FOOTBALL
Georgia Posts Huge Win: For the first time in the series since 1988, Georgia held Florida without a touchdown. That year, Georgia won 26-3. Also, Georgia handed the Gators their first loss of the season, spoiling a perfect start for the first time since 1966 when they were 7-0 entering this game (27-10 Dawg win). Today’s 17-9 win was Georgia’s first over a top five team since beating fifth-ranked Auburn 37-15 in Auburn on 2006. Also, today marked the highest ranked team Georgia has beaten since winning the 2005 SEC title with a 34-14 win over third-ranked LSU in Atlanta.
Dawg’s Start Streak: For the first time since a three-year stretch from 1987-89, Georgia (7-1, 5-1 SEC) has won two straight over Florida, who fell to 7-1 overall, 6-1 in SEC. The Dawgs improve to 49-40-2 in the series.
Coach Mark Richt
On the win…"I’d say we were not soft. The defense rose to the occasion, and everyone fought their tails off. There was a lot of emotion and two really good football teams getting after it. We came out on top. I’m really proud of our players and coaches, and our fans were tremendous. Our seniors played well, and I know it’s a game they’ll remember for the rest of their lives.”
On the defensive struggle…“All games with two really good football teams come down to making big plays. We were struggling on offense, but we kept battling. They had their struggles with our defense as well. A lot of times defenses tend to bow their necks in games like this.”
On Malcolm Mitchell’s touchdown…“We had a chance to catch the ball and get in free space, and I’m glad I put Malcolm Mitchell back in the game. I think he learned his lesson. I was very, very impressed with that play in particular.”
On Georgia’s defense…“We held them to field goal attempts early on, and right before the half getting the pick in the red zone was huge. It killed their momentum they had created.”
On Jarvis Jones…“I don’t even know for sure what all he did, but I know he did some big things. It’s unfortunate he hasn’t been healthy, but he just gets right back up. He led like I’ve never seen him lead before. I’m just proud of him and the whole defense.”
On Todd Gurley…“He ran it 27 times and didn’t fumble it, which is huge. I’m proud of him, no doubt. He’s getting yards after contact, and he’s a very physical kid.”
On the Ole Miss game next week…“I saw that Ole Miss won earlier, and I’ve been watching them from afar. I’ve been impressed with what they’ve done. They had a big victory over Arkansas today. I know we have our work cut out for us. We haven’t won the east yet, but we’re in control of it.
Another Monster Game By Jarvis Jones: All-American linebacker Jarvis Jones registered a career-high 13 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries and 3 sacks. Last year in the win against UF, he had 4 sacks. In his two-year career at Georgia, he has tallied 22 sacks which ranks 7th in school history.
Linebacker Jarvis Jones
On the game this week….“This was a great game for us. Shawn Williams gave us a challenge this week and everyone stepped up. This makes me feel better. We played every snap like it was out last and executed the game plan. Today we came out ready to play. I’m proud—this was a great Georgia win.”
On his career day…“I had a great game, but it’s about what we did as a defense. All of us did what we came here to do. We beat the No. 2 team in the nation and it’s a great feeling.”
Points off Turnovers: Georgia came in on the season even in turnover ratio while the Gators were +11 with only four turnovers on the year. Today, Georgia got 10 points off six Gator turnovers while UF got 6 points off three Dawg miscues. Junior OLB Jarvis Jones recovered a fumble caused by sophomore Damian Swann on a sack on Florida's opening possession. It led to a 10-yard touchdown by freshman Todd Gurley. With 1:44 left in the first quarter, Florida notched an INT off of a tipped pass from Aaron Murray. It led to a Gator fumble at the Florida 48, caused by Jones and recovered by senior Cornelius Washington. It led to an INT on a tipped pass at the UF 5. UF converted it to a field goal. UF got another INT at the UGA 11 and turned it into a field goal.
In the second half, Georgia’s Swann got an interception at the UF 25 as the Gators matched their turnover total for the year. It was Swann’s second this year. It led to a 29-yard field goal by freshman Marshall Morgan for a 10-6 edge with 8:34 left in the 3rd quarter. Jarvis Jones recovered a Gator fumble at the UF 26. It led to a missed field goal of 37 yards. Jones got another forced fumble to stop a UF drive in the Red Zone and recovered by Sanders Commings. The Gators ranked the second in the league with a 93 percent scoring mark in the Red Zone coming in.
Gurley Goes Over A 100: Freshman running back Todd Gurley's 10-yard touchdown gave the Dawgs an early 7-0 advantage. It was Gurley's team-leading 11th TD of the season including 10 rushing with one on a kickoff return. He finished with 117 yards on a career-high 27 carries. He has 739 yards for the year. Georgia improved to 51-5 under Mark Richt when they have a 100-yard rusher.
Running Back Todd Gurley
On Georgia’s blocking…“I had great blocking all day. I couldn’t have done it without those guys. I’ve got to give it to (#46 Zander Ogletree), who came into the game and did great after Merrit (Hall) went down, the wide receivers and then the offensive line.”
On making improvements…“We have to stop the turnovers, but the defense kept giving us great field position. We need to work on finishing, but I thought that we finished better than we started.”
On the first touchdown of the game…“That was a great feeling. To score against that kind of defense, especially when it’s against Florida is a great feeling.”
Impressive Effort By Defense: Georgia’s defense forced a Gator fumble on UF’s first possession that led to a TD, and then the Dawgs stopped UF on downs at the Georgia 35 on their second possession. On UF’s third possession, they forced a three-and-out. UF got an INT and took over at the Georgia 45 on its fourth possession. It led to a Gator fumble in heavy pressure, caused by Jarvis Jones and recovered by Cornelius Washington. Georgia eventually gave it back after they had reached the Red Zone on another tipped pass for an INT. UF drove it 70 yards and then was limited to a 38-yard field goal as the Dawgs kept a 7-3 lead with 7:05 left. UF got another turnover at Georgia 11, and the defense limited them to a field to keep a 7-6 edge with 2:44 left. Then, the half ended with a Red Zone stop, Baccarri Rambo notched an INT in the endzone. It was more of the same in the second half, keeping the Gators out of the endzone for the game.
Rambo Moves Up to 2nd in INTs: Senior Bacarri Rambo moved in to a tie for second in Georgia history with 14 career interceptions. He got his first of the year to end the second half to thwart a Gator scoring attempt as he got it in the endzone. Rambo is third in school history in Interception Return Yards with 259.
Safety Bacarri Rambo
On the mood this week...“I’ve never seen us work as hard as wee did this week. Hats off to all of the guys—they’re all my brothers.”
On the game and moving forward…“We haven’t won the East yet. We still have two more games left. We have to get back to practice on Monday and work hard for next week.”
Rare Picks For Murray: Coming in today, junior quarterback Aaron Murray had only four interceptions on the year in 199 attempts and just 26 in 944 career attempts. In the first half today, Murray had three interceptions and was 4-for-8 for 34 yards. Murray’s career-high for INTs is three as he had three against UF in 2010 and three against Miss. State in 2011. Murray finished the game 12-for-24 for 150 yards, 1 TD, 3 INTs. He connected with Malcolm Mitchell for a 45-yard TD to cap a 75-yard drive and a 17-9 lead with 7:11 left in the contest and that ended up the final. Mitchell finished with 5 catches for 74 yards.
Quarterback Aaron Murray
On the first half….“I was disappointed but knew that we were still up 7-6 and had an entire half to play. I knew that we could come out and make some things happen in the second half. We got a fresh start and had 30 minutes of game left.”
On the win….“This is a huge win. Anytime that Georgia and Florida play it’s big. It was a No. 2 vs. No. 10 match-up and the east was on the line so it was a big deal.”
On the post game celebration….“It was awesome. Everyone was going crazy. I felt like we were out there for 20 or 30 minutes. There isn’t a better feeling.”
Captains: Today's captains were junior Aaron Murray (QB), redshirt sophomore Connor Norman (FS), junior Chris Burnette (OG) and senior Cornelius Washington (OLB).
Injuries: FB Merritt Hall injured a right ankle on Georgia's first possession. He did not return.
Up Next: Georgia plays host to Ole Miss next Saturday. Game time will likely be 3:30 p.m. or noon.
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