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
TS
October 29th, 2009
10:02 am
Winger @ 9:40- I guess by your rationale FL will lose the rest of it’s games this season.
shards1967
October 29th, 2009
10:02 am
UGA has not been a solid football program in many years. Richt had them pointed there early on but with his family illness issues, and other things, he has simply put football back about 3 or 4 spots in his daily thinking and executing of priorities. He believes entirely in that fact that “it is in the hands of the Lord.” NO, it is in the hands of Dr Adams and Mr Damon Evans.
Look at his staff, look at his so called LACK of signature wins, look at their inability to tackle,etc. He was ill prepared when No Show left after only two years of play ( not counting the red shirt year) and had no competent back up running backs. Why??? He had no competent back up Qbs. WHY?? These two shortcomings, coupled with NO D coaches and no big time D players have led us to this point. Many experts now suggest that the um, ah, um “talent” at UGA is lacking and was over rated.
I predict after the upcoming Gator beat down, that UGA players will lay down in every game, like they did in the 2008 Tech game and the season will turn very, very ugly. Then and only then, will changes be forthcoming. Adams and Evans will witness the loss of a competitive attitude among the team and they will implement major changes, that might even include Richt, if he does not ACCEPT THEIR DECISIONS, come December.
UGA class of 71 and 73
gooooooooooooo Dogs!! Sic em!!
Big Earl
October 29th, 2009
10:03 am
Hey Saint Simons… When Tebow stuck it in your mouth could you taste Urban’s but hole.
Will
October 29th, 2009
10:04 am
I am going to say something that is going to shock you guys…..UGA is going to win out this season and go to a major bowl game! You heard it here first folks, we will not only beat the #1 team in the country but we will beat Tech when they are ranked in the top 5 or so. How’s that for signature wins Jeff, you liberal nut-job!
betweenthehedges
October 29th, 2009
10:05 am
in 07, there was a swagger and supremacy about the dawgs. celebrating on the field, coming out in black, punching teams in the mouth; there is no sense of urgency to return to that caliber of play this year. i think Richt was wrong to apologize to meyer,of all people, after the celebration. when is the last time you heard meyer apologize for anything? that scum has no class and might has well wear jean shorts on the sideline saturday.
I'm in the Real World
October 29th, 2009
10:07 am
DAWGS just got confused, they thought they were still at the “World’s Largest Cocktail Party.” Richt called everyone to the endzone by saying, “Drinks on me!”
Lance
October 29th, 2009
10:08 am
Georgia Tech is one of the most average teams ever, in the history of college football. Play in a weak conference, have two 7 games losing streaks to your in state rival since 1991. Can’t believe after a 3 point win last year, they are actually crowing. I guess when you try so hard do beat someone and it finally happens it does that to you. I will be crowing here on Sunday hopefully after a Jacksonville win?
Doug the Jacket
October 29th, 2009
10:11 am
Florida, Georgia, Tennessee – they’re all members of the SEC. And only 1 good team out of the bunch! The run in Athens is over.
The Thin Guy
October 29th, 2009
10:12 am
In order to have a signature win you’d first have to be able to write. The headline stories about the arrests of UGA football players Vince Vance and Vance Cuff illustrate what is wrong with today’s journalism. The nattering nabobs of negativity focus on only negative stories. Thus these two unfortunate UGA players who simply have figured out how to drive are highlighted. There are literally dozens of UGA football players who haven’t been arrested in months. Do they ever make the news? No. UGA doesn’t need a new OC or DC; the most pressing need is for a Driving Coach who can instruct UGA players about steering wheels, engine throttles, brakes, right turns, left turns, backing up, etc. Do hope Coach Richie Rich does well. If he doesn’t whip up on them Gators he could have his commercials switched from Ford F150s to Ford Pintos sold at Cletus’s used car lot in Ducktown, TN. Woof. Woof. Woof.
Todd
October 29th, 2009
10:13 am
A lot of UGAs and other teams problems come down to loyalty. I don’t mean from the fans. Head coaches in general are very loyal to their assistant coaches. This seems like a fine quality to have, but it should be one that is earned. Too many head coaches stay loyal to coordinators too long, especially when they have proven little. Will Muschamp would have come home when Van Gorder left, if he had been asked. Instead let’s promote a position coach left with amazing talent and see what he can do. Will Muschamp was a proven commodity in freakin’ SEC and I don’t think he was even considered.
This loyalty to his assistants is starting to tarnish perception of the head coach. At the season’s end he needs to evaluate all jobs, including his own, and make a decision on whom to keep. Willie Martinez should be out.
Several people blame the players, but players, when prepared properly, play better. See UGA defenses under: Erk Russell and Brian Van Gorder; UF defense under Charlie Strong; UT defense under Will Muschamp. Need I say more?
gdawginkalamazoo
October 29th, 2009
10:15 am
Cuz, good point on the picture. We need a picture that will make us want to like the gators.
LSU lost 5 games last year didn’t they. They had issues. Richt will make our issues go away next year. We know what they are and how to fix them. Plus we won’t be transitioning at any major postisions.
It's been too long since Richt, Dogs have had signature win | Jeff … | Long term care insurance live today
October 29th, 2009
10:15 am
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JB
October 29th, 2009
10:15 am
It’s all in the stats……they are bad……..why would you think this team would wake up, against the number 1 team(sic) in the country. They have the pieces, but the Georgia team is like a jig saw puzzle all over the floor. All the arethere, you just can’t tell what it is. We play tough, but lose say 35 to 17.
TS
October 29th, 2009
10:17 am
betweenthevag- Meyer says he’s sorry for beating you 49-10. He said this week that he should really be a socialist coach and give GA their best players to level out the competition. After all, we should all be first place and get a trophy.
tt
October 29th, 2009
10:21 am
This is a WIN, WIN SITUATION!!!!! If we beat Florida, GREAT!!!! I would love nothing more! And if we lose we may lose two more and have a terrible season…….then changes will HAVE to be made!!!!
SEC Links « The Blog Hawgs
October 29th, 2009
10:25 am
[...] fans yearn for a “signature win” for the 2009 [...]
takedowndawg
October 29th, 2009
10:26 am
I think David Greene and the 2007 team’s win over Auburn at Auburn should be considered a signature game. The momentum was changed that day for the rest of the season. David Greene always made you feel like Georgia was in the game regardless of the score. He would will us back into a game even when he was injured. I appreciated his desire.
King Gator
October 29th, 2009
10:28 am
I hope the Dawgs go “Blackout” for this big game .. that seemed to work well with Bama last year. Georgia has “Varsity” talent and “JV” results most years, but they can dance…Gators prefer to celebrate National Championships over touchdowns; we’ve been to the endzone and the BCS title game a few times. Gators 41 Dawgs 13 – Go Gators!
Georgia Headlines – 10/29/09 | MrSEC.com
October 29th, 2009
10:29 am
[...] Bulldogs have been arrested this month because of this nonsense.3. Jeff Schultz of The AJC says it’s been too long since Richt and the Bulldogs have recorded a “signature” win.4. Receiver AJ Green is [...]
Dan
October 29th, 2009
10:30 am
the only way they have a chance is to come into that game as pumped up as they did in 2007. any team can go down. always depends on who wants it more
Real World
October 29th, 2009
10:32 am
Dawgs thought they were still at the “World’s Largest Cocktail Party!”
richie
October 29th, 2009
10:38 am
What is a big win.Bad calls from the ref.s players leaving early,let the kids play and see what happens……….Ga. Tech Run is going to stop soon.
jason
October 29th, 2009
10:42 am
Look, CMR has done a good job getting UGA to the point where the team’s and the fan’s expectations are at an all time high. I think it is now time to pass the torch. We have been having the same arguement for the past month. The list of excuses is eveything from the staff to the quality of the players. Everythin with the exception of CMR. I have been saying this over and over for the past month that it all lies at the feet of CMR. He picked the staff, he promoted both the OC and DC with no experience to speak of. He set the agenda for Garner to coordinate the recruiting efforts on all these untalented and stupid players ( as some on here have called them). So, tell me please, how does CMR get a free pass here and everyone else from the coaching staff to the players get thrown under the bus. 80 wins and 10 win seasons? 10 win seasons are a joke anyways nowdays when you factor in that the extra games per year UGA plays. CMR has done nothing but stay in neutral since BVG left along with Jim Donnan’s players. Heck, maybe we can bring Donnan back to be Recruiting Coordinator. He could find talent…
UGA ALL THE WAY
October 29th, 2009
10:43 am
Yellow fuzz, a signature loss??? it trips me out how we have beat yall SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO many times and yall have sucked for SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO long that you can bring that up and think its signature ANYTHING… You Tech fans jus make us laugh now, cuz all yall got is a WANNA BE VICK who’s GREAT day passing is goin like 7-17, and runnin the ball hoping to get good blocking. LOL. SEE U N NOVEMBER!!!!
Dawgs73
October 29th, 2009
10:45 am
I would love to see UGA beat FLA, but all that will do is give Richt an excuse to keep his subpar coaching staff in place. He must make changes! I was listening to Buck & Kincaide yesterday and they had FLA beat writer Pat Dooley on, and this was his exact words “the problem with Georgia is their coordinators”!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Most of you will say he doesn’t have enough knowledge to make that assessment, but he was very insightful. He made a lot of good, solid points and basically stated facts. If it’s this obvious to almost everyone, why isn’t this obvious to Mark Richt?
jason
October 29th, 2009
10:45 am
Actually the signature loss was to UA last year. Exposed UGA for being an underprepared team, and nothing has changed since.
takedowndawg
October 29th, 2009
10:49 am
Jason, your comments are well taken. This game Saturday is a critical game as is the Tech game at years end in considering the direction of our program. I hate losing to Florida but I hate worst overlooking a couple of incompetent coaches and continuing in mediocrity. Can you imagine Frank Beamer(VA Tech) and his staff with our recruits and current players? Look what they get done year in and year out with 1-3 star recruits. Enough said.
Tech sucks
October 29th, 2009
10:53 am
Yeah Urban is a total weasel. He cried about the celebration like someone killed one of his family members and then referred to himself in the 3rd person like a freaking idiot.
I’m glad all our players remember the bush league timeouts he called last year. A.J. Green is going to shove them down his throat.
Tech sucks
October 29th, 2009
10:53 am
Yeah it is pretty funny how many Tech fans flaunt that huge THREE point win after losing 7 straight years to UGA.
It’s just a sad indication of the state of their program.
JB
October 29th, 2009
10:56 am
I would love to win Saturday. What a payback to Meyer. But a blowout would insure one thing. Mrs. Martinez heading to the liquor store. not for drinks, but boxes !
MattDawg
October 29th, 2009
10:57 am
Florida is playing not to lose. We need to play like we have nothing to lose, because frankley right now we dont have anything to lose. I hope the coaches realize that and pull out all the stops. Why not? I mean everyone expect us to lose the game anyway, why not go all out doing it?
BRR
October 29th, 2009
11:00 am
Once again, Yellow Fuzz can’t stay off the UGA blogs! LOVE IT! A little obsessed, aren’t ya??
Who do the mighty Jackets have on their schedule this week? Yet another weak ACC team I’m sure.
Urban
October 29th, 2009
11:00 am
Dammit Urban is still all ette up about that dang endzone dance. Urban’s thinking about getting Tebow to dance when he breaks my former hero’s TD record. Dammn the 15 yards let the Tebow dance. I have got to find something other than those sissy timeouts to do. Timeouts? What was I thinking? Rub it in real good 49-10 dang it I just should have gone for half a hundred instead. Oh well maybe this week we do the half a hundred and leave it at that.
Saint Tebow
October 29th, 2009
11:01 am
after the game on saturday, tim tebow will circumcise 5 newborn filipino boys and then ascend into heaven.
BANDITDAWGG
October 29th, 2009
11:03 am
Establish a running game and georgia just might have chance. A week off does get everybody healthy. But if georgia cannot get over 100 yards rushing it going to be a very long day. Good luck dawggs get junkyard nasty and kick some gator tail.
Dawg
October 29th, 2009
11:04 am
The only upside to losing this week would be that maybe we’d get rid of some coaches that need to be gone! On another note, where have all these Tech fans come from?? They have a big win and all of a sudden there are Nerd flags on every other car? Typical fair weather fans. Too bad they STILL can’t sell out a home game in their teeny tiny stadium. Win or lose, Dawg fans are loyal. Can’t say the same thing about Tech “fans”. I will, however, give them credit for one thing… at least every bumper sticker they put on their car isn’t the size of the entire windshield, unlike those cheesy Gators.
Reality
October 29th, 2009
11:05 am
A REAL indication of where you program stands is being an underdog to Florida for 13-14 of the past 20 years, spanning 3 different coaching regime. Not to mention a 19 point underdog this year. So where does the UGA program stand?
Dawg
October 29th, 2009
11:06 am
I agree with the comments about David Greene getting the team pumped up and being a real leader. We haven’t had any leaders since him, Thomas Davis, David Pollack, etc. That, along with coaching, is a HUGE problem. When you see coaches on the sidelines who NEVER show emotion–on good or bad plays, it filters on to the players, as well as the fans. If the coaches can’t even get pumped up, who can expect the players to? I am a huge Mark Richt supporter and always have been, but it would be nice if he’d act like he cares.
Otto
October 29th, 2009
11:06 am
Shards, when you say implement major changes it sounds like demanding replacement of the DC, OC etc. I would argue that forced coaches changes only produce a very temporary change and in the long run create division in the coaching staff. Auburn, and UT last year are 2 exapmles with FSU and Jimbo being another. If you have to demand change IMO start over and get a new staff that can work together.
ST
October 29th, 2009
11:09 am
The SEC is too strong… 10 win seasons are NOT okay anymore, unless you’re in the Big Ten (overrated, as alwasy–USC and Ohio State), or the weak ACC.
Georgia is next
October 29th, 2009
11:12 am
No signature win this week, Georgia Tech would be a signature win this year though.
Scottie
October 29th, 2009
11:15 am
I love all of these Bama fans bragging about their national championships and SEC titles. When was the last time you had an SEC title…20 years?
Kendawg
October 29th, 2009
11:18 am
When’s the last time GA TECH has played in a BCS bowl?
JB
October 29th, 2009
11:18 am
If Dawgs are to win Saturday;
1. play entire 60 minutes with high energy and emotion.
2. play mistake free football.
3. Make Gators start at 20 yard line or less everytime
4. play 8 in the box, disrupt what Tebow does so well, which is rush for 5-10 yards on every broken play.
5. OPEN UP THE DAMN PLAY BOOK and BLOCK.
6. Want it more than them.
One tin soldier rides away
October 29th, 2009
11:19 am
Good luck to Tech, and I hope they win them all until our game. I don’t know why you Tecies come on here, but if it makes you feel good so be it. Signature wins, I think the LSU game was a signature win last year, becuase it marks how we won all of our games except the bowl game. Sloppy play, No defense, no running game, great punting, great kicking, no coverage.
Jeff Schultz, you may want to check this Big Earl as he obviously is violating your decency policy.
Here is my prediction, the stands will be 2/3 gator fans. The officials will be extra nice to UGA. It might rain. Ga Def will handle the Gators if UGA keeps the ball for at least 13 minutes of the first half. It could get ugly. UGA wins by 9. Vandy gives Tech all they can handle for a while, and then Tech will pull away for a big win.
If by some rare twist of fate, my prediction for the Cocktail Party does not play out, then let’s play a new QB for the rest of the year. Nashville could be nice over the Holidays.
Taylor
October 29th, 2009
11:22 am
kendawg the answer is never! but don’t worry I am sure some tech loser will come on here bragging about their shared 1990 national title. Tech has not had 10 wins in 10+ years. LOL LOL
midnite
October 29th, 2009
11:27 am
Tewbow has strong legs from doing all those keg squats.
Not Disappointed
October 29th, 2009
11:29 am
Just win! The signature win will come.
Ramblin Wreck!
OMG
October 29th, 2009
11:29 am
not a fan of SEC or ACC just live in Atlanta, but I have to tell you GA fans, you have bragged on here for years and walked around like you all had crowns on your heads and now making fun at Tech people for beating you guys by 3 at Sanford last season. Think they have a right to celebrate that, picked as underdogs and coming back in the 3rd quarter ..all this with a first yr coach..what is really funny though is the UGA fans arrogance, I mean what have you done since 1980 with all that top 10 recruiting talent, nothing thats what..coming up short for 29 years
Yellow Fuzz
October 29th, 2009
11:30 am
Big time?? Not,
“Four tickets, four hot dogs, four cokes”
Lol. Don’t they teach Marketing at georgia?
You sell four tickets for let’s say $40.00
Four seat rental probably costs you about .20 cents
Four fountain Cokes only cost you about .40
Four hot dogs cost you about .15
You make $40.00 for the cost of .75 cents
It’s a win-win.
Only a georgia alum could not see the value in this COKE ZERO promotion that the following people have also used multiple times during this economy to enable more families to attend more games.
University of Alabama Football
West Virginia Football
Indiana Football
Oklahoma Sooners Football
University Cincinnati Football
Houston Astros
Atlanta Braves
Arizona Diamondbacks
Detroit Red Wings Hockey
UC Santa Barbara Basketball
Colorado Rapids Major League Soccer
Lowes Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway
In my opinion, I think it’s a lot better than just sticking it to your alumni in one lump sum the following season.