HOT READS 8.16.12

Coach Richt was swallowing his words during his meeting with the media after Wednesday’s scrimmage and that was probably wise, but I seriously doubt he did the same with the team.  Seven turnovers.  Seven?  Doesn’t matter the color of the bonnets lined up across from you, a turnover’s a turnover and nothing will get you beat quicker.  Turnover ratio is absolutely the most important statistic in football and the Lead DAWG knows this better than anyone.  I don’t think this display hot potato will be indicative of how proven players like Aaron Murray (@aaronmurray11) (INT, fumble) will perform this season, but you play like you practice and CMR will drive that point home in the coming days.

“I thought we looked 'good,' like a pretty good team. But you know, pretty good is about 8-4, but I don't even know if that's pretty good, maybe 9-3, but you know we'd like to do better than 8-4, 9-3, but that's about how we played today. It wasn't awful, but it wasn't great, either.  Was there a great effort every play, No? Was there great effort lot of time? Yeah. Was every guy busting his tail every play? No. I don't know. I didn't see a team that was ready to be great. I saw a team that just wanted to be pretty good. I wasn't that thrilled about it."

Nation, if the DAWGS stumble their way to 8-4 I think we all know that Coach Richt will not be the only one that’s “not too thrilled about it.”

Georgia’s young backs continue to impress.  For the second straight week, the DAWGS freshman backs are making noise.  Keith Marshall (@Truthh4) and Todd Gurley (@TG1UNO) are forcing the issue and will be on the field when the season starts.  This ‘flashbang’ (Marshall’s the flash; Gurley’s the bang) pairing look to be serious about doing big things in Athens this fall.

Wide receiver Chris Conley had four catches for 114 yards and a touchdown of 70 yards.  Two words come to mind when I think about @CCon_TreUno: body control.  Long and lean with soft hands….Murray has yet another nice option on the outside in Conley. 

Also, John Theus (@jtheus71) is banging away and appears close to locking down a starting spot on the o-line.  Totally called it.  It’s a good thing too.  Given Georgia’s losses among the hog mollies heading into this season, Theus’ commitment was heartily welcomed and the DAWGS need him to step up and handle business right if that unit has any shot at coming together before the season.

Glory, Glory.

DAWGBEASTS and the AGGIES

AARON MURRAY - Murray threw five touchdown passes in the 2nd quarter on his way to completing 18 of 23 passes for 238 yards.

CHRIS CONLEY - Conley had a breakout day for the DAWGS with five catches for a career-high 126 yards, including a 47-yard touchdown grab.


Courtesy: UGASports.com

BRANDON BOYKIN – Boykin made plays all over the field Saturday, racking up 6 total tackles, including a tackle for loss and a forced fumble on defense. On offense, Bam had a 42 yard catch and run for a touchdown.

BRANDON HARTON – Georgia’s former walk-on Brandon Harton rushed for a game-high 98 yards and a touchdown on a day that the DAWGS were without four running backs.

RAGING BEAST STAT OF THE WEEK – Georgia pushed its winning streak to seven games in the regular season for the first time since winning the first seven games of the 2005 season. Nine different players scored touchdowns for the DAWGS as they rolled up 627 total yards, their highest total in Mark Richt’s 11 seasons in Athens.

Glory, Glory.

DAWGBEASTS and the HATED Gators

RICHARD SAMUEL IV – Samuel’s statistics were solid (17 carries, 58 yards, TD), but it was when and how the DAWGS big bodied back did his work that landed him on this list. With Isaiah Crowell sitting out with an injury, Samuel carried the load and became the heartbeat of the Georgia offense in the fourth quarter. Samuel hammered out yards on punishing runs during the decisive drive that gave the DAWGS the lead, paying it off in the end with the go-ahead touchdown run from four yards out. Samuel followed that up by sharing carries with Crowell during Georgia’s final drive as the DAWGS ran the clock to double zeroes. Samuel has been the ultimate team player during his time in Athens, repeatedly doing whatever was in the best interests of the team. Finally, against the DAWGS nemesis and in a game where legends are made, Samuel had his moment.


Courtesy: UGASports.com

JARVIS JONES – Jones was all over the field for the DAWGS on Saturday racking up 5 tackles, 4 sacks and a forced fumble. Come to find out, Georgia’s stellar outside linebacker did all of this with a strained MCL. Jones was absolutely the definition of a BEAST against the Gators.

OFFENSIVE LINE – Georgia’s big men along the offensive line really played well, especially in pass protection when it really counted (the two TD passes on 4th down and the late completion to Chris Conley come instantly to mind) and the DAWGS dominated the line of scrimmage when the game was on the line. Georgia was able to run the ball when they needed to, taking possession of the ball with 5:32 remaining in the game and not giving it back.

**HUGE tip of the cap to Isaiah Crowell for his block on the 3rd quarter touchdown pass to Michael Bennett. Crowell ran the ball well when he was in the game, but that block was good enough to get the Georgia freshman mentioned on this list.

RAGING BEAST STAT(S) OF THE WEEK – Georgia’s defense held Florida to minus 19 yards rushing in the game

BONUS FACT – The DAWGS have now beaten Florida and Tennessee in the same year for the first time since 1988

Glory, Glory.