By BJ Bennett
SouthernPigskin.com

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Though Georgia’s final drive didn’t result in any points, that final possession might prove to be the most important one of the year.

For most of the second half in Saturday’s Florida/Georgia game, the Bulldogs looked much like the team that struggled in recent losses to Vanderbilt and Missouri. After the momentum of a 20-point opening period start faded, Georgia’s offensive production did as well. The second-half possession count included a fumble, a punt, a safety and a turnover on downs. The lull allowed the Gators to narrow the Georgia margin from 23-3 to 23-20 in the fourth quarter. When they absolutely had to, the Bulldogs, then, responded.

Getting the football with 8:17 left in the game, nursing just a three-point lead, Georgia went on a defining 15-play drive to run out the clock and run Florida right off the field. Though it didn’t result in any points, that final possession might prove to be the most important one of the year. The Bulldogs went from their own 17, to the other 14, and right back into the mix in the race to the SEC Championship Game.

“I’m thankful for the win and I’m proud of the effort from everybody. We played tremendously in the first half, then gave them some life and got their blood pumping. It could’ve turned bad, but we got some big stops on defense and the offense finished with that beautiful drive. Any time you can get out of here with a win, it’s special,” UGA head coach Mark Richt stated.

Veteran quarterback Aaron Murray completed 3-of-3 passes on the game-ending drive. Todd Gurley carried the football seven times. Brendan Douglas ran three times. A personal foul penalty on UF included, Georgia converted all four of their third down attempts. Following the flag, Murray was able to kneel twice to count off the final seconds.

“I wanted the ball in my hands,” Murray admitted. “It reminded me a little of last year when we were up but we needed one more drive to try to wrap it up.”

Returning to the field after missing more than a month, Gurley had 17 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 87 yards and another score. Georgia’s leading rusher and receiver, Gurley scored the Bulldogs’ only two touchdowns. With him in the lineup, Georgia, ranked 13th in the SEC in third down offense entering the weekend, converted 7-of-12 third down attempts.

“He helped a little bit, didn’t he? He played so well those first couple of series. It was so good to have him back,” Richt acknowledged of Gurley.

Murray ends his storied Jacksonville career 3-1 against Florida, his lone loss coming in overtime his freshman year. Prior to finishing the feat Saturday, the Bulldogs hadn’t beaten the Gators three years in a row since the late 1980s. Murray finished 16-of-25 for 258 yards and a touchdown.

“It’s awesome. You always say ‘every game is the same. Every game is the same.’ But this one is different. There’s a different feel to it. The atmosphere is different,” Murray explained. “To go out and beat these guys three years in a row, which hasn’t happened in 24 years, is just an awesome feeling.”

Murray is now looking for another three-peat: three straight trips to the SEC Championship Game. It’s complicated, but Georgia can certainly still advance. The Bulldogs will need to win out in conference play and get some help with Missouri. Georgia finishes with a road trip to Auburn and a home tilt with Kentucky.

It wasn’t necessarily their most complete performance, but the Bulldogs rallied their way back to the forefront. After Saturday’s win, there is a chance that could be a season-long theme.