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
THUGA
November 22nd, 2009
1:21 pm
Well said, DD60 – I couldn’t agree more. It’s a growing problem and it’s sanctioned beginning in HSFB. I miss the pagentry and tradition of classic college football. I haven’t been to a game in Tuscaloosa, but it seems that Sabin still brings the feel of classic CFB to that campus. CMR is no doubt a gentleman, but he has forfeited the ability to control his players.
Bucky Be Lewd
November 22nd, 2009
1:22 pm
GT DDS, As a Tech grad why don’t you provide godawgs with a quality root canal procedure. After watching the Holy Roller in action last two years, go dawgs is probably immune to pain.
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
1:23 pm
GT DDS-
Sorry Richt’s 86 wins don’t impress you, but every Active coach with that kind of total 2001-2008 has gone on to WIN a Nat’ Championship—Carroll, Meyer, and Stoops–they’re the only 3 who have won more games than Richt 2001-2008 in the NCAA.
No wonder you want us to fire Richt so he can go to YOUR TEAM. Dream on!
jesse james
November 22nd, 2009
1:23 pm
Thuga – I agree with you. I was at the Capitol One Bowl last year and watched some of the players dancing and some others that didn’t want to be a part of it. That is one thing I wish Coach Richt would have left at FSU. Georgia always had that philosophy of act like you have been there before. Alot of people have been on Coach Fabris also, but he is the only coach that didn’t mind getting on some ass on the sidelines. We definitely need to hire just a special teams coach. I believe we had guys on the kickoff cover team that couldn’t run a 6.5 forty. The pregame music and all the dancing can go. Hell we dance if we break wind.
Preston
November 22nd, 2009
1:23 pm
Here’s a little consolation for all that feel bad for exiting Willie. Since he was a great secondary coach, maybe his old friend Brian Van Gorder can bring him to Atlanta to coach UNDER him again. I really wouldn’t mind seeing that happen.
GT DDS
November 22nd, 2009
1:24 pm
godawgs, I am so sorry, Joe Cox’s eligibility would run out at the end of this season. With a better leader than Tebow at QB, why UGA’s record is 6-5?
Bucky Be Lewd
November 22nd, 2009
1:24 pm
At least the Braves fans got to see a couple of World Series and ONE Championship. The Rev’s quality moments involve dominating a ZOOKY Florida team. Well, actually he went 1-2 against ZOOKY, but did win the Division.
THUGA
November 22nd, 2009
1:25 pm
OoltewahDawg – the players need to get the same message as the coaching staff: We’re sick of your lack of discipline and thug-style play.
BIG TECH FAN
November 22nd, 2009
1:26 pm
First, that pathetic diplay of football on the field all season forced that UGAY dawg to commit suicide earlier this week! Then, you made him roll over in his grave even before the ground was settled! LOL!!! the MUTT nation sucks big time!!! LOL!!!!! It’s not too late for you 5 star recruits! De-commit now!!! Watcha gonna do when the Stingers tap that arse next week!?
chazzo
November 22nd, 2009
1:26 pm
øoltewah dawg, Amen to that last statement. As pissed as I was last night, I would never have walked out of that stadium with almost three minutes left. As much as I have complained about the team giving up, it is clear that their are a lot of crappy fans. They will only show up when things are going well.
GTSteve
November 22nd, 2009
1:27 pm
OK fellow techies, don’t kick the dogs when they are down, they have a very talented team that seems to find a way to lose, when UGA has always been a team that found a way to win.
And to the guy that said Tebow would be flipping pizza’s somewhere, you must not have ESPN…trust me if he doesn’t make it in the NFL, he has a job, they can’t mention his name without getting a boner
Pizza delivery is Hring Tebow Rumor
November 22nd, 2009
1:28 pm
Tebow’s gonna get sick of the smell of pizza as a Pizza delivery boy after he leaves Florida.
Stafford can BUY a few pizza delivery franchises with his $50 MILLION.
Nice to play for Richt–$50 Million. Tebow playing for Meyer? Pizza delivery. Anybody need a pepporni pizza? Tebow can run really fast to your door–in 30 minutes or less—guaranteed–Tebow delivers the pizza fast….becuase he’s…SUPERMAN!
Bucky Be Lewd
November 22nd, 2009
1:28 pm
I finally figured out that godawgs isa Florida plant who is here to support Richt staying right where he is. There are many Florida fans on FSU Blogs RIGHJT NOW saying “Bobby built it. He gets to stay as long as he wants.
GoDawgs, WEe ain’t buying it. You are an agent provacateur.
SEC East
November 22nd, 2009
1:30 pm
How about those Gators? 21 wins in a row and looking for more. 3 more W’s, that all we need. Send your cards and gift baskets down to Gainesville in appreciation.
Grilleth Braums
November 22nd, 2009
1:31 pm
A lot of blame for the 3rd and 1 fumble should be given to the stupid women that don’t know how to conduct themselves at a football game. I was seated in that end zone when they suddenly erupted in ear-piercing shrieks seconds before we snapped the ball.
All women should be forced to wear a muzzle during the game, or at least when the offense is on the field.
UGAnda
November 22nd, 2009
1:35 pm
UGA either died from shame or committed suicide to avoid being associated with the football program.
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
1:35 pm
Have you guys heard:
Joe Cox outthrew Tebow this year in TD’S, YARDAGE, and took less SACKS.
If Tebow’s SO GOOD, why doesn’t Meyer let him throw the ball a little? Even his coach knows Tebow can’t throw, come on man, get a clue.
TTindall
November 22nd, 2009
1:36 pm
Jeff – I will bet you $10.00 that Willie is not let go, nor is replaced as Defensive Coordinator. Even if he is shifted to another spot, he is still part of the problem. Who would keep a coached who has failed like he has? I have a friend who needs a job, and has a Dawgs hat and jacket and can walk the sidelines like Willie, do you think CMR will hire him too? CMR has some serious decisions to make and we will learn a lot about him based on what he does.
Lou Vales-PSA Announcement
November 22nd, 2009
1:36 pm
Does Richt do a Botox and/or tanning bed ad in the Athens area? Why is he advertising carpets and the like? He looks like that sun tanned Republican–think it is john Beyner?/ I hope Mark has heard of melanoma. Tanning beds are very bad for you and have been compared to ingesting arsenic.
Tebow rumor?
November 22nd, 2009
1:37 pm
Sorry but Tim is going to Jacksonville in the first round and if he doesn’t oh well. Stafford can have his pizza chains, who cares, this is college football and he couldn’t bring a Title to Athens. End O’ story. Wow these guys are so angry they lose a tough game against the Cats then they keep talking Florida. Green with envy huh? 41-17
Lou Vales
November 22nd, 2009
1:39 pm
Godawgs, What year did you graduate from Florida. Seriously!! People are not that dumb!! I ofen pose as a Georgia fan, but I have the good sense to not make it so obvious. I was there 9/65-5/69. How about you?
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
TTindall-
Do you know how many times Willie has given up a 100 yard rusher this year?
Do you know how many points Willie gave up in the game this year against the #1 2007 and 2008 offensive coordinator?
Do you know what percentage of games Richt NORMALLY wins when the defense doesn’t give up a 100 yard rusher?
If so, please share.
21 wins in a row
November 22nd, 2009
1:40 pm
Joe Cox outthrew Tebow this year in TD’s, yards, and took less sacks? WHO CARES. Tim is 11-0. Joe Joe the idiot circus boy is 6-5, looking towards 6-6. Congrats Joe
KY Vince
November 22nd, 2009
1:41 pm
If Georgia puts a scare in Tech the way they did to Kentucky, look out Jackets.
Don’t think that these Dogs will just make for an easy, cakewalk opponent. They play with heart, like they showed last night.
If you take away those 5 turnovers, the game was about even.
TTindall
November 22nd, 2009
1:43 pm
Let’s all not forget that we were in the same situation last year with Willie at the helm of our “JUNK PILE DEFENSE”, and what did CMR do, he said that it was not a problem. He was right, it is not a problem for the other team when the JUNK PILE gives up more that 30 pts a game, ALL SEASON LONG. CMR, what will be your excuse this year, or are you truly that stubborn?
Let the Big Dawg Eat
November 22nd, 2009
1:43 pm
If Caleb King can put together one of those 1800 yd seasons next year, WE WILL BE SET!!!! SUGAR BOWL 2011!!
GO DAWGS!!!
Season Ticket Holder Since 70's
November 22nd, 2009
1:44 pm
Here’s why I walk out last night prior to the end of the game…
Not because I knew we would win – or lose….
Because I was UP TO HERE with the thug behavior on the UGA sidelines. Dancing and prancing with long braids swinging, all while tied or behind, trying to draw attention to themself instead of focusing on the game. I’m tired of the gansta “music” and the dancing and the arrests and the attitude and the costumes instead of the regular uniforms.
What happened to honor? What happened to pride?
Mr. Evans, here’s one pair of season tix that will be available for the first time since an honorable man named Dooly led the 71 Team to the Gator Bowl.
spinning erks
November 22nd, 2009
1:45 pm
Hey all you Bug fans enjoy this week. You should get the win over a bad GA team. But remember one thing .You can’t spell Gator Bowl without a GT. GO Clemson spank some bug A$$!
If Tebow is Superman, Joe Cox is Batman!
November 22nd, 2009
1:46 pm
If Tebow’s Superman, why does he get sacked so much? If Tebow is Superman, why did Joe Cox throw more TD’s and yards than him? Maybe Cox needs to suit up for a Cape because if Tebow is Superman, Cox is Batman! Batman would kill Superman anyday. Batman has a dark side.
Let the Big Dawg Eat
November 22nd, 2009
1:47 pm
If we had Ros and the rest of the 1980 D on the field last night, there’s no way Kentucky makes it out of Sanford ALIVE!!!
I Love CMR
November 22nd, 2009
1:49 pm
I want to go to Uzbekistan with Coach Richt. I love him. He is a great man and we should all be proud of him. You people criticizing him should just shut up. You never played the game so you can’t say anything. Go Dawgs!! All his players love him and he has a wonderful family. Just because the man is loyal is no reason to say bad things. he averages 9 wins a year and gets us to bowl games. we own Kentucky, Vandy and South Carolina. Just Shut Up!!!
See how easy–Lou Vales
Let da Big Dawg Eat
November 22nd, 2009
1:49 pm
Hey KY Vince
If your Kentucky team is so good, then why are y’all 7-4??? HUH???
DAWGS WILL PUT A WHOOPIN ON UK NEXT YEAR!!!!
NEXT WEEK TAKIN DOWN THE YELLOWSISSIES!!!
Let da Big Dawg Eat
November 22nd, 2009
1:50 pm
I Love CMR
You are right my brother, we OWN Ky, Vandy, and SC. WHY ARE THESE HATERS HATIN???
MAYBE ITS CAUSE THEY WANT TO PLAY IN THE SEC!!!!
GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!
Let da Big Dawg Eat
November 22nd, 2009
1:51 pm
Petition to bench Cox next year:
http://www.nojoeUGA2009.com
godawgs
November 22nd, 2009
1:52 pm
Have you ever wondered????
If Tebow’s SO GOOD, why doesn’t Meyer let him throw the ball a little? Even his coach knows Tebow can’t throw.
Tech to the BCS
November 22nd, 2009
1:54 pm
Hey dawgs—just put on some old larry munson tapes from the 70s and talk about herschel and buck to make yourselves feel bigtime!!!! How ’bout ‘em!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tech 45 dawgs with tails between their legs 13!!!!!!
Let da Big Dawg Eat
November 22nd, 2009
1:55 pm
godawgs is right. If Tebow-boy is supposed to be so GOOD, what has he done in his career?
Florida = Pizza Delivery
November 22nd, 2009
1:55 pm
“I luve Flarida. Meyers cares so much about us that he helps us all gets pizza delivery jobs after college. What a cool guy?”
How do you spell UF? P-I-Z-Z-A! GO Gators! Give me a P……
go tech
November 22nd, 2009
1:56 pm
How ’bout them Gym Dawgs!
The Dark Knight
November 22nd, 2009
1:56 pm
Cox (Batman) – 6-5
Tebow (Superman) – 11-0
Cocktail Party (Joker) – 41-17
BIG TECH FAN
November 22nd, 2009
1:57 pm
Here’s a new gimmick for next week! Bring UGAY VII back from the dead with a dress and high heels to pep that garbage team up! You can call it: “The Real UGAY Housewives of ATHENS” LOL
Lucy Vasquez
November 22nd, 2009
1:58 pm
Fire Meyer!! He can’t even develop a QB. Our QB’s are rich!! Go Dawgs. All you recruits this is the place to be. We have GREAT FCA Gatherings and everybody says CMR is a great man. Everybody in the SEC hates Meyer!! Can’t be a good Christian like our coach. CMR has won more games at Georgia than Meyer at Florida. CMR is LOYAL!! Urban Lier would have fired his pals just because they were not good.
The Dark Knight
November 22nd, 2009
1:58 pm
Batman – 6-5
Superman – 11-0
lynninsavannah
November 22nd, 2009
1:59 pm
I think Cox dit it deliberately that last handoff and the interception noone can be that bad.
BCS
November 22nd, 2009
2:00 pm
Meyer – 2 BCS Titles
Richt – 0 BCS Titles
GTSteve
November 22nd, 2009
2:03 pm
Let da Big Dawg Eat ….sut up dumb azz
GTSteve
November 22nd, 2009
2:04 pm
Let da Big Dawg Eat ….shut up dumb azz
Athens Adam
November 22nd, 2009
2:04 pm
Envy, coveting, resentment, desire, I want to be a Florida Gator sooooooo bad……
Batman Wins....
November 22nd, 2009
2:06 pm
Batman takes down Superman…
Cox 21 TD passes, Tebow 14
Cox 2400 yards, Tebow 1900
Cox 10 Sacks, Tebow 21
Batman Wins!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 22nd, 2009
2:06 pm
20-6 UGA first half
7-28 UK second half
1 dead Dawg, 23 crying seniors, and The Dawg Nation is on Suicide Watch
CUZ and Baylie sorry you did not have the BEST Game Day you could. I hope Baylie did have fun.