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
willie martinez
November 22nd, 2009
12:00 am
Enter your comments here
Realist
November 22nd, 2009
12:00 am
There will be some trailer parks burned tonight. HA! HA! HA!
lake sinclair
November 22nd, 2009
12:00 am
Looks like a 6-6 season (no way UGA comes close to GT). UGA should be too embarasssed to accepot any bowl bid with that record.
FullMetalJacket
November 22nd, 2009
12:01 am
NCR: Man, you are cold….of course, I would add that they are GIRL gymnasts!
Unhappy Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:01 am
I don’t think venting is going to make this one better. This is just so pathetic I cannot stand it right now. Does anyone not think we need a change at the top of the program right now?
tell it like it is
November 22nd, 2009
12:01 am
saint simmons works for the AJC.
X5
November 22nd, 2009
12:01 am
It’s days like today that make me glad I don’t care a lick about these mutts. It’s so much more entertaining to watch the community agonize over these perennially overrated losers.
Damn
November 22nd, 2009
12:01 am
CMR better right this ship. And soon.
Educator
November 22nd, 2009
12:02 am
Hey HC parent. So is yall’s drunk mayor elect.
Starring Henry Wilcoxon as Bishop Pickering
November 22nd, 2009
12:02 am
I know the Independence & Liberty had to be just thrilled tonight. Maybe UGA can go to the Papa John’s bowl in beautiful Birmingham.
heartofdarkness
November 22nd, 2009
12:03 am
The sun’ll come out
Tomorrow
Bet your bottom dollar
That tomorrow
There’ll be sun!
Just thinkin’ about
Tomorrow
Clears away the cobwebs,
And the sorrow
‘Til there’s none!
When I’m stuck a day
That’s gray,
And lonely,
I just stick out my chin
And Grin,
And Say,
Oh
The sun’ll come out
Tomorrow
So ya gotta hang on
‘Til tomorrow
Come what may
Tomorrow!
Tomorrow!
I love ya
Tomorrow!
You’re always
A day
A way!
No Name
November 22nd, 2009
12:03 am
No big dog fan, but I can’t help but feel bad for coach CMR and the players. I don’t know why they can’t seem to put wins together from week to week. I guess its true about the D coach. WM. They better put a good effort together for next week or its gonna be a long night. As someone said in another blog.”every team goes trough bad seasons.
Salty Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:03 am
This program is in total disarray. Even CMR can’t pull some sh!t out of his a$$ about to detract from this embarrassment of a performance by the coordinators and the players. At this point I am actually hoping that Tech hangs 50 or 60 points on us to force some personnel changes. You can’t coach ability, but you can coach decision making and technique. The turnovers and penalties that have sunk this team are inexcusable and the responsibility falls squarely on the shoulders of the coaching staff. I wonder what gimmick CMR has up his sleeve to get his unprepared team hyped up last week. ‘Cause that’s all we really need is a good gimmick, right CMR?
It is time to FREE WILLY! And while were at it, get rid of Bozo too. Maybe they can share a moving truck.
jacketnation
November 22nd, 2009
12:03 am
We are NOT at a loss for words. This is so funny and only going to get better. Tech should run for over 400 yards and score 45+ against the weakest team in the SEC. Bowl game? Who in the heck wants you for a bowl game.
innocent bystander
November 22nd, 2009
12:03 am
Wasn’t the botched handoff to King not Ealey?
MauiDAWG
November 22nd, 2009
12:03 am
I have not been this disappointed in a UGA game in a long time….TOTAL self destruction and sloppy play.
WildcatFormation
November 22nd, 2009
12:03 am
Don’t know what’s worse, the article or the comments. Where’s the beef?
willie martinez
November 22nd, 2009
12:03 am
mark and willie are silly
Dawgfan
November 22nd, 2009
12:03 am
The only good thing about tonight is knowing that Joe Cox has played his last game in Athens. Thank God. And take Willie Martinez with you Joe to whatever non football career you move on to. Or maybe you could be the QB coach at Fl next year. That would be great.
D-Man
November 22nd, 2009
12:03 am
THATS ALRIGHT WITH ME…NOW THERE HAS TO BE BIG CHANGES IN ATHENS..LETS START WITH THE TWO COORDINATORS, OK RICHT?
Rick
November 22nd, 2009
12:04 am
I cannot believe the condition of the UGA FB and BB program. Especialy the FB program.
Arresting people for riding a Mopad without a license tell much. A ticket maybe? The athletic culture in Athens is very poor. Total changes need to be made fom the top down. However, that will not happen.
Maybe UGA VII checked out because he couldn’t stand to watch anymore. It is sickening. Sad to see a very proud program in that condition. I have never liked Richt that much. His OL coach(Calloway), DC (VG) and TE’s coach (Johnson) left for some reason. Garner and SS almost left and I bet they wish that had of.
Sad story to watch. Changing assistants is not the answer. The head man should resign along with his insider cronie AD.
Unhappy Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:04 am
I really want Brian Kelly to come and coach us.
SEC Football Pride
November 22nd, 2009
12:04 am
What a total embarassment to the Eastern Division. It’s Uga’s raining from the sky! What gimmick will there be for next week’s whoppin’ to the ACC? After putting the poor dog down just to try and save Richt’s job – pathetic! Hopefully this kind of humility will send you toothless trailer trash off to Conference USA where you belong on your best day..
bkbroila
November 22nd, 2009
12:04 am
Well, I was going to skip the game next weekend, but I have changed my mind…..I am going to go to the game and cross my fingers that my dawgs lose….the first foikin nerd to say anything sideways to me is going to get his as ss busted worse than he did in 92 when he got his first swirly…foik you nerds
HC Parent
November 22nd, 2009
12:05 am
Our little town with a drunk mayor-elect supplied the 2 boys who brought UGA fans back to reality. .
Bangkapi Ajarn
November 22nd, 2009
12:05 am
It looked like they gave up – on the coaches, on the moment, everything. From UGA I don’t to expect a win every game (although I HOPE they win every game), but I DO expect them to TRY to win every game, for 60 minutes. I didn’t see that tonight.
“Could be my TV, could be my eyes, could be the passion that failed to materialize” – UGA Mantra, 2009 version.
I recall not so long ago (or perhaps TOO long ago) when UGA players raised 4 fingers entering the fourth quarter, signifying that they OWNED the fourth quarter due to superior passion, conditioning, salute to their coaches and the fans to show how much they wanted to win, etc.
Tonight it seemed they only raised one finger going into the final half, for many of the same reasons. Guess which finger??
From here, where? The inertia of this downward spiral seems crushing, somehow. Who dares to do whatever it takes to reinstate productive pride??? Who can???
Super Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:05 am
Phil Phulmer is available,
MauiDAWG
November 22nd, 2009
12:05 am
botched to ealey
Starring Henry Wilcoxon as Bishop Pickering
November 22nd, 2009
12:06 am
Just like the 94 Homecoming debacle. Ronnie Gordon from Doughtery High (Albany) & the tailback from Carrollton running wild all over UGA. Probably were not even on UGA’s radar.
Cutler
November 22nd, 2009
12:06 am
Well said GWH Rich. Unfortunately, there are moronic fans on both sides who manage to ruin things. We all grew up and went to school in the same state. The majority of us are from the Atlanta area. I agree we root for each other until that final game.
It seems like we will be down for a couple of years though. Our defense has no hope for immediate improvement even if a new coordinator is hired. The offense will be in transition again next year no matter who is starting at qb. I need to see some proactiveness and fire out of richt soon before I establish any hope of success in the near future.
JoD
November 22nd, 2009
12:06 am
UGA fans are pathetic… Talking smack about how they are going to steam roll tech, and now they wanna fire everyone? Plus leaving the stadium with a couple of minutes to play and only down a score is pathetic. Pathetic team, and pathetic fans
P
November 22nd, 2009
12:07 am
Humble? I doubt it. GT 41 UGA 17
TexasDawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:07 am
I will love the dawgs to the day I die. I only pray that CMR will never again give the senior a job he so obviously did not deserve. First Joe T, now Joe C. Loyalty is one thing but there is a reason they never played prior to the senior year. I fear that Logan Gray will be anointed next and we will continue the downward spiral
Freddy
November 22nd, 2009
12:07 am
Whats the spread gonna be for next weeks game. I say 14
Super Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:07 am
Ray Goff is tanned, rested, ready, and probably still on the payroll….
Rick
November 22nd, 2009
12:07 am
Another thing….
You all complain about WM.. WM is not that bad. Mike Bobo is truly the village idiot of offensive coordinatots. With a decent second half offfensive performance tonight, UGA would have won.
Is is truly unbelievable that Bobo will return next year.
DawgGone
November 22nd, 2009
12:08 am
BigDozer,
“16 Players on KY team from GA”.
You are spot on, but….. none of them were 4-5 star recruits. UGA didn’t go after 14 of them, and the 15th was only a conditional offer. The 16th was a verbal, depending on “other recruiting developments”. Don’t forget, we won the recruiting battles with all our rivals in the last 3 of 4 years.
bkbroila
November 22nd, 2009
12:08 am
welp….you can’t substitute great coaching and 3rd tier talent for 3rd tier talent and 1st rate talent….
John
November 22nd, 2009
12:09 am
If UGA doesn’t beat Tech, they should say no to any bowl invites. Just pull the plug on the season and start to re-organize. 6-6 teams shouldn’t go to bowls anyways. And finishing 6-7 would just be a kick in the teeth, but 7-6 doesn’t make the pain go away.
The Analytical Truth.....
November 22nd, 2009
12:09 am
Jeff, Poor decision making on Bobo, Poor special teams play, 4 turnovers, and a QB who for the most part looked lost in the last 4 minutes of the game doomed us. We never used neither one of our Fullbacks for short yardage passing, came right back at UK’s best LB with the same look, and absolutely abadoned Charles, and Troupe in the second half. Don’t blame this one on Willie Bulldawg nation. I would love to here ya’ll call for Bobo’s Head right now, as well as J. Fabris who let them have short fields all night. Those who know, know Willie didn’t cause this embarassment tonight.
MauiDAWG
November 22nd, 2009
12:09 am
I’ve had ENOUGH of this stupid KICKOFF team crap. Ridiculous….stupid pooch kicks and other gimmicks. I’ve never been so PO’ed after watching a game
jc_dawgs
November 22nd, 2009
12:09 am
you lose the turnover battle 4-0…and you are going to lose. Too many penaltys. Its coaching folks…and it aint good.
One word for the game next week against Tech…..UGLY.
Rob M.
November 22nd, 2009
12:09 am
We all know Richt won’t be fired so just stop saying junk like that. It is ridiculous. He is a good man with good character, but for some reason UGA has been recruiting too many thugs. Cut your hair. Get your diamond stud out of your ear when you are on the sideline with a shoulder injury. Don’t drive without a license. Stop the personal fouls and all of the things we don’t see (eyes aren’t just gouged for no reason. That was retribution). We need some more leaders like Rennie Curran. He is an example of someone who performs consistently wit
U-no
November 22nd, 2009
12:10 am
For some reason I had a feeling that this was what would happen. And, I predicted a close game, won by Kentucky close to the end of the game due to miscues by the Pups. I didn’t think it would end as ugly as it ended up being though. Wow!
I am a Tech fan, but I have watched the Pups all year. I just don’t understand what is wrong. Injuries to key players (like Green) maybe contributed, but there is talent on your team. The only thing I can figure is the coaching.
Us Techies have been through this too. It gets really frustrating and you get mad as hell, but things sometimes have to get really bad before the powers that be pull the trigger and make the hard choices and get new leadership. Hang in there Pup fans, things will eventually turn around.
It really sucks that this type of game happened on Senior night and right after UGA VII died. Geez!
See you on the Flats next weekend. It should be an interesting game.
DP
November 22nd, 2009
12:10 am
Georgia’s fans were a bigger embarrassment to the program than the team was tonight. I’ve never seen such a mass exodus in a game with the outcome still in doubt. ESPN gave a close up of it and the announcers were talking about it. That’s got to be great for the morale of the players coming back next year and for recruiting.
The Ghost of Leonard Post Toasties
November 22nd, 2009
12:10 am
Please don’t pick on #24 Ealey for fumbling on the 1 yard line. After all, he does a mean sideline gansta dance. His dancing gets even better when his team is being stomped on the field.
Rumor has it that the next mascot will be a Pit Bull instead of a Bulldawg and it’s name will be THUGA I
bkbroila
November 22nd, 2009
12:10 am
i meant 3rd rate coaching and 1st rate talent….lol…as a uga fan, i can’t get it right…lol
ATLCAT
November 22nd, 2009
12:10 am
Love beating those DAWGS. It’s basketball season and we still win in football. What a bonus.
Opinion
November 22nd, 2009
12:10 am
dang referees………..o wait I guess we really do suck
Sad Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:10 am
Stick a fork in it….I’m done with Richt. Get rid of him……
Get Kelly from Cincinnati
Get Gruden out of the booth and into Athens
Get Tinkerbell……
Someone, anyone….. but this group of clowns