Spring Break
Changes on offensive line pave the way for Bulldogs
JASON BUTT
Issue date: 9/19/08 Section: News
TEMPE, Ariz. - Georgia's offensive line saw some changes in its 27-10 victory over Arizona State on Saturday, as Chris Davis moved the left guard and Clint Boling started at right guard.
Freshman Ben Jones got his first start at center as Davis moved one spot over to the left.
"Ben started, first start for that chubby freshman out of Alabama," head coach Mark Richt said. "He did a great job."
Davis also commended Jones' performance, saying this might have been his coming out party.
"Ben Jones, several times I saw him get a couple of pins," Davis said. "I thought he managed the game well. I've always said he's a good player and looking for good things and maybe his time just finally came right here and we'll see what he can do."
Lineman Vince Vance got his first start at left tackle, moving over from left guard. Quarterback Matthew Stafford said Vance did a great job, especially since he was paired up against Arizona State's star defensive end Dexter Davis.
"He did a good job, he was up against a really good football player," Stafford said. "Davis has a lot of sacks this year and really can get after the passer. For the most part we did a great job of front."
While the made-over line did a good job helping running back Knowshon Moreno get his 149 yards and two touchdowns, Davis said Moreno did his share of making the line look that much better.
"It's a joy to block for him, he runs hard," Davis said. "I know I made a block today on a little sweep and I was a little late getting there. But he made me look like an All-American. I watched it on the JumboTron and I went back to the huddle and said, 'Thanks for setting that block up, making me look like I knew what I was doing.'"
Martinez: Defense better one week later
Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said the Bulldogs' defense executed better this week against Arizona State then it did a week ago against South Carolina.
"I thought for the most part we executed our defense where last week we blew some coverages," Martinez said. "I'm not saying we didn't do it tonight but we had less of it."
Martinez added that he felt Georgia was robbed when Allen intercepted a pass from Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter, only to be called for defensive holding.
"I thought we got robbed a little bit on the interception. So I felt like we were out there playing against 18 people. But we moved on, overcame it and the guys did a really good job."
Arizona State down, Alabama to go
Right after the Bulldogs defeated Arizona State, linebacker Rennie Curran said Georgia already has its mind on its game against Alabama in Athens next Saturday.
"We know as a team that being focused and having the schedule we have that we have no time to celebrate," Curran said. "We have to be focused on that next game, that next task and come right to work. This game was great and everything but we know the task at hand. We know how good Alabama is. We really respect them as a team and we're going to be ready when the time comes."
Stafford added that the team will have a chance to rest on the flight home to Athens but will have to get ready to work hard for Alabama once they are back.
"It's going to be a fun one," Stafford said. "There will be no shortage of energy, for sure. They have a great football team, a great coach, they're as hot as can be and we know we're going to have a challenge."
Allen: Heat not a factor
While it seemingly never cools down in Tempe, even when the sun sets, cornerback Asher Allen said the heat was not much of a factor during the game.
"It wasn't as hot. It was normal," Allen said. "We went through camp my sophomore year and it was 104 on average, with humidity."
At kickoff, the temperature was 99 degrees and mostly sunny.
"I think it was hotter in the hotel room," Allen said. "Once we got out here it was normal."
Quick slants
Tight end Tripp Chandler and defensive end Jeremy Lomax both left the game at separate times with neck sprains.
Reserve receiver Zach Renner made a huge play, breaking through the Arizona State punt unit and blocking his first career punt in the second quarter.
Freshman Ben Jones got his first start at center as Davis moved one spot over to the left.
"Ben started, first start for that chubby freshman out of Alabama," head coach Mark Richt said. "He did a great job."
Davis also commended Jones' performance, saying this might have been his coming out party.
"Ben Jones, several times I saw him get a couple of pins," Davis said. "I thought he managed the game well. I've always said he's a good player and looking for good things and maybe his time just finally came right here and we'll see what he can do."
Lineman Vince Vance got his first start at left tackle, moving over from left guard. Quarterback Matthew Stafford said Vance did a great job, especially since he was paired up against Arizona State's star defensive end Dexter Davis.
"He did a good job, he was up against a really good football player," Stafford said. "Davis has a lot of sacks this year and really can get after the passer. For the most part we did a great job of front."
While the made-over line did a good job helping running back Knowshon Moreno get his 149 yards and two touchdowns, Davis said Moreno did his share of making the line look that much better.
"It's a joy to block for him, he runs hard," Davis said. "I know I made a block today on a little sweep and I was a little late getting there. But he made me look like an All-American. I watched it on the JumboTron and I went back to the huddle and said, 'Thanks for setting that block up, making me look like I knew what I was doing.'"
Martinez: Defense better one week later
Georgia defensive coordinator Willie Martinez said the Bulldogs' defense executed better this week against Arizona State then it did a week ago against South Carolina.
"I thought for the most part we executed our defense where last week we blew some coverages," Martinez said. "I'm not saying we didn't do it tonight but we had less of it."
Martinez added that he felt Georgia was robbed when Allen intercepted a pass from Arizona State quarterback Rudy Carpenter, only to be called for defensive holding.
"I thought we got robbed a little bit on the interception. So I felt like we were out there playing against 18 people. But we moved on, overcame it and the guys did a really good job."
Arizona State down, Alabama to go
Right after the Bulldogs defeated Arizona State, linebacker Rennie Curran said Georgia already has its mind on its game against Alabama in Athens next Saturday.
"We know as a team that being focused and having the schedule we have that we have no time to celebrate," Curran said. "We have to be focused on that next game, that next task and come right to work. This game was great and everything but we know the task at hand. We know how good Alabama is. We really respect them as a team and we're going to be ready when the time comes."
Stafford added that the team will have a chance to rest on the flight home to Athens but will have to get ready to work hard for Alabama once they are back.
"It's going to be a fun one," Stafford said. "There will be no shortage of energy, for sure. They have a great football team, a great coach, they're as hot as can be and we know we're going to have a challenge."
Allen: Heat not a factor
While it seemingly never cools down in Tempe, even when the sun sets, cornerback Asher Allen said the heat was not much of a factor during the game.
"It wasn't as hot. It was normal," Allen said. "We went through camp my sophomore year and it was 104 on average, with humidity."
At kickoff, the temperature was 99 degrees and mostly sunny.
"I think it was hotter in the hotel room," Allen said. "Once we got out here it was normal."
Quick slants
Tight end Tripp Chandler and defensive end Jeremy Lomax both left the game at separate times with neck sprains.
Reserve receiver Zach Renner made a huge play, breaking through the Arizona State punt unit and blocking his first career punt in the second quarter.
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