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2004 Georgia Bulldogs Offense - Mark Richt
In 2004, the Georgia Bulldogs’ offense, led by head coach Mark Richt and offensive coordinator Neil Callaway, was a balanced, pro-style unit that powered the team to a 10-2 record, a No. 2 ranking in the SEC East, and a 24-21 victory over Wisconsin in the Outback Bowl. Richt’s system, rooted in his Florida State tenure under Bobby Bowden, blended a strong running game with an efficient passing attack, tailored to quarterback David Greene’s experience. The offense ranked 31st in FBS, scoring 351 points (29.3 points per game), 39th in total yards (404.3 per game), 46th in passing yards (216.9 per game), and 33rd in rushing yards (187.3 per game), per Sports-Reference.com, complementing a top-10 defense that allowed 15.3 points per game.
Richt’s pro-style offense operated primarily from under-center formations, using 11 and 12 personnel (1 RB, 1-2 TEs, 2-3 WRs) to emphasize a power run game and play-action passing, as noted in ESPN reports from the era. The system featured zone and man-gap blocking schemes, with fullbacks and tight ends creating lanes for tailbacks. The passing game relied on quick slants, outs, and deep posts, with Greene making pre-snap adjustments on roughly 50% of plays, per Athens Banner-Herald. The offense used a moderate tempo, ranking 51st in plays per game (71.2), and excelled in red-zone efficiency, converting 64.7% of trips into touchdowns (top-25 in FBS). Play-action passes, often set up by a robust ground game, were key, with 25% of Greene’s throws coming off fakes, per team stats.
Senior quarterback David Greene, a four-year starter, was the cornerstone, throwing for 2,508 yards, 20 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, with a 59.1% completion rate, earning All-SEC honors. His poise and decision-making drove the offense, notably in a 20-14 win over LSU, where he threw for 255 yards and 2 touchdowns. Wide receiver Fred Gibson led with 49 catches for 801 yards and 7 touchdowns, while Reggie Brown added 53 receptions for 860 yards and 6 scores. Tight end Leonard Pope contributed 25 catches for 482 yards and 6 touchdowns, a red-zone threat. The running game was powered by Danny Ware (692 yards, 4 TDs) and Thomas Brown (875 yards, 8 TDs), with fullback Jeremy Thomas paving the way. The offensive line, led by All-SEC guard Max Jean-Gilles and tackle Daniel Inman, allowed just 17 sacks and supported 2,248 rushing yards (4.8 yards per carry).
Standout performances included a 45-16 rout of Vanderbilt, with 408 total yards and 4 rushing touchdowns, and a 19-14 upset of No. 20 Tennessee, where Greene threw for 232 yards and a touchdown, and the ground game added 165 yards. Losses to Auburn (24-6) and Tennessee in the rematch (38-14) exposed limitations, with the offense managing just 252 and 221 total yards, respectively, due to defensive pressure and turnovers (Greene threw 2 interceptions against Auburn).
The offense faced challenges with injuries, notably to running back Michael Cooper (knee), which forced reliance on younger backs like Ware and Brown. The passing game, while efficient, lacked explosiveness, ranking 78th in yards per attempt (6.7), and struggled against elite SEC defenses, as seen in the Auburn loss where Georgia converted just 2 of 11 third downs. Richt’s conservative play-calling in close games drew criticism, though his 85% win rate from 2001-05, per Saturday Down South, quieted detractors. The offense’s balance—2,248 rushing yards and 2,603 passing yards—kept defenses honest, but inconsistency in big games highlighted a gap to national title contention.
The 2004 season was a high point in Richt’s early Georgia tenure, with the offense’s balance and Greene’s leadership delivering a third straight 10-win season. The Outback Bowl win, where Brown rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown, capped a strong campaign. Richt’s system, blending pro-style fundamentals with SEC physicality, set a template for Georgia’s sustained success, though the offense wouldn’t peak until later years with players like Matthew Stafford. The 2004 Bulldogs’ 351 points were the most under Richt to that point, and Greene’s career records (11,528 passing yards) solidified his legacy. For Georgia, 2004 was a testament to Richt’s offensive acumen, building a consistent winner in a competitive SEC.
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