ATHENS — Jarvis Jones continued to make plays for Georgia even after Saturday’s game was over.
After recording seven tackles, 2.5 sacks and forcing the game-turning fumble in the Bulldogs’ 19-10 SEC East-clinching victory, Jones reiterated that he planned to return to Georgia next season. The NFL draft-eligible, third-year sophomore from Columbus had made a similar declaration a couple of weeks ago. But the question bore asking again as he has continues to emerge as one of the biggest defensive playmakers in the nation.
“I’ve got a long time left around here,” said Jones, playing his first year at outside linebacker after transferring from USC. “I am definitely coming back. Like I’ve said before, I’ve got a great coach and our whole defense is coming back next year. So why would I mess that up?”
Jones had more good news for the Bulldogs. He gave his assurance that all of Georgia’s defensive underclassmen were going to be back. Nose guard John Jenkins, defensive end Abry Jones and safety Bacarri Rambo are among the junior returnees who would merit draft consideration.
“I’m telling you,” Jones said with conviction, “our whole defense is coming back next year.”
Just having Jones back will be quite a boon. He heads into next week’s regular-season finale leading the SEC in sacks (12.5) and tackles for loss (18.5). He needs just two more sacks to surpass David Pollack (14 in 2002) as Georgia’s all-time sack leader.
Already a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, Jones is playing his way into the discussion for SEC defensive player of the year, All-SEC and All-America.
“Statistically he’s got enough things to back it up,” Richt said. “He’s certainly played great. I think he’s a great player, I really do. I think we still haven’t seen the best of him, though. I think even he’d tell you he has a ways to go. But to this point he’s done a really nice job and I think he should be in the conversation for all those things.”
Big defensive plays at important times are Jones’ specialty. His hit on quarterback Maxwell Smith caused a fumble that Georgia’s Christian Robinson recovered at the Kentucky 9. That set up the Bulldogs’ only touchdown of the game.
Jones almost had another huge play. He batted down a pass and nearly caught it deep in Kentucky territory in the second half. It would have been an easy touchdown had he hauled it in.
“Should’ve gone up with two hands,” Jones quipped.
Turnover victory streak
One reason Georgia’s defense has been so effective this season is its penchant for creating turnovers. The Bulldogs caused four more Saturday — two fumbles and two interceptions — and won the battle of turnover margin for the ninth consecutive game (4-3). They’re second in the SEC with 27 takeaways and a turnover margin of plus-10.
Cornerback Branden Smith snagged his second interception of the season and returned it 53 yards to Kentucky’s 27 in the second quarter. He now has four picks in his career. Cornerback Brandon Boykin added an interception before halftime. It was his third this season and ninth of his career.
Quintavious Harrow caused the other fumble with a tackle on kickoff coverage in the second quarter.
Putting a wrap on East
The 19-10 win over Kentucky gave Georgia its sixth SEC Eastern Division title since the league split into divisions in 1992. Georgia tied for the title in 1992 and 2007, but was unable to lock down the championship game berth because of tiebreakers.
The Bulldogs will make their fourth appearance in the title game, all under Richt, and first since 2005. They are 2-1 in their previous appearances, with wins over Arkansas in 2002 and LSU in 2005. They lost to LSU in 2003.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s nine-game winning streak is its longest in one season since 1982, when the Bulldogs went 11-0. The Bulldogs won 11 consecutive spanning the 2007 and ‘08 seasons.
Murray struggles
It was not a sharp day for quarterback Aaron Murray. He was 16-of-29 passing for 169 yards with a touchdown and an interception. But his touchdown pass extended his single-season record to 28. He has nine interceptions this season.
“I definitely missed some things here and there,” Murray said. “But we did enough to win the game and I’m ecstatic about that right now.”
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