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Georgia tries to rebound from bad loss to Florida

Nov 8, 2008 - 11:19 AM (14) Georgia (7-2) at Kentucky (6-3), 12:30 pm EST

LEXINGTON, Kentucky (Ticker) -- Georgia will try to pick up the pieces this week.

The 14th-ranked Bulldogs look to rebound from their worst loss in Mark Richt's eight seasons as coach when they visit Kentucky on Saturday.

Georgia's 49-10 loss to Florida - the Bulldogs' second-most lopsided defeat in the history of the 86-game series - likely ended its hopes to with the Southeastern Conference East Division title.

Florida needs to only win one of its final two conference games to clinch the SEC East crown. If the teams tie, Georgia (7-2, 4-2 SEC East) would lose the tiebreaker.

"I told the guys to show class in this defeat and to get prepared to go 8-2," Richt said. "We're 7-2 right now and we've got to prepare to win the next one. We can't let this hurt us the next time we play football."

Georgia committed four turnovers against Florida with Matthew Stafford throwing three interceptions in perhaps his worst game of the season.

Knowshon Moreno, the SEC's leading rusher, was held to 65 yards on 17 carries and failed to score for only the second time this season.

Now, Georgia hopes to finish strong and reach double figures in wins for the sixth time in the last seven seasons.

Kentucky's season may have been at a crossroads following an embarrassing 63-5 loss to Florida on October 25, but the Wildcats rebounded last week with a 14-13 win over Mississippi State.

The victory gave the Wildcats (6-3, 2-3) their third straight season with at least six wins, a feat last accomplished from 1954-56.

Kentucky is now eligible for a third straight bowl appearance under coach Rick Brooks. The last time Kentucky played in three straight bowl games was 1949-51.

Moreno could be tested by Kentucky's run defense, which allowed just 43 yards rushing last week - the fifth time it has held an opponent under 75 yards on the ground this season.

In last season's 24-13 win over Kentucky, Moreno rushed for 124 yards and a touchdown. The Bulldogs avenged a 24-20 defeat to the Wildcats in Lexington in 2006.