Why These 4th-Quarter Georgia Bulldogs Are Really Hard To Kill
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ATHENS - It’s been a wild first half of the season for the No. 5 Georgia Bulldogs.
We’ve seen them win a shootout on the road, win a defensive battle on the road, and win another wild come-from-behind victory at home this past weekend.
We’ve seen them win three conference games where they were down multiple scores, and surprise, surprise, we’ve seen them lose to Alabama.
But one thing is clear. This team is coming for your throat in the 4th quarter.
Now they did come up a little short against the Tide, but the Bulldogs won the final quarter against Tennessee, Auburn, and Ole Miss, allowing them to win the ballgame.
This team is built for the 4th quarter. That’s a major reason why they’re a top-5 team and in a position to make a deep playoff run this winter.
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“I’ve always felt like we’ve had 4th quarter teams”, Georgia head coach Kirby Smart told reporters after Georgia’s thrilling 43-35 win over Ole Miss. “We’ve just had to many leads in the 4th quarter in the past because we’ve been better. Our margins are smaller now. So we have to be a 4th quarter team because we’re behind. We’ve got to find a way to play better earlier.”
Against Ole Miss, Georgia’s defense gave up just 13 total yards in the game’s final quarter. The Rebels were 0/3 on 3rd down and scored zero points over the final 15 minutes. Georgia’s offense was a different story, putting up 143 total yards and 17 points. Ole Miss was the better team for three quarters, but it’s a 60 minute game and the Dawgs dominated the fourth.
Against Auburn, Georgia’s defense gave up just 29 yards in the 4th. The Tigers were 0/3 on 3rd down and scored zero points. The Dawgs had 118 total yards, were 5/8 on 3rd down, and scored a touchdown on their only possession. Complete domination with the game on the line.
Georgia’s backups saw the field against Kentucky in the 4th quarter, giving up 79 yards and holding the ‘Cats to 0/3 on 3rd down. They did give up a late touchdown, but overall, a respectable 4th quarter showing.
Against Alabama the Georgia defense gave up 75 total yards. However, the Crimson Tide were 3/4 on 3rd down. They scored zero points, but they got enough first downs to keep the Bulldogs off the field and secure the victory.
Up in Knoxville the Dawgs gave up 139 total yards to Tennessee in the 4th quarter. The Vols were also 3/4 on 3rd down and scored 10 points. However, Georgia won the 4th quarter overall and clinched the game in overtime.
What we’ve learned is that if you can’t play four quarters of really good football, you’re not beating this Georgia team. If you run out of gas, plays or toughness, you’re not beating these Bulldogs.
This Georgia team is thriving right now in the 4th quarter. That’s when they choke the life out of you. They step their play up when it’s matters most and it’s led to several big come-from-behind victories.
That’s what happens when you win the 4th quarter, and the Dawgs have done a lot of that this year.
