It’s been too long since Richt, Dogs have had signature win
This isn't the last time Mark Richt celebrated, but it might be the last time a celebration really meant something in the big picture. The game? Two years ago against Florida. (AJC photo)
Two years ago, Georgia made news with a team-wide celebration in the end zone. In retrospect, maybe the team should’ve pitched a tent there. The program hasn’t had a signature win since.
“I’m trying to think,” Mark Richt said Wednesday night. “Did we win any big ones last year?” And then he laughed, that little oh-jeez, has-it-been-that-long, kind of laugh.
It hasn’t been an easy season for Richt. The Bulldogs are 4-3. They’re given little chance of upsetting No. 1 ranked Florida. Bowl prospects include words like “Independence” and “Liberty,” which would be fine if this was something minor like a revolution, not college football in the S0uth.
Georgia still has five games left in the regular season, but it’s fighting a perception problem. Teams are defined, to some degree, by “signature” wins. Within the SEC, the Dogs have come up dry since beating Florida in 2007. They are 9-4 in conference games since the start of last season, and those nine wins have come over (in order): South Carolina, Tennessee, Vanderbilt, LSU, Kentucky, Auburn, South Carolina (again), Arkansas and Vanderbilt (again). The LSU win looked big at the time, but the Tigers went on to finish only 3-5 in the conference. In fact, every win came over a team that finished with a losing or .500 record in the SEC, save the current South Carolina team (which is 3-2).
Tim Tebow and Urban Meyer got their revenge against Georgia last season (AJC photo)
Meanwhile, the four losses came to Florida (7-1), Alabama (8-1), LSU (4-1) and Tennessee (1-3).
Fans cling to hope, and perception feeds into that hope. But when the mind has to travel too far back to think of a high point, hope deteriorates. Beating Vanderbilt a week ago after getting whacked by Tennessee didn’t build hope. All that did was prevent Butts-Mehre from being turned into the Russian front.
Georgia needs a win over Florida because the program has done nothing to affirm it belongs with the conference elite since that day in Jacksonville two years ago. There is no opponent left on the schedule, Georgia Tech included, that could send out such a positive signal.
Asked if he believes in the “signature” win concept Richt said, “I don’t think you can talk about them prior to any game. I think you can look back and say, ‘That was a signature win.’ Usually a signature win is a win that propels you into something very meaningful as far as a championship, or maybe helps define your problem. When we beat Auburn and that got us into the SEC championship game [in 2002] for the first time ever, that was a signature victory. But I don’t know if you can say when you’re 4-3 and you get a win, it’s a signature win.”
When asked what he felt was Georgia’s last signature win, Richt said, “I’d have to think about that. What do you think?” Told Florida, he responded, “Yeah, that was a big game. That helped propel us into a streak where we ended up finishing No. 2 in the AP.”
He referenced a win at Alabama in 2007. He even referenced a last-second desperation win at Vanderbilt a few weeks later because it stopped the bleeding following a loss to Tennessee, set up a seven-win finishing kick and the enabled the Bulldogs to end at 11-2.
Similarly, one huge upset Saturday changes a lot. “It could erase a lot of negativity,” defensive end Demarcus Dobbs said. “We’re pretty much down in the hole.”
What was Georgia’s last big win? “To me, it’s Florida,” he said. “A lot of people would probably look at beating an undefeated Hawaii team in the Sugar Bowl. But to me, it’s Florida.”
Two years ago, they had a dog pile in the end zone. Some thought that was a problem. Turns out, that was the high point.
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357 comments Add your comment
Willie Martinez
October 29th, 2009
8:50 am
One more thing: It was Vance that got suspended, not Vince. But both Vince and Vance will advance to Jacksonville this weekend to help the Dogs evince a victory over the Gators. They’re not invincible, after all.
Big time?? Not
October 29th, 2009
8:51 am
Four tickets, four hot dogs, four cokes
PDawg
October 29th, 2009
8:52 am
The Vince/Vance/Cuff thing reminds me of the old Carson skit about Claude Cooper of Cleveland, the cleptomaniac who copped the copper clappers. Cuff of and book em.
PDawg
October 29th, 2009
8:53 am
The Vince/Vance/Cuff thing reminds me of the old Carson skit about Claude Cooper of Cleveland, the cleptomaniac who copped the copper clappers. Cuff em and book em.
Mutts R Stupid
October 29th, 2009
8:55 am
Richt – “I am trying to think” – Was he pounding the side of his head as a thinking aide? Both the coaches and the players are sooo slooow at UGAY.
Bubba
October 29th, 2009
8:55 am
I had forgotten about Claude Cooper of Cleveland! Hilarious skit.
Dave
October 29th, 2009
8:57 am
Well there was that win this year over then ranked number 4 LSU – wait oh yeah, that win was nullified by the officials.
DawgFan
October 29th, 2009
9:00 am
NY Dawg, you are right on. The D must bring the heat. They need to be aggressive and blitz, blitz and blitz some more. And get the ball to AJ Green any way possible. Go Dawgs!
David
October 29th, 2009
9:02 am
Richt shouldn’t have ever had his team rush the Florida end zone. Florida and the rest of the nation will never forget it. He may say it won the Florida game, but it had long term ramifications. One of the most classless things he ever did. And that is a shame. He really is a nice guy.
Bud Flu
October 29th, 2009
9:03 am
UGA needs to do the research….and has to act immediately to bring in a good coach at the end of the year. If they don’t capitalize on the talent that is already here, UGA could see a major decline (worse than it already is), for years to come.
Jack
October 29th, 2009
9:03 am
All I know is Tebow will be a Mechanic next year and not playing football. Go Dawgs!
Eric
October 29th, 2009
9:04 am
You tell ‘em about it, ED. I’d say you’re more informed about bammer than 99.999 percent of their fans. Most of them don’t even know where Tuscaloosa is. I’m very impressed with your post.
DawgFan
October 29th, 2009
9:05 am
Yellowfuzz, is that what you have on your chin or your b@lls? Because you must be 13 years old.
Curious George
October 29th, 2009
9:06 am
I heard Vince Dooley was arrested for driving without a license!!!
Nativebird
October 29th, 2009
9:06 am
Georgia continues to wring-hands over this supposed big rivalry with Florida. It’d be a shame to tell the Dawg fans that us Gator’s consider Fl State to be our biggest rivalry.
Destin Sports
October 29th, 2009
9:07 am
Jealous Ed deserves a new pocket protector after that fictitious research…
Doc Holliday
October 29th, 2009
9:09 am
The only signature win for the fans will be the firing of Martinez, Bobo, and Fabris.
Yellow Whiz
October 29th, 2009
9:12 am
Anybody seen the latest Vince Vaughn movie?
Iceman
October 29th, 2009
9:12 am
Auburn 2007, LSU 2008 = big wins
Tommy Nobis
October 29th, 2009
9:13 am
Willie, LMAO! Now that was funny!
One thing that will cure most of the ills is a defense. That is where starts and ends in the SEC and where most of our “signature” losses have occurred. Richt will get it straightened out in the off season and all that talent we have will finally be put to good use. We have the talent to run with anybody in the country we just need somebody to motivate it.
gdawginkalamazoo
October 29th, 2009
9:18 am
Really it has been a while. But you know what I still a dawg fan and always will be. A defense will get things back on track and we have the talent to play lights out. The correct adjustments by Richt in the off season and things will be popping again next year. Go dawgs!
DawgFan
October 29th, 2009
9:19 am
Tommy Nobis
Why don’t you just shut your damned mouth.
Steeler5812
October 29th, 2009
9:19 am
Let me throw out a better question. When was the last time that coaching actually won a game for UGA. I’m a Dawg fan and have been for life but their has been too much KoolAde drinking over the last several years. The poor play calling is nothing new and goes back well beyond Bobo. I ask you to list the signature wins, not just in the last two years but in his entire tenure. They are not there.
How about a signature loss? Go back to the Florida loss in 2002. Georgia was unbeaten, David Greene was in a rhythm, and they were up in the game. The always stubborn Richt brings Shockley in and the game is given away. Greene never finds that rhythm again and Shockley throws a stupid interception that’s returned for a touchdown. Richt’s stubborness cost them the game and, I will contend, a chance to play in a BCS championship. It’s the same stubborness that resulted in another year of a Willie Martinez-lead defense.
THIS IS NOTHING NEW! It’s been going on throughout his time at Georgia. Top tier SEC teams don’t struggle yearly against SC, Vandy and KY. It may happen occasionally but not year-in and year-out. It’s happened year-in and year-out at UGA. I love the Dawgs but it’s time to call a spade, a spade. Being a wonderful Christian man, or even a great assistant coach, does not make you a great head coach.
Mitch
October 29th, 2009
9:26 am
I don’t believe it there is actually a picture of CMR showing more emotion than usual funeral home director look he gives on Saturday’s.
I know why CMR is showing emotion in the above picture Willie made a defensive half time adjustment that actually worked. I am sorry that is not it. Willie does not make any half time adjustments.
Dawg Fan 74
October 29th, 2009
9:27 am
After the Dawgs kick Florida on Saturday, I hope all of you whiners just shut-up!
Otto
October 29th, 2009
9:28 am
It is kind of funny that Tech fans say GT was a signature loss but Schultz points out a win over GT would not be a signature win. ….and whats even funnier is the Tech fans are gloating about it.
Saint Simons
October 29th, 2009
9:28 am
Florida 77 uga 0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At halftime!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GatorGurl
October 29th, 2009
9:29 am
I’m not going into this game with any preconceived notion that we are going to walk away with a win. Sadly enough, even tho we have won the last few games, the games themselves were played like we were right out of highschool. Way too many mistakes that could have totally been avoided. I mean, even Miss ran that beautiful play (where the true freshman caught the pass from Tebow in our endzone and ran it 100 yards for a touchdown) but we still recovered to win. I don’t care what team you are a fan of, that was a kick a** play!. I hope our boys will take this game seriously, and show everyone what they CAN do! Go Gators!
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2009
9:30 am
Joe Taxpayer – Yeah, Buck’s not into criticizing UGA a lot, not surprisingly. Kincade balances it out.
SauteeDawg – I count signature wins as a game everybody can remember for the impact it had (how ever you define impact). For me, the Florida game qualifies.
Yellow Fuzz – It just wouldn’t be a blog without you.
Myers – Try decaf.
2N4YEARS
October 29th, 2009
9:30 am
1-7
Now, Yellow that.
tchance
October 29th, 2009
9:30 am
BamaStan, you are a rarity. A Bama fan with no class. Your Tide has been getting their butts kicked since the last championship in ‘92 and just like that idiot yellow fuzz, a mediocre 1 1/2 year run of decent football and your both talking trash like your programs have been dominant. Both of you may want to check your records against the Dawgs the past 15 years and after you have that run, then fire off with smack, until then, for Gods sake, don’t let a little thing like facts get in the way….morons!!
Jeff Schultz
October 29th, 2009
9:33 am
Everybody gets 1 warning:
— No profanity (not even cleverly disguised with asterisks)
— No race debate (not even, ‘you’re a racist’ or ‘he’s a racist.’)
— No crude innuendo.
Zero tolerance.
That is all.
JS
Tom
October 29th, 2009
9:39 am
Can they just play the game already so we can skip this will they-won’t they and get right to the postmortem?
Michael Stipe – is that really you? Wow. Loved Lifes Rich Pageant, dude.
I expect the game to be kinda close, actually. For awhile. But Georgia just hasn’t done anything all year to suggest they’re going to make the plays needed to beat Florida.
Florida’s recent close calls actually work against the Bulldogs. The Gators are angry, have a chip on their collective shoulder, and looky who’s next? Why, an underperforming Georgia team that they mostly own. A good victim to take out their frustrations upon.
Tebow – 16/23, 229, 2 TD, 1 INT (deflection, early, gets UGa hopped up) + 10 carries, 45yds, 2 TD.
Florida 28
Georgia 13
Winger
October 29th, 2009
9:40 am
I’m a Tech fan. I see UGA beating UF because nobody, including UF, believes they can.
Taylor
October 29th, 2009
9:41 am
yellow fuzz who is lindale scott?
JP
October 29th, 2009
9:45 am
Uh, what about Auburn ‘07 (Blackout Game) and the Hawaii Sugar Bowl? In the Sugar Bowl, the only way Georgia “wins” is to completely dominate the game, a 10 point win wouldn’t have been enough, and they did. That win was enough to earn a #1 ranking the next season, I’d call that signature.
Yellow Whiz
October 29th, 2009
9:47 am
Jeff, are Vince jokes allowed?
Cuz
October 29th, 2009
9:47 am
Jeff, I could have done without the Tebow-Meyer pic. Couldn’t you have found some hot babe or a gratuitous Erin Andrews pic. You’re slipping.
Boogie
October 29th, 2009
9:48 am
Shultz,
Is it ok if I call Yellow Fuzz a tool? Hey fuzz, I think you should be more concerned that your joke of a program has far less ACC titles than even Duke!!! Two in 56 years, when the ACC has proven to be one of the weaker conferences, year in and year out, is downright laughable.
dawgit
October 29th, 2009
9:50 am
Hey fuzz, even this year when UGA is down and GT is up, UGA will probably still beat the bugs.
secondguesser
October 29th, 2009
9:51 am
Even as a Gator fan, I’m crying right now after reading Willie!!! That was funny!
uberVU - social comments
October 29th, 2009
9:51 am
Social comments and analytics for this post…
This post was mentioned on Twitter by Carrie Plescan: It’s been too long since Richt, Dogs have had signature win – Atlanta Journal Constitution: Atlanta Journal Con.. http://bit.ly/25VH6N…
PMC
October 29th, 2009
9:52 am
Bowl games have become totally and completely worthless. Sad time in college football that we no longer even get good compelling bowl matchups…. it’s just an end of season hollow money grab with nothing to play for in the bowl games the players don’t even play hard.
For Georgia to maintain any modicum of success they are going to have to have some consistancy with QB’s both lines of scrimmage and they are going to have to play with fire and passion within the rules. I have no idea what could lead them into success… I know they have plenty of talented players but they do not seem to have the right ingredients toegther playing this kind of schedule is a good thing but they have to be ready to accept the challenge… this team wasn’t.
Yellow Whiz
October 29th, 2009
9:52 am
I can’t wait till the Georgia Game. Fred Dryer and Marcus Allen are going to run wild!!
shoe horn
October 29th, 2009
9:57 am
joe taxpayer and shultzie,
Buck is a homer, obviously, but he’s still fair with his criticism of the program, but yes, he does seem to shy away from offering any serious solutions to the problems. Kincade is a yankee carpetbagger (as Buck calls him) that for whatever reason, has a hair up his a$$ with UGA and takes much delight in their losses. Personally, I think this disdain for UGA from Kincade comes from one of several possibilities.
A. He probably got his little gnome self beatdown for popping off to a UGA fan while in a drunken stupor.
B. He probably got his little gnome self beatdown when a UGA fan made fun of a short, middle-aged, white haired troll wearing a football ,or baseball, jersey in public like he’s a child.
C. His wife probably has a crush on Richt.
I’m sure there are more probable scenario as well, but those are just my guesses.
liz boy
October 29th, 2009
9:57 am
You cant win big games with no power running in the SEC—look at Florida—why do they win—-they run the ball—-it cannot get an more basic than that—————-hellllllloooooooo!!!!!!
PMC
October 29th, 2009
9:58 am
Teams on top do not ever go into games expecting to lose. They have confidence in thier abilities even when down. I’m not sure when the last time we saw that from Georgia…. perhaps the Hawaii game…but that was a horrific mismatch and the world knew it…. well everyone outside of the Fox broadcast booth anyway.
Spurrier (pre NFL disaster), Saban, Meyer, Belichick and Paul Johnson etc. all exude confidence and some brevado borderline arrogance. Pete Carroll has some of that too though he dosen’t show it in the same way. If Georgia is going to win consistantly they need to get something of that fashion from Mark Richt.
Alabama Jack
October 29th, 2009
9:59 am
“Jacksonville officials have tried to downplay the game’s image as the “World’s Largest Outdoor Cocktail Party,” but the reality is that some fans still drink too much before, during and after the game.
So the city is sponsoring five “sideline safety zones” outside the stadium where fans can get help — any kind of help. The zones will be stocked with cell phone chargers, water, coffee, snacks and such. Sideline safety zone volunteers will help people find lost friends, a taxi or a hotel, and medical personnel will be there to tend to health issues.
City officials say the zones are also open to those who have had a little too much to drink and need to rest.”
A sad commentary on the fans of both schools.
Where's my crack pipe?
October 29th, 2009
10:00 am
The ONLY signature I am looking forward to is Richts signature on Willie’s pink slip!
Bud
October 29th, 2009
10:00 am
Hey Saint Simons.. Just remember to hold it in your mouth till the swelling goes down after the game.