0 My!

The Dogs pitched their second consecutive shutout by beating the Blazers Saturday, 34-0.



While the score would have most people jumping up and down with excitement (and to be sure there was some excitement), we need to take a close look at this victory that left a bad taste in my mouth.

The GOOD:

The Defense was amazing again; holding UAB to 142 total yard, and 60 through the air. Once again UGA did not let the opponent break a 100 yards rushing. They also had 5 sacks and kept UAB from building any real threat.

The Special Teams cranked it up a notch from last week. Thomas Flowers set the tone early with a 25 yard return that gave UGA great field position for their first score. Ely-Kelso was booming punts to the tune of 49.3 a pop. Coutu was perfect, including a 55 yard FG. And Prince Miller and CJ Byrd combined for a block punt returned for a TD. Not a bad day at all.

Stafford was a respectable 10-17 for 107 yards and a rushing TD. He didn't make mistakes and allowed the Defense and Special Teams to play loose.

The BAD:
The Offense still sputtered at times. The rushing game averaged 3.8 yards a carry as opposed to the 5 yards they had been used to. Georgia was also only 2-9 in 3rd down conversions, something that will have to improve against tougher SEC foes.
Thomas Flowers injured his foot and could be lost for the season.

The UGLY:
Penalties! Oh, how I thought we had gotten past all of this. The Dogs were flagged 9 times for 81 yard and gave UAB 3 first downs (or 25% of their firsts). We kept UAB alive far too many time with penalties.

Right now, I am sticking with my previous analysis: Georgia is a great defensive team, a really good special teams team and a work in progress on offense. I think there is a lot of potential there, but we just have to cut down on the mistakes and execute. If we do that, the SEC Championship is a reality.
Up next, the trouble crew from Boulder. Honestly, if we don't kill Colorado, I will be disappointed. They aren't a good team and we should be able to shut them out too (or at least hold them under 10 points).