ORLANDO, Fla. – Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray threw five touchdowns against Nebraska on Tuesday and the Bulldogs picked up a 45-31 win over the Cornhuskers in the Capital One Bowl.
After a fast-paced first half that saw 47 combined points, Georgia (12-2) used a strong fourth quarter to distance itself from Nebraska and secure the win. Following a third quarter that saw much less scoring than the previous two, UGA and Nebraska (10-4) entered the deciding fourth quarter locked at 31 before Murray hit on two touchdown tosses in the first four minutes of the period.
Murray found Keith Marshall out of the backfield on the first play of the fourth for a 24-yard score before connecting with Chris Conley for a Capital One Bowl record 87-yard touchdown pass just three minutes later. Murray finished the game with 427 yards on just 18 completions to go along with his five TD passes. Two of Murray’s scoring throws went to Conley while Tavarres King, Marshall and Arthur Lynch found the end zone once apiece.
As a team, the Bulldogs nearly gained 600 yards of total offense on an impressive eight yards per play average. Freshman running back Todd Gurley continued his stellar play, eating up 125 yards on the ground to go along with a touchdown. Conley only caught two passes on the afternoon, but both went for touchdowns and a combined 136 yards.
Nebraska, led by running back Rex Burkhead’s 140 yards, racked up 251 yards on the ground but was forced into three turnovers by the Georgia defense.
Statistical Leaders
Georgia
Passing – Aaron Murray, 18-for-33, 427 yards, 5 TD, 2 INT
Rushing – Todd Gurley, 23 car, 125 yards, TD
Receiving – Chris Conley, 2 rec, 136 yards, 2 TD
Nebraska
Passing – Taylor Martinez, 16-for-27, 204 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Rushing – Rex Burkhead, 24 car, 140 yards, TD
Receiving – Ben Cotton, 2 rec, 69 yards
Quick Notes
• By scoring 45 points against Nebraska, the Georgia offense increased its record total for the season to 529. The previous record for most points in a season was 450 by the 2002 squad.
• Georgia and Nebraska are now 1-1 all-time in two meetings, with the only previous meeting taking place in the 1969 Sun Bowl.
• Georgia is now 4-1-1 in bowl games played in Orlando, Fla.