JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tabbing Faton Bauta as Georgia’s starting quarterback for the first time was a group decision, according to first-year Bulldogs offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer.
Bauta went the distance in Saturday’s 27-3 loss to Florida, completing 15 of 33 passes for 154 yards with no touchdowns and four interceptions. Greyson Lambert, who started the first seven games and was intercepted only twice, stayed on the sideline throughout the drubbing.
“We had talked about it for a couple of weeks, and Faton got some reps in the bye week and did some nice things,” Schottenhiemer said. “Obviously his ability to move around and make plays with his legs was something that we liked. There were some inconsistencies with Greyson, and when you’re struggling you’re always looking for answers and trying to find things that might work.
“It did not work for us tonight, and that falls on me.”
Bauta’s running ability was never put on display, as the Gators limited the 6-foot-3, 215-pounder from West Palm Beach to 4 yards on three carries. There was no makeover, even a mild one, as far as Georgia implementing more quarterback runs, whether by option or on zone reads.