2009 Game Summaries
#1 FLORIDA
Oct. 31, 2009 • Jacksonville Municipal – Jacksonville, Fla. The University of Georgia Bulldogs changed their uniforms on Saturday, October 31st in Jacksonville against the Florida Gators, but could not change their recent luck in the rivalry, as Georgia fell to Florida for the 17th time in their last 20 meetings. The 41-17 loss dropped Georgia’s record to 4-4 (3-3 in the Southeastern Conference) and elevated number one ranked Florida to 8-0, with a 6-0 conference mark. Georgia donned black pants and wore black helmets for the first time in the program’s history, but it did not provide enough of a spark to give the Bulldogs an upset over the country’s top ranked program. Florida got off to an early start and never relinquished the lead, going up 14-0 in the first quarter following two Riley Cooper touchdown receptions from quarterback Tim Tebow. Georgia answered in the second quarter with a 49-yard Blair Walsh field goal and a 26-yard Aron White touchdown catch from quarterback Joe Cox, but the slashed deficit was short lived as Florida answered with a 56-yard Caleb Sturgis field goal and a 23-yard Tebow rush to give Florida a 24-10 halftime lead. Georgia’s second half efforts were constantly met with a Gator rebuttal, as a Mike Moore 4-yard touchdown catch to make the game a 31-17 contest was answered with another field goal by Sturgis, this one of 44-yards, and a 5-yard Brandon Spikes interception return off a pick from quarterback Logan Gray, who entered in relief of Cox. Cox was 11 of 20 passing for 165 yards and two touchdowns, to go along with three interceptions. Freshman tailback Washaun Ealey gained 70 yards on 17 carries, while also adding a 20-yard reception. Wide Receiver A.J. Green led the Bulldogs in receiving as he has done each game this season, hauling in three passes for 50 yards. Cornerback Brandon Boykin, safety Reshad Jones, and linebacker Rennie Curran all added seven tackles apiece for Georgia in the losing effort.
Georgia Florida
0 14
10 10
7 7
0 10
= =
17 41
UF-Riley Cooper 22 yd pass from Tim Tebow (Caleb Sturgis kick), 12:21 1Q UF-R. Cooper 29 yd pass from T. Tebow (C. Sturgis kick), 3:20 1Q GA-Blair Walsh 49 yd field goal, 13:45 2Q GA-Aron White 26 yd pass from Joe Cox (B. Walsh kick), 10:40 2Q UF-C. Sturgis 56 yd field goal, 4:47 2Q UF-T. Tebow 23 yd run (C. Sturgis kick), 1:32 2Q UF-T. Tebow 5 yd run (C. Sturgis kick), 13:30 3Q GA-Michael Moore 4 yd pass from J. Cox (B. Walsh kick), 6:17 3Q UF-C. Sturgis 44 yd field goal, 7:42 4Q UF- Brandon Spikes 5 yd interception return (C. Sturgis kick), 6:24 4Q Game Statistics UGA First Downs 16 Rushing: Att.-Yards 33-121 Passing: Comp.-Att.-Yds.-Int 11-23-165-4 Total Plays-Total Net Yards 56-286 Fumbles: Number-Lost 1-0 Penalties: Number-Yards 9-87 Punts: Number-Yards (Avg.) 4-210 (52.5) Kickoff Returns: Number-Yards 7-129 Time of Possession 28:44 Third Down Conversions 4-of-12 Fourth Down Conversions 1-of-1 Sacks By: Number-Yards 2-6 Rushing UGA-Ealey FLA-Tebow
STATISTICAL LEADERS Att. Yds. TD 17 70 0 18 85 2
FLA 22 40-210 15-21-164-0 61-374 1-0 6-49 3-145 (48.3) 1-19 31:16 7-of-13 0-of-0 3-25 Long 15 23
Passing UGA-Cox FLA-Tebow
Att. 20 21
Comp. 11 15
Yds. 165 164
TD 2 2
Receiving UGA-Green FLA-Cooper Punting UGA-Butler FLA-Henry
Rec. 3 4
Yds. 50 78
TD 0 2
Long 19 29
No. 4 3
Yds. 210 145
Avg. 52.5 48.3
Long 61 61
Tackles UGA-Boykin UGA-Curran UGA-Jones FLA-Spikes
UT 7 5 5 4
AT 0 2 2 6
Tot. 7 7 7 10
Worth Noting…
Coach Mark Richt said…
“We’ll keep challenging our guys. We have men of integrity who
will do the right things regardless of the record. I don’t think we’ll have anybody who will give in. I think everyone will fight. I will do everything in my power to get us back on the winning track.”
• Game captains were Geno Atkins, Rennie Curran, Clint Boling and Brandon Boykin. • The Bulldogs came out against the Gators in black helmets and black pants. This is believed to be the first time in program history that Georgia has worn black helmets. The Bulldogs have worn black pants on occasion, but the first time in the Mark Richt era. • Sophomore Brandon Boykin now owns the school record for kickoff return yards in a season with 714 on 28 returns. He finished with 114 kickoff return yards on six returns against Florida.
georgiadogs.com
59