The Red and Black

Issue date: 11/19/07 Section: Sports

Media Credit: SARA GUEVARA Tailback Knowshon Moreno rushes for 8 yards to the 10-yard line before being tackled by free saftey Calvin Harrison during the first half Saturday. Moreno finished with 124 yards on 22 carries.

Media Credit: KELLY WEGEL Asher Allen celebrates after catching one of Kentucky's quarterback Andre' Woodson's passes in the fourth quarter of Saturday's game. The intercpetion was overturned on review. The Dogs went on to beat the Wildcats 24-13.

What was supposed to be an offensive shoot-out turned out to be more of a defensive stronghold as Georgia (9-2, 6-2 SEC) defeated the Kentucky Wildcats (7-4, 3-4 SEC) on Saturday 24-13 in Sanford Stadium to finish its SEC schedule for the season.

On senior day, the Bulldogs got off to a slow start with three first half turnovers and an early 10-0 deficit to what appeared would be a high-scoring affair by Kentucky.

But the Georgia defense stepped up and only allowed three more points the rest of the game.

"We started out kind of slow. Then, after the jitters were gone, we started playing ball. They had the momentum early, and we got it back right before halftime and were able to keep it in the second half," said senior safety Kelin Johnson.

Georgia brought the score to within three late in the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown run by tail back Knowshon Moreno, who gained 124 yards to become the first Bulldog since Herschel Walker to run for 100 or more yards in five straight games. Senior tailback Thomas Brown added 78 yards on the ground to give Georgia 184 rushing yards on the day.

After holding Kentucky on the first drive of the third quarter, Johnson blocked a punt that was recovered by Ramarcus Brown to set up a one yard Brown touchdown and a 14-10 Georgia lead.

On Georgia's next drive, quarterback Matthew Stafford faked the handoff and ran it in himself for a 10-yard touchdown for a 21-10 lead. Georgia's passing game was held in check today as Stafford completed just 12 throws for 99 yards.

"It's definitely a big win for us. It wasn't pretty, but it kept us alive. Every game isn't going to be perfect. We are happy to be where we are," said Stafford.

Kentucky looked to be making a comeback several times in the fourth only to be shut down each time.

True freshman linebacker Rennie Curran led the team in tackles with 13.

In addition to the win and last game in Sanford, senior receiver Mikey Henderson has one more reason to remember this day as he also got engaged when he proposed to his girlfriend, Christina Daskalakis during senior day honors.

While Georgia is in first place in the SEC East, Tennessee still has one SEC game next week against Kentucky after defeating Vanderbilt on Saturday. With a win, Tennessee wins the East on a tie breaker and goes to the SEC Championship. However, a Tennessee loss gives Georgia the East.

"We're at least co-SEC East Champions which is fantastic," said head coach Mark Richt.

The Bulldogs face in-state rival Georgia Tech (7-4) next week in Atlanta

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