Give Alec Ogletree credit. He doesn’t dilly-dally on the football field, nor with important decisions. The Bulldogs’ dynamic junior linebacker said immediately after Georgia’s 45-31 win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl that he intends to turn enter the NFL draft.
“Yeah, it was my last game,” Ogletree said after his 13-tackle performance Tuesday. “I’m just glad we were able to win because I know what kind of talent is on this team. This was the last game for a lot of guys on this team, a lot of seniors, and we all wanted to go out with a ‘W.’ It’s tough to have to go out now, but I feel like it was the right decision for me.”
Ogletree goes out with a bang. In addition to his game-high tackle total, Ogletree forced and recovered a critical fumble when the game was tied in the third quarter, registered three tackles for losses and had a sack and two other quarterback hurries.
Despite missing four games this season for violating UGA’s marijuana-use policy, the 6-foot-3, 232-pound middle linebacker led the Bulldogs with 111 tackles. That’s an average of 11.1 per game.
“He’s a dynamic player who can be a special inside ’backer at the next level; that’s why we moved him there,” defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. “He’s a guy who can play tight coverage; he’s a good blitzer and he’s a special player. His future’s very bright, and we wish him nothing but the best.”
Asked what he’ll miss most about Georgia, Ogletree motioned to his teammates sitting around him during postgame interviews.
“Just the brotherhood we share here, from the fans, the coaches, the players, everybody,” he said. “Everything about it, really. I had a great time while I was here. But I’m excited to move on and see some new things.
“Of course there are some things I wish I could take back. But, you know, overall I feel like I had a great time here at Georgia, and I’m going to cherish that till I die. … It’s a family here, and I’m always going to be part of it.”
Jones breaks record: Outside linebacker Jarvis Jones managed to break David Pollack's school record for sacks in the season without laying a hand on the quarterback. So it's understandable that he had no idea he achieved the milestone when he was informed of the fact in the postgame news conference.
Asked how it felt to set the new mark, Jones, asked incredulously, “Did I break it?”
“I didn’t even know that,” Jones said, laughing. “So I’ve got the sack record? I didn’t even know. Thank you. That’s great.”
Jones, a junior and two-time All-American, came in needing two sacks to break Pollack’s 2002 mark. The first came when a scrambling Taylor Martinez chose to slide as Jones came running up out of a coverage assignment. The record came with about one minute left in the first half when Martinez was called for intentional grounding. Jones wasn’t very close, but was the nearest Georgia player to him, so he was awarded a sack.
That gave Jones 14.5 sacks for the season, more than any Georgia player in history. Two of Jones’ eight tackles also were tackles for loss, giving him 24.5 for the season. That also broke Pollack’s record of 23.5. Jones, who missed two games with injuries, finishes the season with 85 tackles and 168 tackles for loss in two seasons.
Draft analysts list the junior as a consensus top-five NFL pick in April.
Mitchell knocked out: Georgia wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell was knocked out of the game early in the first quarter and did not return.
Mitchell was in his normal position as the Bulldogs’ primary kick returner when Nebraska had to kick after giving up a safety. Mitchell was hit hard on the return by Nebraska defensive Charles Jackson. Mitchell popped up immediately after the play, but later it was announced that he suffered a concussion.
Rhett McGowan and Justin Scott-Wesley found themselves more involved as a result of Mitchell’s absence. The two role players combined for six catches and 107 yards in their most action of the season on offense.
Etc.: Nose guard Kwame Geathers said he still hasn't made up his mind about making the jump to the pros. The 6-foot-6, 355-pound junior made his fifth start of the season Tuesday, finishing with three tackles. … The Bulldogs' first score came on a safety after safety Shawn Williams blocked a punt early in the first quarter. It was the second bowl in a row that Georgia started with a safety. Brandon Boykin tackled a receiver in his own end zone last year in the Outback Bowl. Williams finished his last game with 11 tackles, but once again declined interviews after the game. … Defensive end Abry Jones (ankle) didn't play.
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