CFN's 2007 Annual Ultimate
Playoff
North Division - Finals
No. 8 Georgia 14 ... No.
3 Miami 10
It might not have been the prettiest game, but Georgia will take it.
Matthew Stafford overcame a horrific midgame stretch to find Mo
Massaquoi in the back of the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown with nine
minutes to play for Georgia's first lead of the game.
The Dawg defense came up with a quick stop, and Stafford connected with
A.J. Bryant to get into automatic field goal range for Brandon Coutu,
but the senior slipped a bit and pushed a 31-yard field goal wide with
just over two minutes to play.
Miami's offense, which sputtered all night long, couldn't take advantage
as Kyle Wright's fourth down pass to keep the final drive alive sailed
over the head of Lance Leggett, and Georgia pulled off the win.
Played in a rainstorm in the first half, neither offense was able to
operate like it wanted to. The defenses had a lot to do with that, as
Miami held Georgia to a mere 22 rushing yards in the first half, while
the Canes ran for just 39.
"It's a shame our offense couldn't get going or even do
what we were hoping for on a few key drives," said Miami head
coach Randy Shannon. "We wasted a tremendous defensive
effort."
Miami's offense came from the defense, as Randy Phillips picked
off a first quarter Stafford pass and got down to the Georgia
12, where four plays later, Wright found Sam Shields for a
three-yard score
Georgia was able to tie it up in the second quarter thanks to a
big punt return from Mikey Henderson, setting up a 13-yard
touchdown catch from Tripp Chandler. That would be Georgia's one
main offensive highlight in a first half that saw three
turnovers, several sloppy plays that with a few missed
assignments, and a painful stretch when Stafford completed just
one of 11 passes with two picks.
"I certainly wasn't as sharp as I needed to be," said
Stafford. "They're defense was incredible, but fortunately
our D came up with some plays of its own."
Miami's offense wasn't always as off as Georgia's, but several
drives failed to go anywhere, forcing a midgame quarterback
change with Kirby Freeman coming in for Wright. In two drives,
Freeman completed one of four passes and was sacked twice.
Wright came back in and led the Canes to a 29-yard Matt Bosher
field goal and a 10-7 lead.
In a losing cause, Miami's Darryl Sharpton made 13 tackles and
Kenny Phillips made 11 stops with an interception and three
broken up passes.
Player
of the Game - Georgia LB Brandon Miller made 12 tackles,
three tackles for loss, and recovered a fumble
Fun Stat - Total yards: Miami 329 - Georgia 178
North Champion - Georgia Bulldogs