ATHENS — Georgia’s SEC-best defense shined brightly under the lights of Sanford Stadium last Saturday night.

Georgia’s film crew expertly chronicled Richard LeCounte’s soaring interception and 71-yard return into Missouri territory on a night the Bulldogs recorded their third shutout of the season.

Georgia football Game Ball vs. Missouri, safety Richard LeCounte

Teammates would kid that LeCounte ran out of gas, but the replay shows his blockers weren’t fast enough to stay out in front of him.

Monty Rice, one of those blockers, atoned for that with his goal line defensive surge.

Rice dropped the Missouri ball carrier for a 3-yard loss and preserved UGA’s amazing streak of not allowing a rushing touchdown this season.

Sacks by Nolan Smith and Quay Walker also were featured in the highlights of the convincing 27-0 win over Missouri.

 Georgia freshman receiver George Pickens has provided several highlight-worthy moments already in his young career, and he added two more against Missouri.

Bulldogs stock report: George Pickens scores, defense soars

Pickens, of course, was a signing day flip from Auburn, an Alabama high school star who saw opportunity at Georgia and went for it.

WATCH: Kirby Smart preview Auburn game

The No. 5-ranked Bulldogs need Pickens to continue to grow and mature with Saturday’s 3:30 p.m. game at Auburn on deck.

Pickens would have had a third highlight  had he been lined up properly.

As it was, Pickens stepped up and provided enough of a threat even after go-to senior WR Lawrence Cager left the win last Saturday after aggravating his shoulder injury in the first half.

There were other highlights, too, most notably another big-time run through traffic for D’Andre Swift. It was Swift’s 47-yard run in the third quarter which set the tone for the Bulldogs to pull away.

Georgia football highlights vs. Missouri

 

 

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Georgia football Game Ball vs. Missouri, safety Richard LeCounte

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