Murray Making His Mark

Back in August, if I had seen the future and observed Aaron Murray's statistics through this season's first six games - 62% completion percentage, nearly 1,500 total yards, 14 touchdowns, and only three turnovers - I would've predicted a 4-2 record at this point for the Bulldogs, at worst, maybe as good as a perfect 6-0.  

If you would've told me one of Georgia's victories would be by 27 points over Tennessee (although I knew the Vols would be average, at best), I would've made plans to be at the Georgia Dome in early December, and maybe even Glendale, Arizona, a month later.  

Unfortunately, the Dogs are far, far from making it to Atlanta's SEC title game as their record stands at 2-4 overall, 1-3 in the conference - the only unfavorable data amongst a set of stellar statistics for quarterback Murray.

Murray's 152.1 passing efficiency through the Tennessee game is currently the fourth-best ever at Georgia for a single season, only behind John Rauch in 1946 (174.3), Mike Bobo in 1997 (155.8), and Matthew Stafford in 2008 (153.5) of every Bulldog who has attempted at least 75 passes in a year.

At Murray's current rate, and there's not much reason to believe he can't keep up his pace (Georgia's first 6 opponents have yielded a combined passing efficiency of 129.4; the final 6 are allowing only a little less at 124.1.), Murray's total offensive yardage would rank 5th in Bulldog history while his total touchdowns would rank tied for first with D.J. Shockley (28 in 2005).

Besides his arm, much to the surprise of many, including Coach Richt, Murray has exhibited he can also be effective running the ball, proving to be perhaps the best running quarterback at Georgia in more than a decade.  

Murray has rushed for four touchdowns at the halfway point of the 2010 regular season.  No Bulldog signal caller has scored more on the ground in an entire season since Quincy Carter rushed for five in 1999.  Murray's two touchdowns rushing against Tennessee was the most by a Georgia quarterback in a game since Carter scored the same amount versus Florida in '99.

Murray's current gross and net rushing yardage - 221 and 122 - are both on pace to be regular-season highs for a Dog quarterback since, you guessed it, Carter again in 1999 (441 gross, 255 net).

Whether by air or ground, Aaron Murray has proved to be one of only a few bright spots for the Bulldogs during a disappointing year.  As a matter of fact, Murray's play has remarkably been this season's high point following a preseason when the redshirt freshman was the team's biggest question mark.