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Moreno runs over CMU in Georgia blowout

Sep 7, 2008 - 2:07 AM ATHENS, Georgia (Ticker) -- Knowshon Moreno continued his torrid start to 2008, rushing for 168 yards and three touchdowns Saturday to lead the charge for No. 2 Georgia in a 56-17 victory over Central Michigan.

After scoring three times on just eight carries in last weekend's season-opening win over Georgia Southern, Moreno outdid himself in a stiffer test against the Chippewas, the two-time defending Mid-American Conference champs.

"I saw us play very hard for the entire ballgame, which is the thing I enjoyed the most," Georgia head coach Mark Richt said. "When we substituted, we didn't have a let-up, which is so crucial for us. ... Our defense kept coming. (CMU) has an outstanding football team - not just good but great on offense. To hold them down like that was impressive."

Moreno, who is averaging 8.7 yards per carry in two games, did most of his damage once Central Michigan (1-1) began slowly marching back after falling behind early.

With Georgia (2-0) leading, 28-14, early in the third quarter, Moreno ripped off a 52-yard dash to the end zone to make it a three-touchdown game. He put the finishing touches on another stellar performance with a 21-yard touchdown in the fourth.

"The offensive line did awesome," Moreno said. "They made holes and played a good game all day. They corrected mistakes from last week and carried that over to the game today."

For the bulk of the first half, it looked like it might be an even more lopsided affair than it actually was. The Chippewas managed just one first down over the first 27 minutes - and even that was courtesy of a Georgia penalty - before finally putting together a scoring drive late in the first half when they were already trailing by four touchdowns.

With 27 seconds remaining in the second quarter, CMU quarterback Dan LeFevour found Joe Bockheim in the end zone for a 12-yard touchdown to finally get the Chippewas on the board.

LeFevour and Co. immediately struck again in the opening minutes of the third, as the junior quarterback hit Jean Pitts for a 32-yard touchdown strike to make it 28-14. But the Chippewas got no closer as Moreno took over the rest of the way.

"We knew coming in Georgia was very talented," CMU head coach Butch Jones said. "(Defensive coordinator Willie) Martinez mixes it very well and it is hard to get a read on how they play. Football is an execution game. I think the turning point was when we were at 28-14. Our defense didn't get off the field, and we let them go for a long run."

Central Michigan had a chance to make it closer earlier. Trailing, 21-0, in the second, the Chippewas showed their first signs of life, marching 63 yards on seven plays.

But LeFevour made a crucial mistake in the red zone. Facing stiff coverage from the Georgia defense, LeFevour threw over the middle into tight coverage and the ball was deflected into the air. Georgia defensive end Demarcus Dobbs snagged it in mid-air and raced 78 yards for a touchdown.

"I started out rushing the passer and he got rid of it so I dropped back," Dobbs said. "It was a great play by Prince Miller to tip the ball. We are taught to run to the ball. I ran to the ball, caught it and saw green. I was fortunate enough to score a touchdown."

Bulldogs quarterback Matthew Stafford completed 18-of-28 passes for 213 yards and a pair of touchdowns, including a 54-yard strike to Mohamed Massaquoi.

Backup running backs Richard Samuel and Caleb King each registered their first career rushing touchdowns for Georgia. Central Michigan never established a ground attack, compiling just 59 yards on the ground.

"The running game helps our offense and we got turned into a one-dimensional team today," LeFevour said. "To their credit, they are a great football team; Georgia's defense is very fast and physical. There are a lot of things I could have done better and our offense could have done better. By not being able to run the ball we got to execute the passing game better."