Post-Game Quotes: Georgia vs Georgia Tech

Nov. 28, 2010

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Bulldogs Extend Bowl Streak: The Bulldogs now have won nine of the past 10 games against Tech and thanks to tonight's 42-34 win over Tech, the Bulldogs improved to 6-6 and will extend their bowl streak to 14 consecutive years. The streak began in 1997. Before tonight, the last time Georgia needed a win over Tech to be bowl eligible was 1995 and those Bulldogs came through that year too, beating them 18-17 in Atlanta. With the latest win, Georgia improves to 61-37-5 in the series against Tech and retains the Governor's Cup Trophy for another year.
Another Fast Start For Murray: Against second ranked Auburn two weeks ago, redshirt freshman QB Aaron Murray was 6-for-8 for 121 yards and three TDs in the first quarter. Tonight against Tech, Murray was sharp again, going 6-for-7 for 147 yards and two TDs in the first quarter and finished the half 11-for-14 for 220 yards and 3 TDs. One of Murray's first quarter highlights was a career-long 66-yard TD strike to SE Kris Durham to put Georgia on the scoreboard first. It was a career-long catch for Durham too. Murray finished tonight 15-for-19 for 271 yards, 3 TDs.

Murray Closing In On Bulldog TD Passing Mark: With three TD passes in the first half, Aaron Murray now has 24 for the season, one shy of the Georgia single season record held by Matthew Stafford who had 25 in 2008. With 24, Murray currently is in a tie for second with Eric Zeier (1993-94), D.J. Shockley (2005), and Joe Cox (2009). This marks the sixth time this season that Murray has tied his career high with three TD passes in a game.

Also with 271 passing yards, Murray now has 2,851 which is the most ever by a Bulldog freshman and ranks second in SEC history, trailing only Jared Lorenzen of Kentucky who had 3,687 in 2000. Murray passed Georgia's David Greene who had 2,789 in the 2001. And one more record of note, Murray notched the Georgia mark for Total Offense by a Freshman now with 3,014, which ranks second all-time in the SEC behind Lorenzen (3,827).

Big Game From Houston: Butkus Award finalist and Nagurski Trophy finalist junior outside linebacker Justin Houston had a fumble return for a TD, a game-clinching interception and seven tackles (2 solo, 5 assist) and one tackle for a loss tonight. A trio of Bulldogs tied for the team-high tackles with career nights. Sophomore end Abry Jones, junior nose DeAngelo Tyson and senior linebacker Akeem Dent all had 16 tackles apiece. Tech ran 92 plays, which was the most against the Bulldogs since last year's Independence Bowl by Texas A&M as they ran 92 too.
Red Zone Defense: Redshirt sophomore FS Bacarri Rambo forced the Georgia defense's second red zone turnover of the season as Georgia Tech fumbled on the Bulldog 5-yard line, which was recovered by junior Brandon Boykin. The turnover led to an eventual 66-yard TD reception from redshirt freshman QB Aaron Murray to senior SE Kris Durham.

Points Off Turnovers: Overall, Georgia got 21 points off four Tech miscues while the Yellow jackets got No points off two Georgia turnovers. Georgia forced one fumble in the first half, which led to a TD. On the year, Georgia has forced 24 turnovers and converted them into 101 points while its opponents have scored 21 points off 14 Bulldog miscues on the year. Georgia junior TB Caleb King fumbled in the red zone and Georgia Tech recovered at the 9-yard line. Georgia Tech was forced to punt but a fumble by sophomore PR Branden Smith trying to field it gave Tech the ball back at the 34-yard line. Georgia Tech then turned over the ball as Georgia sophomore DE Abry Jones forced a fumble and senior ILB Akeem Dent recovered. It led to a Georgia TD and a 28-21 advantage with 0:51 left in the third quarter. On Georgia Tech's next possession, junior OLB Justin Houston returned a fumble for an 18-yard TD giving Georgia a 35-21 advantage at the end of the third quarter. This was Georgia's first fumble return for a TD since Tony Taylor did it against Tech in 2006. Georgia now has four defensive TDs this year. Georgia OLB Justin Houston ended the game with an interception, the first of his career.

Ealey Gets A 100+: Sophomore TB Washaun Ealey had his fourth career game of 100+ rushing yards in a contest. Tonight, he finished with 118 yards on 13 carries with two TDs. Last year against Tech, Ealey had a career-high 183.

Injury Report: Senior DE DeMarcus Dobbs left the game in the second quarter with a right elbow injury and did not return.

In Honor Of 'Q': All season long, different seniors have worn the #31 jersey in honor senior safety Quintin Banks. Banks was forced to retire this preseason because of re-occurring knee injuries. He is now a student coach. Banks ran out with team and is wearing his own jersey for the Georgia Tech game.

Bulldog Captains: Senior DE DeMarcus Dobbs, senior ILB Akeem Dent, senior FB Shaun Chapas and senior CB Chad Gloer are representing the Bulldog senior class as captains versus Yellow Jackets.

GEORGIA POST-GAME QUOTES
Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt
On the game overall...
"It was a great game. It was especially great because we won the doggone thing. We never quit; we kept battling. You've got to give Georgia Tech credit because they did a great job, but our guys did too. We never gave up and made the plays when we needed to. We haven't done that in the games we've lost, but this time we did."

On the play of the defense...
"The defense did a good job. I am proud of them. We didn't do a lot of subbing in this game. A lot of guys had to suck it up and play until the end. We didn't stop the dive as well as I hoped we could. If you don't stop them up the gut, it's hard to stop them period. But we rose to the occasion. We turned some turnovers into points. In the end, it worked out."

On Senior Day...
"For the seniors, it was their last time between the hedges. We wanted them to leave with a good experience and good memories. They probably will have better memories because the game was so exciting with all the big plays."

On the Georgia Tech series...
"We love the Governor's Cup. It's something we don't ever want to leave the confines of our building. We've got a nice place waiting for it. It's good to beat Tech always. I'm excited, believe me."

On the game's implications...
"It's important to even our record and have an opportunity to finish with a winning record. We still have that at stake and to play for. It's nice to keep the bowl streak alive, but the most important thing was to beat Tech and let the seniors have a great senior day."

RFr. QB, #11 Aaron Murray
On the win...
"This is a great win for us. It's great to get bowl eligible and to win this game for our senior's on Senior Night."

On the importance...
"This win makes our season a lot better. If we didn't make it to a bowl, it would have been really tough. People have been telling me all week about how bad the feeling is to lose to Tech, so getting the win and being able to play again is huge."

Jr. FLK, #8 A.J. Green
On the end of the game...
"It was a little scary there at the end, but we knew we had it in us. We pulled this win out for our program. Our defense really stepped it up to get the win. It's a really great feeling."

On bowl eligibility...
"It would've been rough for us to not go to a bowl game. I'm glad we got this to become bowl eligible and I'm excited to see where we'll end up."

Jr. OLB, #42 Justin Houston
On the end of the game...
"I knew it was crunch time. The coaches said all week that the end of the game is when the players make the plays and that's what we were going to do. I'm really proud of our defense."

On his interception return...

"I saw the QB and I didn't think he was going to throw it. When he did, I knew I had to make a play. That was my first career interception in high school or college so it feels good."

GEORGIA TECH POST-GAME QUOTES
Georgia Tech Head Coach Paul Johnson
On the game overall...
"That one was a heart breaker. Our guys played their guts out and I'm proud of them. We just put the ball on the ground too many times. It's tough because we could have won if we don't turn the ball over like that. I don't know if they can stop us if that doesn't happen. The offensive line came off of the ball hard. Our whole team played hard. Tevn Washington played well. I'm sure that he'd like to have some throws back at the end of the game."

On Georgia...
"You do have to give Georgia credit. They made plays when they needed to. Georgia made some great catches in the first half. A.J. Green is hard for anyone to stop. Their kick returner is really good. You saw what happened when he got the ball in his hands."

Sr. BB, #18 Anthony Allen
On Georgia...
"They made some adjustments at half time, so we wanted to come out and attack them in the second half. I felt like I got stronger each time I touched the ball. Their defense was definitely trying to strip the ball and they were able to make that happen a few times."

On mistakes...
"We gave some balls away when we were in the red zone. Those really hurt because we obviously could have used those scores. Usually when you win the turnover battle, you win the game. That was the case here. We beat ourselves like we've done all season. We gave them opportunities and they took them."

Sr. CB, #2 Mario Butler
On the game and the rivalry...
"This one hurts a little bit more because it is an in-state rivalry game. We made the plays we needed to. We knew coming here what their game plan was going to be and we did our best to stop them. We know that we were only a few key plays away from the win."

On Aaron Murray...
"We were trying to put pressure on Aaron Murray, but we had to drop guys into coverage. Hats off to Murray for stepping up and making the plays with our defenders in his face."

Jr. AB, #20 Roddy Jones
On the game overall...
"They did a good job of poking the ball out, especially when we were in the red zone. But no one on our team gave up. We just kept fighting. Our team did an excellent job of responding and coming back after being down. We were right there with a chance to win it at the end. If we take better care of the ball, we win this game."

On what to take away...
"If you look back, we were one or two plays away from winning a lot of games this season. Obviously we are not happy with this outcome, but it gives us something to work for in the off-season. The offensive line did a good job blocking. They gave us holes to run through and had control of the line of scrimmage."

University of Georgia Athletics

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