Georgia outdid themselves yesterday with all odds against them. Their 34-0 victory over the No.23 Missouri Tigers in Columbia was Georgia’s first ever shutout on the road.
With the loss of Todd Gurley due to NCAA violations, many Georgia fans, Mizzou hopefuls, and even the College Game Day crew thought Georgia was done for. However, the team looked undaunted without their key rusher and proved that they are they are still an SEC Championship caliber team without Gurley.
Nick Chubb, the true freshman who filled in for Gurley this weekend was motivated and outstanding.
“Everyone said we were dead without Todd, but we proved that were still in it,” he said after the rout.
Chubb carried the team on his shoulder with 38 carries for 143 yards and one touchdown. He told coach Richt that’s the most he’s ever carried, 35 being the most in high school. This performance may have caused some “Gurley girls” to turn “Chubby girls.” In Chubb’s relief was running back Brendan Douglas. With so much new depth in the running back position, Douglas has not seen much playing time this year compared to last. But, he proved he is deserving of more with his 13 carries for 65 yards and quite the acrobatic flip into the end zone for a touchdown.
Aside from the rushing game, Hutson Mason showed up and played like the quarterback Bulldogs fans have been yearning for all season.
“We needed to show everybody and show ourselves that there’s ten other guys on offense that are making this thing go,” Mason said following the game.
On the road and without his key sidekick Gurley, Mason handled his offense impressively. Without one turnover, Mason was 22-28 and threw for 156 yards. Although his longest pass was only 14 yards, he connected beautifully with receiver Michael Bennett in the back corner end zone for a touchdown. Backup quarterback, Brice Ramsey, also saw playtime in the fourth quarter completing one pass for 13 yards.
Marshall Morgan accounted for six of the 34 points with his 47 and 29 yard field goals in the first quarter.
As for Missouri, Maty Mauk struggled in his worst game yet. Coming into this game the Mizzou team only had four turnovers and in just this game they surrendered five. Mauk could not connect with his receivers and was only 9 for 21 with four interceptions.
The sophomore quarterback admitted it was the worst game he had ever played, adding “I don’t plan on doing it again.”
Georgia’s defense was explosive this weekend. Proving Pruitt can make a difference, the front seven had constant pressure on the quarterback while the back four took advantage of some erroneous passes. Leonard Floyd and Jordan Jenkins were also relentless on the Tiger offensive line and disrupting Mauk’s rhythm. Quincy Mauger, the defensive player of the game, intercepted two passes.
Missouri’s defense did well in the fist half putting pressure on Mason. However, it wasn’t enough to cause any turnovers or even rattle the signal caller. Markus Golden snuck up on Hutson early in the first half causing an intentional grounding call, but Georgia prevailed in a first down the next play.
In the face of adversity, Georgia dominated in one of their highest touted games of the season. Georgia remains in the SEC East driver’s seat as they head to Arkansas next week. This Missouri loss does not kick the Tigers to the curb just yet, but they have some making up to do in their upcoming games against Florida and Vanderbilt.
*Photo credits to L.G. Patterson, Associated Press
