1. Defense - The defense struggled at times, but we also had three turnovers in regulation, which put them at a disadvantage. Meanwhile, the defense also held Florida to only 10 points in the second half. One thing that was certainly frustrating was our inability to haul in would-be interceptions, or fall on fumbled balls. Not only that, but we struggled to stop them on some pivotal third downs (though 4-for-14 was much better than we've done recently). We also let Florida out gain us on the ground by 100 yards, which I thought pre-game could be the deciding factor in the game (i.e., whichever team rushed for the most yards would win). All-in-all, I don't think you can blame this loss on a defense that was as shell-shocked as any other unit in the first half, held the opponent deftly in the second half, and had to compensate for the offense's turnovers throughout.
2. Aaron Murray - For the first time this year, we got a glimpse of Aaron Murray: The Freshman. Yeah, he had four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble). And some of them looked pretty bad, including an INT on the first play from scrimmage and a fumble where he seeminly threw the ball down on the ground without much of any contact. Yet one of his INTs resulted from a decent enough pass that deflected right off Aron White's hands. Murray also had a very solid second half. He wrapped up the game with 313 yards and three touchdowns. He also had a very gutsy run into the end zone to score on the two point conversion to tie the game. Despite his mistakes, and early errant passes were among them, the kid put on a heroic display in the second half when we could not really get anything else going, including putting his body on the line to run for extra yardage and first downs.
3. The Running Game - Like I said, I felt like the team with the best rushing performance would win the game. Florida had 231 yards on the ground, while Georgia had only 126. Ealey had 37 yards on 11 carries, while King had 64 yards on 12 carries (though 19 of that came on one carry). Ealey, as it was documented earlier in the week, had an injury. But King was coming off two weeks rest. They had moments where they converted nice runs. But at no time, except for King's 19-yarder, could they break away. Though these troubles may have been in part due to an under-achieving offensive line, there was a lack of explosion from any of our running backs. Thus, it put more pressure on the passing game, and Murray. That pressure was felt by everyone, including Aaron. They had no turnovers, and were certainly not the reason we lost, but our running game did not help us much.
4. Where was AJ? - Well, he was definitely on the field. And he made some great catches, especially in the second half. His presence was shown more in the other wide receivers' stats. For instance, Charles, King and Durham combined for over 250 yards receiving and two touchdowns. Much of this was because the Florida secondary was distracted and preoccupied by AJ. Regardless, I heard the announcers on more than one occasion mention that AJ was open on this play or that play. And perhaps Aaron Murray should have heaved it his way more often (or Bobo should have scripted more mandatory passes to AJ without check-downs...?). I don't know. But I don't think the inability to put the ball in AJ's hands lost the game for UGA as Murray was still able to throw for 271 yards (in addition to AJ's 42 yards) and two other touchdowns.
When it all comes down to it, I'm guessing we are just sort-of snake bit when it comes to Jacksonville. We did not come out flat, per se, but we came out very tight, very timid, and ... well ... scared, I think. I don't even know if you can point to a coaching staff that had us unprepared, which has been the case in big losses before. We just did not come out with confidence and aggression, and by the time we regained it, it was too late. Just another year at the ole Party. Too bad we squandered what I thought was our chance against the worst Florida team I've seen since Zook, and maybe even before that. Another tough trip to Jacksonville, another heartbreaker. But I'm proud of the guys for putting together a great second half effort.
