Georgia loses to Kentucky, and the song stays the same
This is the picture? Do you really need to know more? An interception by Kentucky's Shane McCord of a Joe Cox pass set up the Wildcats' winning touchdown in a 34-27 upset of the Dogs.
ATHENS — They got bruised in Stillwater, blindsided in Knoxville and humbled in Jacksonville. Also, their dog died.
Nobody intended for Georgia’s season to unfold like a country-western song. It just sort of turned out that way.
So what were the objectives Saturday night? Easy. To create a memory for seniors who were playing their final game in Sanford Stadium. To diminish chances of the season ending in Shreveport. To look convincing enough in a win over Kentucky — whose 6-4 record entering the night mirrored Georgia’s — that the Bulldogs’ somewhat jaded fan base would start salivating over a possible upset next week on North Ave.
They whiffed.
With representatives from the Independence and Liberty Bowls in attendance, the Bulldogs held a 20-6 halftime lead over Kentucky, then unraveled like they have far too often. They committed four second-half turnovers. The Wildcats scored four touchdowns. Georgia went down, 34-27, in its final home game of the season, and it’s just as well because there probably are not a lot of folks around Athens who wanted to be subjected to another game this season, anyway.
Mark Richt is going to have a chore trying to keep his players pumped up after this one.
Most fans in the students section wore black. At this point, we can’t be certain if they were mourning the sudden loss of Uga VII, or the passing of significant bowl game hopes.
The Dogs just lost a home game to Kentucky for the first time in 32 years. Their record is now 6-5. It’s the most losses ever for a Mark Richt team. They would need to upset Georgia Tech and win whatever low-grade bowl game that takes them just to match Richt’s all-time low win total at Georgia in 2001 (final record: 8-4).
By any measure, it has been a dreadful season.
This won’t make things any easier for Richt. He has been fielding questions about the future of the program and what changes he might make, both in direction and his coaching staff. All this has been going with games still left in the season. Richt has been trying to lay out some tangible goals for his players –one of them was to close the season with five straight wins, which would have led to a respectable final record of 9-4.
Last week, the Dogs responded with a win over Auburn in possibly the team’s best performance of the year. But this was one of their worst — at least the second half was.
It looked like it might be an easy night. Four straight scoring possessions (two touchdowns, two field goals) to close the first half gave the Bulldogs a 20-6 lead. But if you throw out the Tennessee Tech game, do you know how many easy games this team has had this season? Zero. What could not have been predictable was a complete collapse.
It started when Branden Smith fumbled the second-half kickoff return. That set up one Kentucky touchdown. Joe Cox connected with Rantavious Wooten for a 43-yard touchdown to restore the Dogs’ 14-point lead at 27-13. But no lead has been safe with Georgia’s defense, not even against pedestrian teams like Kentucky. It’s why defensive coordinator Willie Martinez may have coached his final game in Athens, at least as the defensive coordinator.
The defense did nothing to help secure Martinez’s future. Late in the third quarter, the Wildcats closed to 27-20 when quarterback Morgan Newton hit La’Rod King for a 21-yard score. Early in the fourth, tailback Derrick Locke got behind the defense down the left sideline, snared a pass from Newton and blasted off for a 60-yard touchdown, tying the game.
Instead of responding with a score, Georgia responded with a meltdown. On the ensuing drive, Cox threw a pass over the middle right to defensive tackle Shane McCord. That set up the Cats at the Dogs’ 8-yard-line and led to Randall Cobb’s second TD of the game and a 34-27 Kentucky lead.
The meltdown was soon complete: While driving for a would-be tying score, Washaun Ealey fumbled a pitch at Kentucky’s one-yard line with 2:21 left. Another possession ended with an inteception. Checkmate.
This was not how Georgia expected its final home game to go. But it also didn’t expect the losses to Oklahoma State and Tennessee and so many other messes this season. The song never changed.
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1,377 comments Add your comment
Peachtree John
November 22nd, 2009
8:08 am
If the coaching staff can’t recognize a high school quarterback by now, the entire staff needs to be replaced. Joe had a great high school record, but that does not translate into a fair SEC quarterback. He should have transferred to a prep school 4 years ago.
Hopefully, one of the freshman quarterbacks will play the last game of the year next week. At least he could get some experience for next year. We saw some hope with other skill positions.
New offensive coaches, new defensive coaches, new QB, and possibly by 2011, the Dawgs will be back on track……if the head coach will put some emotion into the game.
Still waiting to see some inovation within the Dawg team.
Ben
November 22nd, 2009
8:08 am
The only one you can’t blame in this one is UGA VII
verge
November 22nd, 2009
8:09 am
and conservative white male. Give us a break on that mess about CMR making these kids respectfull. Have you read the paper lately or every year? Please tell me you are joking!
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
8:10 am
Conservative White Male
I believe what you say about Richt, but they have so many thug like penalties and to laugh about them…someone is not doing something right..but I too believe he is a great guy
SeanM
November 22nd, 2009
8:11 am
I love how Tech has one good season and the fans are so proud of themselves. Just reading their weak posts on this board reminds me of why I hate those geeks.
Keep running your traps…..take advantage now because it will not last.
verge
November 22nd, 2009
8:14 am
Ron Zook was a great guy, so was Ty Willingham when he was at the great N.D. This list could go on and on. I bet the guy at WKU was a great guy. Bobby Bowden is a great guy and look how the game has passed him by.
Football Fan
November 22nd, 2009
8:16 am
Tech fans are hilarious. They are awful every year, then they have a flash in the pan good stretch while Georgia is in a lull and they try to make up for lost time with their trash talking. Notre Dame has a large purse.
verge
November 22nd, 2009
8:16 am
Enter your comments here
Golden Tornado
November 22nd, 2009
8:17 am
Amid all this confusion, I still say, Watch out, Georgia Tech! They’re going to be frustrated and furious, like a cornered dog! Be ready for them!
Kennesaw Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
8:17 am
SouthCarlolinaJacket….you are right. I am thankful for one thing….that UGA VII, Erk, and Lewis Grizzard did not have to witness this game.
greg
November 22nd, 2009
8:18 am
Man its amazing how far Georgia has fallen. Only Vanderbilt is worse in the SEC East.
verge
November 22nd, 2009
8:18 am
SeanM, this might be the upset of the week. UGA over Tech.
Hmmmmm
November 22nd, 2009
8:19 am
I agree with Reality. The Defense quit at the end. There is no life in the team. I never thought I would see that. Even Donnan’s teams tried hard to the end.
Dawg Bone
November 22nd, 2009
8:19 am
The dawgs will regroup and upset the jackets—mark it down! Ga Tech is overrated!!!!! Ga 30 Tech 26 The SEC rules baby!!!
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
8:20 am
verge
how many times you gotta say it before you actually believe it
JoD
November 22nd, 2009
8:22 am
Dawg Bone
November 22nd, 2009
8:19 am
The dawgs will regroup and upset the jackets—mark it down! Ga Tech is overrated!!!!! Ga 30 Tech 26 The SEC rules baby!!!
———————————-
Bwahahahahaaha, I cant stop laughing at these UGA fans. Can you say delusional fan base.Too funny. Still riding the whole sec coattail thing I see.
verge
November 22nd, 2009
8:23 am
revwreck, this might be the one. I know Tech is having a good year, but this one is going to be like a backyard fight. Tech should get them while they can. UGA won’t be down long, and Tech knows it! Watch out! Waiting to see this one!
mooret05
November 22nd, 2009
8:24 am
GA Tech fans need to STFU! Over the last 7 years UGA has won 2 SEC Championships and 4 BCS Bowl games… WTF has GA Tech done?
GT Grad 84
November 22nd, 2009
8:25 am
UGA: Where is the Sanford Drive dude? I told ya your team sucked and you would be 6-5 coming to Atlanta and 6-6 after leaving Atlanta, but you just wouldn’t listen. Your team, fan base and school is a joke. Your lucky if you go to the Weedeater bowl. I wish you the best of luck. Get ready for the highschool triple option that GT runs, which most of the avid DAWG fans were saying wouldn’t work. However, we are 10-1, 7th in the nation and are going to romp your team into oblivion. GT rolls on the 28th. THWG! By the way, Joe Cox suxs!
HH
November 22nd, 2009
8:25 am
The loss should not surprise any UGA fan. The best coach with the best assistants won. Nothing more need be said about that.
I have said in the past that Richt was overcompensated and overrated, and nothing that has happened this season has caused me to change my opinion or to even remotely reconsider it.
If Richt is not forced to make significant changes to his staff following the season, one can expect more of the same. Bobo and Martinez need to go and SEC caliber coordinators brought in with assistants of their own choosing.
To change the subject. Since I turned the TV off after Cox’ last fumble, did Richt and Martinez hug one another?
Tim Butler
November 22nd, 2009
8:26 am
God I thought losing UConn was bad but I feel better when the Dawgs lost to the Cats…..Thanks
JoD
November 22nd, 2009
8:26 am
mooret05, those days are over with. UGA is not and never was a power house. The fall of Rome is almost complete!
Mutts R Stupid
November 22nd, 2009
8:27 am
He He Ha Ha, ROFLOL
Gen Neyland
November 22nd, 2009
8:27 am
I understand the frustration but it boils down to two factors for UGA in 2009. Turnover ratio and killer penalties.
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
8:28 am
have you guys seen a Tech game at all. If one of our guys get a 15yd penalty CPJ is all in his grill. Your guys laugh and CMR didnt go near them. Give me the heart of Nesbitt any day over Cox’s so called ability to throw the long pass…Reggie ball was also an athelete but no QB
Mutts R Stupid
November 22nd, 2009
8:29 am
Ugah has request immediate reburial elsewhere, this place stinks of LOSERS. Fire Marks Rectum
War Jacket
November 22nd, 2009
8:29 am
I didn’t get a chance to see the GA game last night. This morning I checked out College Football Game Day Final on ESPN to see the highlights. Georgia is so bad now, CFGD didn’t even mention the game. Shows how irrelevant Georgia football has become, and rightfully so. One measley championship in 100+ years of playing football. What a joke.
verge
November 22nd, 2009
8:29 am
HH, i agree with you about CMR being overcompensated and rated!
MUTT H8tER
November 22nd, 2009
8:30 am
F U mutts.
Gawd Awful
November 22nd, 2009
8:30 am
With an average SAT score under 800, does anyone really expect these Tech rejects in Athens to be able to comprehend the game’s fundamentals? Next year should be even more shameful in Dogville. The only disappointment is that the next game won’t have the eager anticipation it has had in the past. During years when the Bullpuppies had a decent team, and the Jackets were not favored, one still expected a close match up. TECH 45 – UGA (is dead!) 10.
Terd Furgeson
November 22nd, 2009
8:30 am
Hate to say it, but maybe this was for the best. This is our chance to get Willie Martinez’s sorry azz out of here. While you’re at it, send off BoBo the Clown, and Charlie Brown Cox as well. In my 20 years of watching the Dawgs, next to Quincy Carter, Cox has to be the worst QB I’ve ever seen.
Man up Martinez, and resign and save yourself the humiliation of next week’s beatdown we’re going to be getting.
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
8:31 am
verge
I never fool myself. I have been a Tech fan a long time…down deep I am always worried about UGA…i am no bandwagon guy, I have seen our pass defense, and dont like it
GT Grad 84
November 22nd, 2009
8:31 am
moooret05: Hey mooreboy: Admit it, UGAG sucks, as does your city, fan base and team. I mean, your fans were leaving with 2 minutes left and yelling at your players. Now, that is classy. GT has accomplished much more that UGA. First, our NC was in 1990 and we have 4 of them. UGA’s last one was in the 80’s. Herschel is gone and King isn’t a replacement. Also, we continue to beat SEC teams, which according to all the UGA fans is the best football conference in the land. You take UF, ALA, LSU and Ole Miss out of the picture and the remaining 8 teams are either mediocre, or they suck. Can’t wait to kick your redneck azzes on the 28th. GT will run all over your sorry D. We will put at least 50 points on your team and you will be lucky to score 14. All of your fans will be leaving by half time. However, please ask them to take their garbage with them when they leave. Nothing better than watching all the UGA fans last night in the stands with the hands in their heads sobbing about the KY Jelly game. See you after Turkey Day. THWG!
G8TR
November 22nd, 2009
8:32 am
After watching the Dogs lose to the Cats last night, I recalled what Coach Spurrier said about UGA way back in 1991: “”Why is it that during recruiting season they sign all the great players, but when it comes time to play the game, we have all the great players? I don’t understand that. What happens to them?” Still true in 2009.
GameTime
November 22nd, 2009
8:32 am
Tech fan here — am embarassed by other Tech fans who feel the need to talk smack on this site (just like I think UGA fans are classless when they do the same on the Tech site). Show some class Tech fans. I want to beat UGA more than most but there’s no need for derogatory, classless coments. As a former competitor I know how hard players try and how difficult it can be. This morning, I feel for Joe Cox. He seems like a good kid who has given it his all for UGA. Sorry he had such a bad night in his last game at Sanford Stadium.
See you next weekend. Go Jackets!!
Coach Richt
November 22nd, 2009
8:34 am
Keep your poise. Remain calm. Everything will be ok.
verge
November 22nd, 2009
8:34 am
revwreck, it should be a good one. Good luck. Tech deserve to win based on the year Tech has had.
GT DDS
November 22nd, 2009
8:35 am
I said it before but winning against GT is now an UPSET.
How low have you fallen!
I won’t be shocked, disappointed definitely, but now shocked if UGA beats GT next week. UGA still has a lot of talent to beat anyone. Only thing is it is determined to beat itself a lot this year.
Everyone has a down year. Look at the resume of the greatest coaches in the history of college football. They all had down years. Did you know that you still have a winning record and bowl eligible? Heck of a down season if you tell me.
Good luck next year, with or without Willie and Bobo.
Ramble on!
November 22nd, 2009
8:35 am
KY wins…………………..lmfao! I still think Joe Phallic should be a runner up for the Heisman. I mean that dude is awesome. LMFAO! THWG! Get ready for the HS triple option to kick your azzes on the flats. Dawgs go 6-6 and into the weedeater bowl. LMFAO! Your team is pathetic. The line at the beginning of the year was GT even. Man, am I glad I loaded up on that line, as now it will be about 17. LMFAO! Not only do the dawgs lose, you lose BIG!
Terd Furgeson
November 22nd, 2009
8:35 am
Tech Fans calling the UGA program a joke…..now THAT’S funny. One word. Reggie Ball. Hahahahahahahahaha. Now THAT’S a joke.
Gawd Awful
November 22nd, 2009
8:35 am
Now that I think about it, my kid’s Middle School team is looking for a coach. Maybe they’ll consider Richt as an assistant (he’s too old to be the water boy).
Gawd Awful
November 22nd, 2009
8:37 am
“Reggie Ball”, that’s two words. You must be a GA fan!
Joe Cocs:
November 22nd, 2009
8:37 am
Sorry to all my fans for sucking so bad. I am really pathetic and suck as a QB. I waited 5 years on the bench to get a chance to take our team to a 6-6 record. At least I will be going out a loser.
Terd Furgeson
November 22nd, 2009
8:37 am
GT Grad 84, grow up azzhole.
Yellow Jackets
November 22nd, 2009
8:37 am
All I know is UGA is not as bad as they looked…they gave the game to Kentucky!! I know WE better be so READY for this one!!!!
SOO READY!!!
Glad for the Wild Cat win though has to mean something good for us this saturday..
tech will always be our b*%ch...
November 22nd, 2009
8:38 am
gt grad 84…really??? You’re going to compare your fans to those of UGA? Cmon!!! You can barely sell out a stadium half the size of Sanford. You guys are having a great season due to Jonathan Dwyer who will be gone next year btw. Enjoy your season cause you’re about to get knocked off by a lowly UGA team. Overconfidence + nerds = UGA WIN.
In the words of the immortal Ogre….”NERDS!!!!!!”
Tim
November 22nd, 2009
8:38 am
Hows this for a bowl matchup Georgia vs Notre Dame.Tell me the bowl folks wouldn’t love that match. Wow what a headliner to of the great schools in college football history. Wait a minute I was dreaming it was 1980 all over again. UGA vs ND in 2009 in the WHO GIVES A DAMN Bowl played at a high school field near you. Go Gators
War Jacket
November 22nd, 2009
8:39 am
Hey GameTime, give it a rest. When Georgia fans stop coming to Grant Field, wearing Georgia caps, sweatshirts, etc., and pulling for the opposition even when Georgia isn’t playing, maybe we will consider your request. Until then, cork it.
GT Grad 84:
November 22nd, 2009
8:39 am
Hey Terdyboy: Bite me dude. Your team is pathetic and your school is a joke. Just admit it. I mean friggin KY Jelly dryboned ya. That’s a joke. I think you should put Boblow at QB for the GT game. LMFAO!
Mark Richt,Tha BOSS
November 22nd, 2009
8:39 am
Come Monday EVERY position is open on this team .I will be looking for some men that REALLY want to play football for The University of Georgia .See you on the practice field at 3:00 pm Monday .Keep your darn helmet on until you RUN of the field and into the club house .Now MOVE IT !