UPDATED: MVP Aaron Murray leads Georgia to 45-31 win over Nebraska in Capital One Bowl
ORLANDO, Fla. – Aaron Murray would not say whether he had played his last game as a Georgia Bulldog – Alec Ogletree did, by the way – but whatever he decides he knows he’ll go into his next season off a win for a change.
Murray, a junior who is contemplating early entry into the NFL set a Georgia bowl record with five touchdown passes and threw for 427 yards overall to earn Capital One Bowl MVP honors and lead the No. 7 Bulldogs to a 45-31 come-from-behind victory over Nebraska Tuesday at Citrus Bowl Stadium. Murray was at the offensive controls as Georgia lost its previous two bowl games.
“It was an awesome game and I’m definitely very excited to get a win,” said Murray, who also set Georgia’s single-season passing record with 3,544 yards. “I don’t know what it feels like to go into an offseason with a win, so that in itself feels great. But it was great to get a win for these seniors and great to get 12 wins. As for the future, I don’t know what’s going to happen. I’m just enjoying the moment right now.”
Georgia offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach Mike Bobo said he’ll sit down with Murray to talk about his future on Monday. Meanwhile, Murray said he’d return home to Tampa to discuss his options with his parents. The underclassman deadline to declare for the draft is Jan. 15.
Ogletree, a junior linebacker who led the Bulldogs with 13 tackles on Tuesday, said after the game he is definitely going to make the jump to the pros. He and outside linebacker Jarvis Jones, also a junior, both project as first-rounders. Jones did not announce a decision on Tuesday, however.
The 2012 Bulldogs (12-2) become just the third team in UGA history to win 12 games in one season. They the 1980 national champions (12-0) and the 2002 SEC champions (13-1). Georgia has won 22 games over the last two seasons.
“Well, it’s more fun to win than to lose,” Georgia coach Mark Richt said. “We’d lost the last two (bowl games) and we were getting kind of tired of that. We’ve worked so hard to get better from that 6-7 year (in 2010). We didn’t win the SEC Championship but we certainly performed a lot better . . . and we wanted to win this bowl to prove – maybe to ourselves – that we were one of the best teams in the country. So I’m just thankful for the victory.”
It didn’t come easy. The Bulldogs, who had jumped out to a quick 9-0 lead on an early safety and touchdown, found themselves trailing 31-23 late in the third quarter. But Georgia’s defense limited Nebraska (10-4) to only one second-half score and Murray rallied the Bulldog’ offense.
Murray led them on a 79-yard scoring drive to tie the game. After three straight Todd Gurley runs – the freshman paced the Bulldogs’ with 125 yards rushing and a touchdown — Murray hit Tavarres King on an 11-yard completion for a third-down conversion. Georgia was 12-of-17 on third down for the game.
On the next play, Murray connected with a diving Chris Conley on a 49-yard touchdown pass to bring the Bulldogs within two with 7:26 to go in the third quarter. Georgia elected to go for the two-point conversion and Murray made good on it with laser pass to Rhett McGowan over the middle that tied the game at 31-all.
The game-winning play came with Murray scrambling toward the right sideline early in the fourth quarter. He directed a tightly-covered Keith Marshall to change his route and head toward the end zone down the sideline. He hit Marshall with a nifty back-shoulder throw that resulted in a 24-yard touchdown and a 38-31 Georgia lead with 14:52 to play.
The outcome still hung in the balance, however. Georgia’s defense stopped the Cornhuskers near midfield and forced them to punt. Taking over at their own 15, the Bulldogs faced third-and-12 from their own 13 when Nebraska sent a full-house blitz. But Georgia had a perfect call played – a tunnel screen to Conley, and Murray had the presence to withstand the pressure, avoid a deflection, and hit Conley in stride as he streaked across the middle of the field. Conley ramled 87 yards untouched a touchdown and a two-score lead.
“That was a designed play,” said Conley, who finished with 136 yards and two touchdowns on two catches. “Coach Bobo did a great job on the play-calling, recognizing the house blitz. Murray made that check at the line, made a great throw and all I had to do was catch and run.”
Murray wasn’t sharp early. He threw interceptions on two of Georgia’s first three possessions, including one that Nebraska linebacker Will Compton returned 24 yards for a touchdown. But he was extremely sharp when it mattered, completing 7-of-8 passes for two touchdowns as the Bulldogs’ turned a tie into a 14-point lead.
“It definitely was a tough start with a couple of picks early,” Murray said. “But they were early on and we knew there was a full game ahead of us and we were still in the game. It was great after that second pick to come out and have a nice (75-yard) touchdown to Tavarres.”
Murray’s 427 yards on 18-of-33 passing tied his career record as a Bulldog. The yards, the five touchdowns and the 87-yarder were all Georgia bowl records. He also set the school record for TDs in a season (36) and total offense (3,548 yards) and added to his record for career TD passes (now 95). He narrowly missed a sixth touchdown strike, which King couldn’t haul in in the end zone in the game’s final minutes.
Murray closes out his junior season with 3,893 yards on 249-of-388 passing and 36 TDs with 10 interceptions. After the game, Georgia fans chanted “one more year” to Murray as he accepted his MVP trophy in an on-field ceremony shortly after the game.
Murray wouldn’t say but did let it slip that he is “gonna miss the best fans in the country.”
Whether that’s now or a year from now will be determined later.
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304 comments Add your comment
Bill
January 1st, 2013
7:47 pm
Great win!!! They all are. We have to be realistic, however. Grantham cannot coach. UGA had an exorbitant amount of talent on defense and could not stop water. The only thing that won 12 games in the toughest football conference in America was our offense. Bobo and company were the reason we won.
I trust Coach Richt to make the necessary changes. He is a good man and will do what is needed.
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
7:47 pm
Russell Wilson is not a better qb than Murray. He is older and more seasoned because of his time in baseball but that’s it bro. No one saw Wilson doing what he has done this year. Hell even Seattle drafted him to sit behind Flynn till they got him in camp. And what year did you go to the manning camp? I may know you. Coach or player
sflanagan21
January 1st, 2013
7:47 pm
Moist Dawg, are you ever happy kid?
CommonSense
January 1st, 2013
7:49 pm
Just think your Techies on this blog… you have another year of the PJ’s “win the big game” offense to look forward to. Why don’t you get off this blog and ponder that?
Hambone the Man
January 1st, 2013
7:49 pm
I agree with Santana and all his points
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
7:50 pm
And by better I mean arm strength,ability to make reads and adjust to those reads, and athleticism. RW is faster and a little more of a runner where Murray is a more classic drop back with some mobility
Kim Bassinger
January 1st, 2013
7:51 pm
@dawglova
No disrespect sir but look at the films from his first 2 years they speak for themselves.
Moist Dawg
January 1st, 2013
7:51 pm
It makes me sick because Murray won’t lead us to the promised land. We need some fresh blood at the qb position and we need a new team attitude that doesn’t take a half off.
CMR should put a full page ad in the AJC apologizing for not having the Dawgs ready in the first half. That, I think would be a classy move and would tell Bulldog Nation and the rest of the country that we are serious about winning a national title next year.
Harry Crumb
January 1st, 2013
7:53 pm
Santana:
Clemson should finish ahead of UGA in the final polls. They beat a better higher ranked team with a much better defense. Neb. gave up 70 points to Wis. and 63 to Ohio State. The UGA bowl game has a lesser meaning. If Northern Ill beats FSU they should finish higher than UGA in the final polls South Carolina played a better team (more disciplined) than UGA. Wasn’t overly surprised at Tech’s win. USC lacked focus in games this year. I agree with you man
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
7:55 pm
Kim B,
Again year one he’s a freshmen making common fresh mistakes. He still set freshman passing records and passed for over 3000 yds with oor line and no running game. Yr two ints go down and again set records for TDs and yds in two yr period as well as going for over 3000. Again with no consistent line play or running game. The mental part of the game is not a problem for him
Smitty
January 1st, 2013
7:58 pm
Moist Dawg ….if your don’t have anything positive to say…just don’t say anything…..please
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
7:59 pm
I tell ya what go get some game tape Kim and I will show you what I mean and the real things to look at during the progression of a football play. And I am not being a smart a#*. The things that coaches and players see on tape as to why certainlays go certain ways and why they work and qhy they dont
Kim Bassinger
January 1st, 2013
7:59 pm
I just want to say that let’s all look at the game today. Our Dawgs were up against a great national team with one of if not the best QB’s in the league. AM started off a little rough (reminds me of Falcons) but got his composure second half – he is always a little nervous around the home crowd with tons of family and High School people around. What I saw was he overcame what plagued him the last two year s in the same situation.I could see it in his stature that he was not going to freak out…He took command second half and owned Nebraska. Our Defense was less than stellar which made AM look not as good but he was spot on. . As with most great QB’s they are only as good as their OL.
sflanagan21
January 1st, 2013
7:59 pm
I’m comparing the two to today, Jan 1st 2013. Can AM become as good as RW, maybe but unlikely because AM doesn’t have the elusiveness and speed that RW has. I’m not putting all my stock into elusiveness and speed but that’s a big part of what makes RW so good, his ability to extend the play. I compare AM to RW all the time and in the right system AM will be able to shine like RW. And for the record I hope that one day AM is WAY better then RW, I have tons of respect for AM. 01′ player
William
January 1st, 2013
8:02 pm
Great job Bulldogs. Absolutely great. I’m a Gamecocks fan and I was pulling for y’all vs. Bama (still think you shoulda won) but great job. Y’all slugged it out.
Dum-Bass
January 1st, 2013
8:03 pm
If Murray goes to the NFL next year he will be eaten alive by those experienced monster linemen. He would be stupid not to wait one more year.
sflanagan21
January 1st, 2013
8:04 pm
Martinez, one of the best QB’s in the league hahahahahaha…
Georgia
January 1st, 2013
8:05 pm
Great win for Georgia. Stomped the Cornhuskers. All of you angry fans beat it, you cant even enjoy a big win right.
greg
January 1st, 2013
8:06 pm
Aaron go to the NFL while your stock is high. If you come back and have a down senior year or get hurt, you will be kicking yourself.
sflanagan21
January 1st, 2013
8:06 pm
AM will not be eaten alive by the experienced monster lineman in the NFL, he will have experienced monster lineman blocking for him…
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
8:08 pm
Sflan,
I agree about right now. I am speaking obviously of the future. And yes you were right about extending plays and the fact that the system makes all the difference in the world. Let’s say for instance green bay needed a qb, that AR wasn’t there but everyone else was. I think Murray would be successful day one in that offense. On the flip side let’s say he goes to Arizona or Oakland. He will never make it. And in 2001 I was play in qb at LMU. Didn’t have enough talent to male the camp as player but have been lucky enough to go twice as a coach
Coffee Bluff DAWG
January 1st, 2013
8:08 pm
William,
Saw the last 1:30 of the SC game. I knew if you gave the ole ball coach that much time he would find a way to win. That was a nice comeback win for SC.
Left Coast Dawg
January 1st, 2013
8:08 pm
Damian Swann was a BEAST!!!
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
8:10 pm
What difference is another year gonna make for Murray dumbass? Are lineman gonna regress and get smaller and slower next year
dawgfan
January 1st, 2013
8:11 pm
Typical. The defense has an another embarassing performance but all the morons want to do is bash Aaron Murray. What freaking planet are you people on? We would not have won the freaking game today without Aaron Murray. There are probably only 2 or 3 QBs in the freaking nation that could have won that game today the way our grossly overrated defense was playing and we’ve got one of them. Our defense isn’t “less than stellar.”. They are just plain bad. There’s no other way to cut it.
Grantham needs to get his azz in gear quick or be shown the door in a year. Our defense is embarassing.
HeadKnocker
January 1st, 2013
8:13 pm
I can’t stand to see all these GT and other school people on these boards trying to tear down UGA…. @Koncak, you are an idiot. South Carolina (please don’t call them “USC”. USC has a proud football tradition and a great history). All time bowl record, South Carolina = 5-12. UGA = 26 -19. Really, you’re going to spout about South Carolina’s rich bowl tradition try to make sure that they actually have one. They never even won a damn bowl game till ‘95. UGA won it’s first bowl game in ‘42. STFU and go to the Columbia paper website or the SC page if you want to comment.
Dawg89
January 1st, 2013
8:14 pm
It was looking shaky for the SEC early this afternoon. But, the Dawgs and the Gamecocks pulled it out. My son asked me why I was pulling for SC. I told him you always pull for the teams in your conference during bowl season. It will be hard to do, but I will be a Bama fan for the BCS game – despite some of the ridiculous posts by Bama fans on the AJC blogs. I guess they are bama fans. You just never know who is posting the crap. I think it would be interesting if the AJC posted the locations of the posts and how many different names are from the same bloggers. That would be an interesting article.
Brewmaster
January 1st, 2013
8:14 pm
Moist Turd, you make us all sick with your moronic posts. No one on this blog cares what you think. Why don’t you take out a full page ad that reads : Moist Turd is a Moron
Kim Bassinger
January 1st, 2013
8:15 pm
@sflanagan21
Not in Kansas city! He will be mulclch
dewnsav
January 1st, 2013
8:15 pm
Harry Crumb/Santana, you guys need to get a room…go dogs
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
8:16 pm
Dawgfan I agree in the fact that to many times this year the d got handled by inferior opponents. Today I don’t think they realized the true speed of the Nebraska offense and they had a poor talking day overall. But as they did most of the year they bowed their necks when they needed to.
Dawg89
January 1st, 2013
8:16 pm
I think the gun permit map put together by the newspaper in NY is ridiculous. But, a similar map with blogger info would be interesting. It would be interesting to know where the hate comes from.
sflanagan21
January 1st, 2013
8:18 pm
dawglova
AM would do AMAZING at GB!!! I’m a lil biased but I also think he would fit in perfect with the Falcons and their system and all of their weapons on O (similar to UGA). I agree 100% that in both AZ and OAK he would realize that being a Doc is way less painful haha.
What an honor to have the opportunity to be a coach at the Manning Camp!!! I learned more from that camp than I did from HS QB coach for 4 years. He was a great baseball coach though!
Crystal
January 1st, 2013
8:19 pm
Murray could not be worse than Tim Tebow. In the same situation, I am quite sure that Murray could beat out Sanchez for the starting job of the Jets.
sflanagan21
January 1st, 2013
8:21 pm
Kim Bassinger,
Your right about that…
dog O
January 1st, 2013
8:21 pm
mark this down–these dogs are the real deal! Ga is going for the title in 2013—alabama will be down-dogs win the SEC title!
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
8:24 pm
Sflan,
Believe it or not I think Cleveland depending on the coach could be a really good place for AM. They have the line and the backs already. And yes It has been a huge honor to be invited twice. I too have learned a great deal. My goal is to be a head coach one day and both years helped me a great deal.
HeadKnocker
January 1st, 2013
8:26 pm
If AM is projected as a late pick and has a chance to make a team he would probably be foolish not to go. Even if he ends up holding a clipboard on the sideline he will make far more money that the average college grad. He’s already finished his undergrad and is working on his master’s. The lowest paid NFL back up QB is Matt Baker of the Buffalo Bills, who will earn a rookie league minimum of $ 202,520 for the year, most earn WAY more. Because of the things you read about AM’s study, preparation, and work ethic I could see him eventually going into coaching. A few years as a second, even third, team pro QB could only enhance his opportunities.
SatillaDawg
January 1st, 2013
8:27 pm
I was chewing my nails until those last two TD’s.
Good game Dawgs, and congratulations on a fine season.
We’re all very proud of you.
And for all you guys leaving for the NFL….good luck and thanks for the memories.
Go Dawgs!
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
8:28 pm
And while there I got to see a college qb look better than every other qb there in every drill there was as well as 7 on 7 s. And it was # 11
Kim Bassinger
January 1st, 2013
8:31 pm
First prize is a Cadillac..second prize is a set of steak knives.. third prize is..YOUR FIRED…OH…Do I have your attention now?
Murray will be one and done in the NFL if he is not on a stellar OL team. I hope he stays at UGA so we have a shot at at aNational title. Hutson is great but like all other QB’s unproven and will need a year to get his mojo on..or maybe not.
If AM is drafted by a bad NFL team..which he probably will then it will be the death of him and we will see him hocking Insurance/investment services locally or as a sports commentator on 790.
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
8:32 pm
The only knock on Murray and I mean the only one from scouts is size. There is absolutely no question he can make all the throws
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
8:35 pm
Kim B,
Are you the real Kim b? Because that is a dumb blonde comment. What qbs do you know of that play behind a bad line that are successful. One and done…really.
Moist Dawg
January 1st, 2013
8:35 pm
Dawg 89, when your son asked you why you were cheering for south carolina, you should’ve said “because daddy is a frontrunner & daddy roots for the conference more than UGA so that if my team loses then I can still feel good about myself”.
Brewmaster, enough of the childish name calling. If we follow your attitude we would be happy to be playing in the Cap 1 bowl every year. Loser mentality from the sissy, ninny segment of Dawg Nation…disgusting
HeadKnocker
January 1st, 2013
8:40 pm
@Moist Dawg, you root for the conference because being champion of a conference that went 0-6 in bowl games wouldn’t mean much, would it. I might kick my brother’s a$$ every day, but if somebody else messes with him I jump in on his side.
NYC Dawg
January 1st, 2013
8:43 pm
Great game, great win. AM stepped up and made huge plays. All year we’ve heard that AM can’t play well against the ranked teams. Obviously, that theory has been debunked. He threw 5 TDs against a ranked Nebraska team and was game MVP. I sure hope he comes back next year.
sflanagan21
January 1st, 2013
8:44 pm
dawglova,
Can’t argue with ya one bit about Cleveland! Childress is a good OC and with the right coach your right that would be a good fit for AM. If I was a Owner/GM/HC, I would take a LONG serious look at AM. He is VERY competitive and a student of the game and he will make it in the right system.
dawglova
January 1st, 2013
8:47 pm
Sflan, did you play ball locally?
partlycloudy
January 1st, 2013
8:52 pm
Go you hairy dogs! I always cheer for my (graduate school) dogs.
Heck I even cheered for Tech! I mean SoCal was so bad to stiff them at the banquet. And SoCal deserved to be trounced. (not USC, which in my book stands for SCarolina.)
Now if Alabama will just whip ND!!!!
Rick James
January 1st, 2013
8:54 pm
@Kim Bassinger
If AM is drafted by a bad NFL team..which he probably will then it will be the death of him and we will see him hocking Insurance/investment services locally or as a sports commentator on 790.
———————————————————————————————————————————
If Murray is drafted by a bad team and is as you say one and done in the NFL.Gets a two million dollar signing bonus and ends up with either of those jobs which I doubt.He will still make more in his lifetime than you will in yours..