Just went back AGAIN . . . now that I can stop shielding my eyes, I decided to look at every one of Abuurn's touchdowns and see what led to them. Here they are:
1. After UGA jumping over the blockers on a punt, Abuurn got the ball back at their own 41. After a holding call, they were 1st and 9 from their own 42. Next play, 10 yard pass to Johnson out of the backfield gets a 1st and 10 on our 42. Next play, safety is COMPLETELY out of position to defend the bomb - 7 points. I believe this series could be EASILY avoided by nothing more than what we called in the Navy "good head work".
2. Abuurn punts, Mecole muffs the punt and Abuurn recovers on our 24. End around gets 9 yards.Draw to Johnson gets 4 yards. Wild cat to Johnson gets about 4 more yards.QB scores on scamper around his right side. 7 points. I believe this could be EASILY avoided with more "good head work".
3. After a punt to Abuurn gives them the ball at the point where our first down marker was originally sitting, due to a horrible sack/fumble/recovery, and a run play on 2nd and 21 and an incomplete and totally predictable pass on 3rd down - sheez, Abuurn IMMEDIATELY scores on a little tunnel screen, like grass running through a goose. 7 more points. How many places would "good head work" have prevented THIS debacle? I can't count them.
4. And finally, on 3rd and 3 from their own 45, Abuurn runs a very cute little misdirection screen pass, which I honestly have to tip my cap to, and scores on a 55 yard, untouched open field run. 7 more points. I believe, again, that this was TOTALLY avoidable with nothing more than ordinary disciplined defensive play.
Here's the thing. Where in the above do you see a touchdown that resulted from Johnson grinding out a long, sustained drive against us? The answer is NOWHERE.
Now I'm not saying that this means we really won that game. No way. But I AM saying that things may not be as dark as geniuses like Gary Danielson claims they are for the Dawgs. Play in front of a friendlier crowd, play with poise and maybe a little anger. Hit Johnson's shoulder as HARD AS YOU CAN EVERY TIME HE BREATHES ON THE BALL, and most of all - DON'T MAKE THE SAME STUPID, CARELESS MISTAKES you made in their HOME STADIUM, and I believe, genuinely, that we may have a chance to flip the script.
Go back and watch every one of Abuurn's TDs if you don't believe that.