Malcolm Mitchell has big game to close out senior season

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- Malcolm Mitchell is pretty familiar with EverBank Field.

"It feels like home," Mitchell said. "We play here every year, twice for bowl games."

One of his most memorable games was nearly four years ago. His game-sealing touchdown reception against No. 3 Florida was a step to the SEC championship game. Since then, Mitchell has been crushed with injuries, wrote a book about his recovery and started every game of his 800-yard senior season.

The latter is what Mitchell said he is most proud of: starting every game.

In the TaxSlayer Bowl, Mitchell lead Georgia's receiving corps with five receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown in a 24-17 win over Penn State. That touchdown came from Georgia's new resident playmaker, freshman Terry Godwin.

On a direct snap to Godwin, the freshman stood in the pocket until Mitchell got enough space from the safety and bombed the ball. It was a little behind him, Mitchell admits, but he let that go.

"We're just going to have to have more young players step up and fill big shoes," Godwin said. "I feel like my role is the same. Going to help the team do whatever we can."

Saturday's game was sort of a bounce back scenario for Mitchell. He was targeted by quarterback Greyson Lambert on Georgia's first drive, and he dropped the pass with an entire field in front of him.

That left Mitchell in a bad mood, but not for long. On third down, Lambert retargeted his favorite receiver on a 13-yard post over the middle.

"They got my mind off it pretty quick," Mitchell said.

It's rare that careers come full circle in the world of sports, but it would be hard for Mitchell's career at Georgia to end more tidy. The receiver from Valdosta finished his first complete season, broke 100-yards receiving for the second time and caught his second touchdown at EverBank Field.

"I came in my first game here with a touchdown, and I left with one," Mitchell said.

This story was originally published January 2, 2016 at 9:15 PM with the headline "Malcolm Mitchell has big game to close out senior season ."