Notebook: WRs Brown, Bennett come through big in Mitchell’s absence
NASHVILLE – Georgia’s Marlon Brown said he’s still not 100 percent recovered from the ankle injury that sidelined him for two games. But he proved to be pretty good at 90 percent.
The junior split end from Memphis had a career night in the Bulldogs’ 33-28 win over Vanderbilt on Saturday. He finished with a career-best 121 yards on four catches and recorded two touchdowns, including a 75-yarder.
“It was great having Marlon back,” said quarterback Aaron Murray, who registered career highs in attempts (38), completions (22) and yards (326) and threw three touchdowns. “He’s been banged up the last few weeks and still isn’t 100 percnet. He told me before the game he was like 85 or 90 percent and he had a great performance today. Hopefully by Florida he’ll be 100 percent.”
“It feel pretty good right now,” Brown said with a laugh shortly after the game concluded. “But I really can’t take any credit for it. I have to give most of the credit to the offensive line blocking, the running backs blocking and to the quarterback making good throws.”
Brown played only sparingly in the previous two games and none against Coastal Carolina and Ole Miss due to his injury. But he and Michael Bennett were being counted on Saturday to fill in for leading receiver Malcolm Mitchell, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Bennett, who got the start at split end, also had a career night with 7 catches for 89 yards.
But Brown’s 75-yarder proved to be the difference in the game. It came on third-and-10 with 13:57 remaining in the game.
“You live for games like this, close games, hard-fought games,” Brown said. “We just made a few more plays then them and we won.. That’s always good.”
Meanwhile, Murray didn’t care much for talking about his record-setting night.
“We knew it was going to be a battle and we’re just happy to get out of here with a W,” the sophomore quarterback said. “We’ve won five games in a row and we’ve got a lot of work to do still. So that’s all I’m thinking about.”
Busy night for Walsh
It was another up and down night for Georgia kicker Blair Walsh.
On the up side, the senior from Boca Raton, Fla., booted a 53-yard field goal and added successful kicks of 44, 36 and 28 yards. On the down side, he missed two more tries, upping his missed-kick total to eight for the season. He’s 12-of-20 on the season.
I just got off to a slow start. The 20-yarder off the post was just unlucky,” Walsh said. “I came back with a 53-yarder and made three after that so I can’t complain.”
Special teams struggling
It was another tough night for Georgia’s special teams play. The Bulldogs gave up a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, a 43-yard gain on a fake punt on fourth-and-13 at the Vanderbilt 22 and a blocked punt with seven seconds left in the game that could have been disastrous.
“Five SEC wins in a row is good but it’s time for us to get re-focused get our feet back under us and be focused and ready for this Florida game coming up,” said punter Drew Butler, who had two punts for a 46 yard average. “We enough talent on this team where if we just do what we’re supposed to do we shouldn’t have breakdowns like we did tonight.”
On the positive side, Georgia’s Orson Charles also blocked a punt and it led to a Bulldogs’ touchdown.
Etc. . .
Bacarri Rambo hurt his leg at the end of the game but Richt does not believe it to be serious. . . .Georgia’s five-game winning streak is its first since 2007 when it won seven in a row to end that season. The Bulldogs won their first four in 2008 for an 11-game streak. . . .
Brandon Boykin ran a play as the quarterback in the “Wild Dog” formation in the first quarter. He was tackled for no gain on the play. . . . Rambo, Boykin and Shawn Williams each had interceptions. . . . Vanderbilt’s kickoff return for touchdown was the first Georgia has allowed since Auburn’s Demond Washington in 2009. . . .
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87 comments Add your comment
aw
October 16th, 2011
4:55 pm
Most underutilized 5 star wide receiver in the country!
Killer
October 16th, 2011
5:45 pm
When Boykin comes in in the reddog formation, isn’t it kind of obvious that he is going to run it? Who does Bobo expect to fool on that play when he only does it once every other game or so. The Vanderbilt coach was very creative last night. Bobo does not have a creative bone in him. He is too predictable. He has to go.
kybodawg
October 16th, 2011
6:13 pm
can anyone tell me why rambo took a knee after interception when there were no one within 20yds of him. with 1:10 left and he could of put us in fg range
hbrooks17
October 16th, 2011
7:05 pm
Man, that was a close game that made my stomach hurt in the end. At the end of the game I was left scratching my head over so many of our offensive play calls that I started to consider Bobo may have taken some acid right before the game. Special teams needs help, but they know that. I think we all need to realize that 4 of the best 5 players on our team all our true freshman and they all came to Georgia to play under Mark Richt. Further, we got some really good 4 and 5 stars looking our way that have publicly declared they are out if Richt leaves. He is building a team but a young team is going to make stupid mistakes and then look absolutely brilliant on the next play. Give them time and a couple of years and we are going to be real special. I think so many of us will be back on the Richt bandwagon by then. Thanks Richt and GOOOOO DAWGS!!!!!!!
Home boy does good - VolNation
October 16th, 2011
8:39 pm
[...] [...]
Dosta Dawg
October 16th, 2011
9:26 pm
You gotta love Richard Samuels for his unselfish attitude of team first; but if I see BOBO call another play that involves Samuels running laterally instead of straight into (hopefully) a hole between the guards, I think I will have a stroke. He is not a lateral runner. If you want him to carry the ball, point his arse north or south and turn him loose.
Chris
October 16th, 2011
10:25 pm
I believe that Coach Richt is a very good human being…..but he is paid a lot pf money to win football games. I can find no reason to support what is happening in Athens at the moment. I watch LSU and Bama and I see UGA as a very poorly coached football team. Give the Vandy kids credit they played hard. Their coach gets the most out of them. If you were a big time recruit in the state of Georgia why on earth would you go to UGA?? You will not receive the coaching you are looking for, go to Bama or LSU or maybe Vandy??? Our new AD has to address these issues asap!!
BigDaddyDawgBreath
October 17th, 2011
2:06 am
I’ve seen a couple people say, in defense of this staff, “We are not Bama or LSU.”
Exactly. That’s the point. In a state with more football talent than Alabama or LSU, with comparable resources at all levels, we cannot compete with Bama or LSU.
If you find that acceptable, you have a loser’s mentality. UGA can and should be better than this – than all the sloppy efforts this year against sub-par teams.
JAWJeRDAWG
October 17th, 2011
6:03 am
Richard Samuels played very well despite having to play through pain most of the game. We couldn’t have asked any more out of him.
Isaiah Crowell; I know he was is playing hurt, too, and has the break-away speed to gain some good yardage through open holes, but as consistent pound it up the middle runner, I’m not so sure he can do that.
We need a good compliment to Isaiah.
Keith Marshall, we need you. Hope you see that need and choose to play for UGA. .. Go Dawgs!
JAWJeRDAWG
October 17th, 2011
6:14 am
In preparation for the Florida game, I hope:
- our players can all heal up these next two weeks and stay healthy and injury-free during practice;
- stay focused and out of off-the-field issues where they can all practice and play;
- put all our Vandy poor performance issues behind us and resolve our ST’s play; and
- develop a good game plan for UF and execute it on the field of play.
If we do those things, we should beat the Gators.
Would be a nice and necessary win for UGA. ..
Go Dawgs!
Win P
October 17th, 2011
7:18 am
jp @ 3:22, my recall is this. UGA has great field position and the football. A little over a minute left in the game. After 3 plays, and lost yardage, UGa is faced with a 4th down. Vandy has no time outs remaining. The game clock is down to 7 seconds. The decision how to eliminate the 7 seconds without giving Vandy a opportunity to score. UGA attempts a punt,which is blocked, Vandy recovers the ball and would have scored and won the game were it not for Bulter’s tackle. This is my recall and I’m sticking with it.
RMikel58
October 17th, 2011
7:25 am
Georgia’s playing like the Falcons. Is there a possible way to look twice into your dimented “Special Teams” that looked atrocious against a seemingly easy competitor? wHO THE HECK IS SENDING CHEERLEADERS IN DRAG on special teams?
If it isnt the OL one week then its another. Is Georgia being cheap and not hiring a Special Teams Coach? That alone can cost you 2 games a year.
Now the field goal kicker is having panic attacks everytime he gets ready to make a kick. Do that against Florida and youve got major problems cause theyre FAST! Watching Georgia play SATURDAY was crazy, i mean Vanderbilt ran over those front defensive linemen. You best believe that Florida is gonna get those tapes and expose Georgia’s Front Four.
Im not sure what Grantham is teaching during the week but it seemed like Georgia was only focusing on the pass. Dont need more Dr. Jekyl Mr. Hyde week to week, this team has got to put things together and improve weekly.
You’ve had your fun and now things are gonna tighten up with Florida, Auburn and Ga. Tech next 4 games. You might have put 5 wins in a row but those were sub par teams and the next 3 of 4 teams are above average teams such as Tech and we’ll see what youre made of.
te29wr
October 17th, 2011
7:27 am
You complain about a close loss You complain about a close loss WHICH ONE DO YOU WANT Oh by the way Thomas Brown is a D**K HEAD
RMikel58
October 17th, 2011
7:37 am
I really do believe Mark Richt is bout the money more than winning this past 3 seasons. He allowed an un-proven whiney Mike Bobo to slot right in to Offensive Coordinator spot because he didnt want to spend the money and took a gamble.
At Best, At the Very Best……. Bobo should be coaching in the Div2-A league. Richt should just go and get the equipment Mgr. and ask him to coach Special Teams. Seriously…. i mean if youre gonna give up points on special teams why not appoint someone that you can point your finger at.
Richt in all seriousness should give back 1 million dollars of his money for bad performances. Are they that under staffed that they have no time for developement?
Attitude is Latitude and it starts there. Richt couldnt motivate a dog to chase a cat muchless get players up like Spurrier does a S. Carolina.
Sorry folks but Mark Richt has lost his Mojo and im afraid these next few weeks will propell people to ask that Georgia fire him and his band of gringos.
Thomas Brown
October 17th, 2011
7:39 am
…and everyone else who said the same ?
FORMERNASCARFAN
October 17th, 2011
8:52 am
The lack of discipline, sportsmanship, and leadership from both players and coaches has really become a distraction. Under Richt, it appears that the football program at UGA has become a NFL wannabe program, NOTHING TO DO WITH GETTING A DEGREE WHERE THE PLAYERS WILL HAVE SOMETHING TO FALL BACK ON WHEN THEY CAN NO LONGER PLAY — like … at age 35!!
Would be interesting to see the graduation rates of Richt’s players, and the academic disciplines they pursue. This program is in dire need of leadership — which is sorely lacking under Richt!
7576DAWG
October 17th, 2011
9:06 am
If Murray doesn’t self destruct against Florida we win. Last year if Murray doesn’t turn the ball over we would have easily won the game. It’s just like this years game against South Carolina if Murray doesn’t turn the ball over we win the game by 2 touchdowns.
The defense has been great since the Boise State game except the second half of the Vanderbilt game. With it at full strength for the Florida game hopefully they can shut Florida’s offense completely down like Auburn did.So the key to win or losing will be Murray’s ability to play in the state of Florida without making any mistakes.
ARdawg
October 17th, 2011
9:18 am
Vandy was what could certainly ended up a trap game. Vandy was hungry for an SEC win against a team better than Ole Miss. They were up and lying in wait for this game and they almost pulled it off. They didn’t but Richt convinced nobody that he isn’t asleep at the wheel. The game should have been a rout. Georgia has so much more than Vandy in all aspects. This game could have easily been yet another catastrophe but, it wasn’t.
Get the bad taste out of your mouths and the numbness out of your heads Dawg fans. A winning season is often fraught with such victories. History indicates we are in for a let down. If Saturday’s performance is any indication, we are. Coach, something is amiss. Find our killer instinct please
ugab
October 17th, 2011
9:21 am
I have questions! Why are we still not kicking the ball out of the endzone? We have done it several times in Athens. I do not trust a bunch of non starters on kick off coverage! The good teams have their star players on kick offs too. Why is MR playing so soft with a small lead? If we need a 1st down to close the game away, MR should throw the darn ball. bobo. A safe throw. Bobo just runs it up the middle with all 11 defensive players in the box. ?????? WHY DID THE DAWGS CHANGE THEIR PUNTING FORMATION? THEY TOOK THE 3 PLAYERS WHO USUALLY PROTECT THE PUNTER AND PUT THEM ON THE LINE.? MR made changes this year. MR has to get a special teams coach. How many years have our special teams been killing us? I believe we can be great. I believe we are young in certain places. We do have upper classmen on the team also. We need a some changes on special teams. We need a DL coach. MR has to learn to keep scoring. Put them away. We will lose to Fl. We are not playing good enough to beat Fl. They will have speedsters on kick off. Fl will run trick plays!!! Why is MR not running trick plays? No class at all at the end of the game.
ARdawg
October 17th, 2011
9:21 am
RMikel
There is no reason that Richt would have to do anything on the “cheap” Grantham is paid what, 500K- 1 mil? One of the many shinning stars at UGA is we have the money to do anything we please. Thus, we can pay a losing coach 3 mil a year. No, it isn’t about money, it’s all ego
ARdawg
October 17th, 2011
9:23 am
7576DAWG
If Murray had some pass protection and some blocking, maybe he doesn’t turn the ball over
ugab
October 17th, 2011
9:25 am
We are going to lose some good players to graduation. MR needs to get some guys some playing time. Run the score up and get some guys in the game. We have to be ready for Fl.
GSO Dawg
October 17th, 2011
10:01 am
WHEN WILL WE GET A SPECIAL TEAMS COACH!??? We have WAY to many problems in that arena, and it will bite us very soon.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 17th, 2011
10:43 am
We should have run a fake punt but our special teams doesn’t know what that is.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 17th, 2011
10:55 am
ugab, Grantham should be the DL line coach. He was pretty darn good with the Cowboys. Good for him for standing up for what he believes is right. Regarding the language that is just football. He was wrong for addressing the fans in that manner but on the field the language has been harsh for years. This PC crap is getting old. Good for Grantham IMO. Finally somebody that shows some fire on the sidelines.
Honest Abe
October 17th, 2011
11:11 am
Okay–a couple of things:
Every team should try a fake punt against us at least once a game. For some reason we almost never pressure the punter and try to set up the return. We used to set up the “return” even with Logan Gray who, as everyone in the stadium knew, was going to fair catch. The ultimate irony, because of our great athletes, we have an incredible high percentage of blocks the few times we try to block the kick. Incredibly high percentage. And we all know how a blocked can set the tone in a game. Put pressure on the kicker every time and this would also stop the rugby kicks that the opponents are using so effectively against us because they have so much time to punt.
Richard Samuel is not a tail back. He’s a great kid, bright and strong but simply not a running back. He’s proven that over and over. Let’ s stop that charade.
Crowell has great talent, but something’s missing. How can you be that out of shape? Also, think he missing the “eye of the tiger,” clearly not a tough guy. If he gets his head on right, he’ll be a great one.
Finally, let me join the chorus. We are never going to be a great team as long as Bobo is OC. Take that to the bank. How can a guy so young be so vanilla, so predictable, so bland? When you look around the SEC and other conferences and see what innovations other OCs are doing with their play calling and then watch Bobo’s calls, you can see that he is simply a mediocre game planner and incapable of making instant adjustments during a game. Sorry, that’s just the way it is and CMR will be on that hot seat as long as he sticks with Bobo.
Finally, hats off to Grantham. He’s got the D playing really well and they are actually showning some swagger on the field. That’s what we’ve been missing the last few years. CMR is so mild and Bobo so vanilla, our guys have lost their swagger. Grantham has instilled a spirit on the D which is missing with the rest of the team.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 17th, 2011
11:38 am
Abe, I agree with that last paragraph. When Geathers got clipped the ref’s evidently thought that a punch was justified or they would have thrown him out of the game right then and there. The only way that #60 ends up under Geathers is if he was going for the knees. They didn’t show the clip or chop block but it must have been a nasty one. I noticed that the Vandy coach didn’t say anything to his player about it.
Fred Dawg
October 17th, 2011
11:51 am
UGA looks far from a finished product – but we are winning the games we are supposed to win.
Next up is Florida!!!!
UGA could absolutely run the table.
Florida is suspect – has QB issues that may not be resolved before the UGA game.
Auburn is impressive in that they are finding ways to win – but look as suspect as UGA and Florida.
UGA is right there with them – the winner of the Auburn/Florida/ UGA sweepstakes will be the KING of the Mediocres!!!!
Alabama | MrSEC.com
October 17th, 2011
2:46 pm
[...] for Georgia.2. The Bulldogs can kill off UF’s East Division hopes with a win.3. UGA got a career night from receiver Marlon Brown on Saturday.4. Georgia’s quest for the East Division title could be impacted by the injury [...]
Jsck Bsrtlett
October 17th, 2011
8:19 pm
Bitch, Bitch, Bitch!! Anytime you go on the road in the SEC and come back with a W you’ve had good day!!
Big Albany Dawg
October 18th, 2011
9:21 am
I’m sorry, but my granny could have caught those TD passes that BROWN did (and she’s dead). That guy gets the Bobby Bowden and Bobby Cox LIFETIME UNDERACHIEVER AWARD.
Jimmy Crack
October 18th, 2011
11:40 am
Good job of these kids stepping up when they are called upon.
I read some of these posts and some of you folks must have joysticks in your hands. You think plays should be run to perfection yet there are a bunch of 18-21 year olds running around out there, many who are unproven freshmen. If you watch Alabama or LSU they make plenty of mistakes and have blown plays on their side all the time, but since they are VERY good teams with 5 Star players at every position, they make up for it during other plays in the game, mostly by taking advantage of the opponents’ mistakes. Some of you with this video game mentality have probably never played football at the college level or even performed a serious “team” task in your life. Grip…get one.
And you Georgia Tick fans on this blog….VIRGINIA called, they want you to come back to Charlottesville and clean up your wet spot.
savdawg
October 18th, 2011
3:58 pm
Vandy’s coach was WAY out of line. He started it by going after Shawn Williams. Grantham did just what he should have. By the way, Franklin, you are still, and will always be the borrowed dog the entire SEC will kick the hell out of. !!!
savdawg
October 18th, 2011
3:58 pm
Vandy’s coach was WAY out of line. He started it by going after Shawn Williams. Grantham did just what he should have. By the way, Franklin, you are still, and will always be the borrowed dog the entire SEC will kick the hell out of. !!!
savdawg
October 18th, 2011
3:58 pm
Vandy’s coach was WAY out of line. He started it by going after Shawn Williams. Grantham did just what he should have. By the way, Franklin, you are still, and will always be the borrowed dog the entire SEC will kick the hell out of. !!!
jp
October 18th, 2011
10:32 pm
win p it was 15 seconds remember after the punt was blocked vandy had 7 seconds left on the clock.and ran 2 plays. we changed protections ( which we should not have done) should have kept the swinging gate with 3 blockers back in case some one breaks through.You teach the backs to lie or lay if you wish ,on the ground for a few more seconds on the last play and maybe murray can throw to the end zone with 6 0r 7 seconds and end the game
jp
October 18th, 2011
10:51 pm
planet claire you must play in a band see how smart . You said not 1 thing about football rock lobster. when people make ignorant remarks it is called free speech or in your vocab ” yes we can” when we have people complaining about winning on the road in the sec for the 4th game in a row and arm chair qb and band members like your self runnin off at the mouth you make my point go back to you own private idaho you pencil neck nerd and play with your smart phone boyeeeeee . remember you played in the band go ask stipe if you are losing your religion and leave the tackle football to the coaches and us 160 IQ guys out here. “spread the wealth around ” or maybe I have it wrong you are a cheerleader planet claire . nice handle hugs and kisses