Dawgs Win!

FOOTBALL

The Dawgs extended their winning streak to six by defeating Florida 24-20 in Jacksonville Saturday behind the tough fourth quarter running of Richard Samuel IV. This is the first six-game streak since winning its last seven during the 2007 season including beating Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl to finish 11-2.

Also, Georgia now leads the Florida series 48-40-2 including 41-38-1 in Jacksonville. Today marked Georgia’s first win here since 2007. The Dawgs are now 13-4 under Mark Richt following an open date and 2-1 when it comes before Florida. Overall, Georgia is 4-3 all-time against the Gators coming off a bye.

This is the first time since 1988 that the Dawgs have beaten Tennessee and Florida in the same season. It has been 30 years (1981) since the Dawgs have beaten Tennessee, Florida and Auburn in the same season.

The Gators are now eliminated from the east race with four losses.

Today marked the third time Georgia has trailed at the half in 2011 (17-10) and the first time the Dawgs came back to win after trailing at that point. Against #12 South Carolina on Sept. 10, USC led 14-13 at half. The Dawgs also trailed #5 Boise State in the season opener at half (14-7).

Samuel finished with 58 yards on 17 carries with a touchdown. His score came in the final period and gave Georgia a 24-20 edge with 13:18 remaining. It marked Georgia’s first lead against Florida since the 2007 victory 42-30. Samuel had 23 yards on that scoring drive and finished the game at the Gator 1 as time expired. Today was the 19th comeback win for the Dawgs under Mark Richt when it tied or trailed going to the 4th quarter. It was the first since beating #25 Auburn in 2009.

Sophomore OLB and Butkus Award semifinalist Jarvis Jones finished with four sacks for -27 yards and five total tackles. His sacks ranks in a tie for second most in a game in school history, and the most since 2001 when Charles Grant had four versus Auburn. Jones is the fifth Dawg in school history with at least four sacks in a contest. Jones entered the game ranked fifth in the SEC with four sacks. The SEC leader coming into the weekend was Auburn’s Corey Lemonier with six. Georgia had six sacks tonight for -43 yards. Junior ILB Mike Gilliard led the Dawgs with six tackles.

The Dawgs held Florida to minus 19 rushing yards. This marks the lowest output for an opponent since Tennessee finished with -20 yards earlier this year.

The Dawgs scored a pair of touchdowns on fourth down plays against the Gators. They have now scored four TDs on fourth down plays this year. With a fourth-and-five situation late in the second quarter on the Florida 20-yard line, sophomore quarterback Aaron Murray (15-for-34 for 169 yards, 2 TDs, I INT) hit redshirt freshman receiver Michael Bennett for a touchdown to make the score 17-10 Florida. This is Bennett’s second career touchdown grab. In the third quarter, Murray connected with flanker Tavarres King for a 14-yard score on fourth-and-sixth to tie the game at 17-all.

Georgia is 8-for-18 on fourth down conversions this season including 3-for-3 today. Georgia’s other two fourth down conversions for TDs were when Murray hit Orson Charles for a 36-yard score versus #5 Boise State and FLK Tavarres King for a 32-yard TD against #12 South Carolina. Today, King had 3 receptions for 44 yards.
True freshman Chris Conley also had a career-high two catches for 20 yards. Also of note, sophomore Rhett McGowan had his second career catch in the third quarter for a first down. McGowan also had a 12 yarder versus Idaho State in 2010.

Sophomore ILB Alec Ogletree forced a fumble at the Florida 25-yard line and junior FS Bacarri Rambo recovered it with just more than two minutes left in the half. Murray hit Bennett for a 20-yard score in the next series. Sophomore OLB Jarvis Jones forced a fumble at the 7:46 mark in the third period that junior SS Shawn Williams recovered. The Dawgs then scored another touchdown on their next possession. Georgia has forced 17 turnovers and converted them into 48 points.

The Dawgs avoided disaster after turning the ball over at their own 13-yard line after a Murray interception in the opening period. The Georgia defense stalled the Gators’ next drive thanks in part to two sacks and a Florida false start and the Gators were forced to punt. Opponents have scored 35 points off 11 Dawg miscues.

Starting left guard Dallas Lee suffered a broken leg in the third quarter, he will likely miss the remainder of the season.

Sophomore ILB Alec Ogletree started for the first time since injuring his foot in the first quarter of the season opener versus #5 Boise State.

Georgia’s captains on Saturday were senior C Ben Jones, senior RT Cordy Glenn, junior DE Abry Jones and senior DE DeAngelo Tyson.

The Dawgs return to Athens next week to face New Mexico State in Sanford Stadium at 12:30 p.m. on Nov. 5. CSS will televise the game.