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Moreno scores three more TDs as Georgia beats Troy

Nov 3, 2007 - 10:07 PM ATHENS, Georgia (Ticker) -- Knowshon Moreno delivered another huge performance for Georgia.

Moreno rushed for a season-high 196 yards and three touchdowns Saturday as 10th-ranked Georgia posted a 44-34 victory over Troy.

It was the third consecutive 100-yard performance for Moreno, who became the first Bulldog to achieve the feat since Musa Smith in 2002.

A redshirt freshman, Moreno enjoyed a breakthrough day last week against Florida, running for 188 yards and three TDs in a 42-30 triumph over the defending national champions.

"I think Knowshon is continuing to get better," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "We are blocking better for him, and he is reading a lot better."

Six days off did not slow down the speedy Moreno, who raced for an 80-yard TD just five minutes into the contest to get Georgia on the board. It was the program's longest run since Robert Edwards reeled off an 80-yarder against Kentucky in 1997.

"(Moreno) had that one big run of 80 yards - that was huge for him," Richt said. "But even without that, he had over 100 yards."

Moreno added a pair of one-yard scores in the second half for the Bulldogs (7-2), who overcame a slow start to win for the sixth time in their last seven games.

"The offensive line did a good job of opening up holes today," said Moreno, who carried 26 times. "The way the guys up front opened them up made it easy for the backs to make plays.

"It wasn't a great day overall, it was kind of sloppy. But we got the job done."

Moreno increased his rushing total this season to 1,003 yards, becoming the first Georgia player to reach the milestone since Smith (1,324) in 2002. He is the 12th player in school history to eclipse the 1,000-yard mark in a single season.

The 207-pound Moreno also became the first Georgia freshman to reach 1,000 yards rushing since Herschel Walker (1,616) did so in 1980.

Matthew Stafford completed 17-of-29 passes for 217 yards, two TDs and one interception for Georgia, which rallied from a 10-7 deficit after one quarter.

Brandon Coutu kicked a 36-yard field goal to forge a 10-10 tie just 15 seconds into the second quarter, and Stafford threw scoring strikes of 22 and 20 yards to give the Bulldogs a 24-10 lead entering the break.

"For the most part, we did a good job of keeping the momentum," Richt said. "The last two scores of the first half were huge."

"Today was a good win," Stafford said. "We have to keep chugging along and take it week-by-week. We ran the ball pretty well and made some plays in the passing game."

Omar Haugabook finished 29-for-45 for 310 yards, two TDs and two interceptions for Troy (6-3), which had its six-game winning streak snapped.

Haugabook's favorite target was Jerrel Jernigan, who had 11 catches for 102 yards and two scores. Gary Banks also finished with 102 yards on eight receptions for the Trojans.