2009 Week 12

After being shut down for the first time all season, the Georgia offense got back on track in a shootout win against Kentucky. What worries the coaching staff isn't the offense, but a defense that surrendered 26 points and over 300 passing yards to a mostly hapless Kentucky offense.

The final score was slightly misleading due to a fumble return for a touchdown by Kentucky. Punt returner Branden Smith has had trouble at times holding on to the ball, and today may have sealed a demotion.

Georgia never trailed in this one, and it was never all that close. Caleb King (169 rush yards, 2 touchdowns) scored on a short run to open up a 24-0 barrage at the start of the game. Followup scores included a 46-yard strike from Joe Cox to A.J. Green, a 19-yard touchdown reception by tight end Bruce Figgins, and a 26-yard field goal by Blair Walsh.

Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline, who proved he is a competitor in this game, threw a four-yard touchdown strike to put the Wildcats on the board. Kentucky would fail on the two-point attempt.

After another Georgia touchdown early in the second half, Hartline fired a 47-yard touchdown pass to bring the team to within 31-13, and then led another drive that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run that made it 31-20.

Cox and the Bulldogs went back on the offensive and kicked a field goal, and scored on a short pass from Cox to Green before the aforementioned fumble return that made it 41-26 with 6:17 remaining in the game.

Georgia used the remaining time to score twice more.

"I'm not totally satisfied with this one, but we got a win," said Richt.

Believe it or not, the Bulldogs still have a pretty legitimate shot at getting into the race. They face #2, unbeaten Georgia Tech next week. If they can get a win in that game, they will likely face off against unbeaten Alabama (should 'Bama beat Auburn) in the SEC Championship game. Currently #7, the Bulldogs could find themselves back in the good graces of the BCS computers if all goes well.