Dawgs Win Peach Bowl

UGA came back to beat a motivated Cincinnati team 24-21 in today's Peach Bowl, despite missing at least ten regulars. The margin of victory could have been worse.

Early on a horrible 4 yard punt from UGA All-America punter Jake Camarda punt set up Cincinnati's first TD. Then Cincy interception a JT Daniels pass in the end zone. The score could've been 14-0 UGA instead of tied at seven. Then a bad unnecessary roughness penalty. UGA blocked a Cincy field goal before booting one of their own. An obvious targeting call backed Cincy up 15 yards late in the half, but two straight TDs pit the Bearcats ahead 21-10. A good UGA kickoff return was negated by another penalty. 

Later a Cincy defender ripped JT's helmet off. Daniels shouldn't have had to miss a play. Didn't look like Pickens committed unsportsmanlike conduct. Dawgs drive but fumble. Later they failed to convert on 4th down. Curse of the black jerseys? 

My beefs: (1) the Bearcats sideline runs out on the field after every play. (2) Many love QB JT Daniels, but he's not hitting his deep receivers in stride. (3) Obvious holding not called on Cincy OL. 

Dawgs force QB Ritter to fumble, then cut the score to 21-16 early in 4th quarter. Dawgs stop Cincy, but the Australian punter runs for a first down. In first half he almost did the same thing. 

The whole game some "fans" and "experts" on social media are complaining about the performance and coaching. Issuing grades before halftime. They forget the 10+ missing players, how motivated undefeated Cincy is, how the Bearcat defense is probably the second best the Dawgs faced this year. It's as if they wanted Georgia to lose. Even worse: the Tech fans badmouthing the Dawgs on social media during the bowl. Such a bad look. Much better to ignore your rival - especially when they're in a New Years Day bowl game, while Tech had another losing season.

Terrible call on the Daniels incomplete pass / "forward fumble". Dawgs settle for a field goal 21-19. Dawgs shut down Cincy again, then drive for the game winning 54 yard field goal. 

The UGA bench ran out onto field to celebrate, drawing a 15 yard penalty. Podlesny's celebration was more thankful. But Carmada's kickoff couldn't have turned out better for Georgia, when the Cincy return man downed ball at the 2 yard line to keep the three seconds on the clock. Then the great Ritter is sacked once again, this time for a safety. Final: 24-21.

As expected, Bama held on to beat Notre Dame.