A “running quarterback” has always given the Georgia Bulldogs problems.

Enter Missouri’s James Franklin. 

The 6-2, 225 pound junior out of Corinth, Texas, is one of the premier dual-threat quarterbacks in the county, and he will lead the Tigers (1-0; 0-0 SEC) into arguably their most important home game ever as they host the seventh-ranked Dawgs (1-0; 0-0 SEC) at Faurot Field/Memorial Stadium Saturday night in the first-ever SEC game on the Missouri campus.

“He’s a big, strong, fast, very athletic quarterback who can throw it equally as well,” Coach Mark Richt tells News/Talk WSB. 

And the Missouri spread offense is one that has give opponents fits.  “They have the illusion of being a team that is going to throw on every down, but it’s really not the truth,” says Richt.  “Because they spread the field so much, you’re thinking pass, pass, pass, but they run the ball just as well as they throw it.  Some of it is a designed run, some of it just happens because when he drops back to throw the football and people get covered, he has the ability to run the football."

Quarterbacks who run the ball have given the Dawgs problems; even the ones who are not known to be great runners. Buffalo’s Alex Zordich gained 83 yards on 14 carries against the UGA defense in the season opener.  “It’s a little scary to think that a guy who doesn’t have the athleticism that Franklin’s got ran for 80-some yards,” says Richt.  “So we’ve got to be more disciplined in our pass rushing lanes, and we’ve got to do a good job of keeping the quarterback in the pocket.  If we don’t do that, we are going to have all kinds of trouble.”

Franklin, in last weekend’s 62-10 rout of Southeastern Louisiana, accounted for 170 yards of total offense (131 passing / 39 rushing).  He was also 13-of-21 passing with one touchdown and no turnovers.

The game will be only the second meeting between the Dawgs and Mizzou.  The only other meeting was back in the 1960 Orange Bowl, when Fran Tarkenton and the Bulldogs shutout the Tigers 14-0.  Don’t expect the game to be 14-0, but Dawgs are a slim two point favorite.

The broadcast will air on News/Talk WSB beginning at 3:30 p.m. with Georgia Gameday.  Scott Howard and Eric Zeier have the play-by-play call at 7:45 p.m.