Haugabook returns

ATHENS, Ga. — There was nothing that would keep quarterback Omar Haugabook out of this game.

Haugabook barely practiced all week but was cleared to play in Saturday’s 44-34 loss to Georgia just moments before the game.

He said he wasn’t close to 100 percent, but he threw for 310 yards and two touchdowns on 29-of-45 passing. He also threw two interceptions and lost a fumble.

“It’s about going out there and fighting and going out there and knowing you have to lead your teammates. They see you as the leader of the team, so you have to play through that. It wasn’t my call, but if (trainers) said ‘It’s on you,’ I was going to play regardless.”

Haugabook didn’t start the game — freshman Jamie Hampton came in on the first play, tossed it back to receiver Gary Banks, who threw it to Hampton. The play gained 17 yards to the UGA 9. Haugabook entered on the next play.

If Haugabook had not been cleared, Hampton would have stayed in the game and split time with Tanner Jones. Both played later in the game.

Injury / personnel report
Receiver Gerald Tate (knee) returned to action as did linebacker Josh Maxwell (concussion). Cornerback Trevor Ford (knee) was not listed on the travel roster and cornerback Chris Bowens made the trip, but did not dress out. Defensive end Brandon Lang (knee) has been out since the fourth game.

Freshman Tyler Clark got his second straight start at left guard. 

Linebacker David McDowell, who recovered Georgia’s first fumble, was helped off the field after a fourth-quarter hit.

Troy AD has Georgia connections
Troy athletics director Steve Dennis had a homecoming of sorts Saturday. Dennis, in his third year overseeing the Trojans athletic program, played and coached at Georgia. His senior year, he starred at linebacker and was a team captain.

Dennis coached at UGA from 1993-95 under Ray Goff.

Cramps a problem
Several Trojan players got treated for dehydration and cramps during the game.

Among them were starting safeties Terence Moore and Tavares Williams, who were not on the field on Georgia’s two touchdown drives in the final two minutes of the first half.

Both touchdown passes went over the middle.

BEST / WORST
Best trickery: Gary Banks threw a wide receiver pass to Jamie Hampton at quarterback, who took the first snap. He gained 17 to the UGA 9.

Best run: Knowshon Moreno’s third carry went for an 80-yard touchdown run, giving Georgia a 7-3 lead.

Best deflection: Troy linebacker Boris Lee batted away a pass at the last second on a third-down, second-quarter play when Georgia wide receiver Sean Bailey appeared to be wide open.

Best makeup: Georgia’s Thomas Flowers fumbled a punt, but picked it up and returned it 22 yards to the UGA 48. It set up a touchdown that gave UGA a 17-10 lead.

Best guts: Omar Haugabook toughed out a bum hamstring and threw for 310 yards in the loss.

Worst time to fumble: With 43 seconds left in the first half, UGA’s kickoff after a TD was high and short, but Troy’s Travis Boyd dropped the kick and UGA recovered at the Troy 43. It led to another late second-quarter score, giving UGA a 24-10 lead.

Worst start: Georgia running back Knowshon Moreno fumbled his first carry and Troy recovered at the UGA 26.

Worst second possession: UGA’s Brannon Southerland fumbled on Georgia’s second straight possession and Troy recovered at the UGA 35.

Worst pass: As Troy looked to have momentum in the second quarter, Omar Haugabook threw a slant pass that was intercepted by UGA’s Asher Allen.