Georgia Football: QB Murray, Defense Give Fans Reasons to Be Excited For 2010

Georgia did what they were suppose to do on Saturday at that was beating an inferior team in the Louisiana –Lafayette Ragin Cajuns.

But it was how they did it that made it impressive, as they were able to hammer the Cajuns early and never let up with 55-7 score.

Even with the big win, there were some things that make a fan a little concerned, but overall, the Bulldogs played a solid game and did a lot of things right. Here are five reasons to be encouraged after the first week.

AARON MURRAY

Before the game kicked off, there were a lot of questions surrounding how quarterback Aaron Murray will do in his first game. Well, if 17-for-26 with 160 yards three passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdowns is good for a college debut, the 19-year old win be fine.

Murray looked more like a junior than a redshirt freshman with the way he stood in the pocket and the ability to make plays on the run. The opponents will be faster as the season rolls on, but Murray will not let that phase him because he has a fearless mentality that every QB at the college level should have.

THE 3-4 DEFENSE

As many questions there were about Murray’s debut, there were the same amount of questions, if not more, about how the defense will look in the new 3-4 scheme.

After the game against Lafayette, many fans would say they like how the defense looks like they are one the right track, only allowing seven points and that was late in the second when safety Bacarri Rambo got beat deep by Lafayette receiver Ladrius Green for a 60-yard touchdown pass.

Other than that, the unit led by Todd Grantham was fast, aggressive and fierce from the beginning of the game until the final whistle and that what has to happen week-to-week in order for the Dawgs to be successful.

RECEIVING UNIT

Due an ongoing NCAA investigation A.J. Green did not play in the game on Saturday and it’s still unclear if he will play in the game against South Carolina. But if there is a silver lining, the Bulldogs do have a reliable receiver in Kris Durham.

Durham missed all of last season due to injury so he was ready to come back with authority. He was able to do that, catching five balls for 83 yards and one touchdown.

Also, former quarterback Logan Gray had a couple of nice grabs and scored a touchdown also. There is no question UGA needs Green back in the lineup, but they do have players that can step up.

OFFENSIVE LINE

The unit that had the least questions surrounding them was the offensive line because they are deep and experience.

Led by tackle Clint Boling, center Ben Jones and guard Cordy Glenn, they did not allow a sack on Murray (or Hutson Mason for that matter who came in later in the game) and was able to push the Lafayette defense around all game long.

If Murray continues to get better, it will be because the O-line is keeping his jersey clean game in and game out.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Kicker Blair Walsh looked like his usual self on Saturday, nailing a 52 and 48-yard field goal in the first half while punter Drew Butler had six punts and average 46 yards per punt with his longest at 59 yards. They are no question the best kicker-punter duo in the country and should have better years in 2010.

But let’s not forget the return specialists in Brandon Boykin and Branden Smith. Boykin only had one kick return, but showed a glimpse of what he can do. Smith had 51 return yards and always put the Dawgs in great position to score. Both players are dynamic and will be hard for opponents to contain this season.

The real test will come next Saturday where Georgia take on South Carolina where the offense will be better, the defense will be faster and the special teams will be ready for Boykin or Smith.

But this win was a good way to start the 2010 season and it looks as if things are looking up for the program after a tough offseason.