The Countdown 2010: 73 Days to Go

73: Mohamed Massaquoi, Wide Receiver #1 (2005 – 2008)

Mohamed Massaquoi was a Parade All-American receiver from the powerhouse high school football program, Independence, in Charlotte, NC. He was the North Carolina state record holder for career receiving yards (4,851) and touchdowns (76) and immediately made an impact during his freshman year in Athens. He caught his first career touchdown against Vanderbilt and had his breakout game against Auburn, catching six passes for 108 yards and a touchdown. Georgia would go on to win the SEC Championship and Massaquoi was a contributor, finishing second on the team with 38 catches for 505 yards.

In 2006, Massaquoi would struggle through a disappointing sophomore season that saw him struggle with dropped passes. Late in the year, however, things began to turn around. With Georgia trailing Tech in the 4th quarter, Matt Stafford would find Mohamed for a late score and this great call from Larry Munson:

In Georgia’s magical run to the #2 final ranking in 2007, Massaquoi and Sean Bailey would provide Matthew Stafford with the down field threat that provided the perfect balance to the running of Knowshon Moreno and Thomas Brown. Just when it looked like Florida may try to regain the momentum Georgia had following the celebration at the beginning of the game, Massaqui broke free for this long score:

He continued to match big plays throughout his junior season, including a 57 yard score in the Blackout victory over Auburn. In his final season in Athens, Massaquoi and AJ Green combined to form one of the best 1-2 receiving punches in Georgia history. Massaquoi would be named first team All-SEC and was named the team’s permanent captain. He finished with 58 catches for 920 yards and 8 touchdowns.

For his career, Mohamed Massaquoi is Georgia’s fourth all-time leading receiver in both yards (2,282) and receptions (158). His best career game during the 2008 loss to Georgia Tech, where he totaled 11 catches and three touchdowns. He was selected in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft by the Cleveland Browns, where he would lead the team in receiving.

The Countdown 2009: 58 Days to Go

58

Yards on the touchdown pass from Matthew Stafford to Mohammed Massaquoi during the first half of the Georgia "Blackout" victory over Auburn in 2007.

Who is Joe Cox?

With Wednesday’s announcement that Matt Stafford is leaving Athens early for the NFL Draft, the position of quarterback for the Georgia Bulldogs falls onto the shoulders of soon to be 5th year senior Joe Cox. But, just who is Joe Cox and what can we expect from him in 2009?

Joe Cox committed to the Georgia Bulldogs out of Independence High School in North Carolina as part of the 2005 recruiting class. A powerhouse program in that state, Independence had previously produced Florida Quarterback Chris Leak and they never lost a game during Cox’s years at QB. His stats during those final two years speak for themselves:

2003 (Jr.)
Games: 16
Attempts: 373
Completions: 237
Comp %: 63
Yards: 3,983
TD: 43
Int: 11

2004 (Sr.)
Games: 11
Attempts: 363
Completions: 240
Comp %: 66
Yards: 4,509
TD: 66
Int: 5

After his senior year, Cox was awarded the Associated Press’s North Carolina Player of the Year Award. His 66 touchdowns passes were a state record and helped earn Cox a 4 star rating from various recruiting services. Cox had offers from a number of schools, including in-state ACC schools North Carolina State and Duke. In the end, the class of 2005’s 22nd ranked quarterback committed to the University of Georgia along with his high school teammate, wide receiver Mohammed Massaquoi.

Joe Cox arrived at The University in 2005 and was redshirted during his first fall. He gained experience on the UGA practice squad and was awarded the Outstanding Offensive Scout Team Player Award by the coaching staff. In 2006, Cox was in the middle of the three-way battle for the starting spot with Joe Terishinski and Matt Stafford. Cox saw limited playing time against Western Kentucky and UAB, but then came the Colorado game. With Tereshinski out from a leg injury and Stafford struggling, the Dawgs found themselves down 13-0 in the fourth quarter to a lowly Colorado squad.

Cox would enter the Colorado game and have the defining moment of his career at Georgia, thus far. Cox would lead the Bulldogs to two touchdown drives, including throwing the game winning touchdown pass to Martrez Milner:

Cox finished the game 10 out 13 for 154 yards and two touchdowns. He earned Sporting News College Football Player of the Week, SEC Freshman of the Week honors, and the right to start Georgia’s next game against Ole Miss. Cox would struggle against the Rebels, and eventually Matt Stafford took over as Georgia’s quarterback for the next few years.

Cox saw limited action during the 2007 and 2008 seasons. In the 2008 Georgia Southern game, he completed 4 of 6 passes for 48 yards and threw the first touchdown pass reception of AJ Green’s career. Cox also came into the game late in the second half of the loss to Florida and led Georgia’s most successful drive of the day. He threw Georgia’s only touchdown of the game, a beautiful touch pass to tight end Aron White. Through his junior year, Cox’s career stats include 33 completions on 58 attempts (57%) for 432 yards, 5 touchdowns, and only 1 interception (an overall quarterback rating of 145).

Now the job of starting quarterback has once again found its way into Joe’s hands. As a fifth year senior, I expect Cox to have solid year with a limited number of mistakes. With flanker AJ Green on one side and receivers like Michael Moore, Kris Durham, and Tavares King on the other, Cox should put up good stats in Mike Bobo’s system. Don’t expect Cox to make all of the amazing throws that Stafford made, as his arm is not as strong. However, what Cox lacks in arm strength he makes up for in accuracy and touch. With an improved offensive line and solid contributions from the running game, there is no reason Joe Cox cannot have a solid SEC season in 2009.

(Images courtesy of David Manning and Scout.com)

You Are A True Bulldawg, Good Sir

Mr. Massaquoi, thank you for all you have done for our university. Yesterday, you left everything out on that field. You put us ahead in the game, and you kept us in the game when things went rough (just as you did this entire year).

Over four years, you have come to epitomize what it means to be a Georgia Bulldawg and we just want to say THANK YOU for being a Bulldawg.

Thank you, MO MASS!!!