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Heir-apparent Mason looks sharp in G-Day game

By Jeff Hart Sports Reporter
Posted 11:35PM on Saturday 12th April 2014 ( 9 years ago )
ATHENS -- No Aaron Murray?

Apparently, no problem for the Georgia Bulldogs.

Senior heir-apparent Hutson Mason threw for 241 yards and one touchdown to lead the Red team to a 27-24 win over Black Saturday at the annual G-Day game at Sanford Stadium.

That was the good news, according to Georgia coach Mark Richt.

"I thought Hutson did a really nice job," Richt said. "He likes tempo and I thought the tempo was good for him. He had some nice throws and moved the team down the field everytime he was in there.

"I think the two games he got last year really showed in his command of the offense at this point in the season. You couldn't ask for more."

The great news was the performance of redshirt-sophomore Faton Bauta, who threw for 232 yards and two touchdowns. He and redshirt-freshman Brice Ramsey have been locked in a battle for the backup spot behind Mason.

"It's been a good battle between those two but I thought Faton played very well," Richt said. "In fact, the quarterback play overall was pretty good. But the offense is ahead of the defense right now."

The new-look Georgia defense under new defensive coordinator Jeremy Pruitt at times looked over-matched when Mason was in the game. However, both defenses combined generated five turnovers, including three interceptions.

"The whole defense is young from the standpoint that Coach Pruitt knows his system but is still learning the personnel," Richt said. "In a game like this where you can't have contact with the quarterback, who knows how many sacks or fumbles or whatever they would have gotten. There were several plays that if it was a real game I think we get a sack, a fumble, and probably run them in for a score."

Ramsey and true freshman Jacob Park combined for just 105 yards passing, no touchdowns, and two interceptions.

"Jacob and Brice made a couple of passes they probably shouldn't have thrown but they're still learning," Richt said. "We like what we see in practice from them so nothing to much to worry about."

Mason led a quick quick drive to start completing his first five passes, culminating in what appeared to be a leaping touchdown of 28 yards by Gurley. But after a review it was ruled Gurley fumbled into the end zone before he crossed the goal line for a touchback.

The Red team would take a 3-0 lead on a 34-yard Marshall Morgan field goal on its next possession. The Black team would pull ahead 7-3 on a 1-yard TD run by A.J. Turman on the following possession.

Mason would cap Red team's next drive with a 10-yard TD pass to Reggie Davis and Gurley would cap the first half scoring with a 2-yard TD run.

In the second half, the Black team pulled within 17-10 on a 29-yard field goal by Thomas Pritchard late in the third quarter. The Red team answered on a 1-yard TD run by Brendan Douglas to take a 24-10 lead.

The Black team got to 24-17 two possessions later when Bauta connected with Uriah Lemay on a 41-yard TD pass. Morgan would push the lead to 27-17 for the Red team on a 30-yard field.

The Black team closed out the day with Bauta's second TD pass, a 4-yard strike to Turman to make the final score 27-24.
Hutson Mason

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