JACKSONVILLE - If there's one way to stop a team from stomping in your end zone, it's keeping them out of your end zone altogether.
UF's defense put on its most impressive performance of the season, holding Georgia to a measly 3 points until late in the fourth quarter in the Gators 49-10 rout. It was anything but a cocktail party for the Bulldogs.
"This is the only answer," UF coach Urban Meyer said. "This is the only way to answer a game like that."
Georgia entered the game leading the Southeastern Conference in total offense (431.2) and second - to the Gators - in scoring offense (34.2).
Meyer emphasized defensive plays would win Saturday's contest.
The Gators got the message. UF clamped down on Georgia in each of its three red-zone opportunities. The Bulldogs came away with just three field-goal attempts, converting only one.
Running back Knowshon Moreno, who gashed the Gators for 188 yards and three scores last year, finished with just 65 yards on the ground and a fumble.
Quarterback Matthew Stafford finished 18 for 33 with no touchdowns and three interceptions.
"Turnovers, that's one of the key things to playing great defense, being able to take the ball away and stop a drive with a fumble recovery or an interception," said defensive lineman Terron Sanders, who recovered Moreno's fumble in the third quarter.
In a game with a 49-10 spread, the biggest play came from Joe Haden in the third quarter. With Georgia marching down the field as UF nursed a 14-3 lead at the 30-yard line, cornerback Joe Haden intercepted a Matthew Stafford pass attempt to receiver A.J. Green and returned it to the Bulldogs' 1-yard line.
"We knew that they were going to make plays," Haden said. "That's the best quarterback I think we're going to face this season, and he made great choices with (Mohamed) Massaquoi and A.J. Green, they're just great receivers. We knew they were going to make plays, and it's just how we act after we make plays."
Complacency and inexperience were sprinkled throughout the defense last year, an issue that has been remedied by improved freshmen and sophomores.
"There was a lack of competition and a lack of depth," Meyer said. "There was a void in recruiting. We recruited a very poor class our first year here, and as a result, you play with guys that aren't ready."
They're ready now, and no one is stomping in their end zone.
