Dogs, Moreno leave the Gators and the streak behind in the dust

UGA beats Florida 42-30!

I know from Athens to St. Simons to Hong Kong to Norman to Taipei to Atlanta to Huntsville, you all have been waiting anxiously for the post-game wrap up. So without further ado, here we go...

I have to confess, I didn't see us having much of a chance of winning this game. Our offense & defense have both been inconsistent, Tebow & Harvin have looked unstoppable and recent history loomed like an ominous cloud on the horizon.
But the Dogs took all those factors and stomped all over them... literally.

It was a crazy and intense game- full of highs and lows, but in the end the balance sheet went in favor of the Good Guys and the Dogs beat the Gators by 12- breaking the 40 point mark for the first time since a back named Herschel roamed the sidelines.
Which brings us to another great RB and...

THE OFFENSE: A

It all started with 24. And if you didn't know him before, you definitely Knowshon now. The redshirt-freshman took the rock and the team and help carry both to victory. Moreno tallied 33 carries for 188 yards and 3 TDs and added 17 yards in receptions. But more than just the eye-popping numbers, it was the passion, the power, the moves, the spins, the speed and the energy that Moreno played with that kept the Dogs in the fight the whole game. In fact, Moreno carried the ball 9 straight times on the Dogs opening drive, as UGA didn't even attempt a pass on their way to a 7-0 lead.
The media tried to label Tebow as Superman, but it was Moreno that was flying through tackles, running over people like a locomotive and leaping over the goal line.

Moreno's running and improved OL play helped set up the passing game, especially the play action pass and Stafford was able to connect a long pass to MoMass for an 84 yard TD to go up 14-7.

But Stafford didn't stop there, he posted solid numbers, made good decisions and with the exception of an ill-advised heave-ho from his the endzone that was returned for a TD, he was on the mark most of the night. He connected with Mikey Henderson for a 53 yard TD- Stafford's 3rd of the game- and answered critics (including me) about his maturation this season.

The offense never let up, which seems to be a formula for success against the Gators as Georgia's last 3 wins over Florida have come with the Dogs scoring more than 30 points.

THE DEFENSE: B

Credit to Defensive Coordinator Willie Martinez for bringing a lot of pressure and scheming a very different plan than previously shown this season. And the Dog's D, took the plan to heart and sacked Tebow 6 times, besting the 5 sacks the Gators had surrendered all season. The defense and a sore right shoulder kept Tebow from running the ball and that forced Florida to change their game plan, which played into the Dog's hands.
They also forced 2 turnovers, which resulted in points.
However, the pass coverage was absolutely horrible at times, missing assignments and blowing coverages that lead to some big plays and Florida scores. Harvin also had success running the ball- making defenders miss and out-running linemen and LBs.
In the end, the defense put Florida in enough tough spots and made enough stops to win the game.

SPECIAL TEAMS: C-

Brandon James didn't hurt us on punt returns, but did have a big return that allowed Florida to cut the lead to 5 late in the game. Coutu was hurried and missed a long FG.

COACHING: A

There has been a lot said about Richt's uncharacteristic move in encouraging a celebration penalty after the first TD, so here is my take... If we had lost, maybe I would feel different (and embarrassed), but we didn't and I think one of the reasons is that CMR & the Dogs served notice that we were in-it-to-win-it.
The Dogs knew that they were expected not to back down and the fans learned that this was a different approach than the recent games and recent WLOCP's.
Bobo & Martinez had good gameplans with the exception of that double fake reverse play-action pass that is now 0-2 this season and has lost us at least 20 yards in 2 games. Throw that play away.

OVERALL: well, if you graded it, it would be a B+, but since it was a big win against the Gators it's a solid A

It was great to get a big and much needed win against an SEC rival. It was great to get that monkey- or gator- off our back. It was great to see their guys with their heads down low, instead of suffering through yet another loss.


It's great to be a Gator-hater! And IT'S GREAT TO BE A GEORGIA BULLDOG!!!

Lets fix the defensive lapses and play with passion and intensity and execute the rest of the season.
GO DOGS!





(photos: AP & D. Legge)