Despite surpassing Southeastern Conference greats such as Peyton Manning and Tim Tebow in the record books, Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray continues to deal with criticism.
Quarterbacking an elite program invites detractors.
Murray has made a college career of near misses. He led Georgia to the brink of an SEC Championship Game victory last season before falling painfully short, and critics still point to his disappointing 6-13 record against top-25 teams.
But Florida, which Murray and Georgia will face at 3:30 p.m. on Saturday in Jacksonville, focuses less on the criticism and more on his accurate arm and athleticism that can give opposing defenses nightmares.
“Georgia starts with Aaron Murray on offense,” coach Will Muschamp said. “He’s having an outstanding year and an outstanding career.”
A win Saturday in EverBank Field would make Murray the first UGA quarterback to beat UF three consecutive times since Buck Belue accomplished the feat from 1979 to 1981.
Murray’s resume against Florida is a mixed bag of victories and interceptions.
Despite winning two of his three starts against the Gators, he has completed only 47 percent of his passes and has seven interceptions compared with just six touchdowns.
Murray said Saturday is about having fun again. There is nothing enjoyable about having three losses at Georgia, especially an embarrassing 31-27 road defeat to Vanderbilt.
Add in season-ending injuries to his top three receivers, and Murray’s final college season spiraled into something he never would have expected after Georgia began the year ranked in the top 10.
But the former Tampa Plant High star has not let adversity affect him.
UGA coach Mark Richt observed him working with redshirt freshman quarterback Faton Bauta on Friday before leaving for Nashville, Tenn.
“He said that there are no days off. That’s how he is. He’s wired that way,” Richt said. “Every single day, he wants to try to find a way to get better. He’s not feeling sorry for himself, or anything like that. I think he’s still very happy that he’s here with us, and he wants to finish strong.”
Murray will likely be selected on the first day of the 2014 NFL Draft, but for now, he has a chance to put a disappointing season behind Georgia — at least for one Saturday.
He needs two touchdowns to tie Danny Wuerffel’s SEC record 114 career passing touchdowns.
Murray became the leader in total offense and passing yards earlier this year.
“He’s a very talented passer — that’s clear to anyone,” defensive coordinator D.J. Durkin said.
“He knows the offense probably as well as the coaching staff does, and it shows when you watch it on tape.”
Follow Adam Pincus on Twitter @adamDpincus.
Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray passes during a 31-27 loss against Vanderbilt on Oct. 19 in Nashville, Tenn.
