This time there would be no miracle upset of Georgia as a huge underdog. Two years ago, USC came to Athens as a 22-point underdog and shocked the college football world with a double-overtime win. The man who led them that day, Will Muschamp, was in Sanford Stadium this Saturday night as well, but as a Bulldog assistant. It was left to first year Gamecock coach Shane Beamer to absorb the punishment of this talented, deep and driven Georgia team.
The Bulldogs jumped on the Gamecocks from the start, and except for a little first quarter drama, they were in control the whole way in the 40-13 win, giving them a Palmetto State sweep. The Dogs opened their season in Charlotte three weeks ago with a 10-3 win over Clemson. Quarterback JT Daniels could throw the ball downfield whenever and wherever he wanted, and the Bulldogs’ running game was equally effective.
Conversely, the USC offensive line spent much of the night using the matador approach in pass protection. The Georgia defensive front was just waved right in. Zeb Noland in his short stint, and later Luke Doty, ran for their lives all night. Noland hit a 61-yard pass before his passing hand was stepped on in the first quarter and he was forced to leave. And Doty did throw a late touchdown pass to Josh Vann, the first touchdown allowed this season by the Bulldog defense. But otherwise from the offense, not much.
Final Stats
Here’s my recap from Sanford Stadium
Shane Beamer postgame press conference
Luke Doty media session
Josh Vann media session
Jabari Ellis media session
I have maintained for some time now that the University should change its motto from “Emolit Mores Nec Sinit Esse Feros” to “Wait ‘Til Next Year”.
Exactly what I expected them to be