Aaron Murray threw for 309 yards and four touchdowns as the No. 12 Georgia Bulldogs defeated the sixth-ranked South Carolina Gamecocks 41-30 in front of a crowd of 92,746 at Sanford Stadium. With the victory, the Bulldogs are now first place in the SEC East.
Georgia’s defense surrendered over 200 yards rushing for the second consecutive week, however, when it came down to a pivotal fourth and goal from the one-yard line with about nine minutes remaining in the game, the Dawgs’ defense did not budge. Inside linebacker Amarlo Herrera and company stuffed running back Mike Davis just feet before the end zone. It was a huge stop for the defense considering Davis had found success on the ground throughout the game, including a 75-yard scamper in the third quarter that almost took the wind out of Georgia’s sails. Herrera finished the game as Georgia’s leading tackler with 12 total tackles as well as 0.5 sacks.
From the start of the game both offenses seemed to be in midseason form. Georgia’s offensive line shook off the rust from last week’s loss to Clemson and dominated the line of scrimmage against the Gamecocks. The Dawgs’ pass protection contained South Carolina’s Jadaveon Clowney, who finished the game with one sack and little impact as a pass rusher. The big hogs up front also set the tone by opening running lanes for Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. Gurley finished the game with 30 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one receiving), and Keith Marshall tallied 116 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown.
Justin Scott-Wesley finished the game with a career high 116 yards receiving on three grabs. On 3rd and 13 with 13 minutes remaining in the game, the redshirt sophomore reeled in a pass from Murray and sprinted down the sideline for an 85-yard touchdown that put the Dawgs up 40-31.
Sophomore punter Colin Barber only attempted two punts, including a mishandled snap that South Carolina turned to a quick Connor Shaw to Nick Jones touchdown pass the following play.
Kolton Houston started the game at left guard for Dallas Lee, but in the second quarter was replaced by Lee after getting his ankle rolled up on.
Playing in his first game between the hedges and being able to beat South Carolina for the first time in four years made for a special night for Houston.
“It was a blast, said Houston. It’s been three and a half, almost four years now before I have been able to play here. In warm ups I was able to sit and let it soak in. Being able to see my family up there on the front was very special to me.”
During the game, left tackle Kenarius Gates left the game with an apparent leg/ankle injury and did not return.
Georgia has a much deserved week off before facing the North Texas Mean Green Eagles between the hedges at Sanford Stadium on Saturday September 21.
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