Georgia broke a few streaks tonight.
UCF running back Latavius Murray scored on a 10-yard touchdown run with 9:01 left to give the Golden Knights a 10-6 lead and, eventually, their first bowl win ever. The Bulldogs’ struggling offense could not score on three subsequent possessions.
With the loss, UGA (6-7) clinched its first losing season since 1996, scored under 27 points for the first time in nine games, and lost its first bowl game since the 2005 season. UCF (11-3), on the other hand, won its first bowl game ever and will likely finish in the BCS top 25 for the first time.
The Bulldog offense struggled all night to move the ball, as quarterback Aaron Murray seemed out of sync for much of the game. Murray finished with two interceptions on 21 of 38 passing for 198 yards and no touchdowns. He was sacked three times for 30 yards, including a crucial 10-yard loss on the game’s final drive.
Despite their offensive struggles, the Bulldogs actually started the game off on the right foot. UGA drove from their own two to the UCF three on their first possession only to stall and kick a field goal on fourth-and-1. The Dawgs would lead 3-0 until 33 seconds remained in the half when Nick Cattoi kicked a 22-yard field goal to knot the score at three.
In the second half, Georgia re-took the lead when Blair Walsh kicked a 41-yard field goal on the Bulldogs’ first possession of the half.
But the Golden Knights would take their first lead of the game after an 11-play, 68-yard drive, which culminated on Murray’s scoring scamper.
Georgia enters the offseason with numerous questions marks, not the least of which is the NFL status of AJ Green and Justin Houston. The two juniors are thought to be seriously considering leaving for the NFL Draft after their junior years.
Another question that may have been brought to the forefront after tonight’s loss is the status of head coach Mark Richt. Richt’s teams have now lost 12 games in two years and have not played for the SEC title since 2005.
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Richt clearly is no longer an SEC level coach. The sooner he leaves, the better.