PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Brandon Boykin

BRANDON BOYKIN

The senior cornerback won the Outback Bowl’s Most Valuable Player Award, so why shouldn’t he win this “award,” too? Yes, it may have come in a losing effort, but that doesn’t take anything away from how impressive Boykin;s performance really was. He scored on offense (touchdown reception), defense (safety) and special teams (punt return touchdown). He even tied for third on the team in total tackles (7) with fellow defensive back Shawn Williams. Honorable mention in this category goes to Bulldogs wide receiver Tavarres King, who caught 6 passes for 205 yards and a touchdown. King’s receiving yardage set a new school record in that department, besting the previous mark of 201 yards set by Fred Gibson against Kentucky in 2001.

OVERLOOKED PLAYER OF THE GAME:

Alec Ogletree and Christian Robinson

Lost in the record-setting performances by Boykin on special teams and King on offense was the sterling play of these two inside linebackers. The two combined for 23 total tackles, 13 by Ogletree and 10 by Robinson. Ogletree’s “baker’s dozen” of takedowns were a game-high, while Robinson’s 10 marked the second-most, three more than any defender on the Spartans’ unit.

KEY MOMENT:

Blair Walsh’s missed field goals in the first overtime period

The stage was set for the senior placekicker from Boca Raton, Fla. to be the hero in his last game as a collegian — in his home state, no less. And if he had made the 42-yard attempt in the first overtime, not only would it have given the Bulldogs the victory, but it would have given Walsh 412 career points, a new school and Southeastern Conference record. The game-winner was not to be, however, as Walsh pushed the kick wide right. He did end up setting the points record with a 47-yarder in the second overtime, but Walsh never got another shot to win the game in sudden death like he did in the first overtime.

QUOTE OF THE GAME:

Georgia Head Coach Mark Richt on how he would summarize the 2011 season:

“It’s kind of an old story now, but we certainly were fighting a lot of adversity in the offseason and early in the season [starting] 0-2. For everybody to just keep staying together, keep believing and making a 10-win run — I think [1982] was the last time Georgia had won 10 in a row, so that was great. Ten wins was great. 11 wins would have been better today, but we didn’t get it. We came up short in the SEC Championship Game, which is obvious, and then we played a much better football game here but just couldn’t quite get it done. I told the seniors I was very proud of them, very thankful for all their efforts and what they gave to the University of Georgia. I told them, ‘Don’t be a stranger’ and I pray that the Lord will bless them as they go out into their lives.”

FINAL STATS:

Georgia

• Total Offense: 339
• Rushing Yards: 51
• Passing Yards: 288
• First Downs: 15
• Third-Down Conversions: 6 of 18
• Penalties: 5 for 15 yards
• Turnovers: 3
• Time of Possession: 31:34

Michigan State

• Total Offense: 391
• Rushing Yards: 73
• Passing Yards: 318
• First Downs: 15
• Third-Down Conversions: 6 of 20
• Penalties: 8 for 50 yards
• Turnovers: 3
• Time of Possession: 28:26

Outback Bowl final stats