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ATHENS --- Georgia's football team can only hope the second half of the season goes a lot better than the first.
The Bulldogs reached the midpoint of their regular-season schedule with a 2-4 record, putting them within one loss of matching the most in any season under coach Mark Richt --- last year's five. The Dogs do, however, carry a bit of momentum into the second half, thanks to Saturday's victory over Tennessee.
"The hope is to build on that momentum, continue to grind and just keep finding ways to play with that kind of energy level," Richt said.
On C6, we take a midterm look at a team seeking to salvage a season.
What's going right
1. Aaron Murray's play. Any concerns about Georgia's redshirt freshman quarterback have been allayed in his first half-season as the starter. He's proving to be an accurate passer and a compelling runner --- in short, a dual-threat playmaker. He has accounted for 14 of Georgia's 19 touchdowns, passing for 10 and running for four.
2. A.J. Green's return. Georgia's offense has looked a lot different --- more dynamic and more dangerous --- in the two games since Green completed his NCAA suspension. He has caught 13 passes for 215 yards and drawn defensive attention that benefits other players, particularly the previously dormant tight ends.
3. The kicking game. Placekicker Blair Walsh has been outstanding, making 11 of 12 field goals. Punter Drew Butler has been good, if not quite as good as last season, averaging 44.4 yards. And the kickoff-coverage unit, much-criticized the past couple of seasons, ranks No. 1 in the SEC.
What's going wrong
1. The running game. What was expected to be a pillar of the team has been a disappointment. Georgia is 10th in the SEC in rushing, and the tailbacks have compounded the problem with crucial fumbles in three of the losses.
2. Big plays against the defense. So far, the defining characteristic of Georgia's revamped defense has been vulnerability to explosive plays. The Bulldogs have played pretty well on defense for stretches, but too often have allowed quick scores on blown coverages or assignments.
3. The off-field troubles. You know the numbers: 11 players arrested since March and another, Green, found in violation of NCAA rules. In addition to damaging the team's image, the incidents have hurt on the field, costing Georgia its best player for four games and other players for one or more games.
Rising star
Murray, who had not played in a college game before this season, ranks third in the SEC in passing yards (228 per game), touchdown passes (10) and total offense (248 yards per game).
The enigma
Much was made of the experience the offensive line brought into the season: five returning starters with a combined 127 college starts. But the unit underperformed, particularly in run-blocking, and did not make it to midseason intact. Two starters have been replaced, one by a freshman.
Five plays that shaped the half-season
1. The fumble at South Carolina. Trailing 14-6 late in the third quarter, Georgia was on the Gamecocks' 8-yard line, plotting to tie the score with a touchdown and two-point conversion. But tailback Washaun Ealey fumbled after a 4-yard run, and South Carolina recovered at the 1 and went on to a 17-6 win.
2. The breakdown vs. Arkansas. Georgia had rallied from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit to tie the score, but the Dogs' defense, which twice earlier allowed easy Arkansas touchdowns on blown coverages, committed another gaffe at the end. From the Georgia 40-yard line, Razorbacks quarterback Ryan Mallett hit wide-open receiver Greg Childs, who eluded a tackle at the 25 and scored with 15 seconds on the clock to give Arkansas a 31-24 victory.
3. The fumble at Mississippi State. Trailing 7-0 in the first quarter, Georgia seemed poised to tie the score and perhaps gain momentum. On third-and-9 from the Mississippi State 21, Ealey caught a pass and set his sights on the end zone. But he fumbled at the 1-yard line upon being hit, and Mississippi State recovered in the end zone. Georgia trailed throughout the game and lost 24-12.
4. The fumble at Colorado. Down 29-27 with less than two minutes to play, Georgia was at the Colorado 27, already within range of a potential game-winning field goal. But Caleb King fumbled a handoff as he was hit by an unblocked linebacker, and Colorado recovered to extend Georgia's losing streak to four.
5. The scramble vs. Tennessee. After falling behind early in four consecutive games, Georgia drove down the field on its opening possession against the Volunteers. From the Tennessee 35, Murray scrambled toward the sideline, then changed his destination to the end zone after getting a block. The touchdown set the tone for a big day by Murray and the Dogs, who got a desperately needed 41-14 victory.
Second-half prognosis
Opening the season's second half with King suspended for two games isn't as devastating as opening the first half without Green for four games, but it nevertheless hurts the offense. Georgia has a chance to reach .500 with the next two games against Vanderbilt and Kentucky, although the Dogs lost to Vandy in 2006 and to Kentucky last year. Beyond the next two games are Florida, Idaho State, Auburn and Georgia Tech. Georgia must go no worse than 4-2 the rest of the way --- the reverse of the season's first half --- to be eligible for a bowl.
Next for Georgia
Who: vs. Vanderbilt
When: 12:21 p.m. Saturday
TV; radio: WPCH; 750, 95.5
