Georgia Falls to LSU

Several mistakes in the first half helped No. 5 Georgia fall behind, then a most costly one late in the third quarter denied any chance for a comeback.

David Greene threw his second interception and Lionel Turner returned it 18 yards for a touchdown, giving No. 3 LSU an 18-point lead en route to a 34-13 in the Southeastern Conference championship game Saturday night, a victory that put the Tigers in the national title game in January.

LSU had taken an early 17-0 advantage before Georgia kicked a field goal late in the first half to trim the lead to 14. The interception then sealed the Bulldogs fate.

The highly regarded Georgia defense spent most of the night on the field and the workload took its toll, as LSU posted 444 yards of offense, including 293 yards rushing.

Linebacker Odell Thurman was again among the defensive leaders with 11 tackles.
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Georgia Headed To
Capital One Bowl
The 11th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs (10-3) were extended, and accepted, a Capital One Bowl invitation Sunday to face Purdue in Orlando, Fla., Jan. 1. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET, with broadcast coverage on ABC-TV.

It will be only the second meeting between Georgia and Purdue. The two teams met in the 2000 Outback Bowl, won by Georgia, 28-25 in overtime.

The Bulldogs have played in Orlando in three previous post-season games: 1974 Tangerine Bowl (lost to Miami of Ohio, 21-10); 1984 Florida Citrus Bowl (tied FSU, 17-17); and 1993 Florida Citrus Bowl (defeated Ohio State, 21-14).

“I’m certainly happy with the selection of our team to represent the Southeastern Conference in the Capital One Bowl,” said Georgia Director of Athletics Vince Dooley.

“It’s been 11 years since we had the opportunity to play in Orlando and I know our fans will be excited about returning to what is perhaps the most attractive bowl site in the country.”

Odell Thurman Honored by
Writers, Coaches
Monticello alum Odell Thurman was among three Bulldogs named to the All-Southeastern Conference First Team announced on Tuesday.

The 6-1, 230-pound redshirt sophomore made a splash in his first season with the Bulldogs. He is tied for second on the team with 111 tackles, including team-high totals for sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (17.5). Thurman also has two interceptions, including one he returned 98 yards for a touchdown against Auburn, and two fumble recoveries.

SEC coaches also chose defensive end David Pollack and rover Sean Jones for the first team, while four other Bulldogs were named to the second team.

Sportswriters also named Thurman to the Associated Press All-Southeastern Conference Team which was announced Monday. A total of six players from Georgia were included among the honorees.