Thoughts from the Superdome
- I thought Gunner Stockton played well. He found the open receivers and threw strikes.
- His problem was often, GA receivers couldn't get open. Being at the game you could really see this.
- His other problem was the relentless pressure from our defense.
- Given that, it wouldn't have mattered if Beck played.
- I would rate both defenses pretty equal with a slight edge to ND. I would rate GA's offense better than ours.
- The game came down to two plays you normally don't see, the strip/sack fumble and the TD return. Absent of those (and yes, I know they count and yes, I know you can say that about any game and yes, this is what winning teams do), it's a tossup. My point in making that observation is that these were two very evenly matched teams where a play or two is the only difference.
- There was a first-down completion to Evans but on the opposite side, Faison was wide open for a likely TD had Riley looked that way.
- ND couldn't really run the ball. I would have liked to have seen some deeper throws but in retrospect, once the game was 20-3 a ball control game plan made sense.
- We were sitting in the lower arena and Harrison ran right by us. Never heard so much cheering and yelling and jumping than that, and to be a part of that was a thrill of a lifetime.
- At the point where it became obvious GA was out of bullets, an amazing sense of pride came over me, for the school I've cheered for since 1969.
- Georgia fans before and after the game were extremely classy.
Replies to: Thoughts from the Superdome
Great summary, Mark. Glad you went. Our success despite limited O production is impressive.
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One player who makes a ton of plays and is underappreciated is Adon Shuler. Thank you for superb
report.
Gets a little overshadowed by Watts but he’s a gamer.
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Not by me, he is a beast
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The man has been money for us
In all honesty? Looking at how Shuler has turned out, I don't miss Peyton Bowen reneging on us.
Great report, Mark! Thanks.
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My Sugar Bowl History
1973
On the sidelines with the team.
Watching Al Hunter returning a kickoff for a touchdown as the sideline is going nuts.
Best thing was seeing Ara attached to his headphones 10 yards onto the field cheering him on.
What a sight!
Not there, but I saw it on TV. Went fn nuts!!
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The game renided me of many wins from the Holtz era
1. We won the "hidden yards" by a mile thanks to excellent kicking, punting, coverage and Harrison's electric return. It took me back to the days of Rocket tormenting Michigan.
2. The opponent had more total yards, and more passing yards, but we outrushed them and that told the real story of us controlling the game.
3. We ran the ball when we needed to and when everyone knew it was coming, piling up the first downs after the fabulous punt scramble that led a UGA All-American to jump offsides.
4. Rallying around a run-first quarterback who's a natural leader/
5. Awesome defense that takes "sure tackling" to another level, knocking runners back and forcing fumbles.
One aspect takes me back to the days of Ara Parseghian: having an outstanding coach who also happens to be the coolest dude standing on any college sideline.
The TD pass right after the fumble was a Holtzism too.
Go for the throat when they are gasping.
That feeling you had when Harrison blazed by you will last forever.
I witnessed Fuller's walk-off TD at UVA in 2015. That energy is still in me.
Especially in such a significant game!
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GA fans should be optimistic about Stockton, that kid can play.
Glad you had a great time, thanks for the observations.
Apparently they have a five star recruit waiting in the wings too
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Thanks man, glad you had the opportunity to experience that win for ND
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Thanks also Mark. We in the chatroom especially appreciated it.
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Thanks Mark. Appreciated your commentary from the game
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