After a frustrating half of football for both offenses, No. 4 LSU took a 6-0 lead into the locker room against a Georgia team that seemed on its heels.
The Tigers spent much of the first half in Bulldog territory, but could not push it into the end zone. The oft-criticized Georgia defense held LSU to two field goals despite three Tiger trips inside the UGA ten. In fact, all five first half drives by the Tigers reached Georgia territory.
Meanwhile, the Dawgs could not muster more than one first down all half. Quarterback Joe Cox looked rattled and missed wide open receivers several times during the half. Cox’s only bright spot was a 27-yard pass to A.J. Green to net the lone first down.
Georgia managed just 49 total yards in the half while the Tigers steamrolled to 236. LSU earned 12 first downs.
Fans booed the Georgia offense after their last two three-and-outs of the half.
LSU defensive coordinator John Chavis knows the Bulldogs well from his tenure at Tennessee and utilized his knowledge very well in the first half. Chavis’ charges stuffed the Georgia running game which seemed to affect the entire Georgia offensive gameplan. Cox could not make LSU pay for their commitment to sitting on the Georgia run, and the Tigers were able to bully the Dawg offense all half.
The bright spot for Georgia was the bend-but-don’t break defense, which held LSU on a crucial 4th and 1 from the UGA 9 with four minutes left in the half. LSu quarterback Jordan Jefferson attempted to sneak up the middle but was stopped for a short loss.
However, the momentum for the Dawgs was halted when Cox overthrew an open Tavarres King on first down. Two runs netted little and Drew Butler came on to punt it away. A smattering of boos met Cox and his teammates as they jogged to the sideline.
The 6-0 lead does not really describe how much LSU dominated the half. The Tigers took their first possession from their own 37 to the Georgia nine before Brandon Boykin intercepted Jefferson in the end zone.
Georgia’s offense needs to make some serious adjustments at the half if the Dawgs are to have a chance in this one. LSU will likely continue to mix the short pass and the run on offense, which will allow them to keep possession and move the chains. UGA offensive coordinator Mike Bobo will have to find a way to get some first downs in the second half and help the Bulldogs rally.
20 points should be enough for neither side to win the game. Right now, LSU seems like a good bet to reach that mark and win the game.
Black can be reached at sblack@scoreatl.com.
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