Turnovers Doom Dawgs
JACKSONVILLE, FL- Botched onside kick? check. Interceptions? check. Missed field goals? check. It was a perfect example of "How to shoot yourself in the foot", Saturday for the Georgia Bulldogs. Georgia's offense turned the ball over 4 times versus Florida's zero turnovers in a battle for the SEC Eastern Division. But, it was a combination of things that snowballed on the Dawgs and ultimately caused a one-sided contest. In the first half, the Dawgs drove down the field multiple times on the Gators, but, failed to capitalize, missing two field goals. Mark Richt decided to "roll the dice" early-on with an onside kick attempt. It was one of those plays that makes you look bad or makes you look brilliant, depending on the execution. Unfortunately for Georgia, the momentum-swinging play fell in the arms of the Gators. A successful play here, could have change the entire complexity of the game...... In the first half, especially until that point in the game, I thought the Dawgs had done a great job against Florida's rushing game, as they held the speedy Rainey-Demps-Harvin-James "running back committee" to only one play that went for more that 6 yards (for the entire game)!!! Then, all of a sudden, things went downhill, as Florida got a key first down on a Tim Tebow run that was obviously stopped short of the first-down marker. (Referees failed to get the call right after reviewing the play.) Later in the game, receiver Louis Murphy grabbed Georgia (defensive back) Asher Allen by the jersey and yanked him backwards, then, ran by him, hauling in a 44 yard TD. Are you kidding me???? As the game went on, Matthew Stafford was forced to tough it out, once his leg got rolled up (and injured). Stafford continued to hang in the pocket and sling it around. However, his three interceptions proved costly and provided easy scoring opportunity for Florida. Stafford finished with 18 for 33 with 265 yards against the Gators. Tim Tebow did not have as much yards, but, provided more efficiency completing 10 of 13 passes for 154 yards and 2 touchdowns. Tebow also ran the ball 12 times and scored 3 touchdowns. Florida held Knowshon Moreno to 65 yards rushing and Moreno also gave up a turnover, as he fumbled the ball on a toss-sweep (very unusual for Moreno). Florida continued to capitalize on Georgia's mistakes and I felt their offense really bagan to move the ball once they started passing more (in the 2nd half). Up until that point, the Dawgs had done a decent job, holding the Gators to 14 first-half points. Ultimately, the Dawgs shot themselves in the foot, over and over, and provided easy opportunities for Florida to score and gain momentum. The best team won the game, however, the final score did not indicate how close the two teams are. In a move that was obvious retaliation for Georgia's "celebration" in 2007, Urban Meyer called 2 timeouts with less than 1 minute left in the game........classy. This move by Urban Meyer will be talked about by most of the media as a "last laugh" or a "get even" move. However, this rivalry is far from over as these two heavy weights will meet again next Fall. The Dawgs will bring the same team back for another run at the SEC and National titles. Only next year, it will be the Dawgs seeking revenge......

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