Georgia’s 2013 football season was brutally summarized in the span of two plays in the third quarter of Wednesday’s Gator Bowl matchup against Nebraska.
The No. 23 Bulldogs came inches from recording a safety against the Cornhuskers after quarterback Tommy Armstrong Jr. couldn’t handle a high snap. But on the next play – third-and-14 from the half-inch line, Armstrong hit a wide-open Quincy Enuiwa down the left sideline for an NCAA-record 99-yard touchdown.
Georgia freshman cornerback Shaq Wiggins trailed the receiver with out-stretched arms as if to say “what’s happening.” Freshman safety Quincy Mauger failed to make the tackle at midfield. And just like that Nebraska led 24-12 with 4:58 remaining in the third quarter.
That pretty much summed up the year that was for Georgia – inches away from success, seconds away from disaster. After opening the season with a No. 5 preseason ranking the Bulldogs’ year ended with an 8-5 record and will surely be unranked when the final polls are released.
Nebraska avenges last year’s 45-31 loss to Georgia in the Capital One Bowl and finishes 9-4. The Cronhuskers were led by I-back Ameer Abdullah, who finished with 122 yards rushing and scored a touchdown. Armstrong, who stepped in when Taylor Martinez went out for the season with a foot injury in game four, threw for two touchdowns and had 163 yards.
Quarterback Hutson Mason, getting his second start for the Bulldogs, finished with 320 yards on 21-of-39 passing with a touchdown and an interception. Tailback Todd Gurley finished with 86 yards rushing — 11 short of 1,000 for the season — and added seven receptions for 97 yards and a touchdown.
The Bulldogs still had a chance to win late in the fourth quarter with two possessions deep in the redzone. But four dropped passes – two by tight end Arthur Lynch and two by receiver Rantavious Wooten – contributed to Georgia failing to score points on its last two possessions. Lynch’s drop at the Nebraska 6 on fourth down ended the Bulldogs’ chances.
Georgia had three field goals, one touchdown and two zilches in the red zone. Marshall Morgan kicked four field goals.
It was a mistake-filled game for the Bulldogs, played in rain-soaked conditions. The Bulldogs committed two turnovers – a muffed punt return by Reggie Davis and an interception thrown by quarterback Hutson Mason – and each led to Nebraska touchdowns.
Georgia got the ball twice in the fourth quarter trailing 24-19. Wooten couldn’t hold on when he was hit by Nebraska’s Andrew Green on what would have been a first down on fourth-and-two at the Huskers 14. Georgia coach Mark Richt decided not to kick another field goal and try to get the ball with just under five minutes remaining.
Lynch’s drop also came on fourth-and-two, this time at the Nebraska 16. For the Bulldogs it was the eighth game this season decided by five or fewer points.
About the Author
