10th-ranked Bulldogs take on Razorbacks

Oct 15, 2014 - 3:30 PM Little Rock, AR (SportsNetwork.com) - The 10th-ranked Georgia Bulldogs will continue their four-game road swing and try for their fifth straight win on Saturday afternoon when they head to War Memorial Stadium in Little Rock to take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in an SEC showdown.

Since losing a 38-35 contest at South Carolina on Sept. 13, Georgia has improved to 5-1 overall and 3-1 in league play thanks to four consecutive victories. The Bulldogs' most recent triumph was perhaps their most impressive yet, as they went on the road and blanked Missouri last Saturday, 34-0, their first shutout of a nationally-ranked team since 1982.

"For us to have that type of performance is pretty exciting for me, so I am very thankful for the win, and (I'm) looking forward to playing Arkansas," Georgia coach Mark Richt said.

It's been a tale of two season for Arkansas, as it has defeated all three of its non-conference foes but has yet to get over the hump in the SEC, going 0-3 in the league to extend its conference losing streak to 15 games. The Razorbacks battled at home against nationally-ranked Alabama last weekend but coughed up a fourth-quarter lead en route to a 14-13 loss.

"We'll take (the Alabama game) as a learning opportunity," Arkansas coach Brett Bielema said. "I think we're getting stronger by the day...the SEC West is very difficult, and I'm excited to be in it every day."

This marks the first meeting between the squads since 2010, when Arkansas came away with a 31-24 win in Athens. Georgia still holds a 9-4 series edge over the Razorbacks.

Georgia's offense has been outstanding on the season, putting up 43.2 ppg and 445.7 ypg. The unit suffered a bit last week in the absence of Todd Gurley, who is suspended indefinitely, but it still managed to rush for 210 yards.

Freshman Nick Chubb shouldered the load in the win with a whopping 38 carries for 143 yards and a score. He now has 367 yards (on 5.3 ypc) and three scores this season.

"Coming in behind Todd made me a little nervous, but I've been playing football my whole life so I just kept doing what I was doing," Chubb said. "Everybody just told me that they believed in me and to play hard."

Brendan Douglas was also active last week out of the backfield with 13 carries for 65 yards and a score.

Hutson Mason only throws for 140.5 ypg but he's been incredibly efficient, completing 70.5 percent of his passes while accounting for 11 touchdowns and just three interceptions.

Headlining a modest receiving corps are Michael Bennett (19 receptions, 200 yards, three TDs) and Chris Conley (14 receptions, 208 yards, two TDs).

Georgia's defense (18.0 ppg, 303.7 ypg) was outstanding a week ago, keeping the usually-potent Missouri offense in check by allowing just 10 first downs and 147 yards for its second shutout of the season.

The unit's strength is at linebacker, where Amarlo Herrera (47 tackles, 6.0 TFL, 3.0 sacks), Ramik Wilson (41 tackles, 5.0 TFL, sack), Jordan Jenkins (30 tackles, 5.5 TFL, 2.5 sacks, 15 QB hurries) and Leonard Floyd (4.0 sacks, 12 QB hurries, two FF) are all in the midst of strong seasons. Damian Swann and Quincy Mauger have two interceptions apiece.

Arkansas' offense is not to be overlooked, as it has kept up with Georgia nearly step for step with 39.3 ppg and 459.5 ypg.

The team's offensive game plan is centered on its excellent backfield, as it amasses 278.7 rushing yards per game thanks to perhaps the nation's best running back tandem. Alex Collins has turned 92 carries into 634 yards and six touchdowns, and Jonathan Williams has been equally outstanding with 86 carries for 569 yards and nine scores.

With such an electric ground game behind him, Brandon Allen hasn't been asked to do much under center, as he's completing just 57.7 percent of his passes for 166.2 ypg, but he's accounted for 12 touchdowns and has tossed only two interceptions.

Keon Hatcher has acted as Allen's go-to receiver with 16 receptions for 289 yards and two scores.

Arkansas' defense has been more than good enough to support its explosive offense, as it allows just 23.8 ppg and 373.8 ypg.

Martrell Spaight has a team-best 53 tackles to go with 2.0 TFL, an interception and a fumble recovery. Other defensive standouts include Brooks Ellis (39 tackles, 3.5 TFL), Trey Flowers (34 tackles, 7.0 TFL, 2.0 sacks), Darius Philon (24 tackles, 7.0 TFL, 2.5 sacks) and Taiwan Johnson (5.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks), although Ellis is questionable with a knee injury.