Practice report: Georgia rallies to defeat ‘Boise State’ 38-34
ATHENS – Down 31-0 at halftime, Georgia rallied in the second half and scored a touchdown with 11 seconds remaining for a dramatic 38-34 win over Boise State Wednesday in Sanford Stadium.
OK, so it wasn’t the real Boise State. It was the Bulldogs’ scout team posing as the No. 5-ranked Broncos and going against Georgia’s varsity offense and defense in a practice game at Sanford Stadium.
Georgia coach Mark Richt said he spotted “Boise” the 31 points — they only played one half – to “create some drama.” And it did.
The Bulldogs were trailing by three inside the Boise 5-yard line late in the fourth quarter when Quantavious Harrow, playing the role of a Broncos’ defensive back, flew in and forced a turnover. But Boise was unable to run out the clock and had to punt the ball back.
Georgia won when Hutson Mason hooked up with Tavarres King on a fade route on third-and-goal.
“We had a great second half and just rolled right through them,” quarterback Aaron Murray quipped.
Richt was happy with the final result and the overall play of the defense but otherwise wasn’t particular thrilled.
“We would not have been ready today,” Richt said. “Even our pregame warmup left a little to be desired.”
Georgia’s defense was particularly resourceful, creating six turnovers and “at least” four interceptions, Richt said. Two of those picks were returned for touchdowns by cornerback Brandon Boykin.
“It was interception mania there for a minute,” Richt said. “But their offensive line didn’t protect very well and that’s the main reason why.”
UGA kept “unofficial official” stats for the scrimmage. Tailback Isaiah Crowell had six carries for 54 yards and a touchdown, Ken Malcome added 11 for 61 and a TD and Brandon Harton had five for 26 and a score for the Georgia offense.
Murray was 5-of-9 passing for 79 yards and Mason 7-of-9 for 98 and a TD. Tight end Orson Charles had three catches for 31 yards, King added three for 21, tight end Aron White had two for 46 and Harton ripped off 49 yards on one reception.
“I actually think it was the best we’ve done in one of these kinds of games” Murray said. “The offense was pretty sharp.”
Defensive end Abry Jones was the defensive star with three tackles and two sacks, cornerback Jordan Love had three stops, a sack and forced a fumble and safety Shawn Williams had an interception and pass break-up.
“As a defense, we took it as our first chance to attack what Boise does,” Abry Jones said. “I think we did a good job. Now we’ve got to go back and look at the film and see what we can do better.”
Also, place-kicker Blair Walsh nailed a 56-yard field goal in his only attempt.
Captains named
Georgia coaches appointed captains for the Boise State game before Wednesday’s scrimmage. They are center Ben Jones, defensive end DeAngelo Tyson, punter Drew Butler and Boykin.
Boykin said he was particularly proud of the honor.
“It means a lot,” he said. “Playing in the Dome in my hometown in the first game of my last year, I really appreciate it.”
Missing in action
Most of the players who have been out the last few days remained sidelined with injuries. Among them was TB Richard Samuel (quadriceps), FB Bruce Figgins (hamstring), TB Carlton Thomas (ankle) WR Malcolm Mitchell (leg muscle) and WR Marlon Brown (ankle).
Etc. . . .
Afterward, Richt said the tailback’s depth chart going into the final week is Samuel first, then Crowell, Harton and Malcome. . . . Georgia will hold a special teams practice today, then a closed situational scrimmage on Friday.
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411 comments Add your comment
Congrats Dawg
August 24th, 2011
9:26 pm
JB if you all know any body in chicken town just get them to deliver beer to Garcia – if them chickens beat east carolina. he wont sober up in time if you send enough
Return to Glory
August 24th, 2011
9:28 pm
Boyz St.: the only thing that will be blue Saturday night will be your teams rear ends after the DAWGS finish kicking the crap out of your smurf team, 2005 will seem like a spanking compared to the butt kicking that is coming your way Sept. 3rd.
THIS IS GEORGIA, THE TURF IS GREEN, THE TEAM IS A LEAN,MEAN BLUE BRONCO BUTT KICKING MACHINE !
JB
August 24th, 2011
9:28 pm
Paul, you are missing my point. the schedule would not be exact. Boise plays 9 teams ranked by Rivals that are 71st or higher out of the 120 div 1 teams listed. Beating up on them proves nothing, certainly not a top 5 ranking. Those teams would be schedule filler in the SEC for big money for them. I believe the SEC has 7 or 8 pre season top 25. Boise has a pretty good team…………..but against what?
TampaGator
August 24th, 2011
9:31 pm
Jim……………….
yes I do,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, (those are commas)
…………….but they lack for emphasis in a post. (those aren’t)
Tree Top Dawg
August 24th, 2011
9:31 pm
31-0 at half sounds about right to me. The last time that happened, we only got 30 of the final tally. This will be a blow-out, with the power rangers in red on the short end of the massacre!
davidinloganville
August 24th, 2011
9:31 pm
tide troll of course the alabamer scout team OL has five studs that are all from GA and should be starting at GA but they all have one thing that kept GA from recruiting them, right.
Athens Dawg
August 24th, 2011
9:32 pm
Our D sounds locked, loaded, and ready. Crowell had 6 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown. This guy seems so explosive and just may prove to be the real deal. 54 yards on 6 carries?! Samuel needs to hurry up and bet back. We need him. I’d have to agree with letting Samuel start the game vs. Boise. I don’t think you want to put Crowell in there right away because Boise’s defense will be licking their chops if they see a freshman tailback in there. The first hard hit he takes he could lose confidence. Samuel won’t budge. Plus Samuel is huge.
Our defense seems ready, forcing lots of turnovers and the running game just may be back to life. The passing needs to be cleaned up a little bit and the offensive line needs to shore up some things but by next Saturday we should be good. Remember, when it gets real, next Saturday at 8:00 these boys will be amped up and they’ll show it on the field.
Paul in NH (formerly RDU)
August 24th, 2011
9:32 pm
JB
I know that playing 8 SEC games would be much tougher than BSU’s current schedule but what can they do?
Alphare
August 24th, 2011
9:32 pm
both AP and Coach’s polls rank Boise State much higher than UGA.
Don’t you think there is a reason for it?
Congrats Dawg
August 24th, 2011
9:33 pm
@JB,
Not yet, but I suspect I am like a lot of SEC fans. I worry when there is no need. Especially at the beginning of the season with nothing to go on. Normally, we schedule a crap game for the opener but this time we went with the Smurfs. Well, it seems they are are extra special entitled and I would love for our Dawgs to extra special kick their tails.
JB
August 24th, 2011
9:34 pm
tide roll is a wacko. I thought he might be a prisoner with access to the computer during the day, but here he is at night. He really needs to get a life. Georgia has put as many OL in the pro’s as anybody.
Drama Queen
August 24th, 2011
9:34 pm
Richt must be auditioning for a role in Glee. .
Prozac Dawg
August 24th, 2011
9:35 pm
Sorry JB forgot to change back to Prozac Dawg
Athens Dawg
August 24th, 2011
9:36 pm
They probably aren’t even going full throttle in these little “scrimmages”. These coaches just want to see what they have in the players. But next Saturday night when it really matters, and it really counts the players, coaches, and fans will be all hyped and ready to play smashmouth football. The players will enhance their play, the coaches will enhance their coaching, etc. Don’t you think receivers will have the motivation to run better routes when it’s not their teammates their going against? Don’t you think Crowell will run harder against Boise than his own teammates? Don’t you think Murray will be focused on getting his team a W vs. Boise rather than his own team? I think so.
We will beat Boise. Thanks to the Defense and solid play out of Murray and a few big plays by Crowell. Remember Boise fans, if we receive first, you better watch out for Boykin, because he might just run one back on you. See ya next Saturday
TampaGator
August 24th, 2011
9:36 pm
Prozac…..
The last time I checked……….I didn’t have to…….sit down……..to get rid of my last cup of coffee.
Jim……..
Just wondering, did you notice the…..emphasis…..in the above? And the comma in this post?
Prozac Dawg
August 24th, 2011
9:39 pm
10-4 TampaGator,,,,,,, go with what you got!!!!
JB
August 24th, 2011
9:39 pm
Paul, thank you. That’s all I want you to acknowledge. What they play and what the SEC plays is a totally different animal, and yes I realize some SEC teams are not that good some years ( see us the last three). Ranking Boise #5 letting them feast on 9 scout teams is really not fair, to them or the rest of the NCAA. I also know they have a pretty good team. It’ll be a good test to see where the Dawgs are this year. Opening up with Cherokee State proves nothing for us.
TampaGator
August 24th, 2011
9:40 pm
Paul in NH……..
They can try like hell to beat the Dawgs in the Dome…….to make a statement. But I am not sure what that statement would be if they beat a team that finished 6-7 last year and then starts off this year losing to Boise State…..a team from a far weaker conference. I am sure Va. Tech fans and players had similar thoughts going into their game last year….and we all know what happened then. You better hope Georgia understands that they will be the underdawgs….and they need to represent the SEC well. If Boise beats Georgia, Oregon beats LSU, and BYY beat Mississippi….the SEC will take a hit. So….go beat Boise.
JB
August 24th, 2011
9:44 pm
The Boise game will come down to our d not letting Moore sit the pocket and pick us a part, which he can do. I don’t beleive they can run on us, too big and fast. I also think we can score on them. We gotta flush him out and disrupt that offense.
JAWJeRDAWG
August 24th, 2011
9:44 pm
@ tide roll
August 24th, 2011
9:01 pm
and all you other posts:
In pharmacy practice, for patients like you who are ‘full of it’, we often recommend either a dose of X-Lax, or Bowel Prep, or a Fleets enema.
Try it; we may just all benefit from you doing so. In your case it might cleanse you all the way to your sarcastic brain.
Just a kind offer from one Dawg fan who is tired of your senseless, derogagory rants, and one who thought it might help clear out all your ‘offensive content’.
TampaGator
August 24th, 2011
9:47 pm
Alphare….
Georgia would have gone, at worse, 10-2 with Boise’s schedule last year…..and they would be ranked in the top 5 this year if they had Boise’s schedule to start this year.
JB
August 24th, 2011
9:48 pm
Tampa Gator. Thanks. I really believe we will. Lot’s has happened in Athens the last 9 months. We still have a few issues, but you will see a different ball club that Saturday night. Notice ZERO players in trouble. They are focused. They are stronger and in better shape also. Murray is the real deal, and the D will much much improved…and we have the best placekicker and punter….and return man in Div 1. Go Dawgs
Athens Dawg
August 24th, 2011
9:48 pm
Boise can try all they want. They won’t beat us. I don’t think you realize just how big of players we have here at UGA. You see them on tv, see them in person. It’s totally different. Boise just hasn’t seen the speed or size anywhere before. Not in the WAC, they won’t see it in the MWC, and they haven’t seen it from any of their previous opponents. Not Virginia Tech or Oregon.
Not only are these guys big but they are ferocious and fast. Kellen Moore will have about 2-3 seconds tops in the pocket to make a decision and with our DBs being in the 2nd year under the 3-4 and coaching from Scott Lakatos, Moore won’t have a huge window to throw to his receivers. The windows will be very tight and he’ll have to fit in there.
Having to worry about fitting a ball in a tight window with big D-linemen and linebackers coming for your head is not what you want to go through. In 10 days, Kellen Moore will have the worst night of his life. Trust me on that. My name is Colt Brennan.
Colt Brennan
August 24th, 2011
9:51 pm
Don’t do it Kellen. You better fake an injury buddy. I’m telling you. Those Georgia boys are mean and ferocious! Run Kellen, RUN!
Coach Grohbo
August 24th, 2011
9:53 pm
Starters vs. Scout Team…what a colossal waste of time.
JB
August 24th, 2011
9:53 pm
Moore throwing regularly against 1 star…or no star defensive backs should provide opportunities for our DB’s. A whole lot faster and much better closing speed than he’s used to. He really racks up all those yards against high school type DB talent.
Athens Dawg
August 24th, 2011
9:55 pm
Somebody brought up a good point. We’re a changed football team. For the past 9 months it’s been a relatively quiet offseason. No off-field distractions…nobody doing dumb things…just hard work and patience. Well now the time has finally arrived. All that hard work for the past 9 months will finally show on the field. These boys have a new attitude…they have a new will…they’re fighting for Richt…they’re tired of the nation being down on their school…2nd year in the 3-4 defense…2nd year for Murray…new and improved S & C program…best kicking duo in the nation…schedule not daunting…etc. I seriously see a special, special season.
This year’s Auburn? Maybe. Just maybe.
JB
August 24th, 2011
9:55 pm
Coach Grohbo………..They do that against the formations and schemes that Boise uses, not a test of talent. You sir, are no coach.
Dooley for Prez
August 24th, 2011
9:55 pm
Thank god for the home field advantage. I was there and let’s just say there was some serious clock issues giving us a chance to win at the end. But good psychological move by coaching staff to end the scrimmage on a “4th quarter win”. Wouldn’t want the team demoralized by losing to our scout team. We have Colorado, Kentucky, Mississippi State and Vandy that will handle that duty.
Prozac Dawg
August 24th, 2011
9:55 pm
Boise gets a bye after they play the Dawgs. They have to prepare for their next big game; against Toledo!
JB
August 24th, 2011
9:58 pm
I feel good about our “athletes” vs their team…and I think they have a pretty good team. Again, if you look at this like a pick up game in the hood….we win big time.
Mobile Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:01 pm
They may need one to recover if the Dawgs are 1/2 as bad to the bone as some of our fan base thinks we are. I would like nothing more than to see Boise go out of the dome black and blue, heads hanging, and maybe a few limbs, so long as it’s not life threatening.
Paul in NH, never mind….
JB
August 24th, 2011
10:01 pm
I bet they are hoping Peterson can keep them focused on us and not look ahead to Toledo….LOL
Prozac Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:02 pm
@JB,
check this out. I think it will make you feel better, too.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/811559-georgia-bulldogs-2011-comparing-uga-and-boise-state-broncos-players-by-position
JB
August 24th, 2011
10:04 pm
I did read in the Boise paper that this is the biggest opening game ( to them) in Boise history. They are excited about playing us….and they fully expect to win. I saw Peterson on the show ” between the lines”. He is an impressive guy…and coach.
Athens Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:05 pm
Everybody on here hating on the Dawgs will need to sing a new tune on September 11th. I assure you we will start 2-0. Think about it. After we stomp Boise, we will have all the momentum in the world to beat SC at home for our home crowd. Did you guys notice that Garcia had little to no impact in last season’s game. Lattimore scored both touchdowns that SC had last season. They scored 17 so they had two touchdowns and a field goal. Garcia didn’t throw for a TD. If we take Lattimore away, (which we have bigger bodies and a better understanding to do so) then SC can’t beat us. They just can’t. Because Garcia can’t win a game on his own.
Mobile Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:06 pm
Earth to Athens, I want some of what you got. A positive attitude is always an attribute but get a grip dude. We’re coming off a dismal stretch for UGA football. Let’s sneak up on Boise, not scare them off. Have fun brother, just hope you don’t have to eat those words, don’t think you have a big enough stomach.
Athens Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:09 pm
Think about it UGA haters and SC fans…you beat us 17-6 and played a heckeva game. Believe me. You have a good team…but you went 9-5 losing the last 2 games of your season. A 9-5 season with a blowout in the SEC championship game is nothing to brag about. You beat us 17-6 when we had a freshman QB…1st year in a brand new defense….lack of leadership & attitude…poor S & C program…no running game…an Ealey fumble…and on top of that we played you IN Columbia. Just think about that.
Now Murray is in his 2nd year as a starter…2nd year in the 3-4…better personnel…new attitude & hunger…new and improved S & C program….spark in the running game…cancers gone…and we’re playing you guys in Athens. Just ponder that.
Athens Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:11 pm
Ok Mobile Dawg, tell me why we can’t start 2-0? Have you seen us play or practice? I don’t think you have. Tell me why we have absolutely no shot to start 2-0.
Milan Big Dog
August 24th, 2011
10:11 pm
How many times are all you writers and fans going to keep pouring turpentine in an old sore? LAST YEAR is old news. This season starts with a clean record. As good as Texas has been over the years they had a bad year also. Coach Richt has done a good job of keeping the school out of the NCAA outhouse. He brought in agood recruiting class this past year. A coach is as good as his players make him. We need another good year or two recruiting to rebuild the level of talent at UGA. We need to have some patience. I would love to go undefeated and win the national championship but expectations and reality are not the same thing. If the team shows improvement and doesnt roll over and play dead like they did at times last year the fans need to get that old UGA fire and spirit back in the stands and let the players know that we are behind them all the way. There was a lot of times last year that it just didnt seem like the homefield roar was the same as years past. Starting with the mashed tater bowl next week lets put the fight back in our young Dogs. We will have mashed taters and gravy one week and fried chicken the next week. Maybe we get these young puppies used to eating good they will have a hankering for some gator tail on down the line.
Prozac Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:12 pm
@Athens
Ease back on the meds brother and save some for later. I am with you and want a 2-0 start.
Mobile Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:16 pm
Athens, show me where I said we didn’t have a chance to start 2-0. Just saying your “seemingly youthful jubulance” is a little over the top. Makes me wonder if you and old Prozac Dawg are buddies and you got into his meds. Have a good time man, seriously, I just have that old walking tall mentality, walk softly but carry a big stick.
Big Spur
August 24th, 2011
10:18 pm
Wow. Beat your scout team in a phony game with a scripted “feel good” ending and the koolaid starts flowing around here.
Prozac Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:18 pm
@Athens,
just my opinion but I think the reason the chickens play us so tough is because they play us so early in the year and they really want to beat their next door neighbor. I think that’s why McGarity scheduled them for later in the year in 2013 (not sure about the year). I think our chance are pretty good to have fried chicken for supper Sept 10. For now, I just want to get by the Potato Heads. I like your spirit though
Athens Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:19 pm
Then tell me why we can’t start 2-0.
Mobile Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:20 pm
Listen to the one with a “chicken” for a mascot. A chicken.
TampaGator
August 24th, 2011
10:22 pm
Prozac Dawg……
I don’t get that artice……game match ups do not include guards against guards and linebackers against linebackers……they are about guards against linebackers, etc. You think the writer would have compared players in such fashion to really get a match up factor for the game.
But……to say Murray is better than Moore….at this point…..made the writer lose all credibility for me. Moore proved his big time status against Va. Tech’s defense last year. Murray has yet to prove such big game status…..if anything….the opposite is true. This is not to say Murray is not a very good QB….because I think he will be one of the best QBs in the SEC this year…..but no way is he currently better than Moore.
Athens Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:24 pm
At least somebody gets me. Seems like they’re more haters on here than Dawg fans.
Athens Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:26 pm
TampaGator come on man…ONE GAME against an ACC school and Moore is the best QB to ever play? Who does Moore face week in and week out? Toledo? Tulsa? Fresno State? Maybe one big game a year. San Diego State? Colorado State? Come on man. If Murray played that schedule he’d be all-world too. But he doesn’t. He plays in the rugged SEC where stats don’t come easily. I don’t care about stats. I want wins. OOOOOO Boise is in for a ruddeee awakening. If I’m a Georgia football player, I literally can’t wait to get my hands on Boise. Like literally.
Mobile Dawg
August 24th, 2011
10:27 pm
Obviously I think we have a chance to start 2-0. I thought we had a chance to do that last year too. My judgement is reserved, you are perfectly within your blog rights to proclaim a MNC.