
do anything. The offense had better quickly find something to hang its hat on,
of Tennessee will win in a blowout next week.
Sept. 23
Georgia 14 ... Colorado 13
Georgia survived thanks to a 20-yard touchdown catch by
Martrez Milner with :46 to play. Colorado had one last chance, but the drive was
snuffed out by a Tony Taylor interception. Joe Cox stepped in for an ineffective
Matthew Stafford and sparked the team completing ten of 13 passes with two
touchdowns on the perfectly thrown ball to Milner and a short pass to FB Brannan
Southerland who took it 23 yards for a score. Colorado got up 13-0 on two Mason
Crosby field goals along with a one-yard touchdown sneak from Bernard Jackson,
but the offense couldn't close out the game with a fumble and a punt on the
final two drives. Player of the game ... Georgia LB Tony Taylor made 13
tackles, one sack, two tackles for loss and one interception Stat Leaders: Georgia- Passing: Joe Cox,
10-13, 154 yds, 2 TD Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin, 12-52. Receiving:
Martrez Milner, 4-64, 1 TD Colorado - Passing: Bernard Jackson,
14-26, 140 yds, 1 INT
Rushing: Hugh Charles, 15-85, 1 TD Receiving:
Riar Geer, 7-71 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Georgia
needed to be pushed a little bit, but the Colorado game exposed the team's lack
of a steady running game and opened up a big question mark at quarterback.
Matthew Stafford wasn't bad; Joe Cox was better. Cox was crisper in his decision
making and got rid of the ball much quicker. The big problem, though, is the
running game. With one of the most talented group of backs in the nation,
there's no excuse to only net 54 yards and average two yards per carry. That has
to change in a big way against Ole Miss or there will be big problems against
Tennessee in two weeks.
Sept. 16
Georgia 34 ... UAB 0
Georgia took advantage of several short fields with no scoring
drive longer than 55 yards capitalizing on field goals from 55 and 38 yards out
by Brandon Coutu and short touchdown runs from Kregg Lumpkin, Matthew Stafford
and Brannan Southerland. C.J. Byrd took a blocked punt 12 yards for the other
Bulldog score. UAB only average 1.8 yards per carry. Player of the game ... Georgia DB Paul Oliver led the D
with six tackles and one tackle for loss Stat Leaders: Georgia- Passing: Matthew
Stafford, 10-17, 107 yds Rushing: Kregg Lumpkin, 10-54, 1 TD. Receiving:
Kenneth Harris, 3-30 UAB - Passing: Sam Hunt, 6-10, 49 yds
Rushing: Dan Burks, 10-46 Receiving:
Sylvester Mencer, 3-21 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... The
defense is playing at a national title level, but the offense continues to be
less than impressive. It's all a learning process for QB Matthew Stafford, who
was efficient and showed off his mobility on a touchdown run. Even so, the
running game needs to be far more effective and soon, Stafford will have to
start sending the ball down the field a little more. With a defense that hasn't
allowed a point in over 120 minutes, the offense will have time against Colorado
and Ole Miss to get a little more going before dealing with Tennessee.
Sept. 9
Georgia 18 ... South Carolina 0
Georgia got field goals from 46, 46 and 42 yards from Brandon
Coutu along with a nine-yard touchdown run from Danny Ware to get past South
Carolina in an occasionally ugly battle. The Bulldog defense held USC to only 35
rushing yards and forced five fumbles, recovering three. South Carolina's
defense had its moments after Georgia starting QB Joe Tereshinski got knocked
out with an ankle injury. Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions, but he led
the team on three scoring drives. South Carolina got into the red zone three
times and didn't come away with any points. Player of the game ... Georgia DE Charles Johnson made
five tackles, four tackles for loss, one sack and one broken up pass Stat Leaders: Georgia- Passing: Matthew
Stafford, 8-19, 171 yds, 3 INT Rushing: Thomas Brown, 16-69. Receiving:
Martrez Milner, 2-40 South Carolina - Passing: Blake Mitchell,
16-22, 156 yds
Rushing: Blake Mitchell, 4-22 Receiving:
Syvelle Newton, 7-49 Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ... Welcome
to the Matthew Stafford era. While no one wants anyone to get hurt, the loss of
Joe Tereshinski to an ankle injury against South Carolina was a positive for the
development of Stafford since it forced him to produce against an aggressive
defense in a hostile environment. While he threw three picks, he showed off his
mobility and all-around potential with flashes of brilliance. Georgia might have
to take a step back to take a giant leap forward, but it'll be worth it. Getting
198 team rushing yards against the Gamecock D is impressive.
Sept. 2
Georgia 48 ... Western Kentucky 12
Georgia had few problems with Mikey Henderson returning a punt
67 yards for a touchdown to start the scoring to make amends after losing the
ball after celebrating too early before crossing the goal line on his first punt
return. The Bulldog defense allowed just 67 rushing yards and was only beaten
for one touchdown on a 16-yard Justin Haddix pass late in the second quarter.
Kregg Lumpin, Thomas Brown and Danny Ware all ran for touchdowns for the Dawgs. Player of the game ... Georgia S Kelin Johnson led the
defense with six tackles and picked off a pass.. Stat Leaders: Georgia- Passing: Joe
Tereshinski, 7-17, 90 yds, 1 TD Rushing: Danny Ware, 6-68, 1 TD. Receiving:
Thomas Brown, 3-20 Western Kentucky - Passing: Justin Haddix,
12-27, 126 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Tyrell Hayden, 10-45 Receiving: C.
Hamilton, 4-71, 1TD Whoopty doo. What does it all mean Basil? ...
Considering this was an easy blowout win over Western Kentucky, the offense
wasn't lights out with the line far from consistent. Joe Tereshinski was fine,
but he wasn't anything special. With Matthew Stafford and Joe Cox playing well,
the quarterback controversy is far from settled going into the showdown at South
Carolina and Tereshinski will certainly be looking over his shoulder if he
struggles early on.
2006 Georgia Preview
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Further
Analysis
Is it possible for a program to have a problem with consistency
after winning 52 games in five years with four straight seasons with
ten or more wins, two SEC championships and three SEC East titles?
No one's questioning Georgia's status as a superpower under head
coach Mark Richt, but there seems to be something missing even after
all the success.
Fine, so it's nitpicking to search for problems with the SEC's best
program over the last five seasons, but there's a nagging feeling of
wanting more. Since Richt has taken over the reins, LSU has won a
national title, Auburn went unbeaten and could've/should've played
for a national title, and both Florida and Tennessee were in a
position to go to the national title game in 2001 before each
tripped over its own feet late in the year. Georgia, for all the
wins, hasn't been really been in the national championship mix
outside of the marvelous 2002 team that lost its shot with a 20-13
loss to Florida in the Cocktail Party.
The Bulldogs won their two SEC titles with veteran lines and solid
quarterback play, and now they might be another year away from being
back to that elite status.
For now, being more consistent
game-in-and-game-out will be the key. How does a team play so
flawlessly against a national-title caliber power like LSU in the
SEC title game and then come out so flat and unprepared against a
far less talented West Virginia team in the Sugar Bowl? When will
the offense finally bail out the defense in a game and not vice
versa? While the Dawgs aren't just going to take a seat and hand
over their SEC title ring, they might be thinking that this year is
all about playing better from week to week before being able
to finish the drill, as the coaching staff likes to say, in 2007.
While the team is now at a point when it can
just reload, this year will take more work losing some major players on
both sides of the ball, particularly on the offensive line and in the
secondary, but as 2003 proved, when the team had to do a major
rebuilding job after its SEC title year, Richt can plug in the right
pieces and still get into the SEC championship game.
There's talent to burn on offense, but it isn't fully developed. The
team's best quarterback is a true freshman, Matthew Stafford, and the
receiving corps needs at least a few warm up games before it becomes
dangerous. The offensive line has no depth whatsoever and has to replace
several key starters, while the running game, considering all the talent
in the backfield, has to be better than 43rd in the nation. The defense has even more issues with a thin linebacking
corps that can't stay healthy, a slightly undersized line, at least for
Georgia, that likely won't be better against the run, and a secondary
that needs to develop the corners and has to replace three starters.
For all the problems and all the concerns, there's still no reason
whatsoever for Georgia to shoot for anything less than a ten-win season.
The schedule works out almost perfectly with the toughest games late in
the year allowing the young team time to develop, and the shelves are
fully stocked with next-level athletes.
Now if they can put it all together on a weekly basis and keep doing all
the little things right, like special teams and not giving the ball
away, they just might find themselves playing an SEC game in December
again.
The
Schedule:
It's certainly not a
walk in the park, but it's as good as can be reasonably asked for
considering the conference Georgia plays in. The SEC opener at South
Carolina could become a beartrap if things aren't quite meshing with all
the new starters. However, get by that game and all the big games are
either in Athens (Colorado and Tennessee) or on a neutral site (the
Florida battle), before the conference finale at Auburn. It's too tough
a slate for an inexperienced team to get through unscathed, but 10-2 is
very, very possible.
Best
Offensive Players:
Junior RBs Thomas Brown, Danny Ware and Kregg Lumpkin. The trio of
fantastic backs all average around five yards a crack and all can
produce. As good as they are, they only combined for 1,658 yards and
seven touchdowns despite playing behind a tremendous offensive line and
with a veteran quarterback like D.J. Shockley to take the heat off. This
year, these three have to carry the load.
Best
Defensive Player: Senior DE
Quentin Moses. One of the SEC's best pass rushers could've turned pro
early, but he's back for what should be an All-America caliber season if
all goes well. He has 19.5 sacks and 32.5 tackles for loss over the last
three years, and he should be even better if Charles Johnson turns into
the playmaker he's expected to become on the other side.
Key player
to a successful season: Junior CB Thomas Flowers. The quarterback situation will turn out
fine, the tackles are talented enough to hold their own and the
linebacking corps will be solid if/when everyone is healthy. But the
defense, and the team, will break down if the secondary isn't
up-to-snuff. It's asking too much for it to finish seventh in the nation
again, but Flowers and fellow junior Paul Oliver must have big years.
The season
will be a success if ... Georgia wins ten games. It doesn't have quite enough firepower
to win the SEC title, or even the SEC East if Florida plays as well as
expected and if Tennessee rebounds, but it'll get back to a bowl game
and it should have a good chance at finishing with double-digit wins.
Key game:
September 9 at South Carolina. The Florida and Tennessee games are
always huge, but the second game of the year, and the SEC opener, in
Columbia will be the tone-setter. Lose to Spurrier and the boys and the
Dawgs will be playing catch-up all year long. Win it, and an 8-0 start is
doable before the Cocktail Party.
2005 Fun
Stats:
- Penalties: Opponents 104 for 756 yards - Georgia 77 for 697 yards
-
Average yards
per penalty: Georgia 9.1 - Opponents 7.3
- Third down conversions: Opponents 70 of 188 (37.2%) - Georgia 60 of
163 (36.8%)
The
Last Time Georgia…
…played in a bowl game…2005 (Sugar Bowl vs. West Virginia)
…missed a bowl game…1996
…pitched a shutout…2003 (Clemson)
…was shutout…1995 (Alabama)
…scored 50 points…2004 (Kentucky)
…went undefeated…1980
…won a conference title…2005 (SEC)
…had a 3,000-yard passer…2003 (David Greene)
…had a 1,000-yard rusher…2002 (Musa Smith)
…had a 1,000-yard receiver…2002 (Terrence Edwards)
…had a first-round draft choice…2005 (DB Thomas Davis and DE David
Pollack)
