‘Gurshall’ leads Georgia to victory in 51-44 shootout with Vols
Georgia tailback eludes the last of two would-be tacklers on his way to a 51-yard touchdown against Tennessee on Saturday. (AJC photo by Brant Sanderlin)
ATHENS – Herschel was in the house on Saturday, but “Gurshall” stole the show.
“Gurshall” is the nickname Georgia fans have bestowed upon freshman tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall, whose number 3 and 4 jerseys are reminiscent of Herschel Walker’s famous and now-retired number 34. With Walker on the sideline for part of Saturday’s game against Tennessee, the duo combined on a Herschel-like performance – 294 yards rushing and 5 touchdowns — as the Bulldogs won an offensive shootout at Sanford Stadium, 51-44 over Tennessee.
“Yeah, we’ve seen [the ‘Gurshall’ references],” said Marshall, who now has 408 yards and 5 touchdowns as a Bulldog. “It’s a cool little nickname. You’re talking about the greatest ever, so I’m not going to say we’re all that. But it’s cool to see.”
Gurley was the workhorse and Marshall was racehorse in Saturday’s scenario. Marshall had touchdown runs of 75 and 72 yards and finished with 164 yards on 10 carries. Gurley carried the ball a career-high 24 times for 130 yards and 3 TDs. Gurley also had a 51-yard scoring run and has now scored 10 touchdowns in five games.
“Honestly, with the backs we have in Todd and Keith, we know if we just execute and finish our blocks, they’re can make big runs,” Georgia junior offensive lineman Chris Burnette said. “That’s really all we focus on.”
Georgia, which came in leading the SEC in total offense and scoring, piled up 560 yards, including 282 on the ground. The Bulldogs have now scored 40 or more points in five straight games for the first time in school history.
The victory was No. 5 Georgia’s third in a row over Tennessee and represented its 15th straight regular-season victory going back to last year. The Bulldogs (5-0, 3-0) are off to their first 5-0 start since 2006. They play No. 6 South Carolina in Columbia next Saturday.
“Well, that was fun,” said Georgia coach Mark Richt, who recorded his eighth career victory over the Vols. “I’m sure CBS enjoyed that. The ratings should be good. I’m just glad we won.”
It was the proverbial “barn-burner.” Tennessee also had a huge offensive night, piling up 478 total yards on 85 plays. Quarterback Tyler Bray had 281 yards and 2 touchdowns but was undone by three interceptions. Atlanta native Rajion Neal also had 104 yards for the Vols.
Though Georgia twice built 14-point leads in the second half, the game remained in doubt until the very last seconds of the game. Cornerback Sanders Commings recorded his second interception of the game with 7 seconds remaining when Bray’s desperation deep pass bounced of the hands of receiver Cordarrelle Patterson. With the Vols out of timeouts, only then was Georgia about to assume victory formation.
Though Georgia’s renowned defense found itself on its heels for much of the game’s final three quarters, the Bulldogs made the plays when they had to. The Vols’ last three possessions of the night ended with two interceptions and a fumble.
Georgia’s cause was helped considerably by the return of two defensive players who had been suspended for the first four games. Linebacker Alec Ogletree with 14 tackles and three pass break-ups.
Free safety Bacarri Rambo was second with 9.
“I feel fine about the way we played on defense,” Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said. “I understand the issues we had today… . The newness of the positions some guys were playing after four games off hurt us. Moving forward we should become a little more consistent with our play.”
Unable to slow down Tennessee for most of the last three quarters, the Bulldogs finally got stops on the Vols’ last three possessions of the game. None was bigger than the very last one as cornerback Sanders Commings snagged his second interception of the night with seven seconds remaining on the night. At that point Tennessee had taken over at its own 35 with a chance to tie or win.
On Tennessee’s possession before that, linebacker Jordan Jenkins pressured Bray and forced a fumble, which John Jenkins recovered at the Georgia 31. But the Bulldogs were unable to get a first down on offense to put the game away.
“Those guys, they just have so many playmakers on offense,” said Commings. “Those guys are pretty good. This was a learning experience. We just need to go back and correct the mistakes we made. If we do that we’ll be back to holding teams to three points.”
The 95 highest combined fourth highest in SEC history for a non-overtime game.
Despite the close call against an unranked team, the Bulldogs claim they will head to Columbia next week a confident team.
“Besides the turnovers, we were doing a great job offensively,” said quarterback Aaron Murray, who had 278 yards passing and 2 TDs. “We scored three times in a row in the second half. If we take care of the ball we’ll be fine.”
The first half brought back memories of one of Georgia’s greatest collapses of modern era. The Bulldogs leapt ahead 27-10 early in the second quarter only to need a 50-yard field goal from Marshall Morgan at the halftime buzzer to forge a 30-30 tie.
“I’ve always believed this team had some fight in them, we just had to go out and prove it,” Tennessee coach Derek Dooley said. “We got hit by a freight train early in the game, but we were able to fight back and get back into it.”
In 2006, the Bulldogs shot out to a 24-7 lead in the second quarter. But turnovers and unsound special teams play let the Vols back in it at the end of the half and Tennessee rolled in the second on the way to a 51-33 victory.
Similarly, Georgia seemed comfortably in control early in the second quarter. Gurley had just scored on a spectacular 51-yard run with 11:48 left until halftime when Morgan missed the point-after attempt. It seemed insignificant at the time, but very little went right for the Bulldogs after that.
Georgia’s defense would get the ball back for its offense. But Malcolm Mitchell’s poor decision to let the ensuing punt go resulted in the ball being downed at the Bulldogs’ 1.
Georgia would spend the rest of the quarter deep in its own territory. The Bulldogs had to punt the ball away from their own 9 and Tennessee took over at midfield. On third-and-8 at the Georgia 20, Bray hit Justin Hunter on slant for 18 yards down to the Bulldogs’ 2. Two plays later, Gainesville native A.J. Johnson, who normally plays linebacker, ran it in from a yard out. Just like that, Georgia’s lead was shrunk to 27-17 with 4:53 still left in the first half.
It quickly got worse. On Georgia’s ensuing possession, Tennessee linebacker Herman Lathers busted through right guard untouched on a blitz and sacked Murray, who fumbled on the play. Tennessee’s Johnson recovered at the Bulldogs’ 8-yard line.
The Vols scored three plays later when Bray hit Zach Rogers over the middle for a four-yard touchdown on third down. They, too, missed the point-after, but suddenly Tennessee had close to 27-23 with 2:55 left in the second quarter.
Disaster stuck Georgia again as Gurley stepped out of bounds at the 1 trying to field the ensuing kickoff. The Bulldogs seemed to have averted catastrophe when they converted on third down to get the ball out to the 18. But Murray and Marshall mishandled a handoff exchange on first down Tennessee lineman Darrington Sentimore recovered at the Georgia 18.
Tennessee cashed in the turnover again as Bray hit wide open running back Rajion Neal – another Georgia native – in the left flat for a touchdown. That gave the Vols a 30-27 lead with 42 seconds remaining in the half.
Georgia finally did something positive. The Bulldogs managed to drive 33 yards in 37 seconds to set up a 50-yard field goal try for Morgan. He made it at the halftime buzzer, and the teams adjourned to the locker rooms in a hard-to-believe 30-30 tie.
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229 comments Add your comment
GDawg
September 29th, 2012
11:07 pm
Dawgs win…that’s good. Defense was supposed to be the strength this year… NOT in this game or the first 5!! Grantham, you better get these guys playing better for SC or you may be done! I can’t beleive Booboo has been the better coordinator so far. Wins are always better than losses but this team has to get better on D or we will certainly not make it to ATL in December. Even if we do, AL will tear us a new one if UGA doesn’t paly some Lights Out Defense. Gotta get better …and soon!
Notebook: Georgia’s Ogletree, Rambo make a difference in first game back | UGA sports blog
September 29th, 2012
11:08 pm
[...] Game story: ‘Gurshall’ leads Dogs to win in 51-44 shootout [...]
GDawg
September 29th, 2012
11:09 pm
The Bear, UGA is 5-0. What’s your point? Who is your team?
Cherie
September 29th, 2012
11:09 pm
Someone please remind me how much they’re paying Grantham to coach the defense.
What a freaking joke that overpaid, overstuffed jerk is.
The Tide is Rolling and Nothing can stop it
September 29th, 2012
11:11 pm
GDawg,
I tried to tell you all off season that Bobo was better than Grantham.
Hotdawgrunnin
September 29th, 2012
11:12 pm
I can’t stop farting since the game ended… It’s either the beer or all the crap food I ate…
Or could it be the mix of Xanax and antacids I took while I shit my pants in the second quarter? Man that shower felt good afterwards. Ahhh.
The Bear
September 29th, 2012
11:12 pm
@GDawg serious?
Gurshall for Heisman
September 29th, 2012
11:12 pm
Does no one else think our defense might be getting gassed because our offense keeps scoring in like 4 plays per drive? Our D gets NO rest. Not to mention UT has probably the best offense in the SEC behind us and bama.
atlxmen
September 29th, 2012
11:16 pm
defense is giving up more like 17 points a game and have had 4 starters missing for over half of those games. getting some youg guys some playing time and building depth im not worried 1 bit about the defense .once the starters that have missed some playing time get back to playing at game speed the they should be just fine..
GDawg
September 29th, 2012
11:16 pm
@ The Bear… Yep! Seriously…are you a Bama fan? Cal Fan? What is it with you guys from Alabama? Auburn is the War Turd Eagle Whatevers! Alabama is a Tide, Elephant, Bear. What the heck? Just choose a stinkin’ mascot and stick with it.
The Bear
September 29th, 2012
11:18 pm
Come on folks, UGA should have dismantled the Vols today! You had them at home. Fla. Slammed them at their house!
atlxmen
September 29th, 2012
11:18 pm
i do gurshall for hire….look at what the defense does when they have had at least 4 min of rest..anything less, the defense gives up some drives. tonight they even had less than a min of rest
Hotdawgrunnin
September 29th, 2012
11:18 pm
I’m so glad their are tide fans out there… I needed someone to change my diaper here in the old people’s home. Happy Gilmore was just here visiting his gran. I nailed her last week.
Bama’s tide may roll…but that wont change the fact that stadium is the largest concentration of janitors and truck drivers in the world every Saturday in the fall. it’s like one big family reunion – u know the old family tree with no branches one.
I heard Happy’s gran say she used to shack up with Bear Bryant and Forrest Gump. Said something about Gump and Bear in the shower Sandusky style… Weird, right? Did y’all hear that too?
Hey – can somebody help me tweet that? It’s true – promise.
GDawg
September 29th, 2012
11:20 pm
Bear, You are playing Ole Miss at home and not rolling them as you should. You just need to handle the west…we made it the SEC game last year. AL was 3rd in the SEC last year….just sayin’!
UGA 1981
September 29th, 2012
11:20 pm
@atlxmen…Agreed. IDK people jump ship after a 51-44 win…and these same people claim to be “die-hard” UGA fans. They are the real joke here.
Bamatoro
September 29th, 2012
11:23 pm
For the sane Bama fans out there… I´d like to apologize for the constant crap you get from Alabama “fans”.
I wish Georgia fans could come to their own sports page and celebrate, critique, and comment without Alabama fans running their mouths. I´m a Bama fan and I don´t see Georgia fans on our newspaper sports page. It´s sad! You´d think we´d act like we´ve been there before.
Georgia- great game today and good luck in Columbia next week!
atlxmen
September 29th, 2012
11:23 pm
uga did demolish them and even gave tenn 20 points to play with.
tenn is better now from when they played fla and fla didn’t really pull away until late…
The Bear
September 29th, 2012
11:25 pm
@GDawg well either your around the age of 25 and probably don’t know about Bear Bryant or just new to SEC football, I am a Bama fan is that better. And oh by the way Bama won the National Championship last year. Question to you. Would you rather have a SEC ring or a National Championship ring?
Hotdawgrunnin
September 29th, 2012
11:25 pm
Farted again… Darn. Shart maybe. Oh well, too late to get one of those Bama orderlies to bathe me.
Whose the funny guy on tv sayin he gotta take control of the game? What’s his problem. Dude, get a grip – its just a game!
Oh yeah, he’s in Alabama – there ain’t nuthin else to do out there, cept family members. And the Montgomery Mini mall
Hotdawgrunnin
September 29th, 2012
11:28 pm
Oh yeah – Orange Beach was fun – got wasted at WSP show… But that’s more like Florida which happens to be in Bama. That’s the real tide of bama, down on the gulf lappin it up
Bamatoro
September 29th, 2012
11:29 pm
Except for Atlanta… Georgia and Alabama aren´t very different Hotdawg…
I´ve lived in both states. Alabama actually has indoor plumbing now, picture shows on the that television box, NASA in Huntsville… It´s happening here.
Dawgs88
September 29th, 2012
11:29 pm
Defense has got to step up the pass rush and get some pressure behind the line. Bray had several plays where he just stood back there the for nearly 10 seconds if not more. Corners and safeties need to tighten it up some as well. But overall gotta increase the pass rush and pressure behind the line. I know this is from a different sport, but a legend once said that, “every now and then you gotta get up there and rattle his cage a bit.”
GDawg
September 29th, 2012
11:30 pm
@The Bear, I talked with one of your fans last year at the SEC Championship game. He said he couldn’t understand why UGA was playing LSU for the title. I politely explained to him that AL couldn’t win against them at home and as a result LSU represented the West. He fumed for a few minutes and when I asked him why we was so mad he said it was because he loved Nick so much that he would fight anyone who disagreed with him. I quickly suggested he do a physically impossible act and he did what most AL trash talkers do…he shut up. Look, I love my Dawgs and want them to win big everytime out. I’m sure you love your team (whoever they may be). Just stay off the Dawgs’ site and invent one for your own team. Don’t talk crap about UGA unless you want to be disrespected. That doesn’t help anyone on here. I will pull for ‘Bama as long as they play non SEC Teams or teams like FL, LSU, AU. Just don’t come on here trash-talking my Dawgs…
Hotdawgrunnin
September 29th, 2012
11:30 pm
Hey Bamabull – nice words mate! You rock! Just know, you are a lone in your state. But we luv ya man!
You must have escaped the state lol
GDawg
September 29th, 2012
11:34 pm
@The Bear, you can flip it anyway you want to. Your Team should have been sitting on the same sidelines as UGA last year. LSU should have played Oregon last year. They already beat ‘Bama @ ‘Bama. Why should they have to play them again? ‘Bama was 1-1 against LSU last year. I wouldn’t call that a National Champ. By the way, I am over 40 and know who Bear Bryant is. I am making fun of you AL fans. PICK ONE STINKING MASCOT!!
Bamatoro
September 29th, 2012
11:35 pm
Thanks Hotdawg… I think most fans keep it in perspective. You get the loud minority here- I hope.
I live in South America now, but I watch all the SEC games. Georgia is a great team and we used to always respect each other. Too bad that´s changing now.
Hotdawgrunnin
September 29th, 2012
11:35 pm
I haven’t left Georgia since the war… I bet you’re one of them cosmopolitan guys.
The fact anyone is reading my drunken ramblings is the stoopidest thing I’ve ever imagined +2.
Aren’t you going to thank me for my service – you gotta do that if you chew tobacco proper style
Hotdawgrunnin
September 29th, 2012
11:37 pm
Offense explodes like my bowels…. Exciting, but worrisome. How does one stop it? Ride it out…
Is that what they mean by roll tide? I think that as I flush… Bath time!
atlxmen
September 29th, 2012
11:38 pm
uga had only 1 drive of 10 plays or more…the next longest was 8 plays. the defense was gassed and yet they still managed to muster up 3 turnovers…also tenn ran like 20 more plays than uga.
atlxmen
September 29th, 2012
11:38 pm
oh…and that was the first drive of the game that uga ran 13 plays
meandog
September 29th, 2012
11:45 pm
sic dawg: Is that you OLD bawl coach? Gonna lose to SC and Fla. guaranteed? Well, I guarantee you that SC is gonna go down against the same Vols after they get they a$$e$ whupped by the Dawgs and then they lose to LSU, Clemson and probably arkie too!
derekross
September 29th, 2012
11:46 pm
Dang guys, the defense wasn’t that bad. Bray went for only 50% and it took 50 attempts to get 280 pass yards. Not bad. I also like the way the team is finishing games. 4th quarters have been pretty good to us.
The Bear
September 29th, 2012
11:46 pm
@GDawg nope I am not talking trash. I am just stating facts my friend. There isn’t anything you can say to me to disrespect me. I told you who I pull for and you make a feeble backhanded remark about who I pull for. Bama didn’t make the system and played the games and the BCS system matched the 2 best teams play according to that. You say you pull for the SEC and say Oregon should have played LSU when the majority of the country wanted OK state, do you really think OK state was better than Bama?
WDE
September 29th, 2012
11:47 pm
@thebear I bet we blow your bunches lunch loose…
meandog
September 29th, 2012
11:48 pm
Defense was tested mainly because of Rambo and Tree trying to acquiesce to their familiar spots…it was good that the D got tested…now, on to the dirbags on OCT 6. Go Dawgs!!
GDawg
September 29th, 2012
11:52 pm
The Bear, You have to be kidding me to think ‘Bama should have played LSU for the 2nd time last year for the National Title. How about if UGA lost to FL in 2005, but was given the chance to play them again for the National Title? How about 2007, UGA didn’t play in the SECCG and played Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl. We wanted to play USC but couldn’t get them to agree to the bowl game. You are using the convenience afforded ‘Bama in 2011 to avoid the facts. You stated “Facts” but didn’t reference anything but your opinion. I fully support all SEC teams (even FL as much as I despise them) when they play outside opponents. Once again, why should ‘Bama play for a National title when they can’t even win their division?
The Bear
September 29th, 2012
11:56 pm
@GDawg See that is where I agree with you as far as UGA. UGA got screwed, just like Auburn did. But don’t blame a team that plays the games and the system determine who plays.
UltimateDawg
September 30th, 2012
12:03 am
Although I do agree that, “no one knows how SC gonna play us bulldawgs next week” & the prediction that Tennessee might win against a big special team with their powerful offense/QB later this season.
GDawg
September 30th, 2012
12:04 am
@The Bear, you still didn’t answer the question. Every team outside the state of AL mocks your fans because you can’t decide which mascot you are supporting. AL and AU are exactly the same….must be something in the water. You are conveniently referencing the “System” and how it worked out. I don’t have anything against AL. You have a ton of talented players. Saban will be there until he finds something better (See LSU and Miami Dolphins). I’ll support my Dawgs and you support your Elephants. I don’t like hearing people who are intellectually dishonest when the circumstances work in their favor. AL should not have played for the National title when they couldn’t even reach their conference championship game. LSU beat you at home… like it or not it happened.
intheknow
September 30th, 2012
12:06 am
I’m loving watching Ole Miss’s high school players play Bama tough. Bama is definitely “not”the best team in the nation……watch for LSU to take them to the cleaners.
The Bear
September 30th, 2012
12:07 am
@GDawg by the way I have been posting here for a while and don’t brow beat anybody. Any SEC win on the road or at home is a good “W”. Bama is having there hands full with Ole Miss right now.
The Bear
September 30th, 2012
12:13 am
@GDawg what question? Did you want Bama to say no we don’t want to play for the NC because some people feel we don’t deserve it? There is going to be a play-off system and this will go away until the powers to be figure out how to manipulate the system to make money.
glory between the hedges
September 30th, 2012
12:29 am
I guarantee my house Alabama will not beat us.
glory between the hedges
September 30th, 2012
12:31 am
Lsu sucks and bama is average. Sec is the dawgs!
DogFaceblues
September 30th, 2012
12:35 am
Take it easy Dawg Fans! That was a ratings show for CBS. Was at the game and many people said that they had to make it an interesting game. Plus a blowout would have made a trap game for sc. Just what the doctor ordered. Tn o-line is a massive wall for bray. He missed 2-3 receivers that would have been game changers. Uga scores when they need to. Bottom line!
smellyfinger
September 30th, 2012
12:37 am
It’s an ugly WIN….We used to lose those kind of games. Gotta think the visor was on our minds somewhat.
It does bother me that we don’t pin our ears back and dismantle a team when we get a lead. That said, we’ll be fine.
GATA!!
UGA 1981
September 30th, 2012
12:39 am
For all the people who want to point out all of the times UGA’s defense gave up big plays (if Bray hadn’t messed up), watch the game again and count how many holding penalties that were NOT thrown on Tenn.’s OL. I counted 14 in the 2nd half alone. No wonder UGA’s pass rush wasn’t key in this game. Seriously watch the game again. Both OL tackles were holding in every sence of the word.
glory between the hedges
September 30th, 2012
12:39 am
If Bama kicks field goals against us they will get their feelings hurt.
UGA 1981
September 30th, 2012
12:45 am
*For all the people who want to point out all of the times UGA’s defense COULD have given up big plays
slydog
September 30th, 2012
12:47 am
Alec Ogletree got 14 total tackles. How many of them were solo? Because homie was missing tackles all game, albiet, he was all over the field. In 2+ seasons, Ogletree gets to the ball, but fails to make a simple tackle. A few more simple tackles and the score would not have been close. If you watched the game instead of reading the stats, you would know what I’m talking about. Chase Vasser, SMDH. How many times was he caught flailing at the feet of Tyler Bray. Why isn’t Herrera starting over him? We all know Herrera can get to the QB and make turnovers. Yes the offense had turnovers, but this defense should have never given up 44 points to this talented, but inferior team. Merritt Hall cannot block. There is a reason why he was a walk on. Finally, hats off to the corny named duo “Gurshall.” Marshall is fast but his runs were mostly set up by perfectly executed blocks. Gurley, on the other hand, darn near created all of his yards. Tacklers were bouncing off of him all day. If the NFL could, he would be drafted next April easily. The kid has been on campus maybe 75 days and has not been a part of the strength and conditioning program. WOW!!!