Sports

OXFORD, Miss. — It’s Saturday in Oxford and I am live from the “Hot Seat” Bowl bringing you live analysis from today’s game between the Georgia Bulldogs and Ole Miss Rebels.

Here is the Georgia depth chart for this game.

For live analysis, follow me on Twitter @Mike_Reiter

1st Quarter Stats and Notes: Georgia 10, Ole Miss 0

-Georgia’s defense has took the field for three possessions. On the first one, Ole Miss drove down the field into Bulldog territory, but haven’t gained a first down since that drive

-On the offensive side of the ball, Crowell has found lots of room to run and has 56 yards on eight carries.

-Murray only has one completion in the game so far, which was a 14 yard throw to Orson Charles.

-Time of possession is about equal. Georgia has held the ball for 7:26, while Ole Miss has held the ball for 7:34.

-Georgia has 8 first downs to the 3 Ole Miss has.

-The Bulldogs have outgained the Rebels, 100-33

2nd Quarter Stats and Notes: Georgia 24, Ole Miss 13

-Even though the scoreboard might not show it. The Georgia Bulldogs are completely dominating this game.

-Aron White caught his first touchdown of the season in the second quarter on a 35 yard strike from Murray. White spun off Ole Miss defenders at around the 10 yardline en route to the endzone.

-Isaiah Crowell has 92 yards on 14 carries in the first half. In the second quarter, Crowell rushed six times for 36 yards.

-Murray is 7-14, 158 yards and 2 touchdowns. The one interception bounced off Orson Charles before being picked.

-Four different receivers have caught passes from Murray. The 2 tight ends (Charles and White) have combined for five receptions, 80 yards and two touchdowns.

-Michael Gilliard leads the defense with 6 tackles. Amarlo Herrera is right behind him with four tackles.

-Zack Stoudt and Randall Mackey have combined to play quarterback for the Rebels. Stoudt is 3-8 for 38 yards. Mackey is 3-6 for 78 yards along with a touchdown and an interception.

-Georgia has outgained Ole Miss 289-134. The Rebels only have 18 net rushing yards, while UGA RB Crowell has 92 yards.

-Georgia has scored all three times it has entered the red zone. Ole Miss has yet to have a red zone opportunity.

-The UGA defensive line has been able to put pressure on the Ole Miss quarterbacks with three sacks in the first half.

-Each team has one turnover, both interceptions.

Georgia will receive the ball following halftime

3rd Quarter Stats and Notes: Georgia 24, Ole Miss 13

-This is the kind of game Georgia needs to put away, or else you are letting a team have a chance at winning a game they shouldn’t

-There was no scoring in the third quarter for either team

-Isaiah Crowell now has 22 carries and 117 yards through three quarters. Crowell has 118 yards on 16 carries against South Carolina.

-Murray is 13-21 for 222 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

-The attendance was announced at 58,042 here at Vaught-Hemmingway Stadium. The full capacity is listed at 60,580.

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Georgia head coach Mark Richt spoke to the media Tuesday afternoon, below is the transcript of his press conference provided by the UGA Sports Communications department. Video of the press conference will come later.

Head Coach Mark Richt

Opening statement…

“This is the first SEC game away from home. We are looking forward to that. We don’t get to go to Oxford very often. You play them once every six years or whatever it might be. We are looking forward to that. I do enjoy road games. You get your 70 guys and you go on a business trip and there aren’t a lot of things you have to do other than go and play the ballgame. There aren’t any other responsibilities that I have personally or that the players have or that the assistant coaches might have. So it is nice just to gather up the team, gather up the troops and get busy. We get there in time to have dinner, and we have some meetings. We give them a snack and then they go to bed. They are going to wake up extremely early. It depends on whose time zone you are on, but I think we are going to keep our team on our time zone just to keep them on their normal biological clock, and also make it where they wake up at 7:15 instead of 6:15. I don’t know if that will help or not, but we’re looking forward to it.

“Coach (Houston) Nutt has always fielded great football teams and we are looking forward to that challenge. I’ll talk a little bit about them offensively. I’ll start with their offensive line; they are massive. They just look massive on film, even. They like to run a lot of zone plays, just power plays downhill kind of stuff. They like to maul you, they like to playaction pass off of it. They have some pretty sporty backs too. Jeff Scott is the one leading them in rushing right now. Not a real big man, but it’s kind of tough to find him sometimes coming out of that pile of humanity up front. They do like to play both tight ends a good bit. They will get into a lot of two tight end, two receiver sets. When they do go into two-back sets their fullback, H.R. Greer, is a pretty typical Southeastern Conference fullback. If you aren’t tough you can’t play fullback in this league and in this system that they are playing. He’s a very, very tough guy. Not super tall, 5-11, 235 pounds, but you need a low center of gravity to do the types of things they are asking him to do. (more…)

ATHENS, Ga — The Georgia Bulldogs will play on the road for the first time this season when they travel to Ole Miss this Saturday afternoon in Oxford, Miss.

Below is the depth chart for Georgia’s second Southeastern Conference game. Of note, freshman Malcolm Mitchell is listed as the started above Junior Marlon Brown at the “X” wide receiver position.

It’s Saturday in Athens!

“We need more Dawgs,” states Coastal Carolina Head Coach David Bennett. This statement resonates with each team on Saturday for different reasons. Coastal Carolina (2-0) comes in as the FCS opponent from right outside Myrtle Beach with nothing to lose. Not many expect them to stick around for more than the opening kickoff. So perhaps, they do need more dawgs today to pull the upset. The Dawgs on the other side of the field see today as an opportunity to breathe new life into the program. This game may prove later to be the shot of adrenaline Georgia needs in 2011.

Many this week have said that if UGA took last week as a moral victory it only personifies the step back this program has taken since 2008. Last week, the Dawgs D only gave up 21 points to one of the most potent offenses in college football. Melvin Ingram returned a fake punt, Murray threw a pick six, and Jadeveon Clowney tossed Aaron Murray around causing another non-offensive touchdown.  The week prior USC racked up 56 points over the last 35 minutes of play. Regardless of who your going up against that is one heck of a resume bullet.

Mentally I’ll be the first to tell you we need to sharpen up before Oxford next week. However, count me in with one of those who feel slightly more spiritually intact after last week’s performance. It takes a lot to remove Marcus Lattimore out of the equation for 3 quarters, and if it weren’t for a 30+ yard TD pass to do-everything receiver Alshon Jeffery, I’d say we held him at bay as well. Offensively, we left a lot to be desired in the first three drives where we dominated from the 20 to 20, but only came away with two field goals. Then we were able to  string of drives together with what felt like incredible ease. I kept scoreboard watching last week, dumbfounded, at how we were down but completely outplaying the top 15 gamecock squad, yet always down by a score.

Now today with Coastal Carolina in town the only question remains is: which set of Dawgs will show up today?

14:17

Coastal Carolina received the opening kick off. Started off within their own 10 yard line, and didn’t get anything going for the first drive. Aramis Hillary had two incomplete passes. Austin Cain on the punt for 35 yards. Brandon Smith, returned the punt for minimal gain.

12:24

Georgia goes 4 plays for 41 yards culminating in a Isiah Crowell 35 yard TD run.

8:17

The second CCU drive has slightly more success than the first. Aramis Hillary completes two passes for short gains. The final outcome is the same ending with a punt that placed Brandon Smith back on the UGA 45. Georgia goes back to Isaiah to start the drive with two runs for a total of nine yards. Then it was Murray’s turn with two quick strikes to Tavarress King for 13 yards. On third down, Murray hits Michael Bennett in the open field for 18 yards. Aaron Murray goes in with the QB sneak Drive: 10 plays, 55 yards, 3:14. Dawgs 14-0.

1:42

Aramis Hillary passes to the tailback Jeremy Height for a 9 yard gain. Longest play of the day for the Chanticleers. DE Garrison Smith comes up big in the trenches on 3rd and 1 for the Dawgs. Richt had both Brandon Smith and Brandon Boykin on the following return. The ball was downed in Georgia territory. Carleton Thomas starts the series off with two first downs. This takes the Dawgs into opposing territory. Crowell goes 13 yards before getting called back on a Ben Jones holding call. Murray connects with T. King for 32 strike to hit pay dirt. Drive: 10 plays, 73 yards, 4:08. Dawgs 21-0.

Start of Second Quarter

CCU started the drive with 2 first downs. The Chanticleers break into Georgia territory for the first time today. Aramis Hillary displays his scrambling ability picks up 5 yards to UGA 45. Bacarri Rambo picks off Hillary returns in 38 yards into CCU territory only to fumble. Fumble recovery by Jeremy Height. CCU with a fresh set of downs. Nothing comes of it.

10:55

The Dawgs start their drive with a screen to Mitchell for 6 yards. On third goes back to Mitchell for 13 yards. Crowell and Bruce Figgins get in on the action with sizeable gains. Drive comes to a halt with Blair Walsh on for the kick… no good from 41 yards. A personal foul against CCU keeps the drive alive. Murray ends drive as it starts going back to Mitchell on 3rd and 5 for the TD. 11 plays, 75 yards, 4:47. Dawgs 28-0. 6:08 left in the half.

6:08

Jeremy Height returned the following kick 25 yards. Freshman super prep Nick Marshall there on the stop of the Dawgs. Aramis Hillary displayed tremendous athletics ability after getting flushed out of the pocket for a 11 yard gain to TE David Duran. Drive ended three plays later. Brandon Smith returns the following punt to the house only to be called back on a block in the back at midfield. A beautiful 70+ yard return instead is a 19 yarder.

2:30

Boykin spins his way past midfield on the 9 yard pass from Murray. Crowell moves the chains twice once through on the ground and then on the ground. The Dawgs start within the ten, and Carlton Thomas gets a good push from the OL on two carries. Murray tosses it up to King for the goal line score. Dawgs 35-0. 11 plays, 65 yards, 3:52.

End of the Half.

First Half Analysis

Any fan can appreciate a scoreline to the tone of 35-0. However, it isn’t the scoreline that has been most impressive for the Dawgs, but rather the contribution we’ve received from everyone who has seen action. These games are real confidence builders for the young guys coming through the ranks. Malcolm Mitchell has 3 catches for 35 yards. Michael Bennett has 27 yards receiving. Isaiah has obviously had a big half on 13 carries. On the defensive side of things Shawn Williams switches to inside linebacker and has had multiple big hits. Amarlo Herrera earned another start this week in replacement of Ogletree. The pressure on Hillary has been relentless (as expected but it is nice to see). The intensity was there from start to finish. I’m looking forward to seeing how the 2nd and 3rd string react as we go deeper into our rotation.

3rd Quarter Analysis- 59-0

Brandon Boykin returned the opening kickoff from the 11 to the CCU 43. Not much came of Hutson Mason’s first drive running the offense other than Blair Walsh kicked a 56 yard field goal (career long). The next UGA possession Hutson Mason connected with King a couple of times. Coastal coughed it up on the following kickoff. Mason hit a streaking Orson Charles on the following play for a 32 yard TD.Then a big hit dislodged another Coastal kick return. Carlton Thomas capped off a 2 play drive with a run off the RT for a 17 yard scamper.

In the 3rd quarter, Ray Drew saw his first action of the year. Brandon Harton, who was widely talked about during the spring, had his first carry for 8 yards. Jordan Love had a big hit that caused one of the kick off turnovers. Michael Gillard had a tackle for a two yard loss. Even with a full second team in the Dawgs haven’t let off the gas pedal for a second.

Jamie Childers took over at QB for CCU, but had minimal success on his first couple of possessions.

4th Quarter

QB, Parker Welch, saw the first snap of his career. He was handing off to Brandon Harton behind a largely freshman offensive line. For the few who remain this afternoon at Sanford Stadium, their getting a first glimpse at a good portion of players from this “Dream Team” class. The Dawgs were pretty content for the 4th quarter with simple draws and inside handoffs to Brandon Harton. As the clock runs out the score remains the same… Dawgs 59-0.

Although I don’t believe in moral victories, the way Georgia played against South Carolina shows that the Bulldogs have the potential to win every game left on their schedule.

Before going into the reason why, here is a quick history lesson. In 2010, Virginia Tech opened their season with a neutral site loss against Boise State. The Hokies then lost again in week 2 to James Madison.

But then Virginia Tech would go on to win their next 11 games, including the ACC Championship before falling in the Orange Bowl to Stanford.

Fast forward to 2011, Georgia opened with a neutral site loss to Boise State to open the season, and followed it up with a loss against South Carolina in week 2.

If you ask me, Georgia has the ability to do the same thing Virginia Tech did a year ago. I’m not saying they will, but it is definitely a possibility.

Bottom line, there isn’t a team left on their schedule that is as good as Boise State or South Carolina.

Without a doubt, those were the two toughest games of the season.

There isn’t a quarterback that is better than Kellen Moore or a better running back better than Marcus Lattimore left on the Bulldogs’ 2011 schedule.

READ MORE ON SPORTS WITH MIKE

Final Score, South Carolina 45, Georgia 42

End of 4th Quarter

Another knee is taken by Garcia.

0:20

Garia takes a knee. A loss of two.

1:10

Steven Garcia takes a knee. 2nd and 10. Timeout. Georgia has no more timeouts.

1:14

Marcus Lattimore rushes eight yards for the 1st down.

1:17

DeAngelo Smith for a gain of one.

2:03

Lattimore runs for six yards. Timeout.

2:07

Onside kick recovered by the Gamecocks.

2:13

(more…)

The NFL season will begin tonight when the defending Super Bowl Champion Green Bay Packers play host to the New Orleans Saints.

Every week, Josh Kirschner, Grace Olson and I will pick every game on the NFL schedule. Below are our week 1 picks:

If you thought the Boise State game was bad, don’t expect things to get much better for the Georgia Bulldogs in week 2.

Looking back at the Boise State game, it’s simple. You can’t win a game you don’t play to win. Yes, I will say it. Georgia did not play to win the Boise State game.

Now obviously, the players and coaches will all say that they want to win every game they play, but when you are conservative down big in the third quarter, you are only making a lie out of yourself.

The situation was a run draw Mike Bobo called on 3rd and 16 down 21 points in the third quarter. And then followed that genius move by punting on fourth down.

When you do stuff like that, you simply are not playing to win the game. There is no excuse. (Unless you thought a draw play on third down would gain 16 yards, which if you did, you should immediately be fired and banned from coaching football in general.)

Wasn’t it Jim Mora that said, “HELLO, YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!!”

Apparently, while Mike Bobo was doing whatever the hell he does in the coaches box during the game (it certainly has nothing to do with the game of football), the Georgia offense failed to use Brandon Boykin on offense. I know he’s a defensive and special teams starter, but the first time he touched the ball on offense he went 80 yards for a touchdown.

I don’t think this takes a rocket scientist to figure out.

Now, I could go on and on about mistakes from last week, but I don’t want to hear more about it either. It’s time to move on.

Read more at SportswithMike.com

After an exicting opening weekend of the 2011 college football season, the second weekend of action will feature a pair of SEC conference games. Mississippi State will travel to face Auburn, and Georgia will play host to South Carolina.

In the only non-conference game of note, the Alabama Crimson Tide will make the journey up to Happy Valley to play Penn State.

Every Wednesday during the college football season, Josh Kirschner, Grace Olson and myself will pick every game on the SEC schedule. Following the picks, all three of us will take an in-depth look at the Game of the Week, which is the South Carolina-Georgia game this week.

Here are the week 2 picks:

For an in-depth look at the South Carolina-Georgia game, click here

ATHENS — Georgia will begin Southeastern Conference action this Saturday against the South Carolina Gamecocks after falling in the season opening game against Boise State.

Mark Richt addressed the media Tuesday afternoon and discussed whether or not it’s time to panic, the importance of a running game, and a preview of South Carolina including how to stop Marcus Lattimore.

Below are video highlights of Richt’s press conference.