UGA's defense makes its move

“The first game, we were prepared,” Dobbs, a defensive end, said of Georgia’s season-opening 55-7 victory over Louisiana-Lafayette. “[After that], we thought we were ready, and we just had a tough time with the basic things, like tackles. It all came down to missing tackles and people not knowing their assignments.”

That was evident as Georgia struggled to stop big plays and third-down conversions. The breakdowns, along with issues on offense, led to a four-game losing streak that finally ended when the Bulldogs defeated Tennessee 41-14 on Oct. 9.

Thanks to that win and last week’s 43-0 shutout of Vanderbilt, Georgia’s defenders are confident their past issues are extinct, even if the SEC’s top two scoring offenses still are on their to-do list.

After they play at Kentucky, which is second at 35.3 points per game, on Saturday, and then Florida, they’ll face Auburn (40.7 ppg) on Nov. 13.

“We’ve improved,” Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. “I’ve seen guys improve individually. I’ve seen guys improve their toughness. I’ve seen guys wanting the team to do well. Obviously we’ve got to continue to work to get to where we want to get to, but for the initial stages, I think the guys are working hard.”

The Bulldogs have steadily crept up the SEC’s defensive rankings.

They’re No. 4 in scoring defense at 17.4 points per game, 20th in the FBS (formerly Division I-A), and third in total defense at 290.1 yards, 14th in the nation.

Despite having faced Ryan Mallett’s arm and Marcus Lattimore’s legs, they’re No. 6 against the pass (186.7 yards) and fourth against the run (103.4 yards, 16th in the nation).

“I think everyone is starting to feel more comfortable and buying into the system,” Dobbs said. “When you study and start to get it, it’s all about execution. I think people have been taking it more seriously, and I don’t know if it was just a wake-up call at the Colorado game or what, but I think it’s just starting to click.”

Georgia’s defense is receiving help from the offense, for a change. A year after finishing 118th out of 120 FBS teams in turnover margin, the Bulldogs are at plus-4, second in the SEC. They’re also leading the SEC in time of possession (31:30), limiting the defense’s plays and minutes on the field.

“When the offense does their job, they don’t turn it over, it all works together,” coach Mark Richt said. “I think we are getting more comfortable, all the way around, and confident. When you score, it puts more pressure on your opponent to make plays because they have to score, too, so that helps the defense.”

Grantham said he has been pleased with the defense all season, despite breakdowns that have led to big plays, a last-second loss to Arkansas and a second-half collapse against Colorado. Also, it’s helped that statistically, Tennessee and Vanderbilt are the two worst offenses in the SEC.

The Bulldogs don't care that they've stopped two offensively challenged teams. They're proud of what linebacker Christian Robinson called their "goose egg" and for allowing only 14 points the past two games, Georgia's best two-game stretch since 2006.

"We’re just flying around, trying to get to the ball and make plays,” linebacker Akeem Dent said. “We just want to have that relentless defense. We want to be relentless and get after it.”