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RECAP
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BOX SCORE
ATHENS, Ga. (AP) -- A game against winless New Mexico State
turned out to be just what No. 24 Georgia needed.
|  | | Redshirt freshman Bruce Thornton rushed for two first-half touchdowns Saturday to help Georgia roll past New Mexico St. |
The Bulldogs, jarred by a loss two weeks ago to South Carolina,
ran for 237 yards in their 37-0 win over the Aggies on Saturday,
Georgia's first shutout in three years.
"It was very important to play great defense today and get the
shutout," Georgia defensive tackle Bruce Adrine said. "It really
shows the knowledge of our coaching staff. We practiced really
great last week, and we were able to execute those plays on the
field."
Senior Brett Millican ran for a career-high 99 yards and Bruce
Thornton scored two touchdowns for the Bulldogs (2-1), more than
making up for the loss of injured leading rusher Jasper Sanks.
Georgia's rushing total was easily its best effort of the season.
"It was a great feeling from the beginning to come out and play
hard," Thornton said. "I am so happy after all stuff from ...
South Carolina. It proves to ourselves and the entire country that
we can be a top 10 team."
It was Georgia's first shutout since a 47-0 victory over
Mississippi State on Oct. 4, 1997. The Aggies (0-3), who managed
just 184 yards of total offense, were blanked for the second time
this year; they lost their opener 31-0 at South Carolina.
Georgia's Quincy Carter threw his seventh interception of the
season in the first quarter, but rebounded to hit Terrence Edwards
with an 8-yard scoring toss in the third quarter.
"It really felt nice to come into this week's football game
after South Carolina," said Carter, who threw five interceptions
against the Gamecocks. "The team had great preparation for the
game this week, and South Carolina was in the back of our minds. It
was great to do well after that loss."
Carter completed 12 of 23 passes for 182 yards. His interception
came when he threw in the end zone for LaBrone Mitchell, only to
have the ball bounce off Mitchell's hands and into the waiting arms
of New Mexico State's Jascon Willis.
"I thought Quincy did a good job of directing our attack,"
Georgia coach Jim Donnan said. "I thought we did well offensively,
but we need to get better. We have to keep working to improve."
Thornton's second touchdown, a 1-yarder with 30 seconds left in
the first half, capped a 66-yard, nine-play drive and gave Georgia
a 20-0 lead at the break. Carter was at his best on this
possession, throwing for 65 yards and using the clock efficiently.
With Thornton gaining 31 yards and Millican 24, the Bulldogs
drove 83 yards to start to the third quarter, with Carter's 7-yard
scoring toss to Edwards extending Georgia's lead to 27-0. All but
the final 7 yards came on the ground.
The Aggies drove to the Bulldogs' 30 on their opening drive of
the game, but three plays lost 8 yards and they were forced to
punt. Andy Kohl missed a 45-yard field goal attempt early in the
second quarter, and New Mexico State never threatened again.
"We did not execute as well as we needed to," Aggies coach
Tony Samuel. "Our energy faded down the stretch due to the
humidity. We were not used to that."
New Mexico State has yet to score in the second half this
season.
"We were moving the ball well on some series," quarterback
K.C. Enzminger said. "We have to find a way to score points. We
may need to make adjustments. Our offense needs to get a little
more confidence and execute."
Thornton, a redshirt freshman, rushed for 69 yards after
starting in place of Sanks. He scored Georgia's first touchdown
late in the first quarter on a 16-yard run. Millican's 8-yard TD in
the second quarter gave the Bulldogs a 14-0 lead.
Kenny Bailey added a 4-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter.
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ALSO SEE
College Football Scoreboard
New Mexico State Clubhouse
Georgia Clubhouse
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