The Sunday Treatment and a Trip Around the Dawgosphere

What a game! Man, that was something else. In terms of electricity and atmosphere, it was right up there with last year's wins over SC and LSU. The crowd was top-notch. After a back and forth first half and a defensive struggle and field position battle during the 3rd quarter, the Dawgs turned it up "to 11" in the 4th  and took over the game on the ground. Final score: UGA 45, Clemson 21.

The star of the game? Without a doubt, Todd Gurley. #3 made a resounding statement and is now at the top of everyone's Heisman list. The numbers speak for themselves. He was just lights out last night. And that kick return! Man. This guy is something special, for sure. And how 'bout Chubb and Michel?! Wow! Even Quayvon got in on the action. I did feel kind of bad for Keith Marshall. I think it was pretty apparent by the end of the game last night that he's probably our number 4 TB now. But...that's football. That's life. And it was nice to see Michel get the ball thrown to him a few times as well. Ditto for Isaiah.

Yesterday I said the following about Hutson Mason:  "I think he's going to be quite capable and pretty darn solid. And that's all he needs to be." Well, that's pretty much exactly what he was and that's all we need. Great job by our QB.

After some issues in the first half, Pruitt made some great adjustments and our defense was just absolutely out of sight in the second half. The 2011 Dawgs had a really good defense, but I'd go as far to say that this is the best UGA defense we've seen since the 2002-2004 years. Seriously. And this is just the first game. With our depth and talent, I feel like we'll get a lot better. Still some issues in the secondary, but with that front 7, I think we're going to be a great defensive ball club this year.

Probably about my only gripe would be the fact that we didn't see Isaiah McKenzie in to return a punt until the end of the game. Naturally, he takes it 24 yards in spectacular fashion. Reggie Davis? 37 yards...on 7 returns! Look, I get it if they're not 100% about Isaiah's ball control skills. Deep in our own territory or in a punt-safe situation, throw him in. Otherwise, the job needs to be McKenzie's. 

Great day. Great game!

Let's check the pulse of the Dawg Nation and take...

A Trip Around the Dawgosphere:

• The Senator's "Observations from the 35." Bluto's pretty pumped. That's exciting! 
• Bernie's Sunday thoughts. And a note about Grantham's towels being alive and well! 
• Always a Sunday favorite: Tyler's "Sunday Morning Comes."
• Dawgsports' Sunday Morning Dawg Bites
• Seth Emerson, the best UGA beat writer out there, gives his recap for the Macon paper. 
• I am so glad to see T. Kyle King starting to post a good bit online once again (when he's not busy writing books about the UGA-Clemson rivalry). Here are Kyle's thoughts on the Clemson game. 

GO DAWGS!

A few quick gameday thoughts

About to head to the Classic City here in just a bit. A few quick thoughts:

• It's finally here! And that makes me a very happy man! 
• Getting revenge for last year's game has been one of my key points for this season. I was there in Clemson last year, and I really, really want us to return the favor. 
• Looking forward to seeing the 2014 version of Todd Gurley. And the 2014 version of several other guys as well. Very interested to see what Isiah can do.
• Obviously a lot of how we do this year will hinge on the performance of Hutson Mason. Some are more nervous than others with him. I feel pretty good. I think he's going to be quite capable and pretty darn solid. And that's all he needs to be. 
• Definitely question marks with the secondary, but man, I think our front 7 might be good enough to carry things the first couple of games. With that said, I think our secondary is going to be a pleasant surprise. 
• As everyone else has mentioned - special teams. Gotta be better this year, right?
• Ditto on forcing turnovers. 
• And how about that SC/A&M game? Wow! 

Can't wait to get up there and hang out with some good friends, enjoy the atmosphere, and see another great game "between the hedges." Go Dawgs!