15GA/FLA TAB PROCESS
The Brunswick News / Thursday, October 31, 2013 15
Georgia season: Dogs' Road To J’Ville Continued from Page 14
Jason Getz/AP
Georgia wide receiver Justin Scott-Wesley scores a 25-yard go-ahead touchdown from quarterback Aaron Murray during the win over LSU.
“Aaron was phenomenal, gutsy, tremendous.” Murray and Mettenberger were in the same recruiting class at Georgia, contending for the starting job in the spring of 2010. Mettenberger, a native of nearby Watkinsville, grew up cheering for the Bulldogs and dreaming of the day he could wear the red and black. But his actions off the field cost him his chance. Mettenberger pleaded guilty to misdemeanor sexual battery charges after an incident in a bar and was kicked off the team. But his ties to Georgia run deep — most notably, his mother, Tammy, still works in football operations for the Bulldogs. Richt gave her the week off because of all the attention surrounding her son. The former teammates did all that could be expected of them. Mettenberger had three touchdowns on 23-of-37 passing, continually burning the Bulldogs on third down. He completed a 25yard pass on Odell Beckham on third-and-22 to improbably extend an LSU drive that led to Hill’s go-ahead touchdown. But Murray delivered the final blow. “They are both great players,” Richt said. “It was incredible how well they played.” Georgia did plenty of damage on the ground in the first half, but star running back
Todd Gurley sustained an apparent left ankle injury on a 25-yard run. He didn’t return, watching the second half while wearing a windbreaker and walking boot. Richt wasn’t sure how long he’ll be out. The Bulldogs weren’t nearly as effective on the ground with Keith Marshall handling the load, but Murray and his receivers took up the slack. Chris Conley had five catches for 112 yards and a touchdown. Michael Bennett hauled in a pair of scoring passes. Georgia finished with 494 yards, though the bulk of those came in a back-and-forth first half that ended with Georgia on top 24-17. Little-used Kadron Boone had two early touchdown catches for LSU, but Jarvis Landry turned out to be Mettenberger’s go-to receiver. The junior had 10 catches for 156 yards, including a 39-yard touchdown that tied the game at 27 late in the third quarter. Georgia’s schedule gets easier the rest of the way, with only one more regular-season game against a team currently in the Top 25 — injury-plagued Florida. LSU has a much tougher road, with games still remaining against top-ranked Alabama and No. 10 Texas A&M. “We have a good football team and we have everything in front of us,” Tiger coach Les Miles said. “When you play a quality team on the road, you can learn what needs to be corrected.”
John Bazemore/AP
Georgia running back Keith Marshall moves past LSU linebacker Lamar Louis during the first half.
Mike Stewart/AP
LSU linebacker Kwon Alexander, rear, and another defender pursue Georgia running back Todd Gurley during the first half of their game Sept. 28 in Athens. The Bulldogs won 44-41.