Saturday, a perfect fall day in Athens and a perfect day for a homecoming game.
After last week’s domination of those swamp lizards, I wasn’t sure the young Bulldawgs’ helmets would fit on their heads. The Dawgs invited “that guy Troy” to Sanford Stadium for a fun game between the hedges. But “that guy Troy” had upset on his mind.
The fun came to an end with the Dawgs’ first play from scrimmage, when the usually sure-handed Knowshon Moreno fumbled the ball deep in the Dawgs’ territory. That guy Troy recovered the loose ball and was poised to take a 7-point lead early, but the Dawgs’ tenacious “D” stiffened and forced that guy Troy to a field goal. This small victory was short-lived after the Dawgs’ offense once again coughed up the ball and that guy Troy recovered the fumble again. Two fumbles in five plays. Maybe their helmets were too tight!
The Dawgs’ “D” stiffened once again and forced that guy Troy to punt. The Dawgs’ offense was ready to play now and turned on the Knowshon Moreno Show for a third straight Saturday. The Dawgs’ third offensive possession was capped off with an 80-yard touchdown run by Moreno to put the Dawgs on the board, but with no celebration penalty! Moreno finished the day with 196 yards rushing and, for the third week in a row, three touchdowns. He is now second only to Herschel Walker for rushing yards for a freshman with 1,003 yards. Walker recorded 1,616 yards as a freshman.
Matt Stafford also had a productive day, going 17 for 29 for 217 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. The two touchdown passes came with 45 seconds left in the first half. Stafford found the big tight end Tripp Chandler in the end zone, then on the ensuring kickoff, that guy Troy fumbled, setting up a second touchdown pass, this time a 20-yard dart to Sean Bailey.
This game with that guy Troy was a track meet, just like in his previous games with Florida, Arkansas and Oklahoma State. That guy Troy is 0-3 against SEC teams, but still managed to score a combined 81 points in these losses.
The Dawgs’ “O” stepped it up after the two fumbles to start the game, and the “D” kept up and adjusted well to that guy Troy’s fast-paced, no-huddle, spread-offense style. The no-huddle, two-minute offense has plagued the Dawgs’ defense all year, but they seemed to adjust pretty well on Saturday. This warmup should help us in our next two SEC matchups with Auburn next week and Kentucky the following week, both games between the hedges.
That guy Troy punched in a late touchdown with six seconds left against the Bullpups playing the mop-up role in the fourth quarter. But that guy Troy was as tough as advertised. After that emotional win last week behind enemy lines, and our oldest rivalry looming on the horizon, the young Dawgs could have looked past that guy Troy and ended up as the next Top 10 team to be knocked off by an unranked team this year. Speaking of that, great call, W.D. The curse of No. 2 lives on in 2007.
And Eric, your Gators team, “those two guys Tebow-Harvin” sure did take it to Vandy, but after eight games the Commode-doors’ season was over. They have to get back to the books now, but watch out for those Chickens next week! And speaking of chickens, thanks for lunch and the wheelbarrow ride last week.
As always, The Marina restaurant was great! But that wheelbarrow ride, Eric, you pushed it like a champ. I had my reservations, but you did much better than I thought an office dweller would. I must apologize, though, because I brought you a pair of gloves, but I left them in the truck with all the excitement. Sorry about any blisters!
Hey E, I have an idea. Why not let big ol’ W.D. piggyback you down Centre Street after the 'Noles/Gators game?
Once again, it’s great to be a Bulldawg on Saturday night. The Chapel bell is music to my ears.
Go Dawgs. Sic 'em. Woof. Woof. Woof.