University of Georgia Athletics
In Review: Dogs Couldn't Slow Tide
October 04, 2015 | Football
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By John Frierson
UGAAA Staff Writer
For the No. 8-ranked Georgia Bulldogs and their 90,000 or so poncho-clad fans at a somber and soaked Sanford Stadium on Saturday, the game against No. 13 Alabama was as bad as the weather.
The rain seldom gave anyone a break and neither did the Crimson Tide (4-1, 1-1 SEC), who took command of the game in the second quarter and never wavered while storming to a 38-10 victory over the previously unbeaten Dogs (4-1, 2-1).
There were a few quality moments and performances -- including Nick Chubb's 83-yard touchdown run to extend his streak of 100-yard games to 13 and linebacker Tim Kinbrough's career-high 13 tackles -- but this day, at least the final three-fourths of it, belonged to Bama.
What follows is a quick review of what happened, as well as a look at how the teams on Georgia's schedule fared this week:
Big Play
Punting from deep in Georgia territory in the second quarter, after the Tide's defense forced another three-and-out, the Dogs' sixth of the game, Collin Barber had no chance. Bama's rush was very effective and defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick was able to both get the block and almost casually scoop up the loss ball and jog a yard into the end zone.
That play, coming less than four minutes after a 30-yard Derrick Henry touchdown run, put Alabama up 17-3. The momentum was now firmly on the Tide's side, where it remained.
Big Playmaker
Alabama's defense gets the nod here. The Tide not only contained Chubb for most of the game, especially on runs up the middle, but Bama's secondary played about as well as a group can. Georgia quarterbacks combined to go 11 of 30 for 106 yards, with three interceptions. A big reason for those numbers was the coverage, which didn't give the Dogs much of anything.
On Georgia's first pass attempt, quarterback Greyson Lambert missed on a throw up the right sideline to wideout Malcolm Mitchell, who had gotten free. If it's on the money it's possibly a touchdown, but instead it was an incompletion. It was also the most open, especially in space where damage could be done, that Georgia's receivers were the whole game.
What Did We Learn
We learned that Alabama, when it's on, is still as good as anyone in the country. We learned that it's very hard to move the ball on offense if your runs are getting stuffed at the line and your receivers are well covered. We learned that the road to any championships, starting with an SEC East title, will be long and arduous, but that else is new?
What's Next
The Bulldogs end a run of three straight at Sanford Stadium and head north to Knoxville, Tenn., where a pair of teams eager to get back to winning will meet in a critical SEC East matchup. The Vols have lost three close games this season and have more talent, especially on offense, than they've had in many years.
How'd They Do
9/5 ULM (1-3)
This week: In a matchup of teams on the Bulldogs' schedule, Georgia Southern traveled to Monroe, La., and thumped the Warhawks 51-31. It was the Sun Belt Conference opener for ULM and it was no match for the defending league champs, who rushed for 455 yards in their option attack while also holding ULM to 47 yards on the ground, on 26 carries.
Up next: The Warhawks hit the road in search of their first conference win, playing at Tulsa.
9/12 At Vanderbilt (2-3, 0-2)
This week: Down 13-3 in the fourth quarter at Middle Tennessee late Saturday, the Commodores dug in and delivered a mighty rally, winning 17-13. Andy's Johnny McCrary got the Commodores back in the game midway through the final period with a 29-yard touchdown run. The Vandy defense then held, forcing a punt with 3:13 to play. McCray guided the offense into MTSU territory and Ralph Webb ran 39 yards for the winning score.
Up next: Vandy heads to South Carolina and should do so with some confidence after the comeback. And the Commodores will be facing a Gamecocks squad looking for answers.
9/19 South Carolina (2-3, 0-3)
This week: Held to 10 points for the game and shut out in the second half, the Gamecocks couldn't do enough on offense at Missouri. The Tigers were far from dominant, but put enough together for a 24-10 win. Wideout Pharaoh Cooper had a solid game with nine catches for 102 yards; that's nine of quarterback Lorenzo Nunez's 15 completions.
Up next: The Gamecocks will be back in their own Columbia this week, but finding that first SEC win of the season won't come easy. To get it South Carolina will have to figure out a way to slow down LSU's Leonard Fournette, who has now rushed for 200-plus yards in three straight games.
9/26 Southern (2-2)
This week: The Jaguars were off this week. More importantly, injured Southern wide receiver Devon Gales was transported to the Shepherd Center in Atlanta on Wednesday, where he will begin recovery and rehabilitation following his spinal injury against Georgia on Sept. 26 and surgery last Sunday. Gales' parents attended Saturday's game and were given a mighty roar when they were introduced in the first quarter.
Up next: Southern heads to Montgomery, Ala., for a SWAC meeting with Alabama State.
10/3 Alabama (4-1, 1-1)
This week: The Crimson Tide stepped between the hedges and handed the Bulldogs their first loss of the season, 38-10. Running back Derrick Henry rushed for 148 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries, while Jake Coker likely solidified his hold on the quarterback job by going 11-for-16 for 190 yards, with one touchdown and no interceptions.
Up next: Alabama is back in Tuscaloosa to face an Arkansas squad that is coming off a big win at Tennessee on Saturday.
10/10 At Tennessee (2-3, 0-2)
This week: It all started so well, with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Evan Berry, followed by a 7-yard Joshua Dobbs run for a score and a 14-0 first-quarter lead over Arkansas. But the Volunteers were outscored 24-6 the rest of the way, losing 24-20. Tennessee has lost its last three games versus FBS opponents: in overtime to unbeaten Oklahoma, by a point at unbeaten Florida and now a four-point loss to the Hogs.
Up next: Tennessee welcomes the Dogs to Neyland Stadium, in a matchup of two teams very eager for a win.
10/17 Missouri (4-1, 1-1)
This week: Freshman quarterback Drew Lock, making his first career start in place of the suspended Maty Mauk, was accurate and efficient for the Tigers, who knocked off South Carolina 24-10. Lock went 21-for-28 passing for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Mizzou's run defense was stout, holding the Gamecocks 112 yards on 34 carries.
Up next: The Tigers will be tested in all phases this week with a surging Florida squad coming to town.
10/31 Florida (5-0, 3-0)
This week: The No. 25-ranked Gators posted one of the most impressive wins of the season, routing No. 3 Ole Miss 38-10 in the Swamp. Will Grier threw four first-half touchdown passes and Florida was in complete control from the start. Defensively, Florida had an interception and recovered three fumbles. And the Gators won big despite more than 20 players suffering a flu bug late in the week.
Up next: Florida, now the only SEC East squad without a conference loss, will try to keep it going this week on the road at Mizzou, the two-time defending East champs.
11/7 Kentucky (4-1, 2-1)
This week: It took a major comeback in the closing minutes against Eastern Kentucky, a solid FCS program, but the Wildcats survived. Down 27-13 with less than seven minutes remaining, Kentucky scored twice to force overtime and then prevailed 34-27. Patrick Towles threw for 329 yards and three TDs, including one in the final minute to force overtime and another in the extra period.
Up next: Kentucky will enjoy an off week before hosting Auburn on Oct. 15.
11/14 At Auburn (3-2, 0-2)
This week: It was the Peyton Barber show for the Tigers in their 35-21 win over San Jose State. Barber rushed for five touchdowns and 147 yards, leading an Auburn ground game that finished with 234 yards. Sean White wasn't asked to do a lot throwing the ball, going 6 of 10 for 108 yards. Defensively, Auburn allowed 406 yards of offense, but did pick off two passes and recover two fumbles.
Up next: Like Kentucky, Auburn is off until it visits Commonwealth Stadium for a Thursday night game on Oct. 15.
11/21 Georgia Southern (4-1)
This week: The Eagles' ground attack was explosive and dominant, pounding out 455 rushing yards in a 51-31 win at ULM. Georgia Southern had the ball for nearly 38 minutes, almost 16 minutes more than the Warhawks. Three GSU backs had at least 92 rushing yards, led by Matt Breida's 149.
Up next: Georgia Southern is off this week before hosting New Mexico State on Oct. 17.
11/28 At Georgia Tech (2-3)
This week: The Yellow Jackets' struggling option rushing game was in fine form in the first half against North Carolina, gaining more than 200 yards. But the Tar Heels held Tech to 51 rushing yards in the second half and rallied from a 21-0 hole to beat the Yellow Jackets 38-31 in Atlanta.
Up next: Life won't be any easier for Tech as the Yellow Jackets head to Death Valley to face red-hot Clemson.
John Frierson is a staff writer for the UGA Athletic Association and curator of the ITA Men's Tennis Hall of Fame. You can follow him on Twitter: @FriersonFiles and @ITAHallofFame.
