Expectations were high for Aaron Murray when he arrived on campus in Athens, GA in 2009. Murray was ranked as the nation's No.3 recruit by Scout and Rivals among high school quarterbacks.
Murray arrived from Plant High School in Tampa, FL with fellow teammate Orson Charles. During his junior season at Plant High School, Murray completed 201 of 329 passing attempts for 4,012 yards. He passed for 51 touchdowns to only seven interceptions. His senior season he completed 118 of 195 passes for 2,285 yards and 33 touchdowns to only five interceptions.
His numbers took a dip his senior season because he only played in eight games. Midway through the season, Murray suffered a broken leg and was supposed to be out for the remainder of the season.
However, after watching his team struggle to win their first two games of the playoffs, he courageously returned in time for their semi-final game and 4A championship game.
Despite being in obvious pain and discomfort, Murray led Plant High School to a 34-14 win over Lincoln High School in the championship game. Murray was limping during the game, but he was also amazing as he threw three touchdown passes that were completed for scores of 72 yards, 14 yards and 72 yards. Two of the three touchdown passes went to current Georgia teammate Orson Charles.
With that background, it is clear why expectations were so high for Murray when he arrived in Athens, GA.
Murray entered the 2010 season labeled as the only unknown on the Georgia offense. The team returned 10 starters. However, as you well know, A.J. Green would end up being suspended his first four games.
Murray would still excel at quarterback as he finished the season with over 3,000 yards passing, 28 total touchdowns and only eight interceptions. He tied UGA's single-season record for total touchdowns with DJ Shockley and finished just one short of Matthew Stafford's record of 25.
The 2010 UGA season was a disappointment, but Aaron Murray was as good as advertised.
Entering the 2011 season, things had switched dramatically. Now, Murray was one of the few proven commodities for the Bulldogs offense. Murray would have to work with a patched-up offensive line, new running backs and new wide receivers.
The transition has not been flawless and Murray has missed many throws he should have made. Yet he has still completed 153-of-255 passes for 2,060 yards and 23 touchdowns.
However, for Murray and the Bulldog nation, his most important stat is seven. That is the number of consecutive games that Georgia has won and is one more than they won all last season.
If the Bulldogs can win their eight straight game this week when they face off against Auburn, Georgia will only be one win (or South Carolina loss) away from sending the Bulldogs to the SEC championship game for the first time since 2005.
This was an accomplishment that future No. 1 pick, Stafford, was never able to accomplish.
With a good game, he could also break several Georgia records this week. He only needs one touchdown to tie and two touchdowns to break the single-season record for touchdowns that he fell one short of last year.
With 25 total touchdowns this season, Murray is only three touchdowns away from once again matching the record of 28 total touchdowns held by him and Shockley.
While the records would be great, wins is what Murray desires above all. He was quoted in the preseason as stating:
“I hate losing more than anything and if I could go back [to last season] and throw five touchdowns, but we win every game, I’ll do that in a heartbeat. I just want to win and do whatever it takes to win.”
This season, Murray has a shot at both individual records and winning. The Georgia Bulldogs are currently ranked No. 14 in the AP Poll and No. 15 in the BCS rankings.
If Georgia gets past the Tigers, a 10-2 regular season becomes very realistic. Many think that UGA will get blown out of the SEC championship, but this writer disagrees.
This team has a legit shot at finishing the season with 11 or 12 wins. If this happens, look for the Bulldogs to be a preseason top five team next year.
If Murray becomes more consistent, the Bulldogs will return back to national prominence.
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