Taxslayer Bowl: UGA downs PSU

In a game full of emotion and guts and hard hits and broken hearts, Georgia would hang on to win the Taxslayer Bowl.

Review

Penn State was having a promising opening drive to start the game until Hackenberg’s screen pass intended for Barkley was intercepted by Sanders. After their drive stalled, Georgia settled for a 44 yard field goal by Marshall Morgan. There would be no score in the rest of the first quarter. Penn State would start a drive deep in their own territory during the middle of the second quarter. Hackenberg tried to escape the pocket and was tackled from behind and began to favor his right shoulder. He would stay in to complete a 51 yard pass to Godwin, but would be removed after a poor throw to Carter, it would be Hackenberg’s last throw as a Lion. Trace McSorley came in at quarterback, but the drive would stall and Penn State would settle for a 34 yard Davis’ field goal. It only took Georgia 3 plays to answer as they used some trickery with receiver Malcolm Mitchell completed a 44 yard touchdown pass to fellow receiver Terry Godwin. McSorley’s next drive wasn’t much better and with 24 seconds left in the half, Greyson Lambert connected with Godwin for a wide open 17 yard touchdown. 17-3 was the score at half. Georgia received the second half kick but would punt. Georgia would later miss a field goal because their kicker Morgan was injured earlier in the game. After the Lions turned the ball over on downs, Georgia drive down the field and Sony Michel would punch it in on a 21 yard run. McSorley and company would not go quietly into the night, he led a 9 play 75 yard drive capped off by a 17 yard beautiful catch by Geno Lewis from the arm of McSorley on 4th and 12. After two more stops by the defense, McSorley brought the team back down the field and led another great drive, highlighted by a great throw and an even better catch by Hamilton for the 20 yard touchdown. The score was 24-17 Georgia with 6 minutes left. Georgia started running the ball right down Penn State’s throat. The defense rose to the occasion on 4th and 2 from the 23 yard line, giving the offense one more chance. McSorley converted two 4th downs on the drive, and got the ball to the Georgia 39 yard line with 8 seconds left. McSorley went for the Hail Mary which came up short of the end zone. Georgia wins 24-17.

Last Thoughts 

Penn State looked like they were going to get blown out in this one, especially after Hackenberg left the game. The Georgia offense had no problem moving the ball in the first half scoring 17 points. Saquon Barkley had a shockingly bad game going for 69 yards on 17 carries. This greatly hurt Penn State’s offense. The defense struggled to get pressure on Lambert in the first half and Carl Nassib had a rather quiet game. It was hard to watch Hackenberg leave the game, which we now know was his last game, his final line was 8-14 for 139 yards and 1 INT. Trace McSorley found a groove in the second half as he completed two great throws for touchdowns. Chris Godwin had a big game with 6 catches for 133 yards. McSorley did show glimpses of a bright future going 14-27 for 142 yards and 2 TDs while rushing for 31 yards. I have to say I’m very impressed with the fight of this team in the second half, veterans like Johnson, Zettel, and Nassib helped hold down Georgia’s offense to give the offense a chance. Unfortunately all three of them played their final game today. The only remaining starter from the defensive line, Garret Sickles quietly had a nice game. Penn State out gained Georgia 401 to 327 in total yards, but they needed 440 yards for it to matter. This was a rough way to end the 2015 season and say goodbye to so many great players, but we now look forward to the 2016 campaign.