UPDATED: Georgia Bulldogs steamroll FAU 56-20 on record-setting offensive night
Georgia tailback Todd Gurley breaks free on a 38-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter against Florida Atlantic on Saturday at Sanford Stadium. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS — Georgia and its fans got what they paid for and Florida Atlantic got its $1 million check as the Bulldogs rolled over the Owls 56-20 on Saturday night at Sanford Stadium.
The win gets No. 7 Georgia off to a 3-0 start for the first time since 2008, when it began the season ranked No. 1. The Bulldogs (1-0 SEC) play host to Vanderbilt (1-2, 0-1) on Saturday.
Georgia simply overwhelmed their Sun Belt Conference visitors with offense. The Bulldogs rolled up a school-record 713 yards — breaking the 1993 record of 667 yards versus Southern Miss — and did it with strong running and passing.
Tailbacks Todd Gurley (111) and Keith Marshall (104) each went over 100 yards rushing — the first freshman pair to do that in a game since Thomas Brown and Danny Ware in 2004 — and quarterback Aaron Murray threw for a career-high 342 yards on 14-of-19 passing. He accounted for four touchdowns — two passing and two rushing — and he moved up to tie Eric Zeier for second on Georgia’s career passing TDs list with 67. David Greene is the all-time leader with 72.
“It’s a great feeling,” said Murray, who left the game late in the third quarter. “You’ve got to give credit to the way we worked this week in practice and the way we’ve been working. Guys have been determined to work their tails off to understand the game plan and what teams do defensively so we can come out and execute. And that’s what we did tonight.
Meanwhile, Georgia’s vaunted defense didn’t look as dominant. Playing without All-America outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, who sat out with a slight groin pull, the Bulldogs gave up 318 yards and 15 first downs. The Owls, who managed only one touchdown in their 7-3 win over Wagner to open the season, tied the score at 14-14 early in the second quarter and converted eight of 12 first downs in the first quarter.
“I was concerned,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “They were legitimately taking that ball and moving it down the field. Their quarterback was very confident, they were throwing and catching the ball and their running backs were good.”
But Georgia shut out the Owls’ offense in the second half and managed to rest most of its starters in the fourth quarter. And not having Jones made an impact.
“Yeah, I think it affected us.,” Richt said. “Guys like Jarvis tend to get you off the field. Knowing Jarvis, he probably would’ve been good for a sack or two.”
Everything wasn’t rosy for Georgia’s offense either. Murray threw an interception in the end zone, backup quarterback Christian LeMay threw a “pick-six” interception and the Bulldogs fumbled three times for the second week in a row, losing two this time. Also, the Bulldogs were penalized eight times after being flagged 12 times a week earlier.
“I didn’t like the turnovers,” Richt said. “There were too many balls on the ground. We’re still not fielding punts and kicks like we should. We have a lot to fix.”
Georgia’s victory came on a night when the school inaugurated — or “collared,” as they like to call it — a new mascot. Russ, the 8-year-old half-brother of Uga VII, was sworn in as Uga IX in a ceremony right before kickoff. Russ had served as interim Uga for 25 games over four seasons after the deaths of Ugas VII and VIII.
Gurley passed the century mark with a 38-yard touchdown run at the 10:18 mark of the third quarter. That gave him 106 yards on nine carries and Georgia a 42-14 lead. At that point Marshall had 104 yards on 10 carries. Gurley has scored a touchdown in all three of his games as a Bulldog and has five touchdowns on the season.
“That’s good right there, both of us getting 100 yards,” said Gurley, who is averaging 92 per game. “If we can do that every game the outcome should always be a win.”
The game featured several career highs for several players. Junior tight end Arthur Lynch scored the first touchdown of his career. He hauled in a Murray pass and went 36 yards, diving and reaching the ball over the pylon. It required an official review to reward him the score. Lynch had a career-best three catches for 73 yards.
A week after catching a career-best eight catches against Missouri, Michael Bennett had a career-high 110 yards receiving on four catches. He had a 67-yard touchdown catch late in the second quarter.
Linebacker Amarlo Herrera had a 35-yard interception return for a touchdown that made the score 49-14 late in the third quarter. LeMay scored his first career touchdown on a quarterback sneak in the fourth quarter.
Whatever passion Georgia may have lacked in Saturday’s game should return 10-fold against the Commodores. You’ll recall that last year’s game between those teams in Nashville — the Bulldogs won 33-28 — ended with a shouting match between Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham and Vandy head coach James Franklin.
“I know we’ll be motivated for that game,” Richt said. “We’ll be ready.”
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198 comments Add your comment
air of mendacity
September 16th, 2012
11:05 am
D makes me nervous as hell – maybe it is the missing starters (did Jenkins play or sit this game?) but they seem to be reading their press clippings – at least early in the game. Is Grantham considered a great X’s and O’s man – it doesn’t show to me. I know he is a motivator etc and plays agressive but the D seems plain vanilla to me.
Vandy always gives us problems and TN and Gators look better than I thought they would. I just expect to beat USC and Spurrier. Now the real season begins. Undefeated going to Jacksonville – just like the old old days – Go Dawgs.
chase
September 16th, 2012
11:07 am
gt4ever
here come the sad sack Techies
Georgia’s defense has given up an average of 18 points a game to FAU and Buffalo without most of our defense
how was that game against the Hokies? – you know, the team that got housed by PITT (who incidentally got beat bad by Youngstown St)
Tech is not worth a second thought to ANY SEC team
Video: A record-setting night for Georgia’s offense | UGA sports blog
September 16th, 2012
11:08 am
[...] UPDATED: Georgia Bulldogs steamroll FAU 56-20 on record-setting offensive night | UGA sports blog [...]
Sunday morning recap of a great Saturday in the SEC
September 16th, 2012
11:12 am
[...] Georgia Bulldogs steamrolled Florida Atlantic as they start the season 3-0 for the first time since [...]
Sunday morning recap of a great Saturday in the SEC
September 16th, 2012
11:12 am
[...] Georgia Bulldogs steamrolled Florida Atlantic as they start the season 3-0 for the first time since [...]
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
11:13 am
Chase…..
Georgia has played Buffalo, Missouri, and Florida Atlantic (with 700 total yards against a horrible Florida Atlantic team that bloats Georgia’s stats).
Florida has played Bowling Green, Texas A&M, and Tennessee (over 500 yards of total offense against the Vols…..a little more impressive than 700 vs. FAU….don’t you think?)
Both Georgia and Florida are 3-0…..the only stat that matters.
Also…..Georgia has a Jr (RS) QB that is playing his 4th year in a system….with a lot of SEC game experience……playing against some very weak defenses so far. Florida has a true soph. QB playing well in his first year in a new system….with little on field SEC experience before this year…..and played well vs. a very good Texas A&M team….and played really well vs. a previously undefeated Vols team.
You need to give credit where credit is due……and compaing Georgia’s stats vs. Florida’s stats so far…has little to do with anything.
And all you read on here is how Georgia needs to pass less and run more……..
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
11:16 am
gt4ever……
I would say Texas A&M and Tennessee are just……a little bit……better than Virginia and Presbyterian……with Tennessee probably better than Va. Tech and A&M much better than Va. Tech.
HardTruth Here
September 16th, 2012
11:16 am
Lets set the record straight on this Mason, LeMay situation. First, LeMay came in as the Highest ranked QB of the three(Murray, Mason, and LeMay) and this Kid when given the Chance will lead this team better, Mark Richt has a thing with proven guys not losing there positions. Make know mistake LeMay is the real deal and can play. We don’t need another D.J.Shockley/David Greene situation. LeMay is probably going in as the number 1 next year, Just simply to good to hold on the Bench.
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
11:19 am
and….GT4ever……
the last time I checked…..Georgia and South Carolina were ranked in the top 10 with both Bama and LSU. And Florida might just make it into the top 10 either this week or next. And MSU is undefeated….and in the top 25. ACC….well…..it has FSU for now.
RedandBlackDAWG
September 16th, 2012
11:20 am
ugab
September 16th, 2012
8:55 am
You need to learn a little about football, because your evaluation of the DAWGS is not even close to accurate. Lose to Florida and tenn., right. If you had played the sport, then you would know how difficult it is to get ready to play teams, that have something to prove, when your team is so superior that you have trouble getting up for the game. In the first three games, UGA has made halftime adjustments and inflicted serious damage to the other team in the second half. If you are basing UGA’s potential based on yesterdays game, you aren’t quite ready to step up to the spot, of evaluator. 712 yards against FAU should show you all you need to know about cup cake games. If UGA had kept it’s starters in the whole game, or even started them, they could have put up 1000+ yards easily. CMR spent the whole 4th quarter, trying not to score.
UGA will be just fine, now that they are getting into the meat of their schedule.
As for Geathers and Jenkins being too slow, this is another example of your lack of understanding about the 3-4 defense. Their job is to draw double and in some cases triple blockers as nose tackles that allows your DE’s and LB’s, as well as safeties on a blitz to come in and encounter as little resistance on the way to the ball carrier or QB as possible. They have been doing that well.
HardTruth Here
September 16th, 2012
11:21 am
Georgia Tech Fans, Virginia, and Presbyterian who? I mean please don’t come on this blog until you can say we beat UGA. Which God gives you one every eight to Ten years.
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
11:21 am
HardTruth…..
I don’t think Murray is going to the NFL…..this year…..he is not ready and will not be drafted in the first round…..he will be the Georgia QB next year in my opinion.
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
11:23 am
“Georgia Tech Fans, Virginia, and Presbyterian who? I mean please don’t come on this blog until you can say we beat UGA. Which God gives you one every eight to Ten years.”
@HardTruthHere……
Be careful……..Gator fans could use that comment vs. you and other Dawg fans……at least for the last 20 something years.
Sautee Dawg
September 16th, 2012
11:24 am
Tony at 4:26am
Which Mizzou center pushed Big John Jenkins around? You must have watched a different game than me. Mizzou center left the game early in the 2nd quarter and didnt return. Must have been tired from pushing Big John around. John Jenkins had a helluva game against Mizzou, no rushing yards to speak of.
John Jenkins didnt play but 20 snaps against FAU. He wasnt in the game on FAU’s rushing touchdown either.
Don’t see anyone pushing John around.
Big Crimson 75
September 16th, 2012
11:25 am
SEC power rankings :
1. Bama — Thus far, the Defense is allowing 4.6 points per game.
Fair n Balanced
September 16th, 2012
11:28 am
I really thought that offense was a problem….it still may be. We haven’t beaten a quality opponent yet, had to come from behind to win last week with great plays from the defense. Offense gets 700+ yards, but makes WAY too many turnovers. Careless! And a pick 6! Defense has given up big plays and many more points than it should, leaving poor opponents in games.
Some of this is typical of this Richt era. We just piddle around with these kinds of opponents. On the other hand, we got a lot of yards and the defense shut em down in 2nd half. I like Murray’s confidence at this point and the fact that Richt said “we’ll be ready”. For sure it’s time to be ready to play well from start to finish.
Sautee Dawg
September 16th, 2012
11:36 am
Tampa Gator
Gators QB is impressive beating A&M and the Vols. Tough league to grow up in, which is how Murray got the job. On the job traning, growing up in the SEC.
Just think what the 2 QB’s would have accomplished if they both played in one of those leagues that don’t play any D.
I like the Barkley kid out at USC, but seems like everytime ESPN turns the heat up on him for a Heisman run he has a game like the one against Stanford. And it’s all about the D. Stanford is probably the only team Barkley will play this season with a decent D.
Congrats on a win against a tough Vols team.
Long-time Dawg
September 16th, 2012
11:39 am
Forget the “slight groin pull”, I think Jarvis Jones was serving a suspension. Also, was the same true of Samuels when they played everyone but Mrs. Richt?
john lula
September 16th, 2012
11:39 am
Congraultions to FAU. They beat the spread of 42.5 pts.
Big Crimson 75
September 16th, 2012
11:42 am
SEC Power Rankings :
1. Bama — thus far, Defense is allowing 4.6 point per game.
2.LSU — Mettenberger makes LSU a better team.
3. Fla — everyone knew either Fla, UT or Aubie would improve over last year — the answer is easy. 2 impressive Rd wins for the Gators.
4. UGA — Nothing worse than wasting talent.
5. S.C. — shoddy passing attack.
6. A&M — this is the newbie who will upset some teams in the conference.
7. UT — they’ve improved. They need to improve more. Dooley needs a signature win.
8. Missy St — barely beat Troy.
9. Arkansas — when you run with Petrinos, you’re bound to catch fleas.
10. Vandy — not sold yet.
11. Aubie — whatever they paid Cam, he was worth every penny!!
12. Mizzu — this team will be lucky to win 3 SEC games.
13. Ole Miss — the Nutt-cracker left a mess for a decent Coach in Hugh Freeze.
14. Ky — bad football team.
Deaf Gray
September 16th, 2012
11:55 am
If the idiots, who always seem to think the DAWGWS will lose, haven’t awakened and seen that we’ve won four straight, they never will!
BRING ON VANDERBILT!!
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
11:55 am
Big Crimson……
1. Bama (proven to be the best so far)
2. LSU (proven they belong on the same field as Bama so far)
3. Georgia (how is 3-0 wasting talent?)
4. Florida (proven they can beat two good SEC teams on the road in very hostile environments)
5. South Carolina (proven they have WR and QB issues….but are still undeated and good)
6. Texas A&M (along with Florida, they have a future star QB in the SEC)
7. Mississippi State (hard to get up for Troy State….but they are talented)
8. Tennessee (still looking for depth on defense….very good on offense)
9. Missouri (played well for 3 quarters vs. Georgia and won this week on the road)
10. Vandy (they have been a disappointment so far this year….changed QBs)
11. Auburn (well….they beat LA-Monroe)
12. Arkansas (well….the lost to LA-Monroe and lost 52-0 to Bama in a statement game)
13. Ole Miss (only if their defense was as good as their offense)
14. Kentucky (how do you lose at home to Western Kentucky????)
BILLY JACK
September 16th, 2012
11:57 am
After speaking with some coaching friends of mine 3 of which are not UGA alumni they think Alabama Georgis and LSU are clearly the class of the SEC and I must agree.Arkansas Tennesee are clearly not what the experts thought and Florida still looks like a work in progress.South Carolina is gonna have major problems with substandard QB play and stopping Lattimore will beat them more often than not against good teams like Georgia.Auburn may win 3 or 4 games and the Miss schools may when 11 games between them.I see the balance of power from top to bottom swinging back to the east in the next 2 or 3 years.Alabama LSU game will be huge with the winner playing a Georgia team with all of UGA players back.Tennesee will be the first game Georgia will be at full strenth with All Americans Rambo and Ogletree back.I believe with these great players back Georgia will be the best def in the country and have major depth for a title run.
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
11:58 am
@Deaf….
Any ‘idiot” knows Georgia has won 3 in a row.
chase
September 16th, 2012
12:01 pm
Long-time Dawg
wrong on Jarvis
they said he almost didn’t play vs Mizzou b/c of the groin and sports talk radio was talking about him sitting out vs not sitting out against FAU b/c the groin
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
12:02 pm
Florida game replay over…….have a nice Sunday.
Georgia needs to come to play in quarter one vs.
Vandy (but still will win if they don’t…easy)
Tennessee (same as above….but not as easy)
South Carolina (will still win it in the 4th quarter….close only counts in horsehoes)
Florida (get behind the Gators in the first half…..well….good luck with that task)
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
12:04 pm
@Chase…before I go…….
Current passing leaders in the country……
1 Raquim Cato, Marshall
2 Ryan Nassib, Syracuse
3 David Piland, Houston
4 Dalton Williams, Arkansas
5 Matt Scott, Arizona
6 Corey Robinson, Troy
7 Maxwell Smith, Kentucky
8 Chase Rettig, Boston College
9 Tyler Bray, Tennessee
10 Bryn Renner
See any common thread in most of those names and schools?
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
12:05 pm
……and Mike Gillislee ran for over 100 yards vs. A&M and Tennessee….and is the number one rusher in the SEC……with a bad groin pull. He is good.
See ya.
Martin Fartman
September 16th, 2012
12:09 pm
Hard to take this win seriously. This team lost to Middle Tenn. 31 – 17
BILLY JACK
September 16th, 2012
12:12 pm
As I look at the SEC this year I see Florida losing to Georgia and LSU-South Carolina losing to Georgia Lsu and Florida on the road.Alabama and LSU are about dead even with Alabama being a 3 point favorite but with the game at LSU possibly at night probably even by game time or LSU favored by 1.Tennesee will get beat very badly by Georgia Alabama and lose to Miss St and Tennesee on the road.
Big Crimson 75
September 16th, 2012
12:13 pm
3. Georgia (how is 3-0 wasting talent?
—-
UGA has under-performed.
Beating softies won’t help once the competition level rises.
Nice start for your Gators. Amazing how the team improves once Fat Weiss hit the road.
DawginLex
September 16th, 2012
12:13 pm
Where are the idiots screaming for Lemay to play ahead of Murray?
BILLY JACK
September 16th, 2012
12:15 pm
Sorry I meant Tennesee will lose to South Carolina on the road.
DawginLex
September 16th, 2012
12:16 pm
Big crimson
We played a ton if true freshmen last night on defense. It won’t look anything like that later
BILLY JACK
September 16th, 2012
12:17 pm
Does Christian Lemay practice during the week?
DawginLex
September 16th, 2012
12:17 pm
Bama still hasn’t beat anyone
Martin Fartman
September 16th, 2012
12:18 pm
Suprised how many want to qualify a non quality win
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
12:22 pm
Decided to watch the Wil Muschamp show……..so still here.
DawginLex…..
Bama beat the then 8th ranked Michigan team on the road…easily……and destroyed Arkansas yesterday….52-0…..and…..they beat the SEC killers….Western Kentucky Hilltoppers….ask Kentucky and Joker Phillips how big that would be!!!!!!!
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
12:25 pm
Big Crimson….
Beating the SEC team killer Western Kentucky 32-0 helped Bama beat Arkansas 52-0!!!!!! Wonder how badly WK would beat Arkansas….or how badly Kentucky would beat Arkansas…..?????
CHDawg
September 16th, 2012
12:26 pm
Well, just got back from a great church service this AM, checked the sports news and saw where we moved up to number 5 in the AP Poll! Go Dawgs. Gators are moving up the chart quickly, exactly like I thought they would. To me, the chest pounding and worry is a bit of a waste–the teams will decide it on the field, and anything can happen–just ask USC. Vandy and SC will both be tough games for us, and I still think the Gators will be the toughest…
azdawg
September 16th, 2012
12:29 pm
The dawgs offensive is good enough to score on anyone in the country, including AL. Conversely, anyone in the country can score on the dawgs. The outcome of the game was never in doubt but you just can’t help but wonder if this continued trend on allowing much lesser teams to score so easily and rack up yards early on in the game is going to be their achilles heel when they face SC, FL and TN down the road. This trend on defense is worrisome. Its not a confidence builder for the dawgs but does build confidence in much better teams the dawgs will face where if they find themselves down several TD’s due to shoddy defensive play early on will they be able to come back against the SEC’s better D’s and be able to stop them defensively late in the game. You cannot be selective on what teams to get up for and play. Better bring their A game week on Defense week in and week out if they expect to be in the NC game.
Tampa Gator
September 16th, 2012
12:31 pm
My day was just made by looking at the new top 25 poll……Florida jumped over Ohio State and Urban Meyer……life if very, very good right now
14. Florida
18. Ohio State
Biggest top 10 joke…..Clemson ranked #10.
Preston
September 16th, 2012
12:32 pm
RunninWithTheDawgs, we will have everyone back for the Tennessee game. Vandy (this week) will be the fourth and final suspension game.
DallasDawg
September 16th, 2012
12:33 pm
Welllllll, it’s great to see the Aaron Murray critics are still flapping their gums, and of course rightly so…….I mean….he DID throw 4 incompletions, including a meaningless interception…..in 18 attempts, and jeez,…c’mon, he can’t even throw for 350 yards in almost 3 full quarters, what’s up with that? And, let’s not forget the critics of the defense who wouldn’t be happy unless the defense gave up zero yards, zero first downs, and zero points.
I will again say I think this team has big things they are going to accomplish, let’s keep our priorities in order, and that means to focus on winning the East; and we will worry about Bama or LSU the first Saturday in December. Until then, find a way to beat what will be a scrappy and motivated Vandy, get the missing defensive starters back in time to take care of Bray and UT, and then October gets interesting. Go Dawgs!
Preston
September 16th, 2012
12:34 pm
Tampa, what poll is that?
CHDawg
September 16th, 2012
12:34 pm
I don’t get the rivalry thing on our players, folks! Embrace them all if you are a Dawg fan; they are all great athletes. Murray played great last night because we protected him. Awesome throws. Protect Murray and I believe he is very competitive for the Heisman. Unfortunately, we haven’t done that well. However, I am extremely excited about Lemay! I like his aggressive approach. I believe he is going to be a great QB at Georgia. Don’t worry about the pick. Like everything in life, you learn by doing and he is still very green. Some more experience and some more muscle on his frame, and he is going to be a great one. I haven’t seen anything written about JSW. Did you see him light the burners! Let’s get that guy the ball this year!!!
Swampman
September 16th, 2012
12:34 pm
Step up and play some competition. The defense is a beast no matter who they will play but offense is suspect, with the level of competition they are playing and struggling with at the beginning, until the depth chart comes into play. Quit playing the candy azz games and step up in competition, not Ole Miss, that they seem to want to play every year from the west. They better do it this year, because without #29(J. Jones), he’s the glue to the defense. Won’t take nothing from the defense but i would like to see them play the SEC schedule or a viable non-SEC opponent.
Beast from the East
September 16th, 2012
12:39 pm
Really looking forward to the game in Jax. I would say UGA is the team to beat in the East, but my Gators are getting better every week. We have lowly UK coming to town and then we get a week off to rest up for LSU. That game should really tell us if UF is back…or not. I don’t expect to beat them, but we need to test them for 4 quarters and make them earn it.
Go Gators!
Joey
September 16th, 2012
12:42 pm
I liked Lemay’s poise in his first game. Yesterday he looked like a “Wildcat” QB, only lost. Thank goodness if something happened to Murray, we have the Hutson Mason option.
Lex, it’s the way Bama has been beating teams that has impressed me. Michigan and Arkansas won’t get embarrassed the rest of the season like Bama did them, and honestly, without trying to run the score up.
We can’t compare our team and there’s yet, but let’s see what our Bulldogs look like at full strength in a couple weeks . . .
CHDawg
September 16th, 2012
12:42 pm
A couple of thoughts on the D. We played a lot of young guys last night, including several true freshmen. We just didn’t pressure the QB. Reminded me of the bend don’t break days of yesteryear. The addition of a few people can make a big difference, so injuries could change the whole game, but I wouldn’t judge the D on last night’s effort. It may be that getting 9 and 18 back will yield a rusty D, but it also may elevate everybody’s play. Also, getting all of this stressful playing time really grows the young talent. Coming in at the end of a blowout doesn’t do that for you. So, we will just have to wait and see, but I think CTG was just gutsy on letting the young guys sail the ship last night. It might increase our depth over the tough stretch we have coming up…