Courtesy of the University of Georgia sports information department

Georgia Post-game Notes: Nov. 28 at #7 Georgia Tech

Another Big Road Win Over Ranked Opponent: Georgia upset #7 Ga. Tech 30-24 to improve to 33-6 in an opponent’s stadium including 11-3 against ranked opponents in the Mark Richt era which began in 2001. This was the highest ranked team Georgia has defeated on the road since 2006 when the Bulldogs beat #5 Auburn 37-15.  The Bulldogs improve to 60-37-5 in the series with the Yellow Jackets and have won five in a row in Atlanta to earn another Governor’s Cup Trophy. Richt is now 8-1 against Tech. Georgia ends the regular season 7-5 and awaits its bowl destination. This is only the second time in 10 meetings in the series that an unranked Georgia squad beat a ranked Tech squad, the other time came in 2006.

Impressive Rushing Attack: For the first time since 2004 game against Vanderbilt, the Bulldogs had a pair of 100-yard rushers in the same game. Tonight, Washaun Ealey (career-high 183 yards on 20 carries) and Caleb King (career-high 66 yards on 18 carries) accomplished the feat early in the second quarter following a 75-yard run by King. Against the Commodores, Danny Ware (127) and Thomas Brown (122) did it. Georgia had a season-high 339 rushing yards tonight on 44 attempts, the most in the Mark Richt era, eclipsing the 328 yards on 45 attempts against Ole Miss in 2007. Tech finished with 205 yards on 51 carries. The Bulldogs and Miami are the only teams to outrush Tech this season. Ealey went over the 100-yard rushing mark with a 34-yard gain at the 10:31 mark of the second quarter to give him 122 yards on nine carries at that point. That was already a career-high for him and a season-high for the Bulldogs. The only other Bulldog to go over 100 this year was Richard Samuel (104) vs. Arkansas. At the half, Ealey had 139 yards on 12 carries as the Bulldogs tallied 204 rushing yards on 26 carries at that point.

        Georgia’s passing numbers were the lowest in the Richt era as Joe Cox finished 8-for-14 for 76 yards. Georgia had eight completions against South Carolina in 2005 on 17 attempts for 112 yards and went 8-for-14 for 93 yards vs. Ole Miss in 2001.

14-Point Lead At Half Holds Up This Week: Tonight, Georgia took a 17-3 lead at the half. Last week, Georgia led Kentucky 20-6 at the half and then gave up a quick score after fumbling the second half kickoff and the Wildcats eventually won 34-27. Tonight, Tech closed the deficit to 17-10 with a quick, three-play, 83-yard TD drive to start the second half. Then, Georgia answered with a 75-yard TD scamper by Caleb King to give him 139 yards on 14 carries at that point.  Tech responded with an 80-yard TD-drive to make it a seven-point game again at 24-17 with 6:29 left in the third quarter. Georgia added a pair of field goals to build for a 13-point lead at 30-17 with 13:39 left in the contest. Tech cut it to six at 30-24 with 7:31 left. The Bulldog defense held Tech off the rest of the way for a 30-24 victory.

Bulldogs Win Toss, Take The Ball And The Early Lead: For the first time this season, Georgia elected to take the ball after winning the coin toss. It was the sixth time this year that Georgia won the toss. Tonight, Georgia marched down the field with a 10-play (all rushes), 74-yard drive for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead. Tech responded with a drive that stalled at the Georgia 20 and then missed a 37-yard field goal.

Turnover Battle: Georgia had a fumble in the first quarter by Caleb King, recovered by Tech at the Bulldog 40. It led to a 42-yard field goal. It marked the Bulldogs’ 27th turnover this year including 20th inside their territory. Opponents have scored 105 points off of Georgia’s miscues this season.

        In the second quarter, the Bulldogs got an interception by junior safety Reshad Jones at their own 43. It led to a TD and a 17-3 lead. It was just the ninth forced turnover for the Bulldogs this year and the third interception for Jones (10th of his career), tying him for the team-lead with Brandon Boykin.     In the second half, Georgia forced its second turnover, a fumble recovery by senior Geno Atkins at the Tech 40. It led to a field goal and a 30-17 lead. It was only the second fumble recovery for the team this season in 13 forced turnovers. Georgia is minus-17 in turnover ratio this season. Georgia has scored 37 points of 10 turnovers this season.