When you are up 28-0 less than a minute into the second quarter, you tend to put it on cruise control and coast to the finish line. This is exactly what West Virginia did and it almost cost them the game.

The first quarter of the game was completely dominated by the Mountaineers. On their first drive, after a 10 yard penalty made it 2nd and 20, Steve Slaton ripped through the Georgia defense for 52 yards and the first score of the game. Their next position ended with the same result; 7 more points. After the Bulldogs coughed up the ball on the next possession, the Mountaineers took advantage again. The final possession of the quarter for the Bulldogs resulted in another fumble and West Virginia capitalized again to start the second quarter. The first four possessions for the Mountaineers resulted in Touchdowns. At this rate, they would have scored over 100 points. Fortunately for the Bulldogs, West Virginia thought they could walk to the finish line.

The Georgia Bulldogs put together back to back scoring drives off of long rushes from Kregg Lumpkin (34) and Thomas Brown (52). The two teams traded touchdowns to close the half and West Virginia went into the locker room up 31-21. Georgia had to feel lucky just to be in the game.

The game got really exciting when Shockley threw a 34 yard touchdown to A.J. Bryant before the end of the 3rd quarter. Unfortunately for the Dogs, Steve Slaton found a gap up the middle for another 52 yard touchdown run. Shockley had something to say about that though, when he threw another touchdown to a wide open Bryan McClendon for 43 yards. Down 38-35, Georgia’s defense held the Mountaineers and forced a punt; however, West Virginia faked it on the 4th and 5 on the 48 yard line and got the first down. It was a gutsy call. One I wouldn’t have made. It closed the door on a possible comeback and the Mountaineers took the Sugar Bowl.

The game ball goes to Steve Slaton for his two 52 yard touchdown runs and 204 total yards on the ground.