Allen Dashes Georgia’s Party

Demetrius Allen said he was thinking field goal range when he fielded a kickoff after Georgia had suddenly forged a 27-27 tie with Virginia on a fumble return with only 69 seconds remaining.

He was thinking too small.

Allen hit the left sideline, barely avoiding going out of bounds, and raced 83 yards for a touchdown with 57 seconds left that boosted the Cavaliers to a 34-27 victory over the Bulldogs in the Peach Bowl Saturday night.

“We came close all year, but we were always a block or two away,” he said. “When I got past the kicker, I knew it was over.”

Allen’s return spoiled the final game for coach Ray Goff, whose firing was announced a week before Georgia’s regular season finale against Georgia Tech, a victory that got the Bulldogs into the Peach Bowl.

“It’s not going to be my last game,” Goff said. “I hope it’s not. I plan to coach again. I told the players to win it for themselves.”

Goff then talked about the Georgia future under new coach Jim Donnan.

“This team is going to be successful next year, and I’m excited to follow them and listen to them on the radio,” Goff said.

The Bulldogs gained the 27-27 tie with 1:09 remaining when Jason Ferguson scooped up Patrick Jeffers’ fumble and returned it 10 yards.

A celebration penalty cost the Bulldogs 15 yards on the ensuing kickoff, which Allen returned down the left sideline for the Cavalier victory.

Allen also scored on an 83-yard pass from Mike Groh in the second quarter, getting behind the defense for the catch at the Georgia 40.

Virginia finished the season 9-4, with two of its losses coming on the final play of the game. Georgia closed 6-6, leaving Goff with a 46-34-1 record in his seven seasons at his alma mater.

“At least it didn’t go down to the last second,” Virginia coach George Welsh said. “We’re used to it, but we’ve lost most of them. I think we played some excellent football.”

“We put ourselves in a hole and special teams killed us all night,” Goff said. “There were also some silly plays and penalties that hurt us.”

Virginia 34, Georgia 27

Georgia 3 11 3 10 - 27

Virginia 14 10 3 7 - 34

Va-T. Barber 1 run (Garcia kick)

Va-Brooks 5 run (Garcia kick)

Ga-FG Parkman 36

Ga-FG Parkman 37

Va-FG Garcia 36

Va-Allen 83 pass from Groh (Garcia kick)

Ga-Ward 1 run (Hunter pass from Ward)

Ga-FG Parkman 20

Va-FG Garcia 36

Ga-FG Parkman 42

Ga-Ferguson 10 fumble return (Parkman kick)

Va-Allen 83 kickoff return (Garcia kick)

A-70,825.

Ga Va First downs 20 10 Rushes-yards 36-112 34-100 Passing 413 156 Return Yards 156 -2 Comp-Att-Int 31-59-2 10-20-1 Punts 5-33 8-42 Fumbles-Lost 1-1 4-2 Penalties-Yards 6-40 3-30 Time of Possession 34:25 25:35

Individual statistics

RUSHING - Georgia, Kirtsey 16-43, Bowie 11-13, Ward 9-56. Virginia, T. Barber 20-103, Brooks 7-23, Groh 7-(minus 26).

PASSING - Georgia, Ward 31-59-2-413. Virginia, Groh 10-20-1-156.

RECEIVING - Georgia, Bowie 10-156, Hunter 7-67, C. Allen 4-48, J. Daniels 3-32, Dickson 2-71, McCranie 2-24, Ford 1-6, Calloway 1-5, Simpson 1-4. Virginia, D. Allen 5-111, Jeffers 4-47, Derey 1-minus 2