Dawgs Win 55 - 7

FOOTBALL

With the 55-7 win, the Dawgs have now scored more than 30 points in five straight games for the first time in school history. The 55-point outburst today included 35 in the second quarter, the most since 1988’s game against William & Mary (also in the 2nd quarter). The 41 points in the first half were the most since scoring 49 against Northeast Louisiana in 1994. The 48-point margin of victory matches the biggest for Georgia during Mark Richt’s 10 years as head coach. Earlier this season, Georgia also beat Louisiana 55-7.

Redshirt sophomore safety Bacarri Rambo grabbed his second interception of the year and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter. Rambo now has four INTs in his career. He also returned an INT for a touchdown at Tennessee last season. Late in the third quarter, senior CB Vance Cuff returned his first INT of his career 30 yards for a touchdown. These were the second and third INTs returned for a touchdowns for the Dawgs this season after junior safety Jakar Hamilton returned one for a score versus Louisiana earlier this year. This marks the first time Georgia has scored two touchdowns on INTs since Darryl Gamble snagged a pair and scored at LSU in 2008. Junior CB Brandon Boykin also recorded his second INT of the year and fifth of his career later that quarter today. His last pick came against Louisiana in the season opener. The Dawgs have 12 INTs through 10 games in 2010 after recording 10 during the 2009 season.

Junior flanker A.J. Green had a pair of touchdown catches in the opening half. He is now No. 2 on the all-time UGA list with 21 TD catches in his career (Terrence Edwards, 30). Green caught a 3 yarder following Brandon Boykin’s interception for his first score. He then grabbed a 46-yard TD catch later in the second period. Green finished with six catches for 103 yards. He now has six 100-yard games in his career.

Senior tightend Bruce Figgins had a 6-yard touchdown catch late in the first quarter. This marks his first score for Figgins since he had a TD catch versus Oklahoma State in 2007 and second of his career.

Redshirt freshman QB Aaron Murray played two and a half quarters versus the Bengals and finished 19-of-27 for 228 yards. He also tied his career high with three touchdown passes for the fourth time in his career.

Junior placekicker Blair Walsh tied his career long with a 53-yard field goal at the 1:19 mark in the opening period. He also drilled a 53 yarder at Oklahoma State in 2009. Walsh is 8-for-12 from 50+ in his career. He also hit a 38-yard field goal early in the first quarter. Walsh finished with 12 points on the game, two shy of his career high. Walsh has now kicked at least one FG in 18 straight and in 32 games overall. He is 17-of-20 on the year and 52-of-65 in his career. In the second half, junior PK Brandon Bogotay successfully kicked the first point-after attempt of his career and then missed his first field goal attempt.

Freshman strong safety Alec Ogletree blocked the Dawgs first punt of the season late in the first quarter. The punt ended up being a 21 yarder. This is the 19th blocked punt in the Mark Richt era. Bacarri Rambo blocked the last punt for Georgia against Texas A&M in the 2009 Independence Bowl.

Freshman strong safety Alec Ogletree started his first game on defense. He blocked a punt and had a tackle in the game. Ogletree started at WR in an away game versus Kentucky.

Senior fullback Josh Sailors saw his first action today and became the third set of brothers to see action this season in the same game, joining his redshirt freshman CB Blake Sailors. The other two sets to see action this year have been the Murrays (Aaron and Josh) and Ogletrees (Alec and Alexander).

Injury Report: Redshirt freshman nose tackle Kwame Geathers injured his ankle in the third quarter and did not return.

“We did a nice job today, coach Richt stated. ‘We started off a little slow offensively, but the defense did a good job of making plays. We had a pick-six and another interception, and after that, the offense got into the flow. he defense and special teams really did ignite this thing today.”

On playing several reserves…

“It’s most exciting because it’s great for morale. Some guys played for the first time ever, some played for the last time ever, and some played for the first and last time ever. There’s nothing like getting out on the field and playing for the University of Georgia. We got that done for a couple of guys today, and I’m excited for them.”

On making the most of playing time…

“Every time you get a chance to play, it’s a chance to show the coaches you deserve more playing time and maybe even to start. You take advantage of every opportunity you get. A lot of guys have been getting opportunities to show
what they can do. The better you do, the more you play.”

On playing Auburn…

“We’re excited about the game with Auburn. Every man on the team, I’m sure even before the clock hit zeros, was thinking about going to Auburn and playing this game. We want the opportunity to play the No. 1 or No. 2 team in the country. I hope they get voted No. 1. I would love to play a No. 1.”

On early offensive problems…

“We had people open and we had opportunities, but if it’s not in play, you’re not going to catch it. For whatever reason, Aaron (Murray) was a little off early. Every QB has a moment or two where he’s not as sharp as he ought to be. Once we got some touchdowns on the board, Murray started putting it on the money. He settled in and played well after that.”

Redshirt Freshman Quarterback, #11 Aaron Murray

On the game…

“We got off to a little bit of a slow start, but we got it going to finish the second half strong. We scored 35 points in the second quarter. There are definitely some things we have to work on, and we are going to work really hard to get ready for next week against Auburn.

“Every game you learn a lot. I personally got off to a sow start and had a lot of errant throws, but it’s just something to learn from and keep working on.”

Junior Receiver, #8 A.J. Green

On next week’s game against Auburn…

"Auburn is a great team, and we are looking forward to the game. It’s going to be a great challenge but also a great opportunity.”

On his touchdown reception…

“I feel like whenever the ball is my hands I can make a play. I just had a look inside, Aaron gave me a great throw, and I knew I had it from there.”

On Idaho State…

“They really had some good athletes and some good tacklers. So we had to keep working hard.”

Redshirt Sophomore Safety, #18 Bacarri Rambo

On his performance…

"I could have had five or six interceptions, but I dropped way too many. This week I really studied the game plan a lot but also worked on my ball skills. I did some drills with the wide receivers, really working on my hands. After I dropped an interception against Florida last week, it really stuck with me.”

Junior Linebacker, #42 Justin Houston

On the defense…

"The way that this season has gone, the defense has been getting a lot better each week but we still have our weaknesses. We try to focus every week on making our weaknesses our strengths.”