Spring Break
Penalty problems
Issue date: 9/30/08 Section: News
Living the semi-charmed life
This season has been anything but a charmed life for the pre-season No. 1 team in the country. The Dogs lost left tackle Trinton Sturdivant in a pre-season scrimmage. They are currently starting a true freshman, a sophomore, two redshirt sophomores and a junior on the offensive line, which have contributed to the high number of flags this season.Don't grabIn all five games, the Dogs offensive line has been guilty of a hold. They were caught three times against the Gamecocks. Their lone hold Saturday nullified what would have been a 19-yard gain on fourth-and-18 late in the fourth quarter, and instead, forced a turnover on downs.
Wrong time
As if committing the penalties themselves wasn't bad enough, the Dogs have the unfortunate knack of committing major fouls at the most inopportune times. In the last three games, Georgia has roughed the passer five times, twice against South Carolina, once against Arizona State, and twice Saturday. Two were on third down, and another nullified a red-zone turnover.
That's a lotIn all five of the football team's games this season, one trend has been disturbingly consistent, the number of penalties committed per game.
The Dogs have been flagged 53 times for a staggering 437 yards and are currently the only team in the FBS to have more than 50 penalties and more than 400 yards.
They are on pace to commit 127 penalties for 1,048 yards by seasons end, and both stats will lead the nation. In fact they are projected to be the only team to finish with more than 1,000 yards in penalties and one of only two teams projected to have committed more than 100 penalties.
SEC ranks
When compared to the five other Southeastern Conference schools that are ranked, Georgia's numbers look even more inflated. Vanderbilt, ranked No. 19 nationally, is tied for the fewest flags in the nation with 11 for 115 yards. In three games this year, the Dogs have committed at least 11 infractions.
BCS bound?
If there is any reason to be optimistic about the high number of fouls, consider that in the 2006 and 2007 seasons when Florida and LSU each won BCS titles, both were among the leaders in flags. In 2006 Florida lead the nation in flags with 116, and LSU was second in 2007 with 117.
- Michael Fitzpatrick
Wrong time
As if committing the penalties themselves wasn't bad enough, the Dogs have the unfortunate knack of committing major fouls at the most inopportune times. In the last three games, Georgia has roughed the passer five times, twice against South Carolina, once against Arizona State, and twice Saturday. Two were on third down, and another nullified a red-zone turnover.That's a lotIn all five of the football team's games this season, one trend has been disturbingly consistent, the number of penalties committed per game.
The Dogs have been flagged 53 times for a staggering 437 yards and are currently the only team in the FBS to have more than 50 penalties and more than 400 yards.
They are on pace to commit 127 penalties for 1,048 yards by seasons end, and both stats will lead the nation. In fact they are projected to be the only team to finish with more than 1,000 yards in penalties and one of only two teams projected to have committed more than 100 penalties.
SEC ranks
When compared to the five other Southeastern Conference schools that are ranked, Georgia's numbers look even more inflated. Vanderbilt, ranked No. 19 nationally, is tied for the fewest flags in the nation with 11 for 115 yards. In three games this year, the Dogs have committed at least 11 infractions.
BCS bound?
If there is any reason to be optimistic about the high number of fouls, consider that in the 2006 and 2007 seasons when Florida and LSU each won BCS titles, both were among the leaders in flags. In 2006 Florida lead the nation in flags with 116, and LSU was second in 2007 with 117.
- Michael Fitzpatrick
The Dogs have been flagged 53 times for a staggering 437 yards and are currently the only team in the FBS to have more than 50 penalties and more than 400 yards.
They are on pace to commit 127 penalties for 1,048 yards by seasons end, and both stats will lead the nation. In fact they are projected to be the only team to finish with more than 1,000 yards in penalties and one of only two teams projected to have committed more than 100 penalties.
SEC ranks
When compared to the five other Southeastern Conference schools that are ranked, Georgia's numbers look even more inflated. Vanderbilt, ranked No. 19 nationally, is tied for the fewest flags in the nation with 11 for 115 yards. In three games this year, the Dogs have committed at least 11 infractions.BCS bound?
If there is any reason to be optimistic about the high number of fouls, consider that in the 2006 and 2007 seasons when Florida and LSU each won BCS titles, both were among the leaders in flags. In 2006 Florida lead the nation in flags with 116, and LSU was second in 2007 with 117.- Michael Fitzpatrick
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