After three gut-wrenching overtimes, the Georgia Bulldogs fell with a thud to the Michigan State Spartans in the Outback Bowl, 33-30. UGA closes the season with a record of 10-4.
"We didn't execute the way that we should have at times, but credit Michigan State," UGA head football coach Mark Richt said on www.georgiadogs.com. "We had a chance late in the game to get a first down and then the game would have been over. We hurt ourselves and didn't execute the game plan the way we should have at times. [Murray] had to throw the ball a little quicker than he wanted to, but credit MSU defense for coming out and pressuring him. Michigan State came prepared to win this game and earned every bit of the win."
There were various missed opportunities for the Bulldogs, but few will standout as much as the first missed field goal by Blair Walsh in overtime, following an interception by Bacarri Rambo in the first overtime period, which he returned 15 yards to the Georgia 25. Coach Richt soon elected to go for a field goal and end the game on third down--an understandable plan on one hand, to take the win and avoid additional opportunities to turn the ball over, but, on the other hand, incomprehensible, considering the track record for UGA kicker Blair Walsh this season. And, Walsh, indeed, did miss the 42-yard field goal attempt, thus sending the game into a second overtime.
Walsh subsequently hit a 47-yarder that gave Georgia a 30-27 lead in the second overtime, but Michigan State tied it up and the game went into a third overtime. The Spartans opened the final overtime period with a field goal, giving them a 33-30 lead, while Walsh’s third and final field goal attempt in overtime was blocked.
Ironically, Walsh today became the SEC and UGA all-time leading scorer, and second in the NCAA, with 412 points, passing former Bulldog kicker Billy Bennett.
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