Georgia finds its offensive touch, downing the Tigers 45-16.
By Associated Press
Published October 3, 2004
ATHENS, Ga. - Georgia's offense finally showed up, and the Bulldogs look like a team capable of challenging for a national championship.
The LSU Tigers? Their hopes of making another run at No. 1 are finished.
David Greene set a school record by throwing five touchdowns and Georgia got a huge SEC victory, shredding LSU and its fearsome defense 45-16 on Saturday.
"It was something you probably just dream about," Greene said.
Georgia has never been an offensive juggernaut during coach Mark Richt's four years, and the past two games were especially frustrating. The Bulldogs scored only three touchdowns in defensive-led victories over South Carolina and Marshall.
"I was little befuddled," Richt said. "We had practiced extremely well. We had some guys who could make plays. I was trying to figure out why we couldn't make those plays in the game."
Problem solved. Less than 21 minutes into this one, Georgia had reached the end zone three times against a defense ranked fifth nationally in points and yards allowed. LSU gave up its most points since a 56-13 loss to Florida in 1996.
"This was a curveball to me," Tigers coach Nick Saban said. "When things like this happen, you must dig deep down inside."
Greene completed 10-of-19 for 172 yards, but half his completions went for TDs. He tied Johnny Rauch as the winningest quarterback at Georgia with his 36th victory as a starter.
Reggie Brown had two TD catches and set a career high with 110 yards receiving. Fred Gibson had a pair of scoring passes.
LSU cornerback Trey Daniels had an especially miserable day, getting burned on three of Greene's touchdowns.
The Bulldogs took advantage of the Tigers' blitzing scheme, protecting well up the middle and relying on their receivers to beat the man-on-man coverage.
"Greene just put the ball up in the air and told us to go get it," Gibson said. "I guess they were shocked. We came out and really didn't do anything wrong."
