INSIDE SLANT

Georgia will say goodbye to its 23 seniors before its final home game of the season, and then look to carry that emotion into the matchup against Kentucky.

“It’s a big game for us, no doubt,” coach Mark Richt said.

“It’s our last game between the hedges for 2009. It’s the senior day. It means a lot to me, it means a lot to the seniors and I think it means a lot to their underclassmen to play the best they could possibly play to let these seniors leave our field with a great memory.”

Georgia (6-4, 4-3 SEC) could wrap up second place in the SEC East division with the win and salvage something positive from a 4-4 start. Inconsistent play on defense and special teams—and a tough non-conference schedule—led the Bulldogs to their worst start of the season since 1996.

“The guys would take great pride at this point finishing second in the Eastern division,” Richt said. “It’s certainly something we can contain and something we can control. I think that is meaningful. I definitely will mention it to them.”

It will be an emotional day for fifth-year senior quarterback Joe Cox. Cox patiently waited behind NFL first-round draft Matt Stafford before getting his shot to start in his final season.

Cox (18 touchdown passes, 12 interceptions) is looking to close his career at home on a bright note.

“That’s the best we can do now, and we definitely want finish up that way,” Cox said.

“It’s not what we wanted, but I would still be proud of finishing up this year strong and being right behind Florida in the East. That’s definitely what we are shooting for at this point.”

NOTES, QUOTES

• While it’s senior day, Saturday’s game might also be the last between the hedges for junior LB Rennie Curran, who could turn pro. “It is a thought that runs through my mind, but at the same time I do not have any decision made up yet,” Curran said. “I have to sit down with my family and it is something that I have to pray about and leave it up to God.

“Whatever it looks like at the end of the season is what I’ll go by. I’ll talk to Coach (Mark) Richt and everybody. I am just going to try and make the most informed decision and a smart decision.”

• RB Washaun Ealey was named SEC Freshman of the Week following his 98-yard rushing performance against Auburn.

Series History:   Georgia leads Kentucky 49-11-2 (last meeting, 2008, 42-38 Kentucky).

Scouting The Offense:   With WR A.J. Green still out, Georgia will need other playmakers to step up. Kentucky’s defense is worse against the run than the pass, so look for the Bulldogs to establish the run with freshman RB Washaun Ealey and sophomore RB Caleb King. Georgia coach Mark Richt said that moving Cordy Glenn back inside to left guard and having Clint Boling at left tackle has helped spark the running game.

Scouting The Defense:   Georgia has improved against the run, ranking third in the SEC in rushing defense (120.3 yards per game). But the Bulldogs have still been vulnerable against the pass, giving up 213.8 yards per game. Kentucky’s offense is more run-oriented than pass-oriented, a matchup that bodes well for the Bulldogs.

Quote To Note:   “I knew that one day my opportunity would come. It came, and I made the best of it.”—Georgia WR Israel Troupe, on scoring a touchdown against Auburn after replacing injured starter A.J. Green.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

This Week  ‘S GAME: Kentucky at Georgia, Nov. 21—Georgia will close Southeastern Conference play on senior day looking to clinch second place in the East. Kentucky (6-4, 2-4 SEC) is playing to improve its bowl status.

Keys To The Game:   On offense, Georgia will need to continue to limit mistakes after having a turnover-free game last week for the first time this season. On defense, the Bulldogs will need to account for two-way Kentucky threat Randall Cobb. Cobb has 384 receiving and 396 yards rushing from the “WildCobb” formation. He has scored four touchdowns via the pass and seven on the ground. Kentucky junior RB Derrick Locke also is dangerous threat with 741 yards rushing and five TDs.

Players To Watch:  

QB Joe Cox—On senior day, Cox will be playing his last game between the hedges. He’ll have to avoid Kentucky CB Trevard Lindley to make it a memorable game.

RB Washaun Ealey—Ealey has led Georgia in rushing in each of the last four games (71 yards vs. Vanderbilt, 70 vs. Florida, 89 vs. Tennessee Tech and 98 vs. Auburn.) The freshman will try to break the 100-yard mark for the first time in his career against Kentucky.

TE Orson Charles—The true freshman is emerging as a play-making threat at tight end. He made a 34-yard catch of a tipped pass that kept a critical third-quarter drive alive against Auburn.

DT Geno Atkins—Atkins, a senior, will look to contain Kentucky’s running game and harass freshman QB Morgan Newton.

Roster Report:  

• WR A.J. Green (separated shoulder) is out for the Kentucky game.

• SS Bacarri Rambo (concussion) is out for the Kentucky game. Coach Mark Richt said that S Bryan Adams or S Quintin Banks likely would rotate to replace him.