Georgia Bulldog Bites: Ups, Downs, and All-Around vs. MSU

The Bulldogs of the University of Georgia and the Bulldogs of Mississippi State mushed their noses together at high noon between the hedges in Athens Saturday in a rumble to remain relevant in their respective SEC division races. After 60 minutes, when all the snarling and growling had quieted and the hair and slobber had settled, the Georgia Bulldogs emerged with a convincing, though imperfect, 24-10 win over Mississippi State.

With the victory, Georgia moved to 3-2 on the season, improving to 2-1 in the SEC and remaining in the hunt in the East. The loss dropped MSU to 2-3, 0-3 in the conference, virtually eliminating from the SEC West title race.

The game, like most, was filled with zeniths and nadirs. For Georgia, the first half was sky high on both sides of the ball, but they settled into a rather lackluster performance on offense in the second half.

Let's take a look at the ups and downs for the 'Dawgs against Mississippi State. 

Up: Dawgs' Defense Guarded the Backyard

Todd Grantham has to be feeling good right this moment. After being dominated by State and Chris Relf in Starkeville last year, the Bulldogs turned the table on the Maroon Mutts Saturday in what might be the best game that Georgia's defense has put together in quite some time.

On the afternoon, the Bulldogs held State to 213 total yards, with only 56 coming on the ground. Relf was pressured all day and picked up just 31 yards for the day. Leading rusher, Vic Ballard, who came in averaging over 100 yards per game, was held 23 yards on 8 carries. The Bulldogs kept the State passing attack underneath and were all over everything thrown down the field.

The defense yielded only a 42 yard Derek DePasquale field goal that came at the end of a stalled drive midway through the 1st quarter.

A thoroughly complete and encouraging performance by the Georgia defensive unit.

Up and Down: We Be Throwin', Catchin', and Runnin' It...for Awhile

For the Georgia offense, it was a tale of two halves. In the first half, the offense was crisp. The blocking was bruising, the passes were sharp, hands were sure, and fresh legs were churning hard. Aaron Murray threw for two touchdowns, one to Orson Charles and another to Malcolm Mitchell, and kept the 'Dawgs moving up and down the field. Isaiah Crowell had 90 yards heading for the tunnel at halftime. Georgia cruised to a 21-3 halftime lead.

Once again this season, however, the 'Dawgs faded in the second half. Passes were dropped. Murray was flushed from the pocket repeatedly, and Crowell was stymied by State's halftime adjustments to its scheme and resolve. 

Murray had over 100 yards passing in the first half but finished the day with but 160. Crowell, who had several negative carries in the second half, played fatigued and picked up just 14 2nd half yards for 104 on the afternoon.

While overall, there continue to be signs of improvement, the second half chill trend has to be of concern to the offensive staff and to Joe Tereshinski.

Down: "We Be Throwin' It, but They Be Catchin' It"

Aaron Murray came into the game having thrown three interceptions in four games thus far this season. He emerged from this game having doubled that total.

Murray's three interceptions helped to keep State from being blown out. The third of the day was returned 72 yards for a touchdown by State's Darius Slay, from this writer's home county.

For all of his positive attributes, Murray needs to become a better steward of the football for this Georgia team to turn the corner to return to competitiveness in the division and the conference.

Up and Down: "They Be Throwin' It, and We Be...Oops, Catchin' a Few of 'Em"

While the Bulldogs had two interceptions that snuffed out Mississippi threats, one by Sanders Cummings and one late by Shawn Williams, it was the ones that they failed to catch that could have blown this dogfight wide open.

Cummings muffed two interceptions before finally flagging one down. Later on, Brandon Boykin dropped a ball that hit him right in his normally sure hands that he would have waltzed into the end zone with, as well. 

The improving secondary must capitalize on these kinds of opportunities to win the big games that will signal the 'Dawgs return to the division's main stage.

Up: Holding Relf Down...On the Ground

Chris Relf, MSU's 6' 4", 242-pound quarterback who should have been arrested for assault and battery on Georgia's defense last year, got up close and personal with the Sanford Stadium turf several times Saturday afternoon, picking himself up to dig the sod out of his face mask on a couple of occasions.

Relf was sacked on four occasions Saturday, twice apiece by outside linebackers Cornelius Washington and Jarvis Jones. And when he wasn't brushing himself off, he found his passes harried throughout the day. Though he had a few nice runs, more were for losses than not, as he only averaged 2.1 yards per carry. His replacement, Dylan Favre, he of "can't a brother get an opportunity" tweet fame and nephew of now finally retired uncle Brett, was also sacked and hurried on his two attempts.

The Bulldogs need to continue to ratchet up this kind of pressure on opposing passers as the they face better quarterbacks and passing attack along the season's journey.

Up and Down: Special Teams on a Rollercoaster

For most of the afternoon, Blair Walsh forced State into starting from its own 20, booming kick after kick through and out of the end zone.

Drew Butler followed suit, shortening up his normally prodigious punts to keep the Mutts penned against their own goal line.

The punt coverage unit was outstanding, allowing but 1 return yard all day and being johnny on the spot to tackle State's punter and take possession of the ball in MSU territory when he mishandled a low snap.

Georgia continued to struggle in a critical facet of special teams play in which they are normally steady and proficient. In addition to Drew Butler's muffing a low snap on a field goal attempt, which snuffed out a Georgia scoring opportunity, Blair Walsh missed yet another field goal from a distance at which he is normally automatic. For the year, Walsh is now 50 percent, 6 of 12, a miserable percentage for a kicker who has been 87 and 90 percent accurate over the past two seasons.

Brandon Boykin maintained his plus 21 yard per return average on kickoffs and had a nifty 30 yard punt return to set up Georgia's first touchdown.

All in all, special teams play overall was -- well, special, but the continued Blair Walsh slump is cause for alarm. Sooner or later, a big game will decided by the consistency, or lack thereof, of his right foot.

Up: DBs Like South Georgia Gnats Around the Ball All Day

If you have ever been to south Georgia when the gnats are swarming, then you know what I mean.

On Saturday, the Bulldogs' secondary were like a swarm of gnats. Every time Chris Relf attempted to go vertical with his passes, Georgia's defensive backs were there, either swatting away passes or making sure tackles on receivers. 

Over the past three seasons, this defensive backfield had been maligned as soft and sieve-like, giving away yards underneath like free money. As recently as Boise State in the season opener, Dawg DBs were more like apparitions, treating enemy receivers much too hospitably. Saturday may have been the most aggressive coverage that Georgia DBs have displayed in years.

Granted, MSU is no passing threat. None of their receivers had more than eight receptions coming into the contest. It was encouraging to see the 'Dawgs breaking on every down field throw that was made instead of cautiously conceding the catches. Encouraging indeed!

All-Around: Hope Abounds, but Not Without Concerns

As the crowd exited the stadium after Saturday's big win at home, a renewed sense of hope had beset upon the Bulldog Nation. A conference foe that had beaten Georgia like yard dogs just a season ago had been thoroughly vanquished and sent, with tails tucked between their legs, back to Starkville.

Georgia played a masterfully complete first half of football Saturday in Sanford Stadium. Everything clicked, and the Bulldogs performed at a high level in virtually every facet of the game. The defense's complete game performance is a cause for optimism, given their plight in recent years.  

A major concern for the players, coaches, and fans alike, however, has to be the offense's propensity for sputtering in the second half of games. Whether physical or mental, it is a penchant that will prevent them from winning big games against major competition. 

But along the road returning to relevance, baby steps are preferable to backward ones. All in all, it was a doggone good day for the real Bulldogs of the SEC.

Note: Thanks to their nighbors from Alabama, the Bulldogs have moved into a three-way tie for first in the SEC East. Hope springs eternal.