Gators rough up Georgia QB Stafford

Jacksonville — Through his first two seasons as Georgia’s starting quarterback, Matthew Stafford’s main bugaboo was his penchant for throwing interceptions. That was an area in which he seemed most improved this season.

But then he threw three interceptions in the second half against the Gators on Saturday and they were all killers. Florida had 152 yards in interceptions.

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Brant Sanderlin /bsanderling@ajc.com

It was rough day for Georgia quarterback Matthew Stafford, who had to be helped up by Knowshon Moreno on this play.

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“We shot ourselves in the foot,” said Stafford, who completed 18-of-33 passes for 265 yards.

The worst mistake was the first, an 88-yard interception return to Georgia’s 1 by Florida’s Joe Haden. Trailing 14-3 in the third quarter, the Bulldogs had driven from their 2 to Florida’s 29. The Gators needed one play to make it 21-3.

“That pick was the key,” said Stafford, who has eight interceptions against 12 TDs this season. “If we go in there and score it’s 14-10.”

It was the beginning of the end for Georgia’s offense. It committed three more turnovers on its next four possessions — two interceptions and one fumble.

“We made some huge mistakes,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “When you make big mistakes against a really good team, then a game can get away from you.”

That said, Richt said the loss shouldn’t be pinned on Stafford.

“I think Matthew’s past that type of a situation where he feels like he has to make a risky throw,” Richt said.

Stafford was sacked twice for a loss of 16 yards but was pressured many more times.

Another turnover came when Knowshon Moreno mishandled a pitch on a toss sweep. Florida defensive tackle Terron Sanders carried it down to the Georgia 10. The Gators scored two plays later.

Said Moreno: “Good pitch. I just dropped it.”