The seventh-ranked Georgia Bulldogs took on the Missouri Tigers last night in what was billed as a historic matchup. The game was Missouri’s first SEC game as a member of the conference.
In what was seen as Missouri’s welcoming party, the Bulldogs played the role of the party crasher with a 41-20 win over the Tigers.
The Bulldogs’ offense had trouble moving the ball in the first quarter even when it was given the ball at the 50-yard line. Fumbles and false start penalties were among the reasons for Georgia’s ineptitude on offense in the first quarter.
Both teams got in the scoreboard in the second quarter but Mizzou was the first to score with a field goal. Georgia answered shortly after with a field goal of their own but at that point, the momentum belonged to Missouri. The game seemed to get away from the Bulldogs when Missouri scored on a 41 yard touchdown pass with less than two minutes remaining in the first half. Georgia answered with a touchdown drive of their own with 30 seconds left but Marshall Morgan missed the PAT to end the half at 10-9 Missouri.
In their opening game against Buffalo, the Bulldogs also started off slow but made adjustments at the half to rout Buffalo. The team seemed focused coming out of the locker room to start the half but Missouri had different plans for Georgia.
On their first drive of the second half, Missouri quarterback James Franklin hooked up with L’Damian Washington for a 69 yard touchdown. The score put Mizzou up 17-9 as the team showed that it belonged in the SEC.
Georgia abandoned their pro style ways on the next drive and ended the drive with a touchdown catch by wide receiver Tavarres King. The Bulldogs went for two and converted, tying the game at 17 apiece.
This was the turning point in the game.
The Georgia Bulldogs would outscore Missouri 24-3 the rest of the game to seal their first SEC victory of the season. A combination of fumbles and an interception put Georgia in great position to score and the team took advantage of every opportunity they received.
Unaccustomed to playing physical football for four quarters, Missouri seemed to lose steam as the game went on while the Bulldogs seemed to get stronger going into the fourth quarter. Short passes out of the spread propelled Georgia to two touchdowns in the third quarter but they turned back to their “old man” ways and pounded the ball on the ground. Todd Gurley and Ken Malcome rushed for touchdowns in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for the Bulldogs.
Though a 41-20 game often means that offense was the dominating factor, the Georgia defense was a huge key to the game. The team held dual-threat quarterback James Franklin to 25 yards rushing on 20 rushes, one of the team’s keys to the game. All-American Jarvis Jones was all over the field forcing two fumbles while also notching a sack and interception. Jones’ interception set the Dawgs up at their 1-yard line in the fourth quarter and was the nail in the coffin for the Tigers.
Quarterback Aaron Murray threw for 269 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. Todd Gurley started the game for the Bulldogs and finished with ten carries for 65 yards and a touchdown. Freshman running back Keith Marshall played a majority of the game as well, rushing 12 times for 32 yards. Senior Marlon Brown was the leading finishing with eight catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns.
Missouri defense tackle Sheldon Richardson said during the week that the Bulldogs play “old man football” but in the end, Georgia showed Mizzou that they do indeed play a version of “old man football.” However, the Bulldogs call it “grown man football.”
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