Georgia’s defense gave up three times as many rushing yards as usual Saturday — and counted that as a success.
“I thought we did great,” Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said of his unit’s play in the 31-17 victory over Georgia Tech. “Stats are irrelevant when you play this team just because they’re going to run the ball so much.”
Georgia entered the game with a No. 2 national ranking in rushing defense, having allowed an average of 81.3 yards per game on the ground. The Bulldogs allowed Tech 243 yards rushing — well above UGA’s average allowance, but below the Yellow Jackets’ previous average of 323.6 per game, which ranked No. 2 in the nation in rushing offense.
Grantham was much more focused on other numbers: points allowed, third-down conversions allowed and turnovers forced.
“They had 10 points at the half, and they had 10 points going into the fourth quarter,” Grantham said. “The most important thing is points allowed, and I think our guys focused on the game plan we had.
“We were able to get off the field on third down early in the game. We created turnovers in the second half. ... I felt like we controlled the game and did what we had to do to win the game.”
On third-down attempts, Tech was 1-for-4 in the first quarter, 2-for-7 in the first half and 7-for-16 for the game.
Georgia intercepted two passes in the third quarter — the first by linebacker Michael Gilliard at the Tech 25-yard line and the second by safety Shawn Williams at the Tech 23.
Gilliard’s interception did not lead to Georgia points, but it did, of course, take the ball away from the Tech offense. Then Williams’ interception, although followed by a 15-yard unsportmanlike-conduct penalty against him, set up a six-play, 38-yard drive that ended with a 3-yard touchdown pass from Aaron Murray to Aron White that gave Georgia a 31-10 lead with 2:57 left in the third quarter.
“I thought the turnovers were definitely big,” Gilliard said. “Especially with Georgia Tech’s triple option, turnovers are the key to winning the football game. Georgia Tech is going to get big plays every now and then; that just comes with that offense. But I felt like we did a really good job.
“Coach Grantham just told us to play physical through the whole game, and then when the fourth quarter was over, start worrying about LSU,” which is Georgia’s opponent in the SEC title game.
Tech completed six of 17 passes for 112 yards, giving the Jackets a total of 355 yards.
Tech’s 17 points were its fewest in a game against Georgia in the four years that Paul Johnson has been the Jackets’ coach — and its second lowest output in any game this season. The Jackets’ worst offensive showing was in a 24-7 loss at Miami on Oct. 22.
“It’s very difficult to defend Tech’s offense; that’s very obvious,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “Everybody that plays against them has a terrible time with it, but I thought our guys kept fighting and battling and did a nice job.”
