Dawgs Take Sting Out Of Tech 31-17

FOOTBALL

With today’s 31-17 win over Tech, the Dawgs (10-2) extended their winning streak to 10 straight this season. It’s the longest winning streak in a season since the 1982 team under Vince Dooley went a perfect 11-0. The Dawgs improved to 43-7 all-time in non-conference games under Mark Richt including 10-1 against Tech.

Georgia leads the all-time series over the Jackets 62-37-5.

Sophomore QB Aaron Murray finished 19-for-29 for 252 yards, 4 TDs and one INT. In the first half, he was 13-for-18 for 193 yards with 2 TDs and 1 INT. He owns the school record with 32 TD passes this year. Today, he completed passes to nine different Dawgs, and his top target was junior tight end Orson Charles (5 rec., 95 yards). His TD passes went to Michael Bennett (15-yarder), Chris Conley (14-yarder), Tavarres King (3-yarder) and Aron White (3-yarder).

Sophomore Alec Ogletree (LB) led the team with a career high 11 stops including 10 solo while sophomore Jarvis Jones had eight plus one sack. He has an SEC-best 13.5 sacks. The Dawg defense allowed just 17 points to Tech’s spread option attack as it ran 70 plays and gained 355 yards overall (243 rushing). Miami was the only team to hold Tech to fewer points this season in a 24-7 win.

Senior Blair Walsh now has made at least one field goal in 43 games in his career, tying the NCAA mark held by former Georgia kicker Billy Bennett (2000-03). Walsh made a 41-yarder to close out the first half. Walsh is 73-for-97 and has the most field goals, attempts and points of any active NCAA kicker. Today, Walsh scored seven points to give him 400 for his career which ranks second in Dawg and SEC history, trailing only Bennett (409).

Senior CB/KOR Brandon Boykin began the second half with a 60-yard kickoff return to move into 2nd in SEC history for career kickoff return yards. It was his only return to give him 2,544 yards on 103 for his career, both school records. The big return led to a 3-plays, 36-yard touchdown drive in 1:24 to put Georgia in front 24-10.

Georgia blanked Georgia Tech 7-0 in the first quarter. Georgia has outscored its opponents 95-27 in the first quarter this season. The scoring came on a 15-yard TD pass from Aaron Murray to Michael Bennett to cap a 5-play, 76-yard drive in 3:13.

Redshirt freshman Ken Malcome (TB) made his first career start. Senior Cordy Glenn (LT) made his team-high 48th overall start including his 45th consecutive start. On defense, senior Brandon Boykin (CB) made his 36th career start including 20th in a row.

In the second half, junior LB Mike Gilliard got his first career INT, getting it at the Tech 25. It led to a punt. Shawn Williams snagged his third INT of the season at the 6:31 mark in the third quarter. Following a penalty, Georgia got the ball on the Tech 39. It led to a TD (Murray-to-Aron White). The Dawg defense has 17 interceptions this year. Georgia is +10 now in turnover margin and scored 103 points off 29 turnovers. In the first half, Georgia Tech got one interception (Louis Young) at the Dawg 27 and was forced to punt. Opponents have only 42 points off 19 Dawg turnovers this year.

Senior DeAngelo Tyson (DE) injured his left ankle on Tech’s first series and did not return. Last year, Tyson had a career-high 16 tackles in the win over Tech. Sophomores Garrison Smith and Kwame Geathers saw more action with Tyson out and Smith had a career-high five tackles and Geathers had four.

In honor of legendary Dawg play-by-play broadcaster Larry Munson, who passed away last Sunday, Georgia’s players and coaches wore a special helmet decal today. The decal featured Munson with his headset along with “1922-2011” and “Hunker Down One More Time.” Also, the UGA Redcoat Band honored Munson at halftime including spelling his name out.

Georgia’s captains today: Drew Butler (P), Ben Jones (C), Jarvis Jones (OLB) and Abry Jones (DE).

Georgia will face top-ranked LSU (12-0, 8-0 SEC) in the SEC Championship Game in Atlanta. It will be at the Georgia Dome Saturday at 4 p.m. on CBS. LSU and Georgia own the best records in the SEC in the Richt era. The Dawgs are 106-36 since 2001 while the Tigers are 114-28.