Georgia wide receiver Isaiah McKenzie, left, catches a 20-yard touchdown pass against Missouri defensive back Aarion Penton during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016, in Columbia, Mo. Georgia won 28-27. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)Forget that Georgia was a touchdown favorite heading into Saturday night's riveting 28-27 win at Missouri.
Forget that the offensive line continues to struggle for the Bulldogs, as do their special teams, and forget that there were some 14,000 empty seats at Faurot Field.
The Bulldogs collected their first dramatic victory of the Kirby Smart coaching era, with a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Eason to Isaiah McKenzie on fourth-and-10 with 1:29 left plus the ensuing extra point causing instant celebration far from home. Georgia was in need of an adrenaline rush following last week's lethargic 26-24 escape of Nicholls State, and the No. 12 Bulldogs (3-0, 1-0 Southeastern Conference) hope to build on their magical moment when they visit No. 23 Ole Miss (1-2, 0-1) this weekend.
"I still can't believe it happened," McKenzie told reporters as Saturday night gave way to Sunday morning. "I still can't believe that it's over and we won, but it feels good to help the team out and come out on top."
The 15-year Mark Richt era was built on a pair of early road triumphs, a 26-24 win at Tennessee in 2001 and a 24-21 victory at Auburn in 2002 that clinched Georgia's first trip to the SEC championship game after a decade of having either Florida or Tennessee represent the East. Nobody is comparing this year's Missouri team to those Tennessee and Auburn teams Richt's Bulldogs toppled, but Smart was quick to recognize how Saturday's outcome could help his team moving forward.
"Confidence," Smart said in a news conference. "I am a firm believer in situational football, and we put them in a lot of situations. We do situations all the time, and they responded to the situation. We had to get the ball back, so we got it back.
"Then the offense had to score, and they did. I was proud of the way they battled."
Leading Georgia's battles this season has been the unlikely McKenzie, a 5-foot-8, 170-pound junior who was a last-minute addition to the 2014 signing class. McKenzie quickly earned his keep as a return specialist, but he has erupted this season as a receiver.
McKenzie had 10 catches for 123 yards and no touchdowns last season but had 10 catches for 122 yards and two scores Saturday night. He has 305 receiving yards through three games.
"The guy works every day," Smart said. "He runs more yards than everybody in practice. He runs faster than everybody, and he competes. He does that every day in practice, so why shouldn't he do it in the game? I tell the rest of our guys that if they all practiced like him, we wouldn't lose a game.
"I am worried about his durability, because the kid has got to hold up. He's not big, and he takes shots."
On the deciding score, Missouri countered Georgia's five-receiver formation with man-to-man coverage, with Tigers cornerback Aarion Penton drawing the assignment on McKenzie.
"I saw that the linebackers were down the middle," McKenzie said. "I had to get the corner to the middle of the field, and once they called hike, I said, 'I've got to get to the middle before he beats me there,' and that's what I did. He threw a good pass, and I had to adjust and come down with it and secure it."
Missouri had enough time to mount a drive into field-goal range, but a 20-yard pass from Drew Lock to J'Mon Moore ended in disaster for the Tigers when Juwuan Briscoe caused and recovered a fumble near midfield. It was the fifth turnover for the Tigers and spoiled a big night for Moore, who had eight receptions for 196 yards and two scores.
Penton took the blame afterward for the loss, as did Moore.
"I was definitely thinking I could get past that last defender," Moore told reporters. "I just lost focus. I should have had a better grip on that ball. That's the toughest loss I've ever faced."
Naturally, the feeling was much different outside the visiting locker room.
"We were very fortunate tonight," Smart said. "I'm glad we got the turnovers, because they were the key to the game obviously. Any time you can force that many turnovers, you've got an opportunity to win.
"I am really proud of the way our guys competed, but we have to show so much improvement. We've got to find a way to run the ball and kick the ball, but our guys never doubted they could win this game."
Odds and ends
Smart became the first Georgia coach to start 3-0 since Joel Hunt won his first four games in 1938. Eason's 55 passes Saturday were the most by a Georgia quarterback since Cory Phillips was 36-of-62 in a 2000 loss to Georgia Tech. Running back Elijah Holyfield and cornerback Mecole Hardman, both freshmen, played for the first time this season.
Contact David Paschall at dpaschall@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6524.