2009 Week 3

FAYETTEVILLE, Ar. --- There are tougher games on the horizon, but for now, it is clear: Georgia's defense can play. After holding Oklahoma State and South Carolina to 10 points apiece, they faced a team that was another step down from those two, and allowed 13 points. And it took a couple of pretty serious miscues by the Georgia defense for Arkansas to score any points at all.

Georgia won the toss and elected to receive. A long drive and two tough third-down conversions later, they were in the end zone on a two-yard touchdown run by Caleb King. The key play was a 29-yard completion to senior slot receiver Kris Durham on a third and 12.

The Bulldogs quickly forced a three and out, and were immediately driving again. This time Cox found tight end Bruce Figgins for a 19-yard touchdown. Figgins is normally a fantastic blocker and occasional target in the passing game, but this time he led the team in receptions. Durham led in yards, averaging 26.3 yards on three receptions. A.J. Green, the top target, caught just one pass for 15 yards in this contest.

Arkansas got on the board on the next play on a scintillating 40-yard run by halfback Michael Smith. Middle linebacker Akeem Dent overpursued trying to make a big hit, and that was all it took. It appeared as though Geno Atkins was held on the interior for a split second - which happens all the time - and Smith snuck inside, juked one defender, and was gone.

Georgia had no problem coming back out and re-asserting control, however. Touchdown runs of eight yards and seven yards were authored by King and backup Richard Samuel before the end of the half. The Bulldogs forced an interception and also recovered a fumble, which put them in great position for one of the scores.

The second half was more of the same. Arkansas scored on a five-yard touchdown pass just moments after completing a 61-yard prayer.

To put the game into perspective: If you take away the gap mistake made by Dent that allowed the 40-yard rush, and the coverage error downfield that allowed a 61-yard hail-mary completion, Arkansas had 78 legitimate yards.

Asked if his defense can play much better, Mark Richt said they'll probably have to. "Just a couple of mistakes can lose you a game against a Florida, Tennesee, or any other number of teams in our conference. We're happy that we're keeping the scores down but you're always looking to improve during a football season, and hopefully peak late."