From Austin:
Finally a road win. As good as junior QB Steven Garcia is, he had never won a road game as a starter until last night in Nashville. Now, he had played well on the road and won games in relief, but the monkey was gaining weight after the second half meltdowns in Auburn and Lexington. Now, we can travel to Florida in a few weeks with no added baggage. If Georgia beats the Gators in Jacksonville this Saturday and we take care of Tennessee and Arkansas at home, then the Florida game will only be for pride. The Gamecocks can lock up the east prior to the trip with a little help from the Bulldogs.
I thought for sure we were trying to give Vandy another win based on our first half of play. Bad snaps, penalties, and boneheaded plays killed us. I was planning for another end of the season meltdown caused by whatever happened at halftime versus Kentucky. This would mirror whatever happened in the locker room at the half at North Carolina. We were rocking until then and the season went downhill from there. Ah, but not this time. A stellar second half gets the win and keeps the title hopes alive.
Game balls go to 1) Brian Maddox-best game of his career and he looked relaxed carrying the ball. 2) Ace Sanders-confident on punt returns and running crisp routes. He took off downfield when Garcia scrambled, just like Alshon did, but the ball went to the taller WR. 3) Travian Robertson-in the backfield all night.
Worried about 1) Our DBs. Something has been off. There are too many lapses in coverage and we continue to play too far off on 3rd down. 2) Shotgun snaps-enough said. Not as bad as UF though.
3) Blocked kicks-2 this year. 1 is too many.
