Good morning, y’all. One red sock, one black sock, one UGA sweatshirt circa 1970, one UGA Tshirt circa 1970, one UGA hat circa 1980, and khaki shorts that sat in the same booth at Weaver D’s as Knoshown Moreno, and we still went to overtime against the Eagles of Georgia Southern. I mean, I’m down to my underwear guys, what else can I do to help? If Bill Stanfill’s got an old pair he’d like to contribute, I’m up for it. Washed or unwashed, I’m willing to take one for the team.
Well, the long and the short of it is a victory 23-17 in overtime. It was not a defensive battle of two powerhouse defensive teams. It was a struggle of a more talented, under coached team, playing at home on Senior night, no less, trying not to blow it’s own head off while skeet shooting. If ever so many have done so little to improve their lot, I’ll need pictures to believe it. I half way expect the team buses to load up and roll down highway 441 to Milledgeville for a “team tune up” before our obligatory bowl game. This team’s psyche is broke. Can’t blame anybody but the coaches. Jeremy Pruitt, excepted. So, let’s start with the defense.
Defense:
Overall the defense was not bad except on a couple of busted plays where we lost contain. I think we’re starting about eight Freshmen now. The future, with Pruitt at the helm, looks bright. Kudos to Jordan Jenkins and Lorenzo Carter for forcing the Eagles to four and out in the overtime to secure the game for Georgia. Carter in particular looked like he had been told to just play his game, and he responded with a Tasmanian devil like performance. He was everywhere. The defense held Southern to 233 total yards, with just 44 yards through the air. Hat’s off to the team for staying focused and providing the spark the offense didn’t have.
Special teams:
Well, our mixed bag of nuts played well and didn’t create any egregious errors. Out of the Dawghouse, Reggie Davis ran the opening kickoff back 39 yards to give the Dawgs an early spark that led to our first touchdown. Marshall Morgan was 1 of 2 in the field goal department, and made his 2 extra points. Brice Ramsey has taken over the kicking duties completely from Collin Barber. Ramsey punted 5 times for a 40.8 yard average. A competent effort on special teams. See guys, I told you it was easy.
Offense:
Greyson Lambert went the whole way as quarterback. Lambert was 16 of 25 for 183 yards with one touchdown and no interceptions. The touchdown pass to Godwin was a beauty. Are Lambert’s hands as small in person as they look on screen? If so, I might have found some of our problem.
Sony Michel is all world in my book. He continues to give it everything he’s got on every play in spite of a broken hand. He finished the day with 132 yards rushing on 23 attempts and the game winning touchdown in overtime.
Isiah McKenzie was allowed to play again this week, and we’re glad. Isiah had an unfortunate fumble that led to an Eagle score, but he was able to equalize it with a score of his own. Isiah finished the day with 19 yards rushing on 2 attempts and a touchdown. Isiah also contributed one catch for nine yards and 3 punt returns for the same amount.
Malcolm Mitchell contributed 73 yards receiving, on 5 receptions. Malcolm continues to provide that Senior leadership that this team desperately needs. He is a treasure and I hope he gets the big payday at the next level, if that is what he wants.
Time of possession was tilted in our favor, 32.5 minutes to 27.5. Only a muffed punt kept this from going the other way, with the final score being 17-14 Eagles.
Watching Tech lose again is the gift that keeps on giving. I hope we can make their new normal, normal.