ATHENS, Ga. – The Georgia Bulldogs have yet to experience a truly disastrous play on their way to three wins in three games by the average score of 45-8.
Redshirt sophomore right guard Ben Cleveland can be thanked for that.
After taking a 7-0 lead with their opening drive of last Saturday’s 49-7 win over Middle Tennessee State at Sanford Stadium, the Bulldogs started their second possession at their 11-yard line and backtracked due to a holding penalty on freshman left tackle Cade Mays. When Jake Fromm dropped back to pass at the goal line and the protection broke down, he was sacked by Blue Raiders defensive end Jahmal Jones and fumbled.
The 6-foot-6, 340-pound Cleveland spotted the ball and pounced on it at the 2, and the Bulldogs were able to punt the ball away and avoided further damage when cornerback Deandre Baker intercepted Brent Stockstill on MTSU’s ensuing possession.
“It was really just about not letting it get into the end zone and letting them get it,” Cleveland said afterward. “I had a quick thought of picking it up and running it for a first down, but my mind went to getting the ball and not letting them get it. We practice that every now and then, but I feel like it’s a lot more instinct than anything.”