Georgia defeated the USA 21-17 Saturday at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Ga., and it was a classic contest between the two teams, who always seem to play abrasive, intense games.

Georgia won the battle at the breakdown and did a superb job at keeping possession and testing the USA physically. The Americans fronted up, and captain Todd Clever was quick to say how proud he was of the USA effort, but they made too many crucial mistakes. 

In the first half, a defensive breakdown allowed Merab Kvirikashvili to break through for one of the few long runs for the Lelos. That helped stake Georgia to an 11-3 lead. And then perhaps the most critical passage of play. USA fullback Mike Te'o went into contact too high. He was held up by the supremely strong Georgia forwards, and that earned the Lelos a scrum. From there, Georgia got a penalty, kicked to the corner, got another penalty on a high tackle by AJ MacGinty, and then, after three scrums, three penalties in scrums, and a yellow card, they got a penalty try.

That's how the half ended, with Georgia up 18-3.

The second half was more USA, with a period of pressure leading to quick hands out to wing Nate Augspurger, who basically had to step forward and touch down. Kvirikashvili added a penalty for a 21-10 lead, and then with time winding down in the game, an exciting passage of play ended with Te'o popping a nifty pass to lock Matt Jensen, who galloped untouched to score beside the posts. So that made it 21-17, and still time for the USA to score once more.

They had a few chances, but Georgia's defense held on.

Georgia captain Merab Sharkadze called this one of the toughest and most physically demanding games he's played, and there were players out on their feet (and off their feet) all over the place. But it was also a game the USA could have won. Key for the Eagles was their penchant for dropping the ball, thus turning a positive situation into a scrum, where Georgia dominated.

And Georgia did dominate the scrum, so much so that it changed the game.

Also changing, or at least affecting the game, was referee Federico Anselmi. Historically a tough arbiter for the Eagles, Anselmi allowed Georgia to get away with not releasing the tackled player, changing how the breakdowns operated, and allowing Georgia credit for poaches that could well have been penalties. With Georgia's props changing their bindings unpunished at the scrums, the ruck and scrum interpretation by Anselmi favored the visitors.

But this was also a wakeup call for the USA, as the Eagles need to be much more precise even if the game itself is one of massive physicality. And they need to be better in the scrum.

USA 17 
Tries: Augspurger, Jensen 
Convs: MacGinty 2 
Pens: MacGinty

Georgia 21 
Tries: Kvirikashvili, Penalty 
Convs: Penalty 
Pens: Kvirikashvili 3

USA 
1. Tony Purpura 
2. James Hilterbrand 
3. Chris Baumann 
4. Nate Brakeley 
5. Ben Landry 
6. Todd Clever (C) 
7. Tony Lamborn 
8. Cam Dolan 
9. Shaun Davies 
10. Will Magie 
11. Nate Augspurger 
12. AJ MacGinty 
13. Bryce Campbell 
14. Matai Leuta 
15. Mike Te'o
Reserves 
16. Peter Malcolm 
17. Ben Tarr 
18. Dino Waldren 
19. Matthew Jensen 
20. Andrew Durutalo 
21. Ben Cima 
22. Marcel Brache 
23. Ryan Matyas

Georgia  
1. Mikheil Nariashvili 
2. Jaba Bregvadze 
3. Levan Chilachava 
4. Giorgi Nemsadze 
5. Kote Mikautadze 
6. Lasha Lomidze 
7. Vito Kolelishvili 
8. Beka Bitsadze 
9. Vasil Lobzhanidze 
10. Lasha Khmaladze 
11. Sandro Todua 
12. Merab Sharkadze (C) 
13. Davit Katcharava 
14. Giorgi Koshadze 
15. Merab Kvirikashvili
Reserves 
16. Shalva Mamukashvili 
17. Tornike Mataradze 
18. Soso Bekoshvili 
19. Giorgi Chkhaidze 
20. Otar Giorgadze 
21. Giorgi Begadze 
22. Lasha Malaghuradze 
23. Giorgi Tsutskiridze