Georgia Bulldogs vs Mississippi State Bulldogs Recap and Analysis

The Georgia Bulldogs (2-2) entering the game, was returning home after earning their first SEC win of the season against Ole Miss last week to play the Mississippi State Bulldogs, also (2-2) who has yet to win an SEC game. UGA was seeking revenge after dropping a tough game against this team last season. Mississippi State opened up the game with possession; however, the Dawgs defense held them to a quick three and out after Cornelious Washington made a huge sack on Chris Relf. Georgia star corner back Brandon Boykins got a huge (30) yard punt return to put the Bulldogs deep in Mississippi State territory to their 33 yard line. Georgia's offense capitalized on the three-play, (33) yards drive with a (21) yard touchdown pass from Aaron Murray to Orson Charles to put Georgia up 7-0. Mississippi State responded by driving into UGA territory; however, they would settle for a (42) yard field goal to cut Georgia's deficit to 7-3. After both teams went three and out, Mississippi State made a terrible punt which placed the Bulldogs at the MSU 22 yard line. Once again, the Bulldogs would capitalize with a four play, (22) yard drive which ended with a (6) yard touchdown pass from Aaron Murray to Malcolm Mitchell to put Georgia up 14-3 late in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Georgia Bulldogs threw two interceptions and the Mississippi State Bulldogs failed to capitalize and was forced to punt on each possession. However, shortly after the second Aaron Murray interception, the Georgia defense came up with their first turnover of the game with a Samuel Commings pick to give the Bulldogs the football at their own 19- yard line. Georgia capitalized with an eight-play, (81) yards drive that finished with an Carlton Thomas (7) yard touchdown to give the Bulldogs an commanding 21-3 lead at home, which they carried into halftime. In the third quarter, after both Georgia and Mississippi State traded punts, on the ensuing punt for Mississippi State, their punter fumbled the snap and placed UGA deep in their territory at the 12-yard line. Georgia's offense could not capitalize on the play after a botched snap. After both teams traded possessions again, UGA made a huge play when Sanders Commings recovered a fumble and placed Georgia in good field position at the Mississippi State 15-yard line and would settle for a (27) yard field goal from Blair Walsh to put the Georgia Bulldogs up 24-3. In the fourth quarter, Mississippi State started making their first big drive since scoring a field goal early in the game and made it down to the UGA 24-yard line; however, a penalty and a loss of yards forced Mississippi State to go for it on 4th down and they failed to convert the Chris Relf pass. As the Georgia Bulldogs were driving, Mississippi State came up with a interception from Darius Slay who made a (72) yard return for a touchdown to cut the deficit to 24-10. UGA ran the clock out and earned an interception late in the game from Shawn Williams as the Georgia Bulldogs won 24-10 and improved to 3-2 on the season and sits at 2-1 in the SEC. Now, I will give some of my standouts in this game for the Georgia Bulldogs today.


STANDOUTS IN THE WIN:


1. CORNELIOUS WASHINGTON

On the first Mississippi State possession, Washington set the tone for the defense by earning a sack on Chris  Relf and the early defensive momentum would carry over for the rest of the day for the Georgia Bulldogs. Throughout the game, the junior outside linebacker was giving Mississippi State's offensive line and Relf fits as he brought some intense pressure to interrupt the opponent's game plan. Washington would end the day with two sacks and both of them came at a time of the game when the Bulldogs needed a clutch play and to spark their successful game as a defense. 

2. MALCOLM MITCHELL

Mitchell, the freshman wide receiver was huge for Aaron Murray and the Georgia offense early in the game with his clutch receptions on 3rd down and his early touchdown reception to put Georgia up 7-0 in the first quarter. Mitchell lead the team with (5) receptions and (60) yards with a touchdown catch. The freshman is starting to form a chemistry with Murray as the season progresses for UGA. He was also a key player in last week's win over Ole Miss as he made (3) receptions for (93) yards and kept Georgia's offense together as they earned a road win. This is just the beginning of a great career as a Georgia Bulldogs wide receiver if he continues to produce like this for the remainder of the season.





3. ISAIAH CROWELL

The freshman sensation is continuing to impress all UGA fans and is showing the promise and  potential of being one of the next best running backs around the nation. Today, Crowell continued his impressive rookie campaign as he had (22) carries, (104) rushing yards, and a (4.7) yards per carry average. Crowell surpassed the 100-yard mark as a running back for the third time this season and is getting better week after week for the Georgia offense. Currently, Crowell's (411) rushing yards is ranked in the Top 25 of running backs around the nation which is very impressive for this young man in his first season as a Bulldog. As the season progresses, Crowell will continue to make a huge impact on Georgia and he will become one of the best runners in the SEC and around the country.


4. GEORGIA'S DEFENSIVE UNIT

After surrendering more than 30 points in their first two losses against South Carolina and Boise State, the Georgia defense have continued to improve and is going to get better each week as the amount of points surrendered have decreased dramatically over the last three weeks. Today, despite the Mississipi State defense scoring an interception for a touchdown, Georgia's defense held the offense to only (3) points. UGA's defense recorded (3) turnovers, (213) total yards of offense, (4-15) on third down conversions, and made the entire day difficult for Chris Relf and the Missisippi State offense. Next week, the UGA defense will face another task when they face off against the Tennessee Volunteers.


THINGS TO IMPROVE NEXT WEEK:


1.AARON MURRAY TURNOVER RATIO

Despite throwing two first-half touchdown passes, Aaron Murray would throw three interceptions  in the second half, including one that went for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter. Murray finished the day (13-25), with (160) passing yards, (2) touchdowns, and (3) interceptions. Aaron Murray must make better decisions in the pocket because against some of the dominant SEC teams, those mistakes could turn into game-changing opportunities and could cause Georgia to suffer an ugly loss. Against Tennessee, the somphmore quarterback can not make crucial mistakes in the tough environment in Knoxville or that could help the Volunteers pull off an upset win next weekend.


2. BLAIR WALSH FIELD GOAL ACCURACY

Walsh, who is still one of the best kickers in the nation have struggled the past two weeks against Ole Miss and Mississippi State. Last week, Walsh was (2/5) in the win and also missed a 48-yard field goal today, which is unlike the veteran kicker. He will be in good shape; however, these misses can not become consistent as we take on Tennessee, Auburn, Florida, and Georgia Tech because that will hurt you in close football games.






3. PLAY CALLING IN THE SECOND HALF:

After the Bulldogs jumped out to a 21-3 lead, in the 3rd and 4th quarter, Mike Bobo presented a very conservative offense and failed to score any touchdowns. Against competitive teams, you must continue to dominate with your offense throughout the game, because if you change the entire pace of your offense due to having a lead, you can spark momentum for the opponents and that could lead to a lack of consistency for your offense and could help a comeback win occur because in college football, anything can happen.


FINAL THOUGHTS:

Georgia looked like a focused football team today and after struggling to open the season, they are looking like a well-prepared team as they leave for their road trip to Tennessee, Vanderbilt, and Florida. A successful road trip could spark something special for the Georgia Bulldogs heading into November and as the season progresses, I expect to see the entire team playing their best football heading into the tough stretch of a college football season. Next week, UGA goes on the road to play the Tennessee Volunteers and will look to earn a road victory. Until next week, GO BULLDOGS!!!