University of Georgia Athletics
Georgia To Host UAB For Saturday Afternoon Contest
September 13, 2006 | Football
GAME 3: #9/10 Georgia (2-0, 1-0) vs. Alabama-Birmingham (1-1, 1-0)September 16, 2006, 1:05 p.m., at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. (92,746) |
Junkyard Dawgs Post SEC ShutoutGeorgia’s defense is ranked fifth nationally in scoring defense after posting its second shutout of the Mark Richt era in an 18-0 win over South Carolina last week (the other was Clemson in 2003). In the season opener, the Bulldogs allowed just 12 points to Western Kentucky. Since 2001, Georgia is the only team to rank among the nation’s top 10 teams at the end of the year four times in scoring defense, finishing as high as second in 2003 by allowing just 14.5 points per game. Georgia’s scoring defense since 2001 ranks second nationally only to Miami: Nation’s Top Scoring Defenses Since 2001 Stafford Slated to Start at QBWith senior QB Joe Tereshinski out 4-to-6 weeks with a high ankle sprain, true freshman Matthew Stafford is slated to start the upcoming UAB game. It will he his first career start. The last true freshman to start at QB for the Bulldogs was Quincy Carter, who started every game of the 1998 season. UGA-UAB Series HistoryThe Bulldogs won the lone meeting between these two teams in Athens, a 16-13 decision in 2003. UAB put forth a stellar effort despite not having its top player, quarterback Darrell Hackney, who missed the game due to a thumb injury. The Bulldogs trailed 13-10 in the third quarter and it was 13-all at the start of the fourth quarter. Billy Bennett made a 31-yard field goal with 12:57 remaining to put Georgia in front for good. The Bulldog defense held the Blazer three more times after that to preserve the victory. Also of note, Georgia’s Mario Raley had a productive game that day, notching a career-high four receptions for 38 yards. Aiming for Another Top 10 FinishGeorgia is seeking its record fifth straight top 10 finish in the final rankings. Twice in school history, Georgia has enjoyed a four-year stretch where it was a fixture in the final top 10 rankings: 1980-83 and 2002-05. 2006 Georgia ScheduleSept. 2 Western Kentucky (LF) W, 48-12 | How ’Bout An SEC TitleWhen Mark Richt arrived at Georgia in 2001, the Bulldogs hadn’t won an SEC title since 1982. Now, Richt is one of only five coaches in SEC history to win two league championships within their first five seasons. The others were Alabama’s Frank Thomas (1933-34), Georgia’s Vince Dooley (1966, 68), Florida’s Steve Spurrier (1991, 93), LSU’s Bernie Moore (1935-36) and Nick Saban (2001, 03). The latest title for the Bulldogs was their 12th in school history. Bulldog All-Stars Leading The WayBrandon Coutu (PK), Gordon Ely-Kelso (P) and Quentin Moses (DE) all have a chance to rank among the top Bulldogs of all-time at their respective positions. Coutu is again one of the league’s top scorers this year, ranking second among kickers with 22 points. Auburn senior John Vaughn is first with 26. Only Georgia’s Billy Bennett (2002-03) and Ole Miss’ Jonathan Nichols (2003) scored more points kicking in a season than Coutu in 2005 (114). Coutu is a perfect 5-for-5 in FGs this year including 3-for-3 from 40-49 yards this season. Meanwhile, Ely-Kelso is climbing the UGA record book for punting and Moses for sacks. Ely-Kelso’s 7,403 yards ranks 3rd best in school history while the 182 punts is also 3rd. The record holder is Spike Jones with 194 punts for 8,043 yards from 1967-69. Moses has 21.5 sacks for his career, which ranks sixth all time. Former three-time All-America defensive end David Pollack holds the mark with 36 while Richard “Le Sack” Tardits is second with 29. BIG TEAM, little meGeorgia’s unselfish play at the skill positions makes it tough for opponents to gameplan against the Bulldogs. While a standard depth chart exists, Georgia continues to receive solid contributions from its stable of tailbacks and wideouts when they get the call to action. In the 48-12 win over Western Kentucky, junior Danny Ware led all rushers with 68 yards and one touchdown. However, Thomas Brown and Kregg Lumpkin scored a touchdown too. Nine different Bulldogs caught a pass that day. In the 18-0 road shutout of South Carolina, junior Thomas Brown led the ground attack with 69 yards with Ware and Kregg Lumpkin also averaging at least 4.3 yards a carry on the night. Eight different Bulldogs caught a pass in the latest win. Brown has shown even more versatility this season, leading the team in receiving and in kickoff returns. Overall, Brown is averaging a team best 101 all-purpose yards a game. Defensively, look no further than Georgia’s last effort, an SEC road shutout to see how well that unit plays together. The Bulldogs stopped South Carolina three times in the Red Zone (inside the 20) including two takeaways. |
