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.