Live Notes from No. 5 Georgia vs No. 1 Texas

Follow along as our Devon Messinger jots down notes from tonight’s game between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Texas Longhorns.

First Quarter:

• What an ugly first quarter for the Longhorn offense. Steve Sarkisian’s squad was only able to total 20 yards on offense. Furthermore, the Ewers blind side sack forced a Texas turnover, later resulting in a Georgia touchdown on a Trevor Etienne run. Just about nothing has gone right for the offense, including an untimely drop by Quintrevion Wisner.
• Meanwhile, the Texas defense had a night and day first quarter from the offense. Despite allowing a touchdown rush, the secondary forced two turnovers with interceptions by Jahdae Barron and Andrew Mukuba.
• In many ways, the first quarter felt like the reverse of the Oklahoma game. The Texas offense was given incredible opportunities by their defense and looked miserable trying to capitalize.

Second Quarter:

• If the first quarter performance by the Longhorns was ugly, the second has been ugly ugly. Quinn Ewers has struggled to go through his progressions quickly, and the Texas offense has had to resort to throwing passes near the line of scrimmage. Furthermore, the Texas gunslinger threw an interception to Georgia defensive back Daylen Everett, which later resulted in a Georgia touchdown drive.
• The Texas defense has also slowed down, of course not being helped by their offense in the field position game either. However, Georgia has been able to march down the field in the second quarter and pick apart the Longhorns defense.
• Steve Sarkisian elected to bench Quinn Ewers in favor of Arch Manning. Unfortunately, this should come as no surprise as Ewers has struggled to get anything going against the Bulldogs defense.
• Regardless of the quarterback, the Texas offense continues to struggle. The offensive line, particularly on the right side, has not held its own against the Bulldogs and the result has been constant pressure. After replacing Ewers in the game, Manning had a fumble of his own thanks to a rush off of the edge. However, in addition to offensive line play, the Texas quarterbacks have missed a couple of open looks down the field as well.

Third Quarter:

• Well, it finally happened. The Longhorns found the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Quinn Ewers to Isaiah Bond. Furthermore, the second half started with Quinn Ewers back in the lineup which seems appropriate as many of the issues from the first half appeared to be on the Texas offensive line (rather than the quarterbacks). Although, as mentioned before, both Ewers and Manning missed some easy looks.
• It looks like the Texas offense has finally woken up. Additionally, it looks like Jaydon Blue has finally gotten himself out of the doghouse, particularly in the passing game. This time, Ewers found the Texas running back on a 17-yard touchdown pass.
• More surprising was the third quarter ref show, prior to the Blue touchdown. Initially, the referees called a defensive penalty against Jahdae Barron, who intercepted a Carson Beck pass for the second time tonight. However, after a several minute delay thanks to a rowdy student section, the referees (appropriately) overturned the penalty.

Fourth Quarter:

• The Longhorns secondary finally fell asleep and Carson Beck made them pay. After two large chunk plays from the Georgia quarterback, Trevor Etienne found the end zone for the third time with a 1-yard touchdown rush. While the defense has been solid all night, time will tell if they can continue to hold up.
• Ultimately, it just was not the offense’s day on Saturday. The Longhorn offensive line could not protect their quarterbacks and Ewers and Manning also were not playing like difference-makers.
• Saturday’s game will serve as a major wakeup call as Steve Sarkisian’s team will have to regroup and try to put the season together once again.