Fortunately, Dogs aren’t about impressing pollsters anymore
Let's assume Blair Walsh and Drew Butler were not declaring, "We're No. 1" after the win. (AP photo)
ATHENS — If after one game you were convinced that this would be a dreadful season, and after two games you figured maybe the quarterback wouldn’t be so bad after all, and after three games you once again were ready to catapult Willie Martinez out of Athens, out of the state and out of a job, well, guess what? They’ve come full circle.
Maybe it’s best to just not assume anything about Georgia this season — certainly not an easy victory.
Blair Walsh kicked a game-winning 37-yard field goal as time expired Saturday to give the Bulldogs a 20-17 win over Arizona State at Sanford Stadium. And that’s really all you want to know without a bottle of Tums.
Given that this is a bottom-line business, the Bulldogs will try not to think about how they got there. There was an offense that committed three more turnovers, leading to 14 of the visitors’ 17 points and left the team at a minus-9 in turnover differential this season. There also was an offense that produced only two field goals (and the three turnovers) in 10 possessions after two early touchdowns.
Joe Cox completed only 12 of 23 with two interceptions after the first quarter. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC).
There was bland and unimaginative play-calling and a stunning decision by coach Mark Richt to pass up a potential winning 45-yard field-goal attempt earlier in the fourth quarter to go for it on fourth-and-one (and the play was stuffed).
Good thing nobody is paying attention to polls this season.
“You’d like to think you’re progressing over the last three weeks,” Richt said. “It’s almost like we’re that record that gets stuck and the same things keep happening over and over again. The good news is at the very end we’ve been winning. We’d like to remove some of the drama if possible.”
The defense was strong. That would be the good news. But somewhere it is written that you should not be tied with Arizona State in the fourth quarter on your home field, particularly after leading 14-3 in the first quarter.
Haven’t figured this team out yet? Stop trying.
It was far different circumstances when these teams met at this time a year ago. The Bulldogs still had national championship aspirations. They won in Tempe 27-10. It was one of their best performances of the season, setting up meteoric expectations for Alabama week.
Then came the blackout. Then came the knockout. Bama jumped to a 31-0 lead and it was over. Neither the Dogs nor expectations were the same the rest of the season.
That wasn’t an issue Saturday. The season-opening loss at Oklahoma State smothered the rankings talk early. The wins over South Carolina and Arkansas were fun to watch, much like cartoons are fun to watch. Great offense, no defense, too many penalties and turnovers and exploding body parts.
The game was tied 17-17 when Georgia got the ball back with 5:40 left. But on first down, Joe Cox threw behind A.J. Green right into the hands of safety Jarrell Holman (who earlier returned an interception for a touchdown). This one he brought back to the Dogs’ 20. But the defense held again, and a 38-yard field goal attempt was blocked — by A.J. Green.
Green also caught a 56-yard touchdown earlier in the game. On the ensuing Dogs’ possession after the blocked field, he made a third-down 22-yard catch at the Arizona State 22. That ultimately set up the winning field goal. Pretty sure he was player of the game.
It looked for a while liked Georgia might have an easy night. Didn’t happen. Maybe we should all just assume at this point that there won’t be any easy days or nights.
First the offense stalled, then it started dropping engine parts on the highway (a fumble set up one touchdown and an interception was returned for another score). Suddenly, ASU led 17-14. The Dogs came back to tie it. After forcing ASU to punt, the Dogs drove into Devils’ territory again. But Richt elected to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the 28 — passing up a potential go-ahead 45-yard field goal. Result: fullback Fred Munzenmaier ran into a wall.
They seemed destined to lose. But at this point we should just assume they’re not destined for anything. Except maybe to keep us guessing.
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617 comments Add your comment
Super dog
September 27th, 2009
12:31 pm
Im curious to see if all the positive outlooks will still be posted after the next 2 games when we face teams that have better defenses because if we continue to turn the ball over, give up a ton of penalities and think we are going to pull it out, think again. Arkansas looked great against a good team in Alabama right, Ok State looked good against Houston remember, and South Carolina, well does anybody really think Houston Nutt can coach a team to a top 5 program on a consistent basis I don’t, and he hasn’t. The defense looked good against Arizona St, “really”, ok their QB was 10-32, he had several guys wide open on deep balls all night that he over threw go back and look at the game again if you taped it. The only offense was 92yds from their RB. Had they been able to complete a few more passes??????????
Call me negative fine, say I told you so, I sure hope so, but I have not been impressed with the defense, was not impressed last night and will not be impressed until we can stop LSU, FL, and now Tech to under 20 points. Not 35 or more.
One more note I LOVE HOW WE CAN GET OUT THERE AND DANCE AND CUT UP on the field while the score is tied. Thats why we don’t execute, why we are ranked last in SEC and 100 in all defensive catagories (LOOK IT UP), and why we are the most penalized teams, (NO DISCIPLINE). Like Kevin Butler was stating last night, that is not something to be proud of to a great Georgia progam.
FUHaterz
September 27th, 2009
12:31 pm
Jeff,
Yes. Let’s trade.
But back to your post, are you saying Florida is poorly coached because they aren’t leading the nation in turnover margin. Are you implying that UGA is poorly coached because of the large negative turnover margin?
ugagrad
September 27th, 2009
12:31 pm
UGA could easily be 0-4 OR 4-0 OR anything in between. All victories have been come-from-behind. Exciting! But most UGA fans want a boring season where we win every game by 4 touchdowns.
Frank Wren
September 27th, 2009
12:31 pm
No you said it all in the first sentence “We dont pick it up”
Right. We make nerds like you pick it up. The ones who havent been mugged today.
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:32 pm
Jeff,
Don’t bother. These people have drank the Koolaid far to long. They actually believe their program is equal to Florida, Alabama and Tech (and OK States-LOL)
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:34 pm
Frank,
Waybe you should just leave like you did last weekend. Until they chain gang of ex georgia players can get out there Monday
Barkin'Dog
September 27th, 2009
12:34 pm
Ditto, wreckmaniac… thanks for the kind words about Joe. He’s a “winner” in the purest form, whether he wins out or not. I love his get-it-done attitude. Most of the sorry bloggers can’t appreciate that. And I can’t wait to see what else he has up his sleeve. With the youngsters growing up fast, this team will be dazzling. Looking forward to the meeting with Tech – hope it’s a great game – and the best team wins (not as dictated by refs). But, let’s not get ahead of ourselves – there’s a lot of football to be played and enjoyed, for both teams. Up next – LSU – ‘tween the hedges. Can’t wait for that… and then the I-told-you-so’s after the game
GO DAWGS!
ugagrad
September 27th, 2009
12:35 pm
GT beats UGA one game out of eight by three points & They’re talking trash to US?!? That’s pathetic.
Frank Wren
September 27th, 2009
12:35 pm
and Tech
LOL when is the last time Tech won anything.???
FUHaterz
September 27th, 2009
12:35 pm
Jeff,
Sorry. I just figured out your post. I think you posted in order to brag that Urban Meyer is a better coach that Mark Richt. I didn’t even know that was an argument open for discussion. I think maybe you just wanted to brag and gloat a little bit. That’s cool though. You get to do that when you win NCs 2 out of 3 years.
Sanford Drive
September 27th, 2009
12:36 pm
ugagrad,
Only 4 Tech fans talk trash to us. Yellow Fuzz, Ramble On, M, and God & Greyhound. The rest are typically cordial. Don’t judge them by their worst specimens.
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:36 pm
45-42
Frank Wren
September 27th, 2009
12:36 pm
Maybe you should just leave like you did last weekend. Until they chain gang of ex georgia players can get out there Monday
No I told you already. We cruise the Tech campus picking up Dorks and make them do it. While we watch and drink beer.
Not Disappointed
September 27th, 2009
12:37 pm
Tech fan here.
I observed the game and I’m more puzzled now than ever. The pups have a good team, but are missing some pieces to the puzzle. The defense performed much better, but Arizona State Tea missed some easy catches. I take up for Cox more than most pup fans, but now I’m wondered can he help the dog nation contend for the sec title.
Logan needs to get his feet wet. No next year. “This year!”
Good luck against lsu.
Ramblin Wreck out…………
wreckmaniac
September 27th, 2009
12:37 pm
I must repeat the obvious which is no poll should be taken until the first 5 games are played. Who controls that ? Is there money made by taking last years top 10 teams and automatically making them
next year’s preseason top 10’s ?
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:38 pm
Sanford Dive,
It’s not really trash talking when you can back it up (45-42)
Frank Wren
September 27th, 2009
12:38 pm
Once a decade.
I mean really Tech and UGA is not even a rivalry for us. You have to win more than once a decade to make it a rivalry. You guys are just our last W on the way to the bowl game 90 percent of the time.
Sanford Drive
September 27th, 2009
12:39 pm
Agree with wreckmaniac. The polls at this point are meaningless anyway. Just win games. The rest will take care of itself.
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:39 pm
Frank,
I get it. Sort of like the movie Deliverance right?
Cuz
September 27th, 2009
12:39 pm
Miami 33 GTech 17
Miami 7 VTech 31
Gtech vs Vtech on October 17. Heck I might go for the free hotdogs and Cokes to watch Yellowfuzz krap his pants.
3-1
September 27th, 2009
12:40 pm
For what it is worth, we are still 3-1.With a few different plays, we could be 0-4, but we aren’t. I feel good about a lot of things and we could very well work on a lot of things. But we have showed a lot of heart and I think we have a legitimate shot in the East. A lot of things have to go our way and we need to catch some breaks, but who doesn’t in college football. The D looked a whole lot better, not good yet, but better. Bobo needs to get more creative.Toss sweep on the 1?Put in 48 and 49 blocking for 22 and bulldoze it in. Rain or shine, win or lose, I still love the Dawgs and i will always be here. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:40 pm
Keep drinking that Koolaid Frank. 45-42
Frank Wren
September 27th, 2009
12:41 pm
Mark Richt is 1-2 against Crier. I dont think thats enough of a sample to say yet.
Plus I think Richt may have thrown last years game cause he hates to see a grown man cry.
#1 Dawg Fan
September 27th, 2009
12:42 pm
Enter your comments here” I thought our defense played lights out for the most part” said Mark Richt. I personally think our defense is a JOKE, way to soft. Seems like everytime we tackle the other team they a falling forward and visa versa on offense, always falling backwards.
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:42 pm
Keep talking di*k lickers. Just like you did here last September-October and part of November. THEN it got really quite
Cuz
September 27th, 2009
12:42 pm
Are we top twenty, yes. Top ten, no.
If we are going to play like 1978 we might as well get out the retro uniforms. I guess that would be white pants.
Frank Wren
September 27th, 2009
12:42 pm
Keep drinking that Koolaid Frank. 45-42
I will 1 out of 8.
wreckmaniac
September 27th, 2009
12:43 pm
My closest analogy to Cox is George Godsey. A guy who could’t run but always managed the game and used his head. He wasn’t a Matt Stafford passer but he was a damn good one. Always stayed steady and
calm and thus calmed everyone else down.
Cuz
September 27th, 2009
12:44 pm
Keep talking Fuzz, I can smell your fear. I looked at your schedule. You got many beatdowns coming. Glad it hurts so bad.
Buzzgal
September 27th, 2009
12:44 pm
What I would like someone to explain to me is how the heck UNC goes up 2 spots in the AP poll after the Jackets kicked their tails on Saturday???
SEC out of conference is a joke
September 27th, 2009
12:45 pm
To the Dog fan talking about the ACC losing out of conference- At least we play some real teams OOC. NOt like Charleston Southern, Florida Atlantic, OHIO, Bowling Green, etc, etc. The SEC out of conference schedule is the joke. The only game thats worth a darn is Alabama’s win over Va Tech. Look at the OOC schedules for the SEC thus far and compare it to the ACC’s OOC schedule. And then shut your mouth.
ugagrad
September 27th, 2009
12:45 pm
Oh, I think I finally see Yellow Fuzz’s point: because we lost by 3 points after 7 straight wins vs GIT, we will clearly never beat GIT again & life is no longer worth living. Is that your point, YF?
FUHaterz
September 27th, 2009
12:45 pm
Yellow Fuzz
I think you meant “quiet” not “quite.”
Solid education, man. Congrats.
Cuz
September 27th, 2009
12:45 pm
Fuzz, is it true you guys wear yellow so that when you are scared no one can tell your bladders let go. LMFAO!
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:45 pm
I saw a Florida player block a punt and then recover it himself in the end zone for a touch down. A georgia player could never do this because he would have to-
1. block the punt
2. spint 10 yards away from everyone and do a slow motion, strut, dance to show everyone that’s the first time he has blocked a punt since pop warner ball
3. sprint and recover the ball in the end zone
Sanford Drive
September 27th, 2009
12:46 pm
UNC dropped out according to espn.com.
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:46 pm
Ask yourselves these questions dawgs:
Is Florida going to absolutely kick what’s left of our teeth in on Halloween?
Is Tech going to bitch slap us again for Thanksgiving?
Are we going to celebrate New Years in Boise or Nashville on like, December 21st while Tech plays in the Orange Bowl on New Years Day?
Whose picking up all the trash on our cowtown/trailer park campus this morning?
((((( 45-42 ))))) hahahahahahahahahahaha
SEC- a 2 team race
September 27th, 2009
12:46 pm
Yesterday was proof that there are still no teams worthy of mention in the SEC other than Florida and Alabama.
Frank Wren
September 27th, 2009
12:46 pm
Lets see Tech wins one a decade so that would mean their next win over UGA would be in ……
2018 LOL !!!!
Frank Wren
September 27th, 2009
12:48 pm
Whose picking up all the trash on our cowtown/trailer park campus this morning?
I told you we get Dorks from Tech to do it. How many times do we have to go over this?
wreckmaniac
September 27th, 2009
12:48 pm
UGA will have that one great game this year. I just hope its against LSU or another SEC team and not against Tech.
I would pay to see it happen against LSU which humiliated Tech in the Peach last year. What I saw yesterday from LSU was a third string version of the team that played against Tech.
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:49 pm
Whay dont you bet some money on that Frank? lol
Sanford Drive
September 27th, 2009
12:49 pm
The ACC HAS to schedule big-time OOC opponents since their conference isn’t as highly touted as the SEC or BIG12. If they schedule big time OOC opponents & win, then they’ll get more respect. I’m not saying there aren’t good teams in the ACC – there definitely are. But top to bottom, the Big12 & SEC are the best.
Conference this, conference that
September 27th, 2009
12:50 pm
Would you people please give it up on the my conference is great and yours sucks nonesense. Thus far there is no conference that has stepped up to claim superiority. Looks to me like certain teams in every conference can beat anybody on any given day. But those same teams can also lay a steaming pile on any given day, too. Looks to me like nothing is predictable based on conference. I do agree with the others, though, that the SEC has played a pretty weak OOC schedule thus far.
Glenn
September 27th, 2009
12:50 pm
I wasn’t happy at all with the play calling, the defense was nothing special as a group they don’t attack and that’s Willie’s problem. Vandy is more interesting to watch. The talent is there and I love MR but he has to do something. At the present time in the SEC. Ga. has fallen behind the LSU, FLA, ALA, program and soon and very soon the TENN. and if the old ball coach can ever get one star running back and one receiver to go with a so-so QB we will fall behind them as well. Now tell me it ain’t so. It shouldn’t be that way but it is.
Frank Wren
September 27th, 2009
12:51 pm
Whay dont you bet some money on that Frank? lol
How much you got?
Frank Wrong
September 27th, 2009
12:51 pm
We will see Frank. Big win over 96th ranked Arizona State last night. Big win.
ugagrad
September 27th, 2009
12:52 pm
I’ll admit there are two weak sisters in UGA’s out of conference opponents( OK State, Ariz State, Tenn Tech & GIT). Hey, YF, can you pick the weaklings?
Sanford Drive
September 27th, 2009
12:52 pm
Frank,
I’d assume not that much since Fuzz is in college. Maybe ask his dad for a loan.
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:53 pm
Regardless of all the Frank Wren wannabees in the world, The fact is that TECH totally dominated the number 22 ranked team in the country. While Georgia basically tied the 122 ranked team.