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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Sunday, December 30, 2007

Georgia cruises past Oklahoma St., 35-14

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Georgia linebacker Dannell Ellerbe lost his helmet on this play against Oklahoma State. The Bulldogs beat the Cowboys, 35-14.

JOHN CURRY | Athens Banner-Herald

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OKLAHOMA STATE | SEPT. 1

ATHENS, Ga. — For Thomas Brown, the long wait is over.

Sidelined for much of last season by a knee injury, Brown returned to score two touchdowns and lead Georgia to a 35-14 season-opening win against Oklahoma State on Saturday at Sanford Stadium.

"Thomas is amazing," Georgia coach Mark Richt said. "He was playing out there with no fear. He's an inspiration to our team."

Brown, a senior, scored the first touchdown of the year on the Bulldogs' first offensive play of the year. The Cowboys were forced to punt on their initial series, and a bad snap allowed Mohamed Masssaquoi to tackle OSU punter Matt Fodge.

Brown then took the ball 14 yards for the touchdown, just 59 seconds into the game.

"We had a (punt) return on, and it was the responsibility of Mohamed to make sure it was kicked," Richt said. "Thankfully Mohamed saw it and was able to go get it. That was big for us."

Brown added a 3-yard score in the second quarter. Receiver Sean Bailey, another Bulldog coming off an ACL injury, hauled in a 47-yard pass from quarterback Matthew Stafford to put the ball on the Cowboys' 3. Bailey matched his career high with five catches and extended his career high with 87 yards.

Brown had just one rushing touchdown on 62 attempts last year before the ACL injury. He finished the game with 48 yards on 12 carries and he paced the Bulldogs with 135 all-purpose yards.

Tailback Knowshon Moreno made his Georgia debut, leading the Bulldogs with 70 yards on 20 carries. Stafford went 18 of 24 for 234 yards and two touchdowns, finding nine different receivers.

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