100 Days of Georgia’s Greatest Plays—Day 45

UGASports continues its 100-day countdown to the Bulldogs’ 2026 season opener with the “100 Days of Georgia’s Greatest Plays” series. Today, on Day 45, we examine and relive one of Georgia’s greatest plays in its football history, relating to that specific number. On Day 45, we look back at Malcolm Mitchell’s 45-yard grab-and-go touchdown in Georgia’s upset win over Florida in 2012. The Game: No. 12 Georgia (6-1 record coming off a close win against a bad Kentucky team) vs. No. 3 Florida (7-0 record coming off a 33-point win over South Carolina, which had defeated Georgia in early October by four touchdowns) at EverBank Field in Jacksonville on October 27, 2012. Georgia was looking to beat Florida in back-to-back seasons for the first time since defeating the Gators three straight times from 1987 to 1989. Undefeated Florida was considered 6½-point favorites over the Bulldogs. “Get the Picture”: In a defensive tussle, Georgia led Florida by a single point, 10-9, midway through the fourth quarter. After struggling for most of the game, junior quarterback Aaron Murray moved the Bulldogs’ offense from his 25-yard line to the Gators’ 45 in six plays. There, they faced a critical third-and-5. The Play Out of a shotgun, Murray faced a tremendous Florida blitz as he took the snap. Getting hit as he threw, he fired a sideline pass towards sophomore wideout Malcolm Mitchell just inside the Gators’ 40-yard line. After catching the pass, Mitchell spun off cornerback Louchiez Purifoy and started streaking down the sideline. At the 25, he cut across the field, broke another tackle at the 15, split two more defenders at the 5, and high-stepped into the end zone for a touchdown. Mitchell’s 45-yard score with 7:11 remaining in the game gave Georgia a 17-9 advantage. On the ensuing drive, Florida drove the field in an attempt to tie the game, only to lose a fumble in the end zone. The Bulldogs ran out the clock to hold on to the 17-9 win. Ironically, three plays prior to his touchdown, Mitchell had committed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty. After he had made a reception at Florida’s 35-yard line, the penalty pushed Georgia back to midfield. This prompted head coach Mark Richt to briefly bench Mitchell. “We had a chance to catch the ball and get in free space, and I’m glad I put Malcolm back in the game,” Richt said after the win. “I think he learned his lesson. I was very, very impressed with that play in particular.”