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Closer Look UGA squanders host of opportunities in first lossPosted: Sunday November 03, 2002 2:02 PM
By Mark Schlabach, Special to CNNSI.com JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- No. 5 Georgia's offense squandered far too many opportunities to beat Florida on Saturday night. That's why the Gators won 20-13 in Alltel Stadium, their 12th victory over the Bulldogs in the last 13 meetings. Georgia's offense came into the game having scored 100 points in consecutive victories over Vanderbilt and Kentucky. The Bulldogs jumped ahead of Florida 7-0 on their second possession and seemed ready to light up the scoreboard again. And the Bulldogs certainly had their opportunites, but couldn't get back into the end zone. "You never want to predict that you'll play like we did," Bulldogs coach Mark Richt said. "It's very disappointing that we didn't put a better show on. We had some opportunities." The Bulldogs had plenty of chances to put the Gators away: • After Georgia took a 7-0 lead on quarterback David Greene's 10-yard touchdown pass to fullback J.T. Wall, Florida's Matt Leach missed a 27-yard field goal. • The Bulldogs took over at their 20-yard line, and backup quarterback D.J. Shockley fired a 20-yard pass to receiver Reggie Brown, who fumbled in Florida territory. • After Florida cut Georgia's lead to 7-6 in the second quarter, Greene had the ball knocked out of his hand by guard Alex Jackson, who was pulling on a running play. The Gators took over at the Georgia 32 and drove to the 5. But Rex Grossman's pass was tipped by nose tackle Kedric Golston and intercepted by end David Pollack. Pollack raced down the left sideline and lateraled to safety Sean Jones, who raced into the end zone. But officials ruled Pollack's handoff a forward lateral, and the Bulldogs took possession at their 39. Shockley was back in the game, and Georgia was forced to punt after three plays. • Georgia kicked a field goal to cut the Gators' lead to 12-10 lead. With 1:11 left in the first half, Florida coach Ron Zook inexplicably ran a play from his own 20, instead of taking a knee and running out the clock. Gators running back Ran Carthron fumbled, and Georgia cornerback Bruce Thornton returned it to the Florida 5. Bulldogs running back Musa Smith gained four yards on first down, but then the Bulldogs were penalized for illegal motion on second, moving them back to the 6. The Bulldogs lost a yard on their next two plays and were forced to kick a field goal for a 13-12 lead. • On Florida's second possession of the second half, Rex Grossman threw a throwback screen to tailback Earnest Graham. Thornton rocked him, Graham fumbled and defensive tackle Darrius Swain recovered at Florida's 19. The Bulldogs gained two yards on their first two plays, and then Greene threw incomplete. The Bulldogs would have faced a 35-yard field goal attempt, but offensive tackle George Foster was penalized 15 yards for a personal foul against linebacker Bam Hardmon. Bulldogs kicker Billy Bennett's 50-yard attempt hit the left upright. "My emotions got out," Foster said. • Bennett missed a 36-yard field goal attempt on the Bulldogs' next possession, after Georgia drove to the Florida 19 for a first down. • The Bulldogs' last gaffe will be the one that is remembered most. With the Bulldogs trailing 20-13, they took possession at their 33-yard line with 2:31 left. On first down, Georgia receiver Terrence Edwards got behind the Gators secondary after a defensive back fell down. Greene threw a perfect pass to Edwards at about the Florida 35, but Edwards dropped what might have been the game-tying touchdown. "The game was not won or lost on that play," Richt said. "It would have helped, though."
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