These slow starts have eventually caught up with Georgia.
South Carolina, a 24 point underdog, took advantage of Georgia’s slow start today, hung around and then eventually pulled off a pick-six to take the lead.
At halftime, South Carolina leads Georgia 17-10.
To this point, the margin of talent has been so wide in Georgia’s favor that the Bulldogs have been able to overcome it with relative ease.
But not today.
Today, Georgia’s offense has sputtered and the secondary has been nowhere to be found. Especially on the Gamecocks 46 yard touchdown to give them the lead over the Bulldogs 7-3. Starting at its own seven, it was South Carolina’s longest drive of the season. Georgia’s defense made Jake Camarda’s 67 yard punt essentially useless.
Georgia would answer with an impressive long touchdown drive of its own. Jake Fromm spread the love and D’Andre Swift eventually punched it in for a one yard touchdown to give the Dawgs a 10-7 lead.
A few drives passed, and Georgia found itself facing a 3rd and 12 in Gamecock territory. Georgia threw a screen pass and made it 4th and 6 from the SC 38. We all know Hot Rod can hit a 55 yard field goal, but Kirby Smart elected to go for it and boy was it ugly. Nobody was open, and Fromm chucked it deep down the sideline. Incomplete.
South Carolina quarterback Ryan Hilinski got off to a great start to the game. At one point, he had completed eight passes in a row before eventually injuring his leg after a big hit from Georgia’s Mark Webb.
The freshman quarterback limped off the field, but managed to come back in on the next series and led the Gamecocks to a field goal drive.
The 49 yard field goal was good and South Carolina tied it up at 10-10.
On the next drive, all hell broke loose.
Fromm, who had not thrown an interception all season, finally threw his first. And it was a pick-six.
At that point, Georgia found itself trailing 17-10 to South Carolina.
Fromm orchestrated a nice drive to close out the half, connecting on some deep passes and eventually setting up Rodrigo Blankenship for a 53 yard FG attempt. And that attempt was blocked.
Georgia went to the locker room trailing 17-10.
Halftime stats:
South Carolina:
QB Ryan Hilinski: 13/16, 117 yards, 1 TD
RB Rico Dowdle: 7 carries, 35 yards
WR Brian Edwards: 5 catches, 74 yards, 1 TD
Georgia:
QB Jake Fromm: 14/23, 129 yards, 0 TDs, 1 int
RB D’Andre Swift: 14 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD
WR Lawrence Cager: 4 catches, 48 yards
