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Sanders continues interception surge Lambert sensational in Georgia romp past Gamecocks Georgia tight ends aid Lambert's big evening Brilliant Lambert leads Georgia to rout, 52-20
ATHENS, Ga. - When Dominick Sanders returned an interception 33 yards to South Carolina's 11-yard line early in the third quarter of Saturday's 52-20 scorching of the Gamecocks, it was the second pickoff in as many games for the sophomore safety.
Sanders had an 88-yard interception return for a touchdown in last week's win at Vanderbilt and has four interceptions in his past four games dating back to last December's Belk Bowl, when he snagged two.
"I tell myself that I'm going to get a pick every game," Sanders said. "I'm going to execute and play hard, and you've got to have that mentality. I'm everywhere. I'll make mistakes but I'm everywhere, and when that ball is in the air I'm taking it."
That was South Carolina's only turnover of the game.
"He's playing the Georgia way right now," junior safety Quincy Mauger said. "He's mentally and physically tough. He's always reading his keys, and he's just a great player."
New Morgan memory
In last season's 38-35 loss at South Carolina, Georgia kicker Marshall Morgan set an SEC record by making a 20th consecutive field-goal attempt. But he missed a crucial try in the fourth quarter that ultimately turned out to be the difference.
Morgan made his lone attempt Saturday night from 30 yards and also kicked off eight times, placing three for touchbacks.
"It's just been sour for me this last year every time I've heard South Carolina mentioned," Morgan said. "After tonight, it's a good feeling."
Senior punter Collin Barber entered Saturday having kicked off eight times this season to Morgan's six, but Barber kicked off just once against the Gamecocks.
"If we keep scoring more than 50 points, we may switch it up again," Morgan said. "That's a lot of leg."
Stingy on defense
Georgia held South Carolina to 258 yards on 61 plays. The Gamecocks rushed 39 times for 174 yards, the most the Bulldogs have allowed this season, but threw for only 84.
"Tonight's performance went well, but we've still got a way to go," Bulldogs senior defensive end Sterling Bailey said. "We made some adjustments at halftime that I thought helped us."
Odds and ends
Georgia senior inside linebacker Jake Ganus led the Bulldogs with seven tackles and got engaged at midfield on the "G" after the game. Former SEC commissioner Mike Slive was recognized during a stoppage of play in the first quarter, and Bulldogs players wore prostate cancer awareness stickers on their helmets to honor him. GOP presidential hopeful Jeb Bush attended the game. Freshman free safety Johnathan Abram and freshman receiver Terry Godwin started for the first time. The Bulldogs now lead the series with the Gamecocks 48-18-2.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.