Bulldogs Tame The Tigers, 31-24

Georgia Makes It Four In A Row Over Auburn: For the first time since 1948, Georgia has won four straight over Auburn. Starting in 1944, Georgia won five in a row over the Tigers and except for a tie in 1949, they reeled off eight straight over Auburn. Tonight, Georgia fell behind 14-0 in the first quarter and took its first lead with 4:51 left in the third quarter at 17-14. The Tigers tied it on their next possession and the teams exchanged touchdowns before Georgia reclaimed a 31-24 edge with 6:52 left, and the defense preserved the victory. Auburn clings to a 53-52-8 edge in the series, the seventh most played in the nation. Also, Georgia notched a win over a ranked opponent at Sanford Stadium, the first since beating No. 22 Vanderbilt last year. The Tigers came in ranked No. 25. Richt is now 6-3 versus Auburn.
Creating Turnovers: Coming into the game, Auburn QB Chris Todd had thrown only three interception on the year (244 attempts) and the Bulldogs picked off two tonight. Sophomore SC Brandon Boykin grabbed his team-leading third interception of the season late in the second quarter. The Bulldogs failed to score off of their sixth INT of the season. Junior safety Reshad Jones notched his second interception of the year in the fourth quarter. It led to a TD and a 31-24 lead with 6:52 left. For the year, Georgia is minus-14 in its turnover ratio. The Bulldogs have forced eight turnovers for 27 points. The Bulldogs did not have any turnovers tonight, the first time since the win over LSU last year (14 games). Under Richt, the Bulldogs are 16-0 in games they do not have a turnover.
Troupe Gets First TD: Redshirt sophomore FLK Israel Troupe (2 rec., 62 yards) caught a 50-yard TD from quarterback Joe Cox at the beginning of the second quarter. This was Troupe’s first catch of the year as well as the first TD of his career. He had another 12-yard catch in the third quarter to equal his career high with two receptions in a game. In 2008, Troupe had four catches for 39 yards. Cox also completed a 48-yard pass to redshirt freshman SE Tavarres King at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Cox finished with 173 yards passing and 2 TDs, going 9-for-17.
Walsh Delivers Again From Long Distance: Sophomore PK Blair Walsh connected on a 51-yard field goal with 11:05 remaining in the third quarter. He is now 4-for-4 from 50 yards or more this year and 14-for-15 overall in 2009. Walsh was recently named a semifinalist for the Lou Groza Award, given to the nation’s top kicker.
King Finds Thee End Zone: Sophomore TB Caleb King tied his career high with two rushing TDs including a 24-yarder that gave the Bulldogs a 31-24 lead with 6:52 left in the contest. He finished with 66 yards on 10 carries. Washaun Ealey led the team with 98 yards on 18 carries and one TD.
Boykin Sets Kickoff Return Record: Sophomore SC Brandon Boykin set the single season kickoff return record after returning his 29th kickoff of the year in the first quarter. Gene Washington (1974) and Asher Allen (2007) each had 28 returns in one season. Boykin is already No. 1 in school history with 769 kickoff return yards on 31 returns in 2009. Tonight, he had 3 returns for 52 yards.

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