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[su_spacer size=”40″] Kevin Butler, former University of Georgia legendary kicker and a member of the Georgia radio broadcast team, will each week during the 2015 football season select his offensive, defensive and special teams players of the week for Bulldawg Illustrated. Here are Butler’s selections and reasons why for the Bulldogs’ 9-6 win over Missouri Oct. 17.
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OFFENSE
[su_spacer size=”40″] Senior wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell and sophomore tailback Sony Michel. Mitchell led the Georgia receivers with seven catches for 49 yards, including several late receptions for clutch first downs. According to head coach Mark Richt, he also made a touchdown saving tackle at the Georgia 1-yard line after the Tigers intercepted Greyson Lambert’s first pass of the game as well as causing Missouri to fumble a punt which led to one of the Bulldogs’ three field goals. Michel was Georgia’s workhorse running against the Tigers’ rugged defense, rushing for 87 yards on 26 carries and also catching four passes for 13 yards.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “The M&M Boys, Malcolm Mitchell and Sony Michel,” said Butler. “The sophomore from Plantation, Florida and the senior from Valdosta brought their A game to the homecoming showdown against Mizzou. A total of 100 yards by Sony and 49 yards for Malcolm produced 50 percent of the total offensive output for the Bulldogs. In a game where points were a tough thing to produce, the M&M men helped get the 9 points with tremendous effort and timing. Malcolm’s play on third downs helped the Bulldogs increase their productivity on third down conversions to 47 percent, which increases time possession in a big way. Sony’s hard-fought effort hopefully will inspire his teammates to give that same effort for 60 minutes in the ol’ Gator Bowl!”
[su_spacer size=”40”] DEFENSE
[su_spacer size=”40″] Junior outside linebacker Leonard Floyd, who helped spark the Bulldogs’sterling defensive performance by showing five total tackles, a sack and two tackles-for-loss.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “Mr. Floyd was at his best vs. Mizzou,” said Butler. “The senior led the defense in tackles-for-loss with 2 sacks for minus 7 yards. Against an offense that has zero punch, Floyd showed why he is a strong candidate to make it to the next level. His disciplined play allowed him and the defense to shut down Missouri’s offense – even with Mizzou starting the game at UGA’s 1-yard line. Leonard had 4 solo tackles and one assist in a game the Bulldogs had 9 TFL’s and gave up 21 total yards on the ground. If Leonard and the boys can duplicate the effort in Florida, like they gave vs. Mizzou, the Dawgs could take another step towards Atlanta in two weeks.”
[su_spacer size=”40”] SPECIAL TEAMS
[su_spacer size=”40″] Senior kicker Marshall Morgan, whose field goals of 29, 24 and 34 yards provided the Bulldogs with all their points in a game in which neither team could score a touchdown. After missing on a fourth-quarter attempt at 26 yards, Morgan came back to drill the game-winner, the 34-yard field goal with just 1:44 left to play.
[su_spacer size=”40″] “There is a new sheriff in town and he’s a Marshall!,” said Butler. “Marshall Morgan did what kickers dream about – rebound from an earlier miss to nail the game-winner for a Bulldog offense that could not get into the end zone vs. Mizzou. His 9 points were enough to seal the victory late in the fourth quarter and build his confidence heading into Florida.”
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