University of Georgia Athletics
Bulldogs and Buffaloes To Battle On Saturday
September 18, 2006 | Football
GAME 4: #7/9 Georgia (3-0) vs. Colorado (0-3)September 23, 2006, 12:30 p.m., at Sanford Stadium in Athens, Ga. (92,746) |
Junkyard Dawgs Post Consecutive ShutoutsGeorgia’s defense is ranked first in the SEC and second nationally in scoring defense (4.0) after posting back-to-back shutouts over South Carolina and UAB. In the season opener, the Bulldogs allowed just 12 points to Western Kentucky, but two came on a safety. The lone TD surrendered by the Bulldogs came in the second quarter against WKU. The back-to-back shutouts were the first by Georgia since the 1980 national championship season (S. Carolina, Kentucky), and the 12 points allowed through the first three games are the fewest since 1937 (7 points). 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 Georgia vs. the Big XIIGeorgia’s meeting with Colorado will be the first between the two teams although the Bulldogs have met several opponents from the Big XII in their history. Georgia is 10-7 all-time against teams now in the Big XII including 4-0 vs. Baylor, 1-0 vs. Missouri, 0-1 vs. Nebraska, 1-3 vs. Texas, 1-3 vs. Texas A&M and 3-0 vs. Texas Tech. The most recent game was a 15-12 win by Georgia over Texas Tech in Athens in 1996. Georgia will return the meeting with the Buffaloes in Boulder on Oct. 22, 2010. 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. GAME 1: 48-12 win over Western Kentucky GAME 2: 18-0 win at South Carolina GAME 3: 34-0 win over UAB | 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 BookendsGeorgia’s defense, which ranks second in the SEC and fifth nationally in yards allowed (203.7 yards/game), is led by a pair of veteran defensive ends in junior Charles Johnson and senior Quentin Moses. 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. Johnson is ranked fifth nationally in tackles for loss with seven. Just like the offense, Georgia’s defensive squad is getting contributions from numerous sources. The Bulldogs are third in the SEC with nine total sacks although the team leader has just 1.5 (Charles Johnson). Georgia’s leading tackler is linebacker Danny Verdun Wheeler (16), followed by Charles Johnson with 14. The Bulldogs lead the league in red zone defense, allowing just one score on four trips inside the 20 yard line. Last week, UAB did not advance to the red zone. Bulldogs Tough Against Non-Conference FoesUnder the direction of Mark Richt, Georgia owns a 22-2 record against teams from outside the SEC. The only losses came in bowl games to Boston College (20-16, ’01 Music City) and West Virginia (38-35, ’06 Sugar). At home, the Bulldogs own a record of 15-0 against non-conference foes. 2006 Georgia ScheduleSept. 2 Western Kentucky (LF) W, 48-12 |
