UGA Football

That Just Happened – Georgia Hands Game to Kentucky

by
Kevin Kelley
Nov 22, 2009

That. Just. Happened. Leading 20-6 at halftime, the Georgia Bulldogs turned the ball over four times in the second half and suffered a humiliating loss to the Kentucky Wildcats 34-27 in Athens.

On the opening kickoff of the 2nd half, Branden Smith fumbled giving the Wildcats the ball at the UGA 14 yard line. Kentucky punched it in to cut the Georgia lead to 20-13.

With 7:43 remaining in the 3rd, Cox threw a 43-yard pass to Rantavious Wooten for a TD and the Dawgs led 27-13. But for some unexplained reason, Georgia squib kicked the ball and Kentucky returned it to the Georgia 49. Kentucky scored a touchdown less than 3 minutes later.

Then in the 4th quarter, Kentucky blocked a Drew Butler punt, but the Dawgs picked the ball up and ran for a first down. However, Butler inexplicably incurred a facemask penalty and was forced to punt again. The Wildcats scored on the ensuing possession to tie the game at 27.

On the next possession, Joe Cox was intercepted at the Georgia 8 and Kentucky later scored to take the lead 34-27.

Then with 4:54 remaining in the game, Cox and Washaun Ealey had a miscommunication, resulting in a fumble at Kentucky’s 1-yard line. The Georgia defense held Kentucky on their ensuing possession and forced a punt.

With 1:52 remaining, on Georgia’s first play, Joe Cox was intercepted at the 50-yard line, ending any hope of a Bulldog comeback.

What appeared to be an easy Georgia win at halftime turned into a comedy of errors for the Bulldogs in the second half. The result is an inexplicable and embarrassing loss to Kentucky which will surely damage UGA’s hope of a decent bowl.

It’s late so I will reserve further judgment for later, if it’s worth it. Right now, all I can say is WOW! That. Just. Happened. Probably one of the most mistake-prone halves of Georgia football I have ever seen.

The Georgia football program is in big trouble. Can Mark Richt save it?

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