So much for looking ahead. Georgia defeated in-state rival Georgia Tech 31-17 for their 10th win in 11 games in the series. Aaron Murray’ two third-quarter touchdown passes built a commanding 31-10 lead they would not relinquish.
While Murray threw four touchdown passes to four different receivers, the MVPs of the day had to be the Georgia defense. Ranked No. 2 in America before the game in rushing defense, the Bulldogs frustrated Tech’ vaunted triple option. They held the Yellow Jackets to 243 rushing yards on the day or about 80 yards below their average. Tech came in with the nation’s No. 2 rushing offense.
Both units will likely drop in their respective rankings, but make no mistake: it was a victory for the Bulldog defense. In addition to containing Tech’ running game, they also picked off Jackets starting quarterback Tevin Washington twice. While Tech’s big-play rushing offense had made several long gainers this season, the Jackets’ two longest plays of the day were passes in the fourth quarter. Tech’s longest run was 27 yards.
Tech’ leading rusher was Roddy Jones, who had just 72 yards on the ground.
Meanwhile, Murray ripped apart the Tech secondary for the second year in a row. Last year, he was 15-of-19 for 271 yards and a touchdown. This year, he was 19-of-29 for 252 yards and four scores. After an interception on the first UGA drive of the game, Murray settled down and led the offense to an efficient performance.
Next up for the Dawgs is the SEC Championship Game at the Georgia Dome against the No. 1 LSU Tigers. Georgia faced LSU the last time they made the conference title game in 2005, when the Bulldogs blew out an LSU team that had national championship aspirations of its own. It was Les Miles’ first season in Baton Rouge.
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