Will Georgia unleash the ‘Wild Dawg’ and ruin Auburn’s day as well?
By Alex Zorn
Published:
Georgia’s best offensive player, RB Nick Chubb, is out for the season. Its quarterbacks continue to struggle, and its defense is underperforming.
Bulldogs head coach Mark Richt saw the season getting away from him last week and made a critical adjustment to his offense.
The first career touchdown for @TerryGodwin_4 at @FootballUGA , @CallawayHoops alum @libby141 #Dawgs pic.twitter.com/0fcGGmAUGh
— Dayne Young (@dayneyoung) November 7, 2015
That’s not a quarterback behind center, but rather 5-star RB/WR recruit Terry Godwin running “Wild Dawg,” the Bulldogs’ variation of the wildcat formation. (The fumble to start definitely isn’t how the play was drawn up, but the result was six points all the same.)
Georgia finished with 300 rushing yards as offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Richt adjusted their game plan to better suit the healthy weapons they have.
“We do make things interesting. … I think trying to get certain guys touches, trying to get Terry involved a bit,” Schottenheimer told reporters after the game when asked about the new-look offense. “You’ve got a guy like Isaiah. It was certainly something we felt really good about (heading into the week).”
Godwin told reporters that Georgia added the Wild Dawg in Monday’s practice and he felt comfortable running it.
That wasn’t just a meaningless play Godwin ran either. On 3rd-and-3 near the red zone, coaches gave him the ball under center, so clearly the Wild Dawg is something they will look to rely on from here on out. The question is, will it continue to work against an Auburn team that’s seen its share of mobile quarterbacks and wildcat formations?
Auburn, preseason favorites to win the SEC, has struggled most of the season.
Its normally stout defense, under the direction of former Florida coach Will Muschamp, has been one of the biggest culprits. The Tigers are allowing 27.4 points per game, 11th in the SEC and almost double what league-leader Florida is allowing.
Auburn also ranks 11th in rushing defense (191 yards per game).
After Auburn intercepted talented Texas A&M QB Kyler Murray three times last week, and given Georgia’s continuing quarterback issues, expect the Bulldogs to once again unleash the rush game and Wild Dawg formation.
It’s likely the Bulldogs’ best chance for victory.
