Being able to make in game adjustments in the game of football can make all the difference in a win and a loss.

After a first a second quarter that saw Buffalo hang 10 quick points on Georgia to make the score 24-16, Georgia defensive coordinator Todd Grantham knew what had to be done.

"We did (make changes). We tweaked some things because there were a few things that they were doing that they hadn't shown, and we made some adjustments which was good to see," Grantham said. "I thought the guys did an nice job with some of the adjustments we did and they executed. So we just have to continue to work hard and develop and be ready."

Buffalo's quarterback, Alex Zordich, carried the ball 14 times for 84 yards and a touch down on Saturday, and created problems for the Bulldogs defense all day.

The Bulls' signal-caller, however, only had three carries for three yards in 2011, but his ability to make plays with his legs didn't come as a surprise to UGA defense.

"That's (last year's rushing totals) because he didn't play last year. He actually started a couple of years ago," said Grantham. "Yeah, we knew what he could do, but he didn't hurt us as much with quarterback runs. He hurt us the most when he dropped back to pass and took off running. That's not really a quarterback run. That is a pass play that breaks down and then he uses his feet to make something happen so it isn't like it was a designed quarterback run. Really, his runs came off of pass plays."

After the half time adjustments, the Georgia defense went on to allow 24 total yards in the third quarter and four three and outs in the second half.

One may attribute the second half turnaround to the energy and intensity that seemed to be more present with the Bulldog defense, but Grantham believes that the increased success, fueled by the adjustments, was a big reason for the improved effort.

"I think that may have been because up until that last drive (in the second half), it was all three and outs," said Grantham. "So I think that when you are playing well, and getting three and outs, then, hey, you start feeling good about yourself. When you feel good about yourself it shows, and your body language shows that. So I did think their body language was better in the third quarter."

"I do think the guys that played in the first half played much better in the third quarter and the first part of the fourth quarter. That tells me that they understood, here is the adjustments we have to make, and here's the things we have to do," he said. "So I think that was a positive. I think, as we move forward, we have to develop the guys and play better."

When asked if he told the players to play better as calmly as he explained the situation to the media, Grantham smiled.

"Not really," he said. "I don't think you can say all those things. There were some adjectives in there."


...More... To continue reading this article you must be a member. Sign Up Now for a FREE Trial