The
big SEC matchups are over. And Georgia certainly stumbled along the way
with unfortunate losses to South Carolina and Florida. Those will likely
keep the Bulldogs from getting a shot in the final four playoffs. Even
with wins against Georgia Tech and, if they get to the SEC Championship
Game, a win over the likely #1 Alabama Crimson Tide (which I think is
likely), the weight of the two losses against struggling teams will
probably keep them out.
But, the reality is that UGA, the way they're playing right now, is
probably one of the top two or three teams in the nation...even with the
loss of Todd Gurley. They just won't be able to prove it in time.
A Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl bid is still a possibility. But, the road ahead
is not easy. Georgia Tech is also playing great football right now and
the rivalry game here next week may be one for the ages.
But, first things first. This week's opponent, Charleston Southern, is
not the cupcake that it might appear. The Buccaneers are on a three game
winning streak by a combined score of 109-62, the last of which included
576 yards of total offense against Liberty.
Running back Christian Reyes could be a factor with over 2,000
yards and Big South Player of the Week. This is their second trip in the
SEC, barely losing to Vanderbilt 21-20.
An SEC East title is still out there, but the Dawgs need a little help.
Missouri has to lose one of its two remaining games against Tennessee or
Arkansas.
The pending lopsided matchup caused a few thousand fans to stay home, not
to mention a few writers in the press box. Things went sour real fast
for Charleston Southern as they began the game with an seven yard run by
RB Ben Robinson, then coughed the ball up as two plays later. One
play later the Bulldogs were in the end zone on a 35 yard catch by Chris Conley
putting UGA up 7-0 with just 1:52 gone on the clock.
The Buccaneers got a little help to start the next drive with a 15 yard
facemask penalty on ss Quincy Mauger putting them at their 42.
But, the high flying Buc offense could get no more with Reggie Davis
letting the punt several yards to the UGA20.
Another quick strike as Nick Chubb took the handoff at the 17 and
outran everyone for 83 yards for his longest run to date to put the
Dawgs up 14-0. It also surpassed a few other marks, Sony Michel's 75 yard from earlier this season and is the longest Bulldog run since
Tim Worley in 1985 against Florida.
The Buccaneers finally got a first down at their 35 on a four yard catch
by WR Colton Korn. But a sack ended the drive with FS Dominick
Sanders suffered a bruised lower left leg forcing him out of the
game. Georgia began their drive at their
39.
A pass interference call broke up a deep pass to Conley as the ball moved
to the CS46. Jonathan Rumph eluded tacklers for 17 yards to the
29. Hutson Mason kept it for a first down at the 20, then went to
the air and found Scott Wesley in the end zone for a three score
lead, 21-0.
Jordan Jenkens hit CB Austin Brown for a six yard sack to the
19 on another three and out and the Dawgs took over at their 36.
They picked up where they left off with 30 yard pass to
Michael Bennett at the CS44.But they came up short and were going to
punt but called a time out. Instead they sent in Marshall Morgan
who connected for a 53 yard field goal, his longest of the season. 24-0.
The Bucs stalled again to start the second quarter with UGA starting
their drive at their 23. The Bulldogs got to the 48 yard line, then got
another first down on carries by Michel and Chubb. Mason hit Rumph in
the middle of the field for 22 yards to the 19. Chubb got nine more on
the ground bringing up a first and goal, then took it in the rest of the
way for a 31-0 lead.
Charleston Southern would try again after a four yard loss on a Brown
fumble. But to no avail. Georgia began at their 32.
On the first play, Bennett got them to the CS38 on a 30 yard reception. A
David Andrews hold moved them back to the 40 with Morgan missing
a 49 yard field goal attempt.
Trying to avoid a heavy rush, Brown was picked off by at the Mauger at
the CS23. Conley made them pay with an impressive diving TD catch to
make it 38-0.
The Buccaneers finally got a positive play with a 16 yard Reyes rush to
the 41. They continued with a Josh Dawson 11 yard run to the UGA
38, their first time past the 50, but just a little over a minute left
in the half. Brown kept it for six to the 29. Reyes got them another
first with 33 seconds to go. No more on the drive, but Charleston
Southern finally got on the board with a 45 yard career long David
Kennedy field goal. 38-3 at the half.
Time for some backups to get some valuable playing time. With Brendon
Douglas in, the sophomore tailback got UGA a first down at the 36.
Bryce Ramsey took over at QB and hit TE Jeb Blazevich, who
broke a tackle for a first down at the CS40. A pass interference call
gave Georgia a first down at the 25. Not missing a beat, Ramsey found
Rumph in the corner of the end zone to make it 45-3.
Charleston Southern picked up a first down an a Zane Cruz carry to
the 38. Desperate, the Bucs went for it on fourth and two but lost a
yard with the Dawgs taking over on downs at the CS40.
Ramsey took advantage of the great field position and quickly hit Rumph
for 14 yards to the 31. Sixteen more with Douglas on the ground to the
10. The Dawgs tacked on three more to make it 48-3.
From there, it was pretty much all second and third string with another
TD for UGA and two more ineffective drives ending in field goals for the
visitors. Final score 55-9. Next up, the Yellow Jackets take their turn
in Athens in what may be a barn burner.