The game that was
Georgia (5-2, 4-1 SEC) withstood an avalanche of mistakes, notably a blocked punt in the waning seconds, to defeat Vanderbilt 33-28 Saturday night in Nashville. The victory, albeit ugly and unimpressive, kept Georgia tied for first place in the SEC East.
What we learned
1. There's still a lot of work to do on special teams. Georgia allowed a 35-yard gain on a fake punt that set up Vanderbilt's first touchdown, an untouched 96-yard kickoff return for Vanderbilt's second touchdown and the late blocked punt that would have been a game-winning Vandy touchdown if not for a saving tackle by punter Drew Butler.
2. There's still work to do on defense, too. After climbing to No. 6 nationally in total defense with a string of stellar performances, Georgia allowed 200 yards rushing to a team that had mustered only 45 in its previous two games combined. The Bulldogs allowed two long, second-half touchdown drives (75 yards in 13 plays and 84 yards in nine), though, significantly, the defense stopped Vanderbilt on its final three possessions.
3. Georgia really needs this week's open date. Emotionally and physically, the Bulldogs –- players, coaches, everyone -- appear in desperate need of a break, which the schedule provides this week. That gives leading receiver Malcolm Mitchell's pulled hamstring and leading rusher Isaiah Crowell's injured wrist time to heal for the Oct. 29 game against Florida.
The numbers game
40
Career touchdown passes by Aaron Murray, whose three on Saturday lifted him past current offensive coordinator Mike Bobo (38 in 1994-97) for fourth most in UGA history. (The top three: David Greene 72, Eric Zeier 67 and Matthew Stafford 51.)
Sound bite
"I'm just thankful that [Drew] Butler had the presence of mind to get up and make a play [after the blocked punt]. Because if he doesn't make a play, you know, the game's over."
-- Georgia coach Mark Richt
Loose ends
With Mitchell not playing against Vanderbilt, Marlon Brown and Michael Bennett stepped up with the best games of their college careers. Brown, a junior who had been slowed by an ankle injury, caught four passes for 121 yards, including touchdowns of 27 and 75 yards. Bennett, a redshirt freshman who started in Mitchell's place, had seven catches for 89 yards. ... With Crowell not playing in the first quarter (coach's decision) or fourth quarter (wrist injury) and largely ineffective when he was in the game (10 carries for 35 yards), Richard Samuel led Georgia in rushing with 15 carries for 53 yards. ... Murray had career single-game highs in passes (38), completions (22) and yards (326). He threw those three touchdown passes and one interception. ... Blair Walsh is 12-for-20 this season in field-goal attempts after going four-for-six against Vanderbilt, hitting from 53, 28, 36 and 44 yards and missing from 50 and 42. His six attempts tied a school single-game record. ... The win was Georgia's fifth in a row, the Bulldogs' longest winning streak since 11 consecutive in 2007-08 (the final seven games of ‘07 and the first four of ‘08). ... The win was Georgia's 16th in its past 17 games against Vanderbilt, and 10th in a row over the Commodores in Nashville.
What's next?
The Oct. 29 Georgia-Florida game in Jacksonville will, as usual, be televised on CBS with a 3:30 p.m. kickoff. The Gators (4-3, 2-3 SEC) have lost three games in a row -- 38-10 to Alabama, 41-11 to LSU and 17-6 to Auburn -- and, like Georgia, are off this week. The Gators have won 18 of their past 21 games against Georgia.
Tim Tucker
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