Our columnist Jeff Schultz gives his take on the game.
1. Special teams still a mess. Coach Mark Richt has resisted having a full-time special-teams coach. Georgia's special teams are miserable. We'll let you draw your own conclusion on whether there's a connection between the two. Of all the things that went wrong Saturday, special teams played the biggest role in the loss. The Commodores scored three touchdowns — or 21 of their 31 points — off of special-teams breakdowns. Their first touchdown came on a fake field-goal attempt (that gave Vandy a 14-10 lead). A muffed punt return by Damian Swann late in the third quarter led to a touchdown drive that put the Commodores ahead 27-21. Finally, with Georgia leading 27-24, a punt snap by Trent Frix over the head of Georgia punter Collin Barber at the Bulldogs' 13-yard line set up Vandy's winning TD run by Jerron Seymour with 2:53 left.
2. Targeting rule off-target. In general, I have no problem with the intent of college football's targeting rule because something needs to be done to lessen the numbers of head injuries. But there were two debatable calls against Georgia's Ray Drew and Ramik Wilson. Drew was justifiably called for a personal foul for his hit on Vanderbilt quarterback Austyn Carta-Samuels in the second quarter, but his ejection seemed over the top, even if accurate by the letter of the law. Wilson's hit on wide receiver Jonathan Krause on a fourth-down incomplete pass didn't even seem deserving of a personal foul let alone a targeting violation — it was shoulder-to-shoulder — but he was flagged. Wilson's automatic ejection was reversed after a review, but the personal foul extended a drive that led to a Vanderbilt touchdown. Damage done.
3. Offense just not there. Georgia's injury problems on offense have been well-chronicled (out: two best running backs and three best wide receivers). The team also lost a fourth wide receiver, Chris Conley, with what appeared to be a serious ankle injury. But the Dogs' offensive line also struggled to open many holes against the Vanderbilt defense and the play-calling of Mike Bobo seemed too conservative, particularly in the second half when they had three consecutive three-and-outs. Bobo and quarterback Aaron Murray, who threw for only 114 yards, both credited Vandy's defense, but Georgia could have attacked more.
About the Author
