UGA vs. ARK: the shootout

Another weekend, another football game. Friday the ABH squad and I flew out to cover the Georgia/Arkansas game in Fayetteville. I'm not going to get into the ridiculous travel arrangements that had us driving 6 hours on game day. I'm not even going to talk about the 4 hours of sleep, lack of a field level workroom, or the 15 hour work day. The only thing to talk about is what a damn good football game I saw. It was a high flying, high scoring, bonanza of deep bombs, break away runs, turnovers, and other dramatics. Hell, a player even got ejected. Georgia quarterback Joe Cox tied a school record throwing 5 touchdown passes. Arkansas quarterback Ryan Mallett had 5 touchdown passes of his own as he and Cox had a full-fledged shootout resulting in a 52-41 final score. Georgia came out with the victory and is now 2-0 in the SEC. Despite low expectations for the Bulldogs after the season opening loss to Oklahoma State (especially Matthew Stafford's replacement at quarterback Joe Cox) this team might surprise us all and either way they sure know how to put on one hell of a show.

Georgia Bulldogs get ready to take the field before their 52-41 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday Sept. 19, 2009, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.


Arkansas cheerleaders lead the crowd in a cheer.


Georgia QB Joe Cox warms-up before the game.


Georgia's A.J. Green catches a pass as Arkansas' Matt Harris lunges to tackle him in the first quarter.


Georgia's A.J. Green dives for extra yardage in the 1st quarter of the #23 Georgia Bulldogs 27-21 halftime lead over the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday Sept. 19, 2009, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.


Georgia's Aron White catches a touchdown pass in the 1st quarter.


Georgia's Kade Weston tackles Ryan Mallett causing a fumble in the 1st quarter.


Georgia's Kade Weston tackles Ryan Mallett causing a fumble in the 1st quarter.


Georgia's Joe Cox pulls back a pass in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Tavarres King just misses a pass with coverage by Arkansas' Ramon Broadway.


Arkansas' Tramain Thomas intercepts the ball out of the grasp of Georgia's Tavarres King.


Arkansas celebrates Tramain Thomas' interception.


Arkansas's Jerell Norton catches a kickoff.


Arkansas mascot "Tusk"


Arkansas' Greg Childs grabs the facemask of Georgia's Brandon Boykins as he runs in a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Michael Moore is brought down in the 4th quarter.


Georgia's Tavarres King catches a pass for a touchdown trailed by Arkansas' Greg Gatson in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Tavarres King catches a pass for a touchdown trailed by Arkansas' Greg Gatson in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Orson Charles kneels after scoring his first career touchdown in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Prince Miller pushes Arkansas' Michael Smith out of bounds in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's Vance Cuff lays injured on the field in the 4th quarter.


Georgia's Jeff Owens stops Arkansas' D.J. Williams in the 3rd quarter.


Georgia's A.J. Green catches a touchdown pass in the 4th quarter.


Georgia coach Mark Richt gestures to the fans after the Bulldogs' 52-41 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday Sept. 19, 2009, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.


Georgia Bulldogs celebrate after their 52-41 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday Sept. 19, 2009, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.


Georgia Bulldogs celebrate after their 52-41 win over the Arkansas Razorbacks Saturday Sept. 19, 2009, at Donald W. Reynolds Razorbacks Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.