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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 30, 2007

Georgia rally sinks Kentucky, 24-13

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Georgia linebacker Rennie Curran helped shut down quarterback Andre Woodson and the Wildcats, 24-13.

KELLY LAMBERT | Athens Banner-Herald

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ATHENS, Ga. — Scoring 21 unanswered points in the second and third quarters, Georgia rallied for a 24-13 victory over Kentucky on Saturday at Sanford Stadium.

"It was definitely a big win for us," quarterback Matthew Stafford said. "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. It was a big win for us, that's all that matters."

The Bulldogs improved to 9-2 overall and finished 6-2 in the SEC, while Kentucky slipped to 7-4 and 3-4.

After spotting the Wildcats a 10-0 lead, the Bulldogs found their rhythm.

Georgia's first touchdown came on tailback Knowshon Moreno's 1-yard run just before halftime. Moreno finished the game with 124 yards, becoming the first Bulldog since Herschel Walker in 1982 with five straight 100-yard games.

Early in the second half, safety Kelin Johnson blocked a Kentucky punt to set up tailback Thomas Brown's 1-yard scoring run. Brown had 73 yards on the ground in his final home game as a Bulldog.

Stafford got in on the scoring act as he darted in from 10 yards out in the third quarter. Stafford went 12 of 22 passing for 99 yards with two interceptions.

"(Kentucky) outfought us in the first half," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "We got beat up front. I wouldn't say it was really bad, but if I had to say who won the first half, it was them. I'm just thankful our boys came out in the second half, especially our defense who stoned them in the second half. ... They did a good job of battling. You just have to battle."

Kicker Brandon Coutu, who hit all three extra points, sealed the win with a 46-yard field goal with 2:09 remaining.

Linebacker Rennie Curran paced the Bulldogs' defense with 13 tackles, while safety Thomas Flowers added seven. The Wildcats came into Saturday's game averaging 37.7 points per game but were held to their lowest scoring output of the year.

Richt picked up his 70th victory with the Bulldogs, making him just the eighth coach with 70 or more wins in the first seven seasons.

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