Archive for the ‘SEC Championship’ Category

Alabama coach Nick Saban, a noted workaholic, said he would likely enjoy his team’s 32-28 victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship game for about two weeks.

After that, he will focus on Notre Dame and the BCS National Championship on Jan. 7 in Miami.

Saban said he’s found that work-break has worked well in the past. This will be Alabama’s third appearance in the national championship game under Saban.

“You can’t practice your way to the game,” he said. “It’s too long. The players get, you know, too stale and too bored with it. So it’s a one game season.”

Tying a record

With the win, Alabama tied the NCAA-era record for wins in a five-year period (60) set by Nebraska (1993-97).

Saban seemed especially proud of that number, pointing out that many of the players in the senior class signed with Alabama after it went 7-6 and played in the Independence Bowl in 2007.

“(Someone) asked me the other day what’s the biggest difference between going to the …

Continue reading Saban says he’ll enjoy SEC title for two weeks »

Alabama’s Eddie Lacy slammed into three Georgia defenders who met him in a hole at the line of scrimmage. Instead of going down, Lacy spun out and finished with a 32-yard gain.

A few plays, later he dove into the end zone from an inch away. Whether the Crimson Tide needed an inch or a mile, Lacy and Alabama’s running game could practically call their shot in the Tide’s 32-28 victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship game on Saturday night at the Georgia Dome.

Lacy rushed for 181 yards and two touchdowns to earn most valuable player honors. The total was the third-highest in SEC Championship game history. He wasn’t the only weapon. T.J. Yeldon rushed for 153 yards as the Tide totaled 350 rushing yards, breaking the record of 300 they set against Florida in 1999. Yeldon and Lacy became the first two backs on the same team to break 100 yards in SEC Championship game history.

“The offensive line did a great job opening holes for T.J. and I,” Lacy said.

The duo was …

Continue reading Lacy and Alabama overpower Georgia »

Update 7:59 Alabama wins 32-28 to capture the SEC Championship and a date with Notre Dame in the BCS National Championship Game. Bulldogs fans were left to wonder a) why quarterback Aaron Murray didn’t spike the ball stop the clock in the final moments and b) why Chris Conley caught that deflected pass instead of letting it drop incomplete and stop the clock.

You know who clocks that ball with 13 seconds left, @aaronmurray11 & @markricht? AJMcCarron & NickSaban! #UGA@jeffschultzajc @ajcjunkyard

— Intellectual Ninja (@UGABugKiller) December 2, 2012

Completed pass in bounds.For the first 59:55 of the game that’s great, just not in the last :05. #uga #sec

— -SA (@seanale) December 2, 2012

Update 7:35 Alabama goes up again on AJ McCarron’s 45-yard TD pass to Amari Cooper.

I smell burnt toast#uga

— Edwin Ortiz (@EddyOrtiz) December 2, 2012

#Bama smacks the “easy button” on #UGA. Play action deep for 6. #Bama now up 32-28.

— Gator Content from (@OurTwoBits) December 2, …

Continue reading SEC Social minute by minute »

Terrence Edwards, who starred on Georgia’s 2002 SEC Championship team, is still catching footballs. The all-time leading receiver for the Bulldogs just completed his eighth season in the CFL. Edwards, 33, is married to Candice, who is also a Georgia graduate. They began dating after college and have two young sons, Terrence II and Troy.

What do you think of this year’s crop of Georgia receivers? “I was up there on Monday, and I got to meet Tavarres King. I told him that the catch he had against Auburn was a great catch. I also told him that even though I’m the all-time leading receiver, that him and AJ Green and the rest of the guys were way better than me when I was their age. I think this year’s crop has all the tools. It’s tough to see Michael Bennett and Marlon Brown go down. But the younger guys stepped up and look at them now. Aaron Murray has how many touchdowns in his career? 89? That doesn’t just happen by throwing the ball. You’ve got to have somebody …

Continue reading Where are they now? Former UGA great Terrence Edwards »

Many UGA fans are praying for an upset over mighty Alabama in Saturday’s SEC Championship.

This one was publicly offered up by Rabbi Michael Bernstein of Congregation Gesher L’Torah on Kimball Bridge Rd, Alpharetta:

“May the One who guided Vince, Herschel, and Buck Belue grant victory to their descendants and joy to those who follow them. Give counsel to Mark Richt, accuracy to Aaron Murray, strength to Gurshall and ferocity to the Defense. Halt the momentum of our adversaries, say to them as you related to your servant Job, “The Tide shall come to here and no further.” And as for the Irish… Well let’s deal with that when the time comes…. So may it be inscribed in the Book of Chronicles and Statistics (the BCS) and the records of the House of Dawg.”

What are you hoping for on Saturday? Please post below.

AJC’s SEC CHAMPIONSHIP COVERAGE

• Where are they now? Former UGA great Terrence Edwards
• Rabbi says a prayer for UGA vs. mighty Alabama
• “This could be one of the best offensive …

Continue reading Rabbi says a prayer for UGA »

Alabama football fan Brian Downing was sentenced to two years in a prison on Thursday.

Downing, 33, put his private parts on a drunken LSU fan after last year’s national championship game in front of a crowd of spectators at a Krystal Burger fast-food chain. The whole event was caught on video.

Downing had pled guilty last month to two obscenity counts last month, avoiding the original charge of sexual battery – and a possible 10-year sentence and registration as a sex offender, according to Nola.com.

The sentencing judge had some stern words for Downing, calling him a “bully” on Thursday. “You chose, wisely to enter into this plea bargain. The actions that you took on Jan. 9 of this year were morally reprehensible, there’s no way around it,” said the judge, Karen Herman, reported Nola.com

ESPN The Magazine wrote a 7,000-word story on Downing and his victim that you can read by CLICKING HERE – with the warning that the story contains mature subject matter and …

Continue reading Alabama football fan sentenced to two years in prison »

Kevin Breedlove knows a good offensive line when he sees one. Breedlove was a four-year starter at offensive guard for Georgia and played on the 2002 SEC Championship team. Breedlove had stints in the NFL with the San Diego Chargers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, along with NFL Europe and the CFL. He later earned two masters degrees from Clemson. “I had big expectations,” Breedlove said with a laugh. “I actually wanted to go on and become a professor and teach marketing. I halfway started on my PhD program at Clemson, and then decided that I was spending way more time in the gym and changed directions.” Breedlove, 32, owns and operates the Odyssey Health Club in Hilton Head, S.C.

What do you think of Georgia’s offensive line this year? “I really like them. They are big, they’re young, and they’re tough. John Theus at right tackle as true freshman – the guy is just a bear. That offensive line likes to steam roll guys. They are smart, and they can pick up the …

Continue reading Catching up with former UGA OL Kevin Breedlove »

Herschel Walker’s coming back.

No, unfortunately he won’t be available to play Saturday against Alabama in the SEC Championship Game — his eligibility is all used up. But the legendary running back is opening a sports bar in Athens.

Herschel’s Famous 34 Pub & Grill will open at 320 East Clayton Street downtown, which is already awash in bars and restaurants. None of them, however, has the marketing power of being owned by the famous No. 34, whom many consider to be the greatest running back in the history of college football.

According to the bar’s Facebook page, the restaurant “honors the magic of Herschel Walker and the number 34 with a great mix of American favorites like grilled steaks, burgers, seafood, signature sandwiches and fresh salads, plus a selection of 34 variations of wings and 34 craft beers. Join us on exciting journey from renovation to grand opening!”

In a statement Wednesday, Walker said, “We are excited to open the first Herschel’s Famous 34 Pub & …

Continue reading Herschel Walker to open sports bar in Athens »

When Georgia last won the SEC Championship in 2005, Quentin Moses was involved in the game’s signature defense play. Moses helped tackle LSU quarterback JaMarcus Russell, who left the game with an injured shoulder – and the Tigers’ chances left with him. These days, Moses is still making tackles. He played linebacker for the Virginia Destroyers before the United Football League folded earlier this year. Moses, 29, is still training near his home in Duluth with hopes of catching on with another team. He played four seasons in the NFL. After Moses finishes football, he wants to return to Georgia to get his master’s degree in administration and work in a college athletic department.

How often do people bring up the 2005 SEC Championship to you? “Whenever Georgia has a good year, because that was the last time we won an SEC Championship. Coach Richt and his teams have done it a couple of times, and that was the last one. Whenever Georgia gets off to a good start, people …

Continue reading Catching up with former UGA linebacker Quentin Moses »

In Alabama, they’ve already erected a statue of Nick Saban.

In Georgia, many people alternate between hating Saban or Steve Spurrier.

Ex-Dolphins coach Nick Saban (AP)

In South Florida … well that is the place that Saban is – by far – hated the most.

Guess where the BCS Championship game will be played? In Miami, where Saban had a dismal experience as coach of the Miami Dolphins and also misled everybody on taking the Alabama job.

Florida Sun-Sentinel columnist Dave Hyde rehashed the general feeling about Saban:

• On the hypocrisy of Saban saying it’s not fair for Florida to jump over the loser of the SEC Championship game when Alabama did it last year: Hyde: “Saban, the self-anointed arbiter of what’s fair and true and righteous in sports. That’s a good one … But logic never was Saban’s strong suit. Or truth. Or humanity, as all the old Dolphins stories say.”
• On Saban’s “Florida sunshine” personality while with the Dolphins: Hyde: “He ordered a personal …

Continue reading The Dark Side of Nick Saban »