Dawn of the Dawg
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Georgia football: Best and Worst of the 2016 season

By Kyle Funderburk

Nov 12, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Maurice Smith (2) reacts with safety Dominick Sanders (24) after he intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Auburn 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 12, 2016; Athens, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs defensive back Maurice Smith (2) reacts with safety Dominick Sanders (24) after he intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown against the Auburn Tigers during the second half at Sanford Stadium. Georgia defeated Auburn 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart after the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Liberty Bowl. Georgia Bulldogs defeated the TCU Horned Frogs 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2016; Memphis, TN, USA; Georgia football head coach Kirby Smart after the game against the TCU Horned Frogs at Liberty Bowl. Georgia Bulldogs defeated the TCU Horned Frogs 31-23. Mandatory Credit: Justin Ford-USA TODAY Sports /

Best: Beating TCU in the Liberty Bowl

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Georgia fans do not expect 7-5 seasons, but they got one this year. Georgia fans also do not expect losses in bowl games and fortunately they did not see that to end the 2016 season.

Georgia traveled to Memphis to meet the Horned Frogs for the first time since the late 1980’s to finish a disappointing season on a good note and they did just that.

TCU had a chance to put Georgia away late in the second quarter. The offense was back to its old, ineffective self and Kenny Hill was about to give TCU a 23-7 halftime lead. But then Trenton Thompson took the game over, sacked Hill and forced a 41-yard field goal.

TCU couldn’t convert and a few plays later Jacob Eason connected with Sony Michel on a 33-yard pass to cut the lead to 16-14. After three-quarters Georgia still trailed 23-21. But a 10-0 shutout in the fourth quarter gave Georgia a 31-23 lead victory.

The Bulldogs were able to finish 8-5 which means that Georgia has finished with no less than eight wins 19 times in the last 20 seasons. That also means that as bad as the 2016 was, Georgia did not reach new lows. They leave off in a position they’ve climbed back in the past.

And with a recruiting class that keeps getting better and better, the expectations for 2017 are much higher than at any point in 2016.

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