The game that was
Georgia used a record-setting, 42-point second quarter and five touchdown passes from Aaron Murray to steamroll visiting New Mexico State 63-16 at Sanford Stadium.
What we learned
1. Georgia is now in sole possession of first place in the SEC's Eastern Division. That was determined seven hours after the Bulldogs wrapped up their work at Sanford Stadium when South Carolina lost to Arkansas 44-28 in Fayetteville. If the Bulldogs can beat visiting Auburn on Saturday and Kentucky on Nov. 19, they will represent the East in the SEC Championship Game on Dec. 3 in the Georgia Dome.
2. The Bulldogs' special teams don't have to be horrible every week. Georgia actually performed well in every facet of its special teams against New Mexico State. The Aggies came in with one of the nation's best return games and top returners in Taveon Rogers. But Rogers averaged just 22 yards on seven returns, with a long of 30. The Bulldogs also punted three times without giving up a single return. No field goals were attempted, but Georgia alternated Blair Walsh with Brandon Bogotay on every kickoff and extra point. Coach Mark Richt said he might continue the rotation this week.
3. Georgia is actually pretty deep at tailback. The Bulldogs had to play Saturday without four tailbacks with starter Isaiah Crowell and backups Ken Malcome and Carlton Thomas suspended and Richard Samuel out with an ankle injury. But former walkon Brandon Harton and freshman walkon Kyle Karempelis combined for 161 yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries. Defensive backs Branden Smith and Brandon Boykin received three offensive snaps among them, resulting in two touchdowns totaling 100 yards. Crowell and company are expected to return this week.
The numbers game
627
Yards offense rolled up by Georgia against New Mexico State, the most under Richt and most for the Bulldogs since 667 against Southern Miss in 1993.
Sound bite
“Coach Richt talked before the game about how we haven't had a game where all phases came together and everybody had a knockout game. We've had games where the offense did well or the defense did well or even special teams did all right. But we hadn't had a game where everybody did their job well. And while it wasn't a perfect game, it was pretty close.”
– Georgia tight end Aron White
Loose ends
Davis Webb, a senior finance and international affairs major from Marietta, and Mel Baxter, a communications major from Leawood, Ky., were crowned homecoming king and queen, respectively, on Saturday. ... Georgia's 63 points were the most under Richt (the Bulldogs beat Kentucky 62-17 in 2004) and the Bulldogs' highest output since beating Northeast Louisiana 70-6 in 1994. ... Georgia's 49 points in the first half were the most in one half since 1950.
What’s next?
Georgia (7-2, 5-1 SEC) hosts Auburn (6-3, 4-2) in the 115th renewal of the oldest rivalry in the Deep South on Saturday. The game will be nationally televised on CBS at 3:30 p.m. The defending national champion Tigers were idle this past weekend.
Chip Towers
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