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Redshirt freshman free safety Reshad Jones (9) tackles South Carolina running back Cory Boyd (3) in the third quarter of Saturday's game.

Dogs look to bounce back against WCU

By: JASON BUTT

Posted: 9/14/07

For five years, Georgia was happy with South Carolina.

It was as if the Gamecocks did everything to appease the Bulldogs. From turnovers to blown assignments, South Carolina allowed Georgia and its fans to stay content with their northern neighbor.

It was a one-sided relationship in Georgia's favor until South Carolina became fed up last Saturday. The unsatisfied Gamecocks broke ties with Georgia's dominance, leaving the Bulldogs cold, damp and confused.

"We have known it for a long time but it becomes real after you lose that football is not quite as much fun when you lose as when you win," head coach Mark Richt said. "Our coaches are doing a good job of getting players back and ready."

The Bulldogs regroup and rebound from a heartbreaking loss - one that set Georgia back in the SEC East race.

"We watched the film and broke down our mistakes and put that loss behind us last week," senior tailback Thomas Brown said. "Now we've got to focus on Western Carolina."

Western Carolina is a typical "rebound" team. They were blown out by Alabama in the opening week and they are a team Bowl Subdivision schools schedule when they need an easy victory.

A win will allow the Bulldogs to heal quickly while gaining confidence.

But a loss? That could shatter the mold that holds this team together.

"You can't underestimate anybody," running back Knowshon Moreno said. "You've got to look at them as one of the same teams. You have to go in there and play hard no matter what and we're not just going to roll over. We just have to prepare and work hard and execute on gameday."

Wide receiver Tony Wilson, who dropped a potential touchdown late in the fourth quarter against South Carolina, said the Bulldogs are only looking forward.

"We look at it in the line of you can't dwell on a loss because then you might lose the next one," Wilson said. "You just look at the mistakes (against South Carolina), and it was basically fundamental."

Many of the mistakes the Bulldogs made against South Carolina are correctable. Dropped passes, failed third down conversions and missed opportunities late in the game can be fixed.

The wounds that resulted after Georgia's reign over South Carolina ended can easily be treated with a win over Western Carolina.

"I'm glad we have a game this week and not an open date - that would be awful," Richt said.

"After a loss, you sometimes wish you played baseball or basketball so you could get that taste out of your mouth quicker without having to wait a week."

Brown said the only thing that can heal the pain at his point is a win.

"We're not going to feel good until we win again," Brown said. "That's always the feeling when you're coming off a loss. We're not going to overlook anybody. We've seen around the country in Michigan, that maybe they overlooked Appalachian State in the first game of the season. We'll respect every opponent and our focus will totally be on (Western Carolina), and hopefully we get a 'W.'"