Aaron Murray completed 22 of 30 passes for 408 yards and four total touchdowns (3 passing, 1 rushing) to lead the ninth-ranked Georgia Bulldogs to a 45-21 win over the North Texas Mean Green.
Georgia gained 641 yards on 74 offensive snaps, which ranks fourth all-time in school history, as well as holding North Texas to 245 total yards. However, taking a look at the score and the final stats is misleading. The Mean Green certainly gave the Bulldogs a run for their money by showcasing their ability to force turnovers and capitalize off of Georgia’s mistakes. Midway through the first quarter Aaron Murray threw an interception in the end zone from the three-yard line costing the Dawgs a chance to go up early. With less than eight minutes remaining in the first half The Mean Green’s Brelan Chancellor ran back a 99-yard kickoff for a touchdown that trimmed the Dawgs lead to seven. Meanwhile early in the third quarter North Texas recovered a blocked Georgia punt in the end zone for six to tie the game.
With 7:12 remaining in the game North Texas quarterback Derek Thompson led the Mean Green down the field only to throw an interception deep in Georgia territory. Aaron Murray and the Dawgs turned the pick in to seven points with a 12-play 95-yard touchdown drive.
History was made today when Aaron Murray hooked up with freshman wide receiver Reggie Davis for a 98-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage in the second quarter—the first of the Davis’ career. The touchdown was not only Murray’s 100th career touchdown pass, but also the longest pass in school history, trumping the 93-yard miracle pass from Buck Belue to Lindsay Scott against the Florida Gators in 1980 as well as two other 93-yard passing plays in school history. Murray threw for two more touchdowns and currently sits at 102 only trailing Danny Wuerffel by 12 with eight games remaining in the regular season. With today’s passing performance, Murray also moved past David Greene (11,277) as UGA’s total offense leader in school history.
Last but not least, the defense most definitely played well. For four quarters the Bulldogs’ defense only allowed one touchdown while shutting down the Mean Green’s rushing attack giving up 48 yards on 25 attempts. That was a huge step in the right direction considering the team gave up 200-plus rushing yards in the first two games of the season. Outside linebacker Leonard Floyd recorded a team-high two sacks–the freshman’s first two career sacks.
Todd Gurley scored one rushing touchdown while rushing for 94 yards on 21 carries, narrowly missing out on eclipsing the century mark for the third consecutive game in 2013.
The Bulldogs will take on the No. 6 LSU Tigers next Saturday between the hedges in an SEC showdown. This game marks the third top ten ranked opponent the team will have faced in the first four games.
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