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
MayrettaJacket
November 22nd, 2009
4:21 pm
On the bright side, maybe now some of the UGAy wannabe poseurs who never attended college, much less UGA, will peel the giant ass bulldog magnets off their F-150s.
Joe Not Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
4:23 pm
Wow! Football team loses. Basketball team loses. And then you dog dies. Bad weekend to be a Georgia fan. But hey, look at the bright side. At least there is a good football and basketball team in Georgia. Assuming you’re a Tech fan.
“I say its bad, to be, a Georgia Bulldog.” Hehehehehehe!
Richt Coached 2 HEISMAN WINNERS..
November 22nd, 2009
4:23 pm
Did you guys know Mark Richt has coached 2 different Heisman winners while he was the QB coach at FSU and helped lead FSU to 2 Natl’ Championships?
FSU hasn’t been the same since Richt left. Think about it people. Hello!!!!
CMR
November 22nd, 2009
4:23 pm
“Joe Cox is our leader this year”
“Joe Cox gives us the best chance to win”.
CMR
Joe Not Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
4:23 pm
Wow! Football team loses. Basketball team loses. And then you dog dies. Bad weekend to be a Georgia fan. But hey, look at the bright side. At least there is a good football and basketball team in Georgia. Assuming you’re a Tech fan.
“I say its bad, to be, a Georgia Bulldog.” Hehehehehehe!
Gooooooooo VOLS!
It's hard to see Georgia's defense stopping Tech | Jeff Schultz
November 22nd, 2009
4:26 pm
[...] this is another indictment of defensive coordinator Willie Martinez, so be it. We watched Kentucky score four second-half touchdowns Saturday night, and even though two of those scores were set up by turnovers, the game illustrated Georgia’s [...]
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
4:26 pm
NCAA 2008 Passer ratings:
#4 Tebow 172.37
#15 Stafford 153.54
Whitfield County Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
4:27 pm
Do you know what the difference between GT and UGA is? GT is winning games and is a top 10 team. UGA, on the other hand lost what seemed to be a scrimmage. I’m going to keep it as civilized as I can.
Based on this season alone, and even if UGA played a flawless game, UGA will not beat Tech. This is why I say this. The last Tech game I saw was the Wake Forest-Tech game. Tech was not sharp at all in that game, but Tech still won. WF threw everything they had a Tech, Tech still won. WF stopped one of the best running games in the nation, but Tech won. What does UGA have that will stop Tech?
Cox is a 4th string JV QB. Our OC and DC obviously do not study game tape. And then there are the turnovers and penalties. UGA fans can make all the excuses they want. It’s not going to happen. Tech could give UGA their playbook, but yet Tech would still win.
I’m the biggest Dawg fan out there, but I’m also a fan of Football and a realist. UGA will not beat Tech.
Rod
November 22nd, 2009
4:28 pm
Laughing at that Maryetta jacket comment it’s so freaking true a trailer park resident always pulls into the corner store dipping as usual and has a UGA hat and magnet on his truck knowing darn well he dropped out in the 8th grade!
King Gator
November 22nd, 2009
4:31 pm
Kentucky? really, and it wasn’t basketball? wow, went to bed w/UGA up by 11 pts… was stunned this morning when I saw the final score. Kentucky? Really? wow, what a terrible loss at home right before the Tech game. BTW, the Gators are 11-0 and getting ready to lay the wood to the Nolies (maybe Richt will take the FSU job) and then mix it up with Bama again in the SEC Championship in the ATL..that’s got to hurt, but not as much as a Kentucky loss at home. Charlie Weiss may be available. Notre Dame v. UGA in the “Overrated and Average as Grits Bowl” – at least nobody used a pellet gun in an armed robbery, but that’s about it. Go Gators! Sad for my Dawg friends…
Pi$$onaDawg
November 22nd, 2009
4:32 pm
Paul Johnson has decided to be fair next week. The Coach and Team is letting Reggie Ball play so Cox want feel so bad.
monty
November 22nd, 2009
4:33 pm
I know the defense didn’t play well, Kentucky couldn’t throw and still they still beat us. But I have to lay this loss on Bobo, we had a great short yardage passing game going mixing it with the run and then we started getting gready going deep on throw after throw instead of the ball control short patterns. After getting away from it Cox lost his touch or confidence and it just wasn’t there when they tried to come back to it later. What happened to Charles late in the game? I saw at least a couple of plays where Cox had receivers open underneath for first downs and he chose to throw deep into coverage or trying to thread the needle.
King Gator
November 22nd, 2009
4:36 pm
Loss to Wofford in Basketball, Kentucky in football .. what’s next the Gym Dawgs losing to the University of Phoenix On-Line Tumblers… brutal!
billy
November 22nd, 2009
4:37 pm
I once thought CMR was a great coach….he is not …he’s very average ..and has a very serious personality flaw ……that he will not do the RIGHT thing ….make the decisions required of a head coach…..fire his college roomate buddie martinez ….and BOZO…..and contact DC @TCU …Boise st ..or cinncy for OFF CORD….but he will not….expect to see Taco and BOZO back next yr ….because REVEREND RICHT is too spineless to do what is right…he himself has now become to problem @ U G A
monty
November 22nd, 2009
4:39 pm
Tebow is a great “system QB” because he can run the ball. He won’t be drafted high in the pros. MAtthew Stafford threw at least 4 TD”S today in his 1st season. Tebow will never match that. Tebow one of the best college players ever(top 5). Stafford could, I repeat “could” be a pretty darn good pro QB.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
4:39 pm
Newton’s (KY) passer efficiency rating last night:
178.87
Richt Coached 2 HEISMAN WINNERS..
November 22nd, 2009
4:40 pm
Those of you that THINK Richt can’t Coach, consider this, he has coached 2 different Hesiman Winners, and Fla St. went to the Natl Championship several times during his stay there, THEY WON IT TWICE. And he did it with 2 different style QB’s, one a runner/passer, one a passer.
After Richt left FSU, the program went South.
Richt can coach, he can develop talent, and he knows what it takes to win Natl’ Championships.
spinning erks
November 22nd, 2009
4:41 pm
Hey ATLVOL ,Quarterbacks are over rated UT won a National Championship with Tee Martin and UGA won one with Buck Belue.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
4:42 pm
Newton’s (KY) passer efficiency rating last night:
178.87
Sam Bradford’s 2008 rating: 180.84
steve
November 22nd, 2009
4:43 pm
I did not think UGA would lose that game to Kentucky last night. I almost cut the game off at 27-13 but decided to keep watching. My wife (who is a UGA grad) went on to bed. After a loss like that you wonder how pumped up UGA will be next week against a rested GT team. I am a die hard GT fan (yes we are a house divided) and I honestly think that UGA’s tank is empty. I mean how much more can go wrong. Yall looked great in the first half but it is a 60 minute game. I just hope we can take care of business next week and pull out a win for te jackets. I don’t think GT will kill UGA. May be closer than you think. Unfortunately we can’t stop the passing game. Georgia has a decent passing game. Biggest thing is UGA’S penalty problems and turnovers. Also we should be able to run the ball well on that defense. 37-23 sounds like a good score. GT will be ok offensively but will struggle against the long ball especially if Green plays. UGA will have trouble with Nesbit, Dwyer, and Allen and that triple option offense. Nobody has really slowed it down but Miami. I expect it to keep rolling against the Dawgs.
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
4:46 pm
Willie made Kentucky’s QB look like Sam Bradford, Heisman winner? WOW!
DawgsRule
November 22nd, 2009
4:47 pm
Mark Richt is one of the best coaches in the country—he’s had a lot of injuries this year and the Dawgs have gotten hosed by the refs in several of their losses. When all of that young talent develops next year, UGA will win the SEC East—mark it down. Florida will not have anything next year with brantley—-he’s not that good. GA beats Florida, UT and beats alabama for the SEC title! The DAWGS are back in 2010—bet on it!!!!
Mark Richt
November 22nd, 2009
4:47 pm
is a Chan Gailey clone.
only difference between the two was that ugay have better players.
results are the same
disicpline of the players the same
Delbert D.
November 22nd, 2009
4:54 pm
“Mark Richt is one of the best coaches in the country— etc.”
Please forward your comment to Damon Evans.
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
4:55 pm
lot of injuries this year…yep thats it…..but the healthy guys are the ones that are turning the ball over
steve
November 22nd, 2009
4:59 pm
lots of injuries. we’ve heard it before. UGA has no QB for 2010. Ealey could be a good a running back before its over. Defense is undisciplined and offense is turnover prone.
steve
November 22nd, 2009
5:02 pm
mark richt isn’t a Chan Gailey clone. He actually has had top 10 teams. I dont ever remember discipline being a big problem with Gaileys players.
I'm Mark Richt and I Love Missionairy posotions
November 22nd, 2009
5:04 pm
Do we have to finish the season? I hear the call of the African continent. I must engage in my life’s work. It is too bad that I must be in Georgia from August through December to get these clowns to pay me. They should know what is important.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 22nd, 2009
5:09 pm
Was at the game last night and honestly didn’t see any play-makers for UK, except for Locke. UGA lost to an inferior team again because of TO’s.
Just game the game away in the 2nd.
Technophobia
November 22nd, 2009
5:19 pm
The hordes of spoiled rotten UGA fans stomping out of Sanford stadium with the game still undecided was the worst display of poor sportsmanship I have ever witnessed.
Coffee Bluff DAWG
November 22nd, 2009
5:27 pm
Hey Technophobia,
We weren’t stomping out with the game undecided. We were stomping out after Cox’s last int with 1:30 left. UK could (and did) at that point run out the clock.
I Was a Teen Age Priss
November 22nd, 2009
5:33 pm
Dear Richt Coached 2 Heismann Winners, About the only thing Richt can develop now are travel itineraries for Africa and hair coloring liquid. He does appear younger than a few years ago. Probably a combination of not worrying enough about his job and those Botox treatments. Richt just looks like a wuss. Something about those facial expressions and that coiffed hair. Did you know he is from Boca?? Pronouced BOCAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!
Don't They Know "I'm A Nice Guy"
November 22nd, 2009
5:36 pm
I wonder IF I will still be a popular guest sermonist on Sundays IF I’m canned? If Bobby stays much longer he won’t be asked to deliver 2 minute Sunday School sermonettes.
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
5:39 pm
UGA fans are a f***ing joke. You and your “team” couldn’t hole Tebow’s jock strap.
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
5:40 pm
*hold
spinning erks
November 22nd, 2009
5:46 pm
Hey Technophobia,
At UGA home games you can tell when the hordes of spoiled fans leave. At Bug City you will need the hordes of UGA fans to fill up your half empty stadium.
kevin
November 22nd, 2009
5:52 pm
Tron5000……Tebow needs to take off them hip hugger football pants and go play pro ball if he’s soooo good. His candy ass stayed cause he knows he will never be an NFL QB,,,,Matt Stafford(A UGA Dawg) 5 TD’s and 425 yards passing in the Pros today baby!!! Tebow can’t even do that in college u freaking idiot!!! Tim Tebow = Danny Warphel, where is his ass , pumping gas at the 7-eleven????……loser!
TampaGator
November 22nd, 2009
5:55 pm
Forgive me, but was someone on here saying Joe Cox is better than Tim Tebow??? Wow!!! Got to be a Georgia fan. Dreamland USA. UGAs death and yet another lose to Kentucky is causing extreme anxiety and moments of pure insanity for Georgia fans. This is not a good time to be a Dawg fan. Was it ever?
Jerry Morgan
November 22nd, 2009
5:58 pm
Jeff,
My Wildcats have BEAT the Dawgs 2 (two) our of the last 4 (Four) time we have played.
Is that why UK is a ‘predestrian” team as you stated in your article today?
A man who BLEEDS BLUE wants to know.-)
Jerry
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
6:00 pm
Hey “kevin,” what are Stafford’s stats for the season? And if you’re so worried about pro QBs, why waste your time on college FB?
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
6:03 pm
Tebow won 2 NCs, Stafford won 0 SEC Championships. And you fools want to denigrate (look it up) Tebow. Have fun with that 6-6 season.
kevin
November 22nd, 2009
6:10 pm
yea…Stafford will lose sleep tonite worrying about the gators…LOL.. in his million dollar mansion while Tebow sleeps in the dorms playing tummy sticks with the boys…….Those NCs don’t pay the bills u idiot!! Stafford is eating Lobster tonight…Tebow eats in the campus chow hall…LOL….So next time u say UGA can’t hold Tebow’s jock strap…..remember…Tebow hasn’t earned anything except some trophies…..the mulah is what it’s about u idiot!!
spinning erks
November 22nd, 2009
6:45 pm
“The News From Lake Doggy Bone.”
Breaking news:A descision has been made to name Princess Miller’s teacup poodle”Pinkie”as interim mascot for saturdays game at Georgia Tech.No descision has been made on a permanent replacement for UGA VII,But if the dawgs pull off the upset ,Pinkie will be considered for the full time job next year.
Also in an effort to make our dawgs feel more at home ,the university will lease 10 short buses for the trip to the North Ave. Trade school.
Richt's Raise
November 22nd, 2009
6:46 pm
How much of a raise will Richt’s agent demand this year? UGA better pay up, or richt will be looking at the florida state job with a strong interest!
GaTechwillwinonSaturdaybyatleast3scores
November 22nd, 2009
6:48 pm
Is there really any need to waste a good Saturday playing such a lousy team as Georgia? There just has to be better things for the really good college football teams to do. I suppose we just have to accept the fact that we are supposed to suffer through the humility of sharing our home field with such a worthless and pitiful opponent.
GaTechwillwinonSaturday
November 22nd, 2009
6:49 pm
Is there really any need to waste a good Saturday playing such a lousy team as Georgia? There just has to be better things for the really good college football teams to do. I suppose we just have to accept the fact that we are supposed to suffer through the humility of sharing our home field with such a worthless and pitiful opponent.
blueboy
November 22nd, 2009
6:55 pm
CMR only needs to pray a little harder and you dawgs will be fine!
Tron5000
November 22nd, 2009
7:02 pm
It’s official. “Spinning erks” has brain damage. How are Stafford’s millions paying off for the UGA “program” right now? And how many SEC Championships did he bring to UGA? But just keep playing that “Stafford is a millionaire” card. Ridiculous.
OchreBugMan
November 22nd, 2009
7:07 pm
What makes a fan so sad and forlorn
could it be his team’s demise
If we’re talking Georgia Bulldogs
It should come as no surprise
How does one keep from laughing
at the constant changing dress
from red to black to white uniforms
the play remains a sorry mess
Glory, Glory to ole Georgia
to the fairy in the skies
Help their feeble minds to see
How great it is to be a Bee.
Free_Otto
November 22nd, 2009
7:23 pm
The game last night was awful. The defense and Martinez were not to blame for this one. They held Kentucky to ~50 yards of total offense in the first half. Three of the scores occurred when the offense or the special teams gave Kentucky field position inside Georgia’s 20. It was bad, bad, bad, but the defense played about as well as they could given a complete melt down on special teams, and a typical lackluster performance on offense.