Back To SEC
G-Day Game Goes Down to the Wire
By Freddie Vickers
SouthernPigskin.com
Follow us at Twitter.com/SouthernPigskin. Become a fan at the SouthernPigskin.com Facebook Page
The Red Team defeated the Black team 32-31, as they were able to stop a late two point conversion attempt.
40,117 fans packed into Sanford Stadium on Saturday as the Georgia Bulldogs wrapped up spring practice with their annual G-Day Game. In what turned out to be an extremely exciting contest, the Red Team defeated the Black team 32-31, as they were able to stop a late two point conversion attempt. Fans that made the trip to Athens did not get a glimpse of Malcolm Mitchell playing cornerback or freshman RB Keith Marshall, however, as both sat out the game due to nagging hamstrings.
What fans did see was quarterback Aaron Murray connecting with Tavarres King for a 31-yard touchdown pass for the Red team early in the third quarter. King blew down the right sideline and looked in midseason form as he pulled away from defenders on the way to the end zone.
Aaron Murray was efficient, going 7-of-17 on the day for 112 yards and a touchdown. Sophomore running back Isaiah Crowell carried the ball 10 times for 39 yards on the day, while his running mate, Ken Malcome, rushed for 32 yards and added two touchdowns.
The Black team was not without their share of big plays as well. The highlight of the day for the Black squad came when quarterback Christian LeMay hit freshman tight end Jay Rome on a 66-yard touchdown pass. LeMay finished the day 7-of-10 for 154 yards and one touchdown. Running back Richard Samuels led the Black team in rushing, as he carried the football eight times for 43 yards and a score.
“It was a great day for Georgia”, coach Mark Richt said. “I feel like everyone enjoyed the game. It was exciting.”
Entertaining is certainly the word that best describes the atmosphere for Georgia fans in attendance. This was the highest scoring G-Day Game since Mark Richt has been the head coach at Georgia. Not only was the offense scoring points, but the defense put a few on the board as well.
Defensive end Garrison Smith fell on a fumble in the end zone for the Black team early in the fourth quarter, giving his team the lead at the time. Not to be outdone, outside linebacker Ricky Lowe snatched a live ball out of midair and ran 62 yards for what would be the winning touchdown for the Red team. Ramik Wilson led the Red team with seven tackles, a sack and an interception. Kosta Vavlas and Amarlo Herrera both had six tackles, while safety Austin Herod registered an interception for the Red team.
The Black team was led defensively by Chase Vasser, who tallied five tackles. Alec Ogletree, Cornelius Washington, Bacarri Rambo and Devon Bowman each added four tackles. Ogletree also picked off a pass and returned it 28 yards. Unfortunately for Georgia, Rambo and Ogletree will be gone for the first month of the season, as both are facing four game suspensions. Branden Smith and Sanders Cummings starred for the Black team on Saturday, but are also facing early season suspensions.
Overall, Georgia looked strong on both sides of the football today. The running back position will be hotly contested when August rolls around with Richard Samuels, Ken Malcome, Isaiah Crowell, Keith Marshall and Todd Gurley all pushing for playing time. Georgia showed on G-Day why they will be the favorite in the SEC East. The schedule sets up nicely for the Bulldogs as they get another year without facing Alabama, LSU and Arkansas.
If the Bulldogs can overcome the early season suspensions and the trip to Columbia to face the Missouri Tigers, they will be in the chase for the SEC East crown when they travel to Willliams-Brice Stadium on October 6 to face the South Carolina Gamecocks. The Bulldogs will kick off the 2012 football season on September 1st, in Athens, versus Buffalo.
