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AJC > Sports > UGA > Blog > Archives > 2007 > September > 02
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Top 3 moments from a good first win
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
My three favorite moments during Saturday’s game against the Pokes:
1) MoMass playing heads-up football with that tackle on the Okie State punter to set up Georgia’s first score. Everyone else seemed concerned with setting up the return, but he saw that the ball was on the ground and rushed in. I bet it felt good to be on the other side of a big tackle for a change!
2) The spin move Knowshon Moreno put on an OSU defender on his first pass reception.
3) The way the fans’ shouts of “No, no!” turned to “Go, go!” when Mikey Henderson started out retreating before finally turning the corner and setting off on that 63-yard punt return.
OTHER GOOD STUFF: Georgia scoring on the first play from scrimmage with Thomas Brown scampering 14 yards on that good-as-new knee. … I liked the way Mike Bobo had us throwing a lot of dumps and screens to our backs, a good way to give them the ball in the open with a head of steam and also take the pressure off our inexperienced offensive line. Moreno had three really nice runs on pass receptions (though one was negated by a clip). … A couple of things I really liked about the game Bobo called: First, we ran mostly out of the I-formation. I think we only ran that awful sprint draw that Richt was so fond of one time (and it didn’t work). Secondly, Bobo showed great patience, especially in the second quarter when a sack and a false start had us at second down and 27. Instead of trying to get it all back in one play, we ran Brown (who got 17) and then threw to Sean Bailey, who took it down to the 3, setting up our third TD. Much of the offense was vanilla, particularly in the second half, but it was effective. … The crowd was really into the game, making a lot of noise when the Cowpokes had the ball. … After a line-drive first effort on which he got a lucky bounce, Brian Mimbs looked pretty solid punting the ball. His hang time seemed to get better as the game went on. … Mr. Reliable, fullback Brannan Southerland, punching in another score from down close. If we’re on the 2, that’s who needs to get the ball. … Only one dropped pass (though it was real bad one, right in his hands) and no turnovers. Pretty remarkable for a first game. … That was an excellent fake by Matthew Stafford on the pass for Georgia’s fourth touchdown. … The second effort by Moreno that extended some of his runs after the first hit.
NOT SO GOOD STUFF: Special teams play was spotty and, at times, disorganized. Kickoff coverage improved after that long return by OSU after our first score, but we got called twice for having 12 men on the field before receiving punts (and would have gotten a third but for a timeout) and it was a real groaner when two Dawgs watched a punt that should have been downed at the Cowboys’ 2 dribble between them into the end zone. And protection for our placekicker was poor on the PATs, which is why we didn’t go for a field goal when we had fourth down on their 32 with 9 minutes left (or, for that matter, at all) despite having one of the top field goal kickers in the country on the sideline. (Kudos to “water girl” Kathryn Richt for asking that question that so many fans wanted to ask on her husband’s Sunday recap show.) That probably also explains why we let the clock run before OSU punted late in the first half rather than call a timeout so we could get in position for a field goal try. I’m sure the coaching staff will be working on improving our kick protection in practice this week since the Gamecocks no doubt will pick up on that weakness. … OSU had most of its success with screen passes and option plays on the right corner of the UGA defense, indicating a need for some adjustment there. … Our defense showed a lot of speed, but there were quite a few missed tackles by the first man to the ball. … Finally, I understand us running out the clock the last three times we had the ball in the fourth quarter, but what the heck was Stafford doing still in there at QB if all he was going to do was hand off to Moreno? That’s what backup quarterbacks are for and it would have given Joe Cox a little game time. Plus, it would have looked awfully stupid if Stafford had gotten hurt while unnecessarily in the game on mop-up work.
OTHER STUFF: How could the Redcoats pay tribute to James Brown at halftime and NOT play “Dooley’s Junkyard Dogs”??!! … Did you notice that all seven of the Munson cups were available randomly at the concession stands, instead of one per game like the Uga cups last year? That’s gonna make it difficult for anyone who wants a complete collection. … Sanford Stadium has gotten its first “name” concession outlets with the addition of a Moe’s Southwest Grill (burritos) in the West lower end zone and a Mcalister’s Deli up in the 600 level (top deck on the North side). How about a Varsity location? … The drink stands remained understaffed and run by folks who didn’t seem sure of what they were doing. Meanwhile, the Sanford shops had more people behind the counter than they did lined up to buy merchandise.
