First quarter blog

End of first quarter, Georgia trails 7-3

The verdict on the first 15 minutes? It looks too much like what we've seen the past three games.

Georgia's offense has looked ineffective so far, even with A.J. Green, who has no catches. And the running game has been, well, awful.

Defensively, Georgia gave up an opening touchdown, then forced a three-and-out, but as the second quarter starts has allowed Colorado to drive past midfield. Colorado QB Tyler Hansen is looking a lot better than his reputation would suggest.

And two opportunities were wasted: The long kick return only led to a field goal, and good field position for Georgia's second drive led to a punt.

Oh, and the silly mental mistake: Drew Butler said he expected to get about five more yards on his punts because of the thin air. Well if that was true, those five yards were used up by a delay of game penalty before the punt.

4:53 left in first quarter

Georgia freshman T.J. Stripling has left the game with what appears to be a serious injury to his right knee. Stripling, a linebacker, was injured on Georgia's kick coverage unit.

He was taken off the field in a cart, after play was stopped for almost five minutes.

Stripling, a true freshman from Decatur, has played mainly on special teams, with some time on defense.

4:58 left in first quarter, Georgia now trails 7-3

Georgia answers, sort of, on its opening drive. But the red zone troubles are back.

After a great opening kickoff by Brandon Boykin, the Bulldogs have to settle for yet another Blair Walsh field goal.

Brandon Boykin's 72-yard return went down to the 24, and was precisely what Georgia needed. It sort of sent the message that no, this would NOT have to play out just as the previous three games had.

But with absolutely no running game, and only one first down completion, Georgia still trails.

There was a lot of confusion on formations for Georgia in that series. A.J. Green and Marlon Brown were mixed up on where to line up for third down. The prior play, right tackle Josh Davis had to point behind him to literally point Shaun Chapas in the right direction.

Green was targeted twice, on the final two plays of the drive. The first was an overthrow in the end zone (Green was well-covered) and the second was on an inside slant. It was blocked at the line.

The first call was a pass to a tight end - Aron White caught it for an 8-yard gain. Well good, they got that out of the way.

Carlton Thomas did get the start at tailback. Wow, how far have Washaun Ealey and Caleb King slipped after all those preseason expectations.

7:47 left in first quarter, Colorado leads 7-0

Here we go again?

Georgia certainly hopes not, but this game has started exactly like the previous three, all losses: The opposition driving downfield for a touchdown.

And, just as happened in the second half at Mississippi State last week, third downs killed the Bulldogs. Colorado got several, including runs by Tyler Hansen on the first series, and a 39-yarder deep into Georgia territory.

Hansen also completed a pass down to the 3 to convert another third down.

All too familiar, this scene so far.

A few quick other defensive personnel notes:

Defensive end Garrison Smith's redshirt is officially burned. The true freshman played, after sitting out the first four games.

Sophomore Sanders Commings started at cornerback.

Bacarri Rambo and Jakar Hamilton started at safety. Nick Williams still isn't with the first unit.