If linebacker Alec Ogletree played his last game between the hedges Saturday it was a good one.
Twenty-one Georgia seniors were honored before the Georgia Tech game in a 10-minute ceremony shortly before kickoff. And it’s a foregone conclusion that junior outside linebacker Jarvis Jones is playing his last season with the Bulldogs. The Butkus Award finalist and 2011 consensus All-American currently ranks No. 1 on most projected NFL draft boards, including the one of ESPN’s well-respected “guru” Mel Kiper.
Then there’s Ogletree. The 6-foot-3, 241-pound junior turned in yet another dominating performance Saturday against the Yellow Jackets. Ogletree, who plays the “Mo” inside linebacker position, recorded a game-high 15 tackles. That gives him a team-best 87 tackles this season.
While it’s not unusual for an inside linebacker to lead a team in tackles, it is a bit surprising when that linebacker missed the first four games of the season because of suspension. In the eight games since, Ogletree has average 10.9 tackles per game.
“He’s kind of tailor-made for this type of a defense,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “He can run sideline-to-sideline, and you’ve got to have somebody like that who can make those kinds of hits. … For him to be able to fly like he can fly, it’s just hard for them to get the edge. Overall, Ogletree’s speed is a huge factor.”
It could be a huge factor at the next level as well, but Ogletree insists he has spent no time or energy contemplating his future.
“I’m not even thinking about that,” Ogletree said following Saturday’s game. “I’m just worried about getting better before this next game. I’ll have a decision to make at the end of the season. But right now all I’m thinking about this next game. I’m trying to handle business here.”
Murray's 3,000-yard club: With two completions on Georgia's opening drive of the game, Aaron Murray became the first quarterback in SEC history to have three consecutive seasons with at least 3,000 yards passing.
Murray, a junior and three-year starter from Tampa, Fla., finished with 215 yards and two touchdowns on 14-of-17 passing. That gives him 3,201 yards this season with 30 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Murray had 3,149 yards, 35 touchdowns and 14 interceptions as a sophomore and 3,049 yards, 24 touchdowns and eight interceptions as a redshirt freshman. He holds the school record for touchdown passes (89) and remains third behind Eric Zeier (11,153) and David Greene (11,528) in career passing yardage (9,399).
“Aaron is a very good leader for us,” Richt said. “He’s very good at preparing himself and his teammates. He gets us in the right play a lot, and he gets us in the right protection a lot. Because of that, we’re not just guessing out there.”
Murray uncharacteristically left the Georgia locker room without talking to reporters. He told one reporter he was in a hurry to meet his parents.
Injury report: John Jenkins lay face down and motionless for nearly a minute near the end of the third quarter, and the Bulldog Nation held its collective breath for at least that long.
Fortunately for Georgia, Jenkins eventually got up with the help of trainers and walked off the field under his own power. Trainer Ron Courson worked on Jenkins’ right ankle on the Bulldogs’ sideline for several minutes before Jenkins took a seat on the bench. After the game he said he was fine.
“It was a little minor thing, it was just a spur-of-the-moment type deal,” Jenkins said. “I was trying to fight off a cut block and get my feet underneath me, but before I could do so and two 300-pounders fell on my ankle. That’s a lot of weight. But I’m fine, I’m good. It shouldn’t be a problem going forward.”
The same couldn’t be said for backup defensive end Mike Thornton. His status was unknown Saturday, but he had to be helped off the field after suffering a leg injury in fourth quarter.
Etc.: Georgia's victory continued an unprecedented period of dominance for Georgia in this storied rivalry. It was the 11th win for Richt in 12 seasons with the Bulldogs — that's the first 11-1 stretch in the series — and the 18th in the past 22. … Gov. Nathan Deal presented the Governor's Cup trophy to the Bulldogs after the game… . Jon Stinchcomb was honorary captain Saturday.
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