Georgia won its third consecutive game against Florida for the first time in 24 years Saturday, and the Bulldogs remained alive in the SEC Eastern Division race. But you’d never know it from the comments and disposition of their head coach.
Mark Richt was still trying to get over the 20-point lead his team squandered before hanging on at the end for a 23-20 victory.
“It was whatever it was at halftime, and we about lost the dog-gone thing,” Richt said. “That’s why I’m subdued right now. I’m trying to get over it.”
It was indeed a harrowing escape for the Bulldogs (5-3, 4-2 SEC), who needed fourth-quarter sack on an all-out blitz and managed to run out the final 8:17 of the clock to preserve the victory.
Conversely, it was a devastating defeat for the Gators (4-4, 3-3). Not only are they out of the SEC East picture, but with games left against South Carolina, Vanderbilt and Florida State, they’ll sweat out bowl eligibility. And the heat is surely to be turned up on coach Will Muschamp, who falls to 0-3 in the series.
“They’re upset, hurt,” Muschamp said of the Gators, who missed field-goal attempts of 40 and 47 yards. “We’ll rebound, and we’ll be fine.
There was nothing fluky about the way the Bulldogs won it. Clinging to a three-point lead with 8:17 to play, Georgia managed to hold onto the football for the rest of the game. It got four, third-down conversions in the process, the biggest coming on a play-action, roll-out pass from Aaron Murray to Rhett McGowan on third-and-6 at the Florida 37. McGowan’s second effort after catching the ball short of the sticks resulted in the first down with under two minutes to play, and they were able to run out the clock.
It wasn’t the only time McGowan came through for the Bulldogs. Starting because three starting wide receivers are sidelined with injuries, McGowan also had a 23-yard catch right before halftime that set up a 32-yard field goal by Marshall Morgan with no time left on the clock. McGowan had three catches for 43 yards in the game.
“It was exciting; it was fun,” McGowan said. “I was able to make the plays when my number was called, and I’m just thankful.”
Florida native Marshall Morgan also came through for the Bulldogs. The sophomore made field goals of 49, 27 and 32 yards.
Georgia was bolstered by the return of tailback Todd Gurley from an ankle injury. Despite having to leave the games for long periods because he was “gassed,” Gurley managed 100 yards on 17 carries and added another 87 yards on three receptions and scored two touchdowns. He’d been out for the previous three games with a left-ankle injury.
“He’s a beast, just a beast,” senior Garrison Smith said.
Quarterback Aaron Murray improves to 3-1 in his career against the Gators. He was 16-of-25 for 258 yards and a touchdown. Wide receiver Michael Bennett, also returning from an injury (knee), had five catches for 59 yards.
“Great play-calling by (offensive coordinator Mike) Bobo,” Murray said. “I’m just really happy that he put the ball in my hands. To trust me throwing the ball late in the game is a great feeling.”
The Bulldogs outgained Florida 414 to 319, but managed only 5 yards in the third quarter, when Florida got back into the game. But the biggest play of the game for Georgia might have come on defense.
Florida had firmly seized momentum and had driven to the Georgia 41 with a chance to tie or take a lead. But the Bulldogs forced the Gators into a third-and-12 situation, then defensive coordinator Todd Grantham called for an all-out blitz. Junior safety Corey Moore came through clean up the middle and sacked quarterback Tyler Murphy for a 14-yard loss, which forced a punt.
“He called the all-out blitz, and I told him I’m with you 100 percent,” Richt said of the risky play. “Anything could have happened there.”
It should never have come down to that. The Bulldogs had a 23-3 lead and the ball midway through the third quarter. Then everything started to go wrong.
Georgia ran a beautifully-executed tight end screen to the left to Arthur Lynch. But with wide-open field in front of him, the fifth-year senior took his eye off the ball and dropped it. Thinking it was an incomplete pass, Lynch squatted over the ball with his hands on his helmet in disgust.
But Florida’s Leon Orr knew better. He scooped up the loose ball thinking it was a lateral and therefore a fumble and returned it to the Georgia 14. Officials on the field agreed with Orr’s interpretation, and the video replay confirmed their ruling. The Gators scored two plays later to make it a two-score game and would get even closer.
“That changed the momentum about as much as any play could,” Richt said.
