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.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
617 comments Add your comment
Matthew
September 27th, 2009
12:54 pm
Maybe Georgia didn’t impress you, but they impressed some folks because they moved up 7 spots in the AP poll to 14th. Hopefully Georgia will play a full & complete game against LSU (#4) and make a move into the top 10.
Frank Wren
September 27th, 2009
12:54 pm
I guess Miami was overrated like Tech
Glenn
September 27th, 2009
12:56 pm
Why wouldnt you keep my comment
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
12:58 pm
Gotta go.
I just agreed to supervise some georgia frats picking up trash on the uga campus. LOL Just like in life, a Tech man gets paid in the sahde for watching a bunch of georgia fans sweat.
At georgia, you fit the mold. At Tech, we make it.
Super dog
September 27th, 2009
1:01 pm
ACC
Is a great conference everyone, it has done wonders for Miami. They have become a National Championship contender every year since joining. Right TECH TERDS
FUHaterz
September 27th, 2009
1:01 pm
Bye Fuzz,
Learn how to use our language correctly.
Frank Wren
September 27th, 2009
1:03 pm
Falcons game about to start.
Plus we have to get a few more Dorks picking up trash will we sit in the sahde and drink a few cool ones. Afterwords we would have sex with thier GF’s but we know they dont have any of those.
Cautiously Optimistic
September 27th, 2009
1:06 pm
I didn’t read all the comments on here, too many to read. But I have to ask of the negative comments on here, where ya’ll at the game? I was, and I have to give praise to our fans for standing behind the team, especially after the late pic. Everyone got louder and backed our D which played there best game yet. So I just cant believe that any of the negative posters on here could be the same “fans” that were there backing our team!
I agree that the D has been bad, but THEY WON THIS GAME for us and everone is still b**ching. Let’s face it, our fans and D could have easily thrown is the towel after that late pic. Yeah we still had the turn overs but there D I think played a heck of a game and either confused Cox or he was just off his game, maybe due to the weather. I cant say how many times I’ve seen top teams go down to unranked teams in rainy games.
I dont want to keep winning like this, but I do have to say it is a lot more fun as a fan. I’ve been to blowout game against cupcakes, and although we probably should handle a pac-10 team easier it was much more fun to watch a competitive game than a blowout. How spoiled have we become? We haven’t won a NC in the Richt era and we act like we expect it year in and year out. It takes some luck to win it, who knows what will happen? That’s what makes it fun! If you expect to win it all like last year, you are likely set up for dissapointment. Just think how much more fun it would be if we were to surprise everyone and win the SEC or even the NC this year. Not saying that will happen but how much more fun it would be if it did happen compared to expecting it. Lets stand behind our team! they need our support, they same udying support from last night!
So to those negative fans I am asking, tone it down a little and enjoy the victories. I cant say that I will blog anymore as I am tired of reading all the negative remarks. I cant say I dont say the same kind of stuff, but it’s out of frustration and emotion. But I dont carry it to the extent I see on here. As I said, STAND BEHIND OUR BOYS! GO DAWGS!
HH
September 27th, 2009
1:10 pm
Dear FU: If you want Richt, then you can have him. I have been going to UGA games since Wally Butts was the coach, so I have seen a few. Personally, I like to win big. What you say about Richt is true; however, its “what have you done for me lately”, and, lately, Richt ain’t done a lot. Not for 2.9 million. Now that Saban is back in town and Meyer has proven himself, I wouldn’t mind having a coach that could hang with them. If you and the other Richt lovers out there don’t, so be it. I am not now nor have I ever been satisfied with “good enough”. If you and others are, great, that’s up to you. That’s pretty much what you’re going to get with Richt. Let’s see what LSU brings to town.
Super dog
September 27th, 2009
1:35 pm
This Just in Fans
Georgia DEFENSE RANKINGS
Nationally SEC
Points per Game 91 12
Overall Defense 95 12
Pass yds per game 91 12
Rush yards per game 42 8
I don’t know about you but I just purchased my tickets for the SEC championship game and National Title Game. Willie all the way BABY Yea!!!!!!!!!!!!
Drunk dog
September 27th, 2009
1:43 pm
This Just in Fans
Georgia DEFENSE RANKINGS
Nationally SEC
Points per Game 91 12
Overall Defense 95 12
Pass yds per game 91 12
Rush yards per game 42 8
I don’t know about you but I just purchased my tickets for our beat down by Tech and the Music City Bowl in Nashville.
Jethro
September 27th, 2009
1:44 pm
Another sqeaker against an average at best teams Dawgs, but a win is a win. Reality starts now though as you begin to play the good SEC teams. And if you were wondering Tim Tebow will be just fine for Halloween, even so I think the defense is so good they can win games for the Gators. 4 games- 2 touchdowns allowed.
Super dog
September 27th, 2009
1:48 pm
I know why the players were dancing when it was tied up in the 4th qtr
Georgia DEFENSE RANKINGS were posted
Nationally SEC
Points per Game 91 12
Overall Defense 95 12
Pass yds per game 91 12
Rush yards per game 42 8
Willie taken us all the way baby yea!!!!!!!!
Toucherabbit
September 27th, 2009
1:48 pm
Anyone else bothered with Curran and others that were dancing to Rihanna while they are on the field waiting for the play to start? Similar to Caleb getting tackled and jumping up with attitude and then fumbling the next play. Their is a lack of discipline from coaches. If I saw my players dancing on the field while they are in position while in danger to losing to a team that originally wasn’t even ranked in the top 40, I’d be embarrassed and kicking butt. Enough of the street crap – let’s not have Miami attitude. Also, the defense is lacking a headhunter mentality. Other than Curran and Gamble, they are wimps.
westerndawg
September 27th, 2009
1:57 pm
Funny! The team lacks a headhunter attitude, but in the same post you complain about Curran dancing and Caleb getting up with attitude…??? Maybe they were trying to rev up.. and if Caleb didn’t get up “with attitude” then people would be on here posting he got up too slow…
@@ (rolling the eyes)
Georgia fans make me want to puke.
They won. Yes they made mistakes, but EVERYONE does. If you want to see mistake-free football, then go make a million dollars off the robot league of your dreams.
cantondawg
September 27th, 2009
1:58 pm
Really proud of the dawgs in this game. Didn’t play their best game of the year but showed great heart in winning the game in the last second. I’m really embarrassed by some of the stupid comments made on this site. It’s obvious that most of these people never played football before. Coach Richt is a class act and will go down as the greatest coach in UGA history. You’ve got to give ASU alot of credit for the way that they played UGA. They showed alot of heart too. If UGA can limit the turnovers i think this team has a chance to win SEC. Lots of talent on both sides of ball and with the tough games that we’ve been in will help us down the road. A win is a win whether you win by 3 or 30 points.
georgiagirl
September 27th, 2009
1:59 pm
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
And don’t let the bitching fans get to you.
Super dog
September 27th, 2009
1:59 pm
For all those who thank Willie has been worth $300,000 for the last 5 yrs. Take a look at the defensive statistics over the last 5 yrs. Compare them to when Van Gorder was D Cordinator. What do you get
Current 2009 Stats
Nationally
Points per Game 91
Overall Defense 95
Pass yds per game 91
Rush yards per game 42
I vote for Willie a raise all in favor say I
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
2:01 pm
This just in from Las Vegas dog nation,
4-1 Georgia to play Wisconsin in the first annual Johnson & Johnson Douche bag bowl in Bismarck, North Dakota December 19th
7-1 Georgia Tech to play Oklahoma in the 74th annual Orange Bowl in Miami’s South Beach New Year’s Day
Carl Spackler
September 27th, 2009
2:01 pm
FUHaterz
September 27th, 2009
12:10 pm
Carl Spackler,
Our coaching strategy wasn’t clueless at the end…it was calculate and well-thought out. ASU called their last timeout after 2nd down. We ran on third so that we could run the clock down to 2 seconds and have a shot at winning the game on the last play of the game. If we had kicked the FG on 3rd, we would have had to kick-off to ASU and they would have had 25-30 seconds left in the game. That is perfect strategy – why would you want to give ASU the ball back?
Duh….don’t have to leave more than 11 seconds…if they would have fumbled the snap then they call time out and try it again…make the fg and squib kick, but fumble it w/ 2 seconds and you go into OT and take your chances…teams do this all the time, why take the chance…
REVIRDAWG
September 27th, 2009
2:05 pm
I Think Dawgs showed toughness,coming back after turnovers to win game. Joe Cox is a good q.b., will get better. A.j. looks like a pro. , Defense is improving, looks like 9-3 is possible. However defense is inconsistent , one week zone little or no blitz ,next better with more blitz and int.Offense more consistent with go to reciver, but needs go to r.b. GO DAWGS!!!
westerndawg
September 27th, 2009
2:06 pm
cantondawg, amen! I am so tired of when we win, the other team was “overrated” and when we lose or even win and come remotely close to losing, the other team was weak and we suck. Arkansas spent ALL SUMMER getting ready for the Georgia game, they even admitted as much. And we beat them. Arizona probably planned for Georgia as well because their puff schedule allowed it. Georgia’s had a tough four weeks and has survived it!!! In the rain!!
Super dog
September 27th, 2009
2:08 pm
Western Dawg Canton Dawg
Yea its great we won thats fine, but stop asking the fans to donate the large sums of money to get tickets, paying to park, accessing online material and paying coaches large sums of money to continue to lose important games like FL year after year.
If thats your attitude and everyone else then take all the money and give it to Academics and charity and lets become a Vanderbilt, or Standford and bow out of wanting to win championships. I thinks our other sports are doing really well of late (GOLF, BASEBALL, GYMNASTICS, TENNIS, ETC)
Toucherabbit
September 27th, 2009
2:33 pm
Western Dawg – it’s Arizona State and our expectations should be higher than being happy beating Arkansas which isn’t ranked in the top whatever. If you think dancing gets you up for the next play, you obviously don’t know crap. As far as Caleb getting up after being tackled with attitude, you see with players doing this when they are down by 30 points – let’s see a little less ‘hood and a lot more humbleness. Show you’re focused on the task at hand and that’s football. Super Dog’s right on the money – you want 92,000 fans to sit in the rain after spending hundreds of dollars, you better be committed.
Tom
September 27th, 2009
2:42 pm
GA moves up 3 spots to 14??? and GT isn’t even ranked in the usa today. yeah sure ga is a top 15 team. Riiiight. What a joke the polls and voters are.
Cautiously Optimistic
September 27th, 2009
2:49 pm
let’s see a little less ‘hood and a lot more humbleness? You ask this of the players yet our fans cant seem to live by it. Funny.
Johnny Test
September 27th, 2009
3:05 pm
It is a sign of the times when winning is not impressive. A win is a win is a win and for the myopic fans who can’t see the positives in it that is your problem. Bitch and moan, piss and groan. The DAWGs have gift wrapped three games for the last three opponents and still found a way to win. 3 and 1 is 3 and 1 and there has been improvement each game. We still haven’t played a complete game and we are 3 and 1. I’ll take it and I say we continue to get better and I say we beat LSU. For the yeck fans who love to troll UGA blogs you guys are lucky North Carolina decided to lay down and play dead. The ACC is so bad it is unbelievable. Who did FLA.STATE lose to??
Johnny Test
September 27th, 2009
3:08 pm
P.S. Keep an eye on South Carolina and Arizona State. They are both going to win a lot of games. Yeck will lost to Mississippi St and then get destroyed by VT.
Tom
September 27th, 2009
3:14 pm
Maybe if you followed teams besides your crap ga team, you would know that s fla is one heck of a football team and was ranked in the top 10 last season. they have stud players and have taken a lot of the top recruits that fla, fsu and miami use to swallow up. s fla would run all over ga if they played. they will def end the season ranked higher than this crap ga team.
Bayou Bill
September 27th, 2009
3:15 pm
Lsu is going to destroy you next week. Your team is a joke.
Dawg Fanl
September 27th, 2009
3:27 pm
A win is a win. No matter how you look at it or how we get it. Yes we still have issues to resolve, but we still won. Take it and let’s move on to LSU.
WestOfAthens
September 27th, 2009
3:36 pm
Forgot to add this one earlier: Jeff, the Bulldogs do not need to impress anybody at this point. The fact of the matter is, a lot of people expected this team to be 0-4 by now. Last night’s game was meaningless in terms of the first goal…..win the SEC.
It’s apparent that this team is contagious with suspense (albeit i, as a fan, do not have an adequate supply of Tums), and as long as W’s keep coming, what does it matter?
Win the SEC, and good things happen, suspenseful or not in between the aforesaid goal.
Hunker Down Dawgs!
RealityDawg
September 27th, 2009
3:43 pm
The dawgs are winning ugly, like the 1980 team! UGA will not lose another game in the SEC–take it to the bank! Florida will be down with Tebow hurt and their backup QB isn’t that good. I smell upset in Jax baby!!!! Tech? LOL—Ga beats them easy this year. That mickey mouse offense is not fooling anyone anymore.
andre' moreau
September 27th, 2009
3:45 pm
Enter your comments here
Big LSU fan here and I am shaking my head at 4-0 (#4 ranking— ??!!##$$). Having attended all four games this year, and still washing mud off from Miss. St., are LSU and Georgia in an inexplicable similar boat being so weird? The Tigers will descend upon Athens ready to have fun (before kickoff) and will keep tums and pepto close in a sea of gold shakers.
KNelson
September 27th, 2009
3:52 pm
Georgia , your wake up call is coming ! The stretch of losses is on its way. You have been snaeaking out wins against mediocre teams and it all comes to an end very very soon. You guys are average at best. Tech , LSU , Tennessee all beat you !
DawginLex
September 27th, 2009
4:25 pm
Speaking of douche bags, I see yellow f@ggot has come out of hiding. Would love to meet you anytime, anywhere and show you the difference between a UGA man and a nerd.
LOSER
Southside Drug Rep
September 27th, 2009
4:27 pm
We’ve always had lucky wins. UCF misses an extra point…same as last week with Arkansas. Two non foul calls in Oxford on punt plays three years back…Terry Hoage again and again. Look people, we’re just not a team that wins by 20+ points on a consistent basis. However, our coeds in red and black are rocking! Thank you ladies for the amazing show yesterday. I think my boat…er car is almost dried out now. I love going to games likes yesterday’s verses next week’s LSU outing. The ASU fans were nice and positive before, during, and after the game as opposed to fans where we have some history. GO DAWGS! North Avenue Trade School Number 25. Keep climbing bugs so that the beatdown downtown will be so much sweeter for us and harder for you this year.
ChipperDoodle
September 27th, 2009
4:27 pm
Now we wait. One more week. One more crazy hope against heartbreak. Can the Dawgs gneaux the Tigers? Speaking of four-legged animals of the cat variety, regardless of our animosity for Matt Stafford’s shortcomings, it is beneath me to not be happy for the win he got today. I surprise myself.
Yellow Fuzz
September 27th, 2009
5:01 pm
Dawginlace,
I have met you, you streetwalker boy. You propositioned a group of us on Lexington Road about a month ago. I am absolutely convinced you are the same guy. And you call me a “f@ggot”? LOL.
westerndawg
September 27th, 2009
5:12 pm
toucherabbit – the next time I talk to Rennie I will ask him what he was thinking.
Toucherabbit
September 27th, 2009
5:27 pm
Wow, “Western Dawg”, How about the next time you talk to Richt and Martinez, ask them what they were thinking. don’t really care what you think – it’s obvious you don’t have a clue as evidenced by thinking Arkansas is a standard to achieve by.
Alabama Jack
September 27th, 2009
5:28 pm
I see the dawg fans didn’t really clean up their trash, they just moved it to the AJC.
Southside Drug Rep
September 27th, 2009
5:41 pm
I thought I was nice Bama Jim!
Gerry
September 27th, 2009
5:46 pm
Hey andre’ moreau,
I know our team is not playing well! I know the LSU fans will be ready to party and we will welcome them to Athens! Laissez les bon temps roulez!
GO DAWGS!
sogadawg1
September 27th, 2009
5:59 pm
Going back to the Dooley era “in which I lived” can you show me a UGA team that consistently won big? I watched UGA-FL 1980 game on ESPN Classics today. Florida was winless in 79 yet gave the Dawgs all they could handle in 1980. I’d rather have 11 close wins than 7 blowout wins.
SatchelBuzz
September 27th, 2009
6:02 pm
Even ugag fans aren’t happy with what’s going on,….they know it all a house of cards.
THWG!!!
FUHaterz
September 27th, 2009
6:08 pm
Go, go, westerndawg! You speak the truth.
This board is so pathetic. It’s all doom and gloom…after a win!?! It’s crazy. Thanks for calling out some of these posts.
Dogfanjack
September 27th, 2009
6:17 pm
Enter your comments here
1. Every program occasionally has a down year…if this is ours, so be it. We will get better.
2. For you so called “dawg fans” who want CMR fired, WM fired, MB fired……go suck an egg, or better yet jump off the bandwagon and become a Florida fan; I am sick of reading your mindless comments. I will take Mark Richt over any coach in the country and would offer him a lifetime contract if I could.
3. For you real Georgia fans who have been with the team for decades (like me), thanks for the actual sane comments you have blogged in.
WildBill
September 27th, 2009
6:31 pm
My daughter broke over the game film this afternoon. Should I watch it this evening, or have a couple of beers and spare myself the grief?
DawgInLex
September 27th, 2009
6:32 pm
Yellow Fuzz, You’re right. That was me.