The game that was
Georgia scored on its first six offensive drives, and eight of its first nine, and defeated Coastal Carolina 59-0 in a mismatch that was true to both programs' places in college football's pecking order.
What we learned
1. Georgia isn't hesitant to play "Dream Teamers." Three members of the Bulldogs' highly hyped 2011 signing class started against Coastal Carolina: wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who caught six passes for 43 yards and a touchdown; tailback Isaiah Crowell, who had 16 carries for 86 yards and a touchdown; and cornerback Damian Swann, who was one of three corners on the field at the start. Four other true freshmen played for the first time, meaning they will not be redshirted: outside linebacker Ray Drew and offensive linemen Watts Dantzler, Hunter Long and David Andrews. In all, 14 members of Georgia's 2011 signing class -– 13 freshmen plus junior-college-transfer defensive lineman Jonathan Jenkins –- have played this season.
2. Shawn Williams will play linebacker for at least another week or two. Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham moved the junior safety to inside linebacker last week because of injuries to starters Alec Ogletree and Christian Robinson. Williams adapted well to the position and will stay there at least until one of the injured linebackers returns to action. Coach Mark Richt said the most optimistic scenario would have Robinson back for the Oct. 1 home game against Mississippi State; the Oct. 8 game at Tennessee might be more realistic. Ogletree will be out longer, perhaps until Oct. 29 against Florida.
3. That was money well-spent. Georgia paid Coastal Carolina, an FCS program in its ninth year of football, $475,000 for the game and got what it paid for –- a respite in a rigorous schedule.
The numbers game
9
Touchdown passes through three games by Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, including seven in the past two games.
Sound bite
"We wanted to stop them as many times as we could, and score as many times as we could, and that's what we did."
-- Georgia cornerback/kick returner Brandon Boykin
Loose ends
Crowell made a rookie mistake: He opted not to wear his ribs protector at the start of the game. "That was a freshman move," Richt said. After taking a shot to the ribs for the second consecutive game, Crowell donned the protective gear. . . . Late in the one-sided game, tight end Orson Charles was on the verge of playing defense -- until Richt heard about the plan. "I think somehow he talked Grantham into promising him he could play defense," Richt said. "Before Todd did it, he asked me, and I said no. There was no way. [Charles] was mad at me, but I said, ‘Look, Coach Grantham kept his promise to you; I made him break it."
What's next
Georgia (1-2, 0-1 SEC) returns to conference play with a 12:21 p.m. game Saturday at Ole Miss (also 1-2, 0-1). The game will be televised on SEC Network. Ole Miss is coming off a 30-7 loss at Vanderbilt (3-0, 1-0).
About the Author
