Nebraska hangs on to beat Georgia 24-19 in the Gator Bowl

The final minutes of the fourth quarter of the Gator Bowl might have been a microcosm of Georgia's season.

Georgia receivers dropped two fourth-down passes inside Nebraska territory in the last five minutes of the Gator Bowl and the Cornhuskers survived for a 24-19 victory.

It was a sloppy day in Jacksonville, and on fourth down with 31 seconds to go, Georgia tight end Arthur Lynch had Hutson Mason's pass slip right through his hands and bounce off his helmet. Had the pass been completed, Georgia would have had first and goal inside the 10-yard line.

Instead, all Nebraska had to do was kneel with the ball.

On Georgia's prior possession, the Bulldogs had fourth and two at the Nebraska 14-yard line, and Mason hit Rantavious Wooten over the middle for what would have been a first down. However, Wooten was separated from the football by Andrew Green and the pass fell incomplete.

Nebraska grabbed a 24-12 lead in the third quarter when quarterback Tommy Armstrong hit Quincy Enunwa on an incredible 99-yard touchdown pass after the Cornhuskers narrowly avoided a safety. Still, Armstrong's subsequent struggles helped keep Georgia in the game. Following that touchdown, Armstrong was 0 for 5 with an interception.

The Gator Bowl was a rematch of last year's Capital One Bowl and capped a disappointing year for both teams. Georgia was favored by many to win the SEC East, but a rash of injuries and close losses mean the Bulldogs finish at 8-5. Four of Georgia's losses came by five points or less. Georgia also won three games by a field goal.

The game likely also solidifies Bo Pelini's status as Nebraska's coach. Pelini came under fire after a taped rant was leaked after Nebraska lost to UCLA. The scrutiny intensified after the Cornhuskers lost to Iowa at home and Pelini lost his cool. Athletic director Shawn Eichorst issued a statement after that game supporting Pelini as the team's coach.

Nebraska finishes the season 9-4.