Despite having tailback Todd Gurley for only six games, Georgia offensive coordinator Mike Bobo helped
orchestrate another high-scoring seasonNo matter where Georgia goes for its bowl game or whom the Bulldogs play, one fact won't change.
The 2014 Bulldogs will have the highest scoring average in program history.
Georgia scored a whopping 500 points in its 12-game regular season for an average of 41.7 points per game. The previous season high of 37.8 points a contest was set by the 2012 Bulldogs, and even if this year's team gets shut out in a bowl, it would have an average of 38.5.
This has been a most unlikely year to accomplish such a feat, given that Hutson Mason was replacing SEC record-holder Aaron Murray at quarterback, the lengthy injury list at receiver to start the season and the fact star tailback Todd Gurley wound up playing just six games due to an NCAA suspension and a torn ACL.
"A lot has to do with the team," Bulldogs offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said. "A lot of people want to say the offense scored a certain amount of points, but if you look at the turnovers we've gotten defensively and the field position we've gotten through special teams, I think those go a long way into a scoring offense and scoring points. We've done a nice job of protecting the football, and we've done a nice job of scoring touchdowns when we've been in the red zone, and all those things together are reasons why we've scored some points this year.
"It's not just what we've done offensively but as a team."
Tallying touchdowns via special teams and defense has indeed enhanced Georgia's point total.
Gurley had a 100-yard kickoff return in the season opener against Clemson, and freshman receiver Isaiah McKenzie has returned one kickoff and two punts for touchdowns. Defensively, Josh Dawson fell on a fumble in the end zone against Tennessee, Devin Bowman had a 63-yard interception return against Vanderbilt, Dominick Sanders returned a fumble 54 yards against Arkansas and Damian Swann had a 99-yard fumble return last Saturday against Georgia Tech.
That said, the Bulldogs offensively have managed to overcome the off-the-field Gurley distractions and the lack of a potent downfield passing game to amass 5,459 yards and 454.9 yards per game. Reaching 6,000 yards for a third consecutive season would take a 541-yard bowl total, which the Bulldogs have surpassed on three occasions this year.
Georgia's record for yards in a season (6,547) was set in 2012, and its record for yards per game (484.2) was set last season.
"I think Coach Bobo and the rest of the offensive staff are outstanding, and I've been knowing that for a long time," head coach Mark Richt said. "It's kind of like when you're watching the process of a quarterback and you know he's going to be really good but that sometimes you have to be a little patient. It's the same thing with coaches sometimes, and, of course, Mike has been here the whole time that I've been here.
"I've seen him grow tremendously, and he's one of the best in the business."
Despite another record-breaking season, Bobo realizes he still has detractors. That certainly came to light after the 38-35 loss at South Carolina, when he bypassed a give to Gurley on first-and-goal from the 4-yard line for a play-action pass that resulted in Mason being flagged for intentional grounding and ultimately a missed field-goal try.
Yet Bobo was widely praised after the 34-0 win at Missouri, when freshman Nick Chubb stepped in for a suspended Gurley and pounded the Tigers for 143 yards on 38 carries.
"It goes with the territory of being a coach, whether it's an offensive coordinator or a head coach or somebody who has a role in the public eye," Bobo said. "My dad warned me when I got into coaching that I better be sure I wanted to do it and that I better be ready to handle criticism. I say it every year, but I tend to worry about the guys that I coach and the offense I'm in charge of, making sure that they're ready to play every Saturday and improve every Saturday and go out there and represent the University of Georgia the best possible way.
Georgia Tailback J.J. Green jumps to avoid a tackle during the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla., on Jan. 1, 2014."The thing about coaching that you like is when guys believe in what you're doing and what you're coaching and think they've got a chance to be successful. When they execute it, that is satisfaction enough for me."
Green to transfer
Bulldogs sophomore safety J.J. Green has decided to transfer, Richt announced Tuesday. Green is the second defensive back in two days to leave the program, Brendan Langley having announced his departure Monday night.
"J.J. and I talked a couple of times, and he wanted the opportunity to be an offensive player," Richt said. "He decided another school would better afford him that opportunity. We'll help him in any way we can to find the right place."
Green played in all 13 games last season at tailback, starting twice, and he rushed for 129 yards in the overtime win at Tennessee. He was second on the team with 68 carries for 384 yards and three touchdowns and also had 12 catches for 104 yards.
In eight games on defense this season, Green made one start and totaled nine tackles.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.