UGA offensive line faces tall task vs. Gamecocks
ATHENS – After several days spent watching tape of South Carolina’s defense, Georgia offensive line coach Will Friend was struck by what he had not noticed.
“I was … trying to remember when I saw one score [against the Gamecocks],” Friend said. “I couldn’t think of a team I saw cross the goal line yet.”
It has happened, but rarely.
South Carolina’s defense has allowed only five touchdowns out of 67 opponent drives this season, meaning the opposition has scored a touchdown on 7.5 percent of its possessions. Contrast that to Georgia’s offense, which has scored 31 touchdowns on 74 drives, a 41.9 percent rate.
How well Georgia's offensive line protects QB Aaron Murray will be key against South Carolina's tall, tough defense. (Photo/UGA Sports)
All of which should make for a compelling clash Saturday night in Columbia.
Georgia’s offense has averaged 48.2 points and 536 yards (287 passing and 249 rushing) per game. But how will it fare against a defense that has allowed just 11.2 points and 289 yards (78 rushing and 211 passing) per game?
The answer starts with how Georgia’s offensive line, a question mark when the season began, fares against South Carolina’s vaunted defensive front, which is led by a pair of towering ends in 6-foot-6 Jadeveon Clowney and 6-8 Devin Taylor.
“We understand the impact they can have on the game, so we’re going to try to do something that can help thwart that,” said right guard Chris Burnette, the only Georgia offensive lineman available for interviews this week. “I feel like whenever you play in the SEC, you are playing against top-tier talent, always. But this defensive line really has a high reputation around the league and the country as guys who are great at getting to the quarterback and stopping the run.
“We definitely know that we are challenged, and we are going to take it head-on.”
One of the bigger challenges awaits freshman right tackle John Theus, playing just his sixth college game. “Yeah, [this week] is a little bit different,” Friend said with a laugh that emphasized the understatement, from what Theus has experienced thus far.
Clowney, a sophomore, and Taylor, a senior, have combined for 30.5 career sacks — 13.5 and 17, respectively. This season, Clowney has 5.5, second most in the SEC, and Taylor 1.5. As a team, South Carolina has 22, most in the SEC. The Gamecocks’ defensive front, responsible for 18 of the sacks, is stout against the run, too, allowing just two rushing touchdowns in five games.
“I saw where one of those ESPN expert guys thought we had the best defensive line in the country with those two ends and our inside guys [tackles Byron Jerideau and Kelcy Quarles], who are pretty dang good players also,” South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier said.
Georgia’s starting offensive line has been stable this season: Kenarious Gates at left tackle, Dallas Lee at left guard, David Andrews at center, Burnette at right guard and Theus at right tackle. The group’s easier-said-than-done challenge Saturday is to provide passing time for quarterback Aaron Murray, whose fumble after being sacked by Clowney late in last year’s game sealed South Carolina’s victory, and running room for tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall.
Teams have had more success throwing against South Carolina’s secondary than running against its defensive front, suggesting potential opportunity for Murray if his line protects him.
Not surprisingly, the Gamecocks’ towering defensive ends came up during the quarterback’s weekly treat of his offensive linemen to ice cream.
“We talked about it,” Murray said. “I know they are extremely excited for the challenge, and they’ll be ready to go.”
So far, they have a record of responding to challenges, dating to the start of spring practice.
“In the spring, they knew they weren’t very good. Especially early on, it was just really bad,” coach Mark Richt said this week. “They knew they got better [during the spring], but they knew they had a long way to go. I think that really helped them have a great summer.
“They all decided to get up at 6 a.m. together every time they worked out. They all showed up, and they worked. They knew they better get better in a hurry. Then in [preseason] camp, things started to come together.”
On Saturday, in a game between top-10 teams, the progress of Georgia’s offensive line will be definitively measured.
“This game will definitely be the best gauge,” Richt said. “South Carolina’s defense is playing great. They’re not playing good; they’re playing great. They are kind of used to playing great.. … Without a doubt, this is the biggest test for our offensive line.”
– Tim Tucker
South Carolina’s defense by the numbers (with SEC rank in parentheses):
Touchdowns allowed: 5 (T-1st)
Points allowed per game: 11.2 (2nd)
Sacks: 22 (1st)
Total yards allowed per game: 289 (3rd)
Rushing yards allowed per game: 78 (2nd)
Passing yards allowed per game: 211 (7th)
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332 comments Add your comment
SimpleDawg
October 5th, 2012
8:59 am
Finer….
Actually the forecast for Columbia on Saturday is 85′ and sunny, with only a chance of scattered Clowneys.
dawgfan
October 5th, 2012
8:59 am
I hate it when people say things like this but in this instance its true: this is the biggest game of Mark Richt’s career, at least for now. A loss would solidify the view that we cannot beat top teams anymore and we will probably be Outback Bowl material again this year. It would be devastating.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 5th, 2012
8:59 am
82Dawg
Last time I checked Arkansas is on pace to win the national title this year with their new coach
Last time I checked AL won championships with Bryant then did nothing till Stallings got their then did nothing until Saban showed up
Last time I checked FL was irrelevent until Spurrier showed up then was a joke under Zook then was relevent under Meyer
Last time I checked Stanford was a joke until Harbough showed up
Last time I checked USC fumbled around for 2 decades until Pete Carol showed up
Yep Last time I checked if you dont have a coach that can teach, scheme and put players in position to win the players arent going to execute nor is the team going to be a winner
Augustabred
October 5th, 2012
9:02 am
Anyone else think that Jordan Jenkins should get the start over C-Wash? Every time he gets in the game he makes plays; Wash nowhere to be found. Where has Garrison Smith been?
82Dawg
October 5th, 2012
9:04 am
@Flat Tire…Last time I checked Arkansas is on pace to win the national title this year with their new coach
REALLY??? Arkansas?? You need to go back to the swamp.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 5th, 2012
9:07 am
82Dawg
Obviously you didnt get the Arkansas statement; you might ought to think about it for a few minutes.
If our still having a little trouble let me know
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 5th, 2012
9:08 am
you’re
Nothing Could Be Finer
October 5th, 2012
9:10 am
Erin Murray = Rag Doll
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 5th, 2012
9:11 am
Nothing Could Be Finer
Will you be on here Sunday after the loss to UGA
Eastside Ramblers
October 5th, 2012
9:11 am
Hey Flat Tire, ever had Brown’s bar-b-que in Kingstree? Good stuff.
82Dawg
October 5th, 2012
9:12 am
Flat Tire…guess I don’t get because under their “new coach” they are 1-4…under their old coach who needs his head pulled out of his butt they were doing better, but would never have made it out of the Western side of the conference.
ARdawg
October 5th, 2012
9:14 am
It is GREAT to be a GEORGIA BULLDOG!!!!
beanster
October 5th, 2012
9:14 am
Flat are you serious? Are you Rip Van Winkle or something?
82Dawg
October 5th, 2012
9:15 am
Enter your comments here
Joey
October 5th, 2012
9:15 am
“If Richt loses this ball game with the talent he has he needs to go.”
******************************************
Flat Tire, whenever you say that, it diminishes all the good football points you make on here. sooner or later, you need to come to terms that Richt is here as long as he wants to be here, and move on. I had to do the same thing when McGarity rolled out the new contract.
This year’s Dawgs has a shot to be special, but if we stay true to form under Richt, we will lose a game or two. If we lose tomorrow, we’ll probably lose again in Jax, be runner-up in the East, go 10-2 and go to Tampa for New Years, and McGarity and the Athletic Dept will be tickled pink.
You know it.
I’m hoping for the best – Richt getting every one of his performance bonuses, getting in, and winning the Big One. But I wouldn’t bet on it.
Red-N-Black
October 5th, 2012
9:15 am
When doesn’t the O Line have a challenge really? Better story please.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 5th, 2012
9:16 am
82Dawg
Under their old coach they were a top 15 team, under their new coach they cant beat Valdosta St or Ga Tech
Just shows you the importance of a good coach
Nothing Could Be Finer
October 5th, 2012
9:16 am
Dogs fans that say Richt should be fired if they lose to Carolina probably want Richt fired anyway.
They know the dogs will lose, which will help their stance.
Red-N-Black
October 5th, 2012
9:17 am
Nothing Could Be Finer
October 5th, 2012
8:58 am
gdawginkalamazoo
October 5th, 2012
8:53 am
Is this the weekend that Murray earns his DGD dog collar?
—————————–
Erin Murray won’t survive through the second quarter.
That weak o-line is no match for Clowney & Co.
YEAH, because they were able to hold UGA last year Shut up idiot they hung 43 on you last year with a better defense and we spotted you 21pts.
beanster
October 5th, 2012
9:17 am
Guess I missed your sarcasm too….I think….
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 5th, 2012
9:20 am
Joey
That contract means nothing; UGA has the money to buy that out and move on Ive talked to way to many dawg fans and a couple of big boosters that have had enough of losing the big games with the talent UGA has
MA English 75
October 5th, 2012
9:23 am
Nothing Could Be Finer, stop with the cheap shots to Murray. Show a little more class.
Joey
October 5th, 2012
9:24 am
“That weak o-line is no match . . . .”
*********************************
Finer, do you look up anything before you write, or you just pull BS out of the air?
Our O-line is part of the best offense in the SEC currently, heads and shoulders above SC’s, with two common opponents. So what is SC’s O-line, if our’s is “weak?”
Pathetic?
LT for life
October 5th, 2012
9:26 am
Figured it was worth mentioning, to anyone reading a lineman article. An old friend of mine sent me this link to these guys doing their own broadcast http://www.JoJaBoys.com . They do it as total Dawg fans, and is the closest thing to Munson I’ve heard in a LONG time! Better than some cali announcer on ESPN
Nothing Could Be Finer
October 5th, 2012
9:26 am
Red-N-Black
October 5th, 2012
9:17 am
YEAH, because they were able to hold UGA last year
—————————-
Speaking of holding, wonder how many holding penalties will be called on the dogs o-line?
Its the only chance you have to stop Carolina’s defense from tossing Erin Murray round like a little rag-doll (again).
Sam Robards, Dawg Fan
October 5th, 2012
9:27 am
I honestly don’t think Carolina’s defense isn’t as good as it was last year, mainly due to the absence of Melvin Ingram (spelling?). Don’t get me wrong, they’re still very good, but Ingram was a game-changer. He was the reason why Carolina beat us last year.
However, our offense put 42 points on them last year, and our offense is FAR better this year than it was last year. So, by extension, if Georgia’s offense is better and Carolina’s defense is a little bit less than last year, I expect us to be able to move the ball pretty well.
As for Carolina’s offense, it’s not going to put up nearly as much yardage or points as UT did. Carolina’s offense just isn’t explosive like that. Their O-Line also isn’t anywhere near UT’s. Our defense also has a smaller number of targets to focus on: Lattimore and Shaw. Carolina doesn’t have a single receiver on the level of Cordarelle Patterson or Justin Hunter now that Alshon Jeffry’s gone.
As for our defense, I think we’re going to be much improved this week: we won’t be perfect, but there was clearly some rust and miscommunication going on against UT. I don’t think either of this things will show up against Carolina.
Mainly, though, if we don’t turn the ball over, we win.
This won’t be a blowout by any means: I think it’ll be between a 3-7 point spread. Certainly no more than 1 score, and I think we come outta there with a win.
Go Dawgs!
Sic em Doody
October 5th, 2012
9:28 am
Flat tire,
I got it. Maybe some need to have another cup of coffee!
Student Athlete
October 5th, 2012
9:29 am
PANIC IN THE POCKET – AGAIN – AS THOSE TWO FIRST ROUND DEFENSIVE ENDS CRUSH THE POCKET. GURSHEL: 21 CARRIES 53 YARDS AS THE SC DEFENSIVE FRONT COLLAPSES THE O-LINE. MURRAY: 4 PICKS. COCKS 34 PUPS 9.
astrouga
October 5th, 2012
9:30 am
USC has some defense — wow, they really stopped Vandy. They stole that win with a bad call. We did a better job stopping Vandy.
UGA is going to wear down a USC defense that only has a couple of decent players. UGA 48, USC 24.
The Ghost of the Gator Bowl
October 5th, 2012
9:30 am
Gosh, looks like the press, Las Vegas, the TV experts, and the South Carolina coaches and players have declared this game won by the Gamecocks. Maybe the Dogs don’t even need to go over to Columbia, just mail in the loss. Then again, maybe not. I think teams that play lots of Thursday night games and which have no history in games of this magnitude don’t know what’s about to hit them. Georgia beat Steve Spurrier every time they played him in Jacksonville when he was a player at Florida and they are going to beat a Spurrier led team tomorrow night. Bank on it.
DAWGRX
October 5th, 2012
9:30 am
Everyone talks about talent on both sides of the ball, but have you seen USC’s defense? It’s OUTSTANDING. There will be no high scoring game Saturday evening. On the other hand, USC’s offense is very pedestrian. When they score points, it’s because their defense gets so many 3 and outs, that the offense has more opportunities. How we handle the defense will determine the game. I doubt that Gurshall will have many yards, but they may get more than what has been acheieved by the teams before. I’d say about 7 yards each. If we block the ends, our passing offense and utilizing the TIGHT ENDS, we can dink and dunk out way down the field. Get the backs out in space and HOLD YOUR BLOCKS. Anyone who thinks this will not be a one touchdown or less game is fooling themselves. Dawgs SHOULD win, but it’s in Columbia. I agree with the 2 point spread favoring USC, but I hope I’m wrong.
ARdawg
October 5th, 2012
9:30 am
Murray is ready, the OL is ready, Gurshall is ready. A few quick passes across the middle and down the sideline and quick first downs by Gurshall, the End Clowns of SC will be back on their heels with no where to go. It’s not brain science. Come out and smash them in the mouth quickly with a few TDs, they’re start to resemble their conference equals, Vandy
uscrules
October 5th, 2012
9:32 am
As much as I would love to see my Gamecocks crush the dawgs, I think it will be a high-scoring game with the dawgs scoring a lot more points. We haven’t faced a team with the fire power of the dawgs yet. Good luck to you guys. I hope we beat you, but if I had to bet, I’d say Dawg 38, Cocks 17
DAWGRX
October 5th, 2012
9:33 am
Oops…I meant Gurshall will get 70 yards each….not just 7.
TampaDawg
October 5th, 2012
9:34 am
I wish I had time to go back and find it, and don’t quote me, but someone posted some data on the relation of UGA offense vs. defence rankings and vice versa for SC. The stats seemed comparable. UGA has played lesser defences than SC but SC has played lesser offense than UGA. That is why opposing sides of the ball look so good for UGA O vs. SC D.
This is going to be a killer game. To many if’s. Hope the Slobber Mouths (Dawgs) are hungry for some chicken. GATA!!!!!
Hank Hill
October 5th, 2012
9:35 am
It seems appropriate that a team with a clown for a coach would have a player named Clowney.
ARdawg
October 5th, 2012
9:35 am
It does seem to be a continual theme according to the talking heads always pick something about UGA’s opposition that is “the best in the country” line. Tennessee wasn’t overrated. Not as good as they played but if anything very underrated. They will beat someone this year. Vandy, Mizzou, all hyped and overrated, Carolina falls in there with them
UGA Insider
October 5th, 2012
9:36 am
UGA- 42
USCe- 20
My pick this week has drawn some negative attention by Chicken fans and even by Dawg fans…. However this is how I see it. I think UGA will have a few big plays and contain Shaw. Lattimore will get 100 but not 200. Murray will get his monkey off his back about beating a top team.
And most importantly… Jarvis Jones will be back and have 3 sacks against a suspect Oline. Sanders Commings is going to have a pick-6 because of the pressure as well.
Also, Columbia is the arm-pit of the south and I dread going there… But is is going to be awesome to see you leave disappointed in the 3rd quarter.
Joey
October 5th, 2012
9:37 am
Not trying to get in a pissing contest with a UGA fan, but that doesn’t make sense, Flat Tire – “a couple of big boosters.” Big boosters are a dime-a-dozen in a Athletic Dept that finishes in the Top 2 in the country in net income every year – even in ‘09 and ‘10.
If a coach doesn’t get fired after those 2 pitiful seasons, along with the off-field difficulties going on, he damn sure won’t get fired when he’s winning 10 games, with an occasional trip to he SECCG.
Not at UGA.
astrouga
October 5th, 2012
9:38 am
The bulldogs have never had an offense that scored this many points and with this many yards. Just stop and consider that for a minute before you dismiss them. We have had some great teams, but none of them have had the kind of number we are putting up. Our D is doing enough to win. Expect the same from UGA tomorrow. This team does not quit. This is the first UGA championship-caliber team we’ve seen in a while. Give them some credit.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 5th, 2012
9:39 am
Nothing Could Be Finer
Let see
SC has never beat UGA 3 times in a row
SC has one conference championship in the Joke Conference the ACC.
By the way when was that conference championship? Wasnt that when the telephone or car was invented; its been so long ago I have to go to a library and dust off books to find the answer.
What is SC record against UGA now theres a laugh
What is SC record against Clemson thats a laugh too
What is SC football record 555-542 LOL I can flip a coin and get that record
How many All Americans has SC had 3 LOL
Here is another laugh, SC has only finished in the top 10 one time in their entire history BLAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Wait hold up here is another laugh!!!!!!
SC has only won 5 bowl games!!!!! BLAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA
You know as a SC fan…….. “Nothing Could Be Worse”
astrouga
October 5th, 2012
9:42 am
UGA Insider — agree with you totally.
I understand why dawg fans are hesitant to believe the hype — they are tired of getting let down. But when we are playing this well, you just can’t ignore it. We will probably give up a some yards running and passing, but I expect some turnovers and big plays from the dawgs that will be the difference. I say a 3 TD margin of victory for the dawgs. The only way we lose this one is if we self-destruct.
JvilleDawg
October 5th, 2012
9:42 am
Relax folks our Defense will show up and be just fine. Rambo and Tree were 4 games behind everyone else, and their rust threw the defensive timing off, now that they have a game under their belts we’ll be fine.
Also, let’s not forget of the 44 pts Tenn scored the offense was responsible for 21 of them ( pick 6 and 2 turnovers deep in our own territory), plus Tenn’s offense is the best we’ll see in the reg.season
The defense won’t be the problem, what they have to do is PROTECT THE BALL. We can not have costly turnovers. As far as Carolina’s defense, they are very good, but let’s get real they have not faced anything remotely close to the Dawgs offense. (please don’t even try it with Missouri). Kentucky led them 17-7 at half time last week.
Dawgs win this one 38-24
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 5th, 2012
9:44 am
Nothing Could Be Finer
Let see
SC has never beat UGA 3 times in a row
SC has one conference championship in the Joke Conference the ACC.
By the way when was that conference championship? Wasnt that when the telephone or car was invented; its been so long ago I have to go to a library and dust off books to find the answer.
What is SC record against UGA now theres a laugh
What is SC record against Clemson thats a laugh too
What is SC football record 555-542 LOL I can flip a coin and get that record
How many All Americans has SC had 3 LOL
Here is another laugh, SC has only finished in the top 10 one time in their entire history BLAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Wait hold up here is another laugh!!!!!!
SC has only won 5 bowl games!!!!! BLAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAA
Back to your sand box son
You know as a SC fan…….. “Nothing Could Be Worse”
JvilleDawg
October 5th, 2012
9:45 am
astrouga and UGA Insider – well said!
Elmer's Fudge
October 5th, 2012
9:48 am
Just wack those peckers…..
gdawginkalamazoo
October 5th, 2012
9:48 am
I am hoping that Aaron Murray has shredded chicken for dinner Saturday night.
Spurrier4prez
October 5th, 2012
9:49 am
I’m not one of those franatic USC fans, but I do bleed gamecock blood. I think Carolina will try and keep the UGA offense off the field and will be successful the majority of the time. Problem is, UGA won’t be shut down the whole game. If we can score enough points, say 24, I think our D can hold on for us. But if UGA gets rolling, they will be hard to catch and USC’s offense isn’t necessarily built to get into a scoring contest. Neither team has faced an even good defense before, but UGA has faced TN, which is high powered and #2 in the SEC. I would be lying to say I’m not VERY nervous about this game.
CHDawg
October 5th, 2012
9:54 am
I love that everybody, even some Dawg fans, have given up on the idea that our D is top-notch. I think they could wind up being the story of the game. But, I thought they would play better last week, too. You can talk about SC’s great ends, but we have some great players, too…a whole bunch of them. I will be surprised if they don’t make a big statement in Columbia. Our O hasn’t been validated by beating a great D yet. We should see what they can do Saturday. Go Dawgs.
UGA Insider
October 5th, 2012
9:54 am
Does everyone remember my Vandy/UGA pick?
UGA 45
Vandy 10
I actually had that one picked dead on but Rogers fumbled the ball out of the endzone at the end of the game.
I have a similiar sense about the game this week.