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Outback Bowl 2012: Fourth Down Stop Looms Large After 2-0 First Quarter

The first few drives of the 2012 Outback Bowl couldn't have gone better for Georgia, as the Bulldogs pinned Michigan State on their own 1-yard line and forced a safety.

Then, with the field position they received from returning the safety punt, Georgia moved the ball deep into the Spartans red zone.

However, with a fourth-and-1 at the Michigan State 6-yard line, Mark Richt's gamble came up short, as RB Ken Malcome was stopped behind the line of scrimmage by an aggressive Spartans defensive line.

Despite the low score, both QB's have played well, with Aaron Murray completing 8-8 passes for 62 yards and Kirk Cousins completing 3-3 passes for 36 yards in the first quarter.

The Spartans only drive into Georgia territory was ended when Bulldogs S Shawn Williams sniffed out a double reverse for a 9-yard loss. Michigan State has been known for their use of gadget plays under fifth-year head coach Mark Dantonio.

Photographs by coka_koehler used in background montage under Creative Commons. Thank you.