#2: Matthew Stafford helps Georgia football beat Oklahoma State
Matthew Stafford let the world know Georgia would have a great season in Week 1 of 2007 against the Oklahoma State Cowboys. The Dawgs went on to win 35-14, and it was because he opened up the season with this performance.
Stafford went 18-for-24 for 234 yards and two touchdowns against the Cowboys and showed the fanbase that his up and down freshman campaign wasn’t continuing in year two. Completing 75% of his passes let everyone know to be on the lookout for what Stafford was about to do that season.
This game was the first time in his college career that he threw for multiple touchdowns without throwing an interception as well.
Oklahoma State hung in there with the Dawgs until halftime, but Georgia shut them out in the second half. With a couple of second-half drives from Stafford, the Dawgs ran away with it and sent the Pokes home with an 0-1 start to the season.
Stafford’s first touchdown that game was an 11-yard pass to Bruce Figgins, and his second was a nine-yard pass to Michael Moore.
The defense handled the rest, but Stafford’s strong performance gave him a confidence boost for his sophomore campaign. With this strong start, in my opinion, it was the thing he needed to put his freshman year behind him and play his game.