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
Bobby Done
November 22nd, 2009
12:47 am
OK ALWAYS——-WILLIE MARTINEZ——-JOE COX——–WHERE THE PROBLEMS START————
Tom
November 22nd, 2009
12:48 am
hey, kbat….did you know GT has a higher-rated strength of schedule than UGA?
And that was BEFORE tonight!
slobodan
November 22nd, 2009
12:48 am
With the passing of UGA VII, now’s the time to change Georgia’s nickname to the “Shih-Tzus.” I’d like to see the Georgia coaching staff recruit some QBs that are also football players; maybe get one of those Polynesian types that the west coast schools get; like Jeremiah Mazola. And maybe some defensive players while your at it that play like former USC players Junior SayOw, Ray Maloogie and Troy Polymanure. The Dawgs do not play instinctive football; they are trying to remember stuff during games; in other words, they think too much and nothing seems automatic…
notarichtfan
November 22nd, 2009
12:48 am
Classof83,
Bobo gets off the game plan though and he always has. It’s because he’s not real bright and God bless him…he can’t help that. Doesn’t mean I need to continue to give him a job when he screws it up. You can also say the decision to play Cox with only Gray as a back up was strictly a coaching decision. They have to be the ones to take the blame for putting him out there.
Lou Vales
November 22nd, 2009
12:48 am
Bama 2010, Do you think Florida State wants another Holy Roller?? By the time FSU FINALLY gets rid of the Weekend At Bernie’s Imposter and his Loudmouth Wife they will not want anything to do with ANYONE associated with the Reverand Robert Bowden. If FSU donors had the chance–ones I’ve spoken to–the statue would come down, the mural would disappear and the name of stadium can STAY as long as the Bowden family shuts uo the matriarch who is causing FSU donations to dry up. Thanks Annie from a good Gator!!
Buzz
November 22nd, 2009
12:48 am
UGA VII never learned how to roll. All he could do was play dead.
Mick
November 22nd, 2009
12:48 am
Next year uga to play home games at clarke central to allow fans easier access to exits.
Rocky Top
November 22nd, 2009
12:48 am
Joe Cox says he prepared his whole life to be the UGA starting QB.
What is he going to do next – become a coach like Bobo?
Kam Fong as Chin Ho
November 22nd, 2009
12:49 am
That’s what I’m saying, Super Dawg. My brothers and I always howled about this name thing with Kam/Chin, while growing up. Not like there was a big demand in the 1960s for Kam Fong in other roles.
Dawg5
November 22nd, 2009
12:49 am
Soak it in Techies….after decades and decades, you’re finally relevant.
Oldschool
November 22nd, 2009
12:49 am
Hart County Ga Stand Up… Coach Mark Richt might need to take a trip to Hart County High School… Shoot he has a house on the lake… Players from there seem to play great when they visit between the hedges… 50-Sam Maxwell and 92 Shane McCord!
Pi$$onaDawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:49 am
Florida is great
Tennessee is fake
the team we can beat is
Georgia State!!!
Maybe
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
TECH
November 22nd, 2009
12:49 am
kbatuc,……………..hahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Go Dawgs
November 22nd, 2009
12:49 am
Yeah, the season has not gone well, but next week is the game i’m waiting to see. Go Dawgs
http://www.swarmhornetswarm.com
SOS Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:49 am
College gameday said if CMR loses this game he would be on the hot seat . this guy is paid a mere 3.3 million a year and we get crap like this.
HILARIOUS, HONEST QUESTION
November 22nd, 2009
12:49 am
in the past twenty years georgia has played vanderbilt.
georgia has won 17 vanderbilt has won 3
georgia has outscored vanderbilt by an average of 14 points in that stretch.
when georgia plays vanderbilt, all georgia fans think about how you feel going into that game.
think about how you feel about vandy…
in those same twenty years georgia has played florida
georgia has won 3 florida has won 17
georgia has been outscored by an average of over 15 points in that stretch.
has georgia become florida’s vanderbilt?
i don’t know, i just list the facts
Finish The Drill
November 22nd, 2009
12:49 am
First thing I would do is get the team together shave their heads and make them earn the right to wear Red and Black. Got to get the team aspect back. From turn overs to penelties, I put it all on coaches. If Richt doesn’t show anymore emotion then what we see, why would anyone be worried about screwing up.
The Golden Rule
November 22nd, 2009
12:50 am
kbatuc…..The sun will come out…tomorrow…bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow…. there will be sun….bwwahhhhaaaaahhhaaaa….Are you one of those true ugag fans that left early?
revwreck
November 22nd, 2009
12:50 am
bottom line is with the exception of the gators…(and maybe not) the mutts have not seen as good of an offense as they will see next week…and FL and GT offenses are a lot alike…good luck with that
Billy
November 22nd, 2009
12:50 am
yup. glad that i got out of georgia. apparently, the fans of both UGA and GT have no class.
It’s sad. I grew up a GT fan, graduated from GT, and dealt with the hate/mockery that came with it, but it’s embarrassing that REAL GT fans would stoop to the comments on these blogs. I’m pretty sure that 95% of the commenters (from both fan bases) are 14 year old boys sitting in the basements of their parents’ homes. Because none of the comments are intelligent in any way.
Brian
November 22nd, 2009
12:51 am
Hey, Richt, maybe you should start a reward and punishment system for, 1) BONEHEAD plays, 2) STUPID PENALTIES, 3) FUMBLES, 4) STUPID INTERCEPTIONS, 5) PITCHING OUT instead of HANDING OFF the BALL to the Running Back, 6) FACEMASK penalties by the PUNTER??? Got to be kidding me!, You never know, might get the desired results, cause what you’re doing now, ISN’T WORKING, or hadn’t you noticed?
P Johnsen
November 22nd, 2009
12:51 am
After watching you guys play tonight I am going to have to revise my prediction for next week.You guys could not stop Kentucky& they are not known for being an offensive machine. Getting back to my prediction for next week,I believe we should be able to put about 600-650 yds rushing & passing & between 50-60 pt on you guys next week.Ya’ll still have the same problems every week & considering that Kentucky only had 2 players for you guys to defend, how in the world are you going to stop my High School Offense? Impossible because your defense is the perfect cure for an ailing offense
PJ
Bobby Done2
November 22nd, 2009
12:52 am
IN WILLIE MARINEZ AND JOE COX WE LAUGH …..MORE THAN JUST FUNNY
Super Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:52 am
Wait a minute — I’ve got it. I’ve GOT it!!! TERRY BOWDEN!!!!
To coach smith
November 22nd, 2009
12:53 am
congratulations,
your wish has been granted
Keno
November 22nd, 2009
12:53 am
I’m a Tech Fan first, but I don’t like to see Georgia lose but once a year. I’m really down about this Kentucky game. My big fear is that Georgia will put it all together (no penalties, no interceptions, no fumbles) against Tech. They really looked good in the first half tonight. Otherwise, stop the whining and personal attacks against Cox and the coaches. It’s an example of bad things happening to good people, and nasty comments such as those in this blog say much more about the writers’ lack of class and character than the stupid game says about Joe Cox. Get over it, and hope for a better future.
go dawgs
November 22nd, 2009
12:53 am
tech fans, you are embarrassing yourselves. i will sleep soundly tonight knowing that i have twice the class and maturity than you will ever have. enjoy it while you can, you know these couple years are a fluke. i am proud to say i have never entertained the possibility of getting on your blog and talking trash while we beat you year after year. i thought i was done with people like you when i graduated middle school, but good to see you are pathetic enough to still be around. proud to be a dawg!
GTBUZZ81
November 22nd, 2009
12:53 am
Nov 28 2009
November 22nd, 2009
12:46 am
Sorry I’m all dawg but wow, Im glad this season is all most over. Georgia has too much talent to look that bad at times. no, they don’t need to fire Mark Richt, but he has to change the people around him. but Georgia is also a young team….But our defense can cover anyone, Let’s pray Georgia Tech doesn’t pass the football and then we might have a chance!
16 Seniors?Young team?How many more excuses can you come up with?
KingfishStevens
November 22nd, 2009
12:53 am
Sorry about your mascot.
TECH
November 22nd, 2009
12:53 am
Billy, It’s called Clean-Old Fashion Hate for a reason???
Gator Bob
November 22nd, 2009
12:54 am
Man – what has happened in Athens? Richt had UGA going great – but this program has really slipped.
This team has not improved one bit this year – in fact – it is going backwards – a huge melt down in the second half tonight – just as one of the comments above read – reminded you the Tech game last year.
UGA just needs to start over – very good talent that is underclassmen.
And Rennie Curran got schooled again – easy LB to block.
Hate to say it – but the SEC is way down. Save Florida and Bama. LSU and Ole Miss are decent – but the rest of the league really sucks this year. UGA would be 6-6 this year – even if it was in the ACC.
Beautiful Monte
November 22nd, 2009
12:55 am
Hey, UGA fans don’t worry.
I hear that Rivals.com will have y’all ranked in the Top 5 recruiting classes in the nation for 2010.
As y’all know, those are the only rankings that REALLY matter.
trailertrash
November 22nd, 2009
12:55 am
woof woof my ass
Seenitall
November 22nd, 2009
12:55 am
At last, after all these years, I can finally say UGA is as good as Notre Dame.
GaRealist
November 22nd, 2009
12:55 am
UGA Football Coaches Salaries
► Head coach Mark Richt: $2.8 million
► Defensive coordinator Willie Martinez: $325,815
► Offensive coordinator Mike Bobo: $325,000
► Defensive line coach Rodney Garner: $290,000
► Offensive line coach Stacy Searels: $290,000
► Defensive ends coach Jon Fabris: $202,241
► Receivers coach Tony Ball: $165,480
► Tight ends coach John Lilly: $165,480
► Linebackers coach John Jancek: $163,000
► Running backs coach Bryan McClendon: $90,000
► Assistant coaches total: $2.02 million
► Football coaching staff total: $4.82 million
“Damon Evans was selected as Director of Athletics in December 2003, and assumed the duties officially on July 1, 2004. At the time he was just 34 years of age, and one of the youngest athletic directors in the country.”
Folks, What we have here is a program of very highly paid staff, lead by an equally bright and promising Director. The problem is none of these people seem to have the longevity / experience to know when to stand strong and make the changes that are necessary. The fans which pay the price for the season tickets will soon make the decision for them.
TECH
November 22nd, 2009
12:55 am
Hey Keno, I think TECH and UGA fans beat the hell outta people like you. Pick a side and stick with. Give me a break!!
Mary Wanna
November 22nd, 2009
12:55 am
I would like to salute half the Tech fans who continue to add thoughtful insight to the UGA blogs. The other half however keep the Tech reputation of being complete geek schmuck d**chebags alive and well.
Rocky Top
November 22nd, 2009
12:57 am
Dawg5,
Hey we at least kick our arrested players off the team.
CMR suspends yours for 1 meaningless game and then Dawgnation praises your supposedly great Christian coach. If CMR is such a great Christian and such a great coach, why does he tolerate so many penalties and so many cheap shots? Why is your punter laughing on the sidelines after recklessly face masking an opponent – will you great disciplinarian suspend him for that – I do not think so?
Go Vols
TECH
November 22nd, 2009
12:57 am
*stick with it
Snoop Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:57 am
Well, Dawgs-
Drank enough of that Koolaid yet? Save your breath on kicking those dumb dogs Willie and Bobo. Hopefully, you’ve got enough sense to understand that Richt is the real chump here. The Preacher Man and his Medicine Show passed the elixer around and the Bulldawg Nation swooned. What a hangover! This guy is a loser, folks. He is the man in charge. He made the call to leave Joe Cox in the entire season when he was in over his head. He let his personal friendships get in front of the mission of winning games for the University of Georgia. Please kick this turkey through the goalposts of life out of the state back home to that 1980s powerhouse in Tallahassee Florida because he has not advanced since those days. This guy is a fossil. What a pity for these outstanding young men who assumed that they would actually be coached. The longer it takes to get rid of Richt, the longer it will take to restore UGA football to where it ought to be.
JSS
November 22nd, 2009
12:58 am
And Billy…
And you’ve just reached this conclusion? My goodness Man, this toilet bowl has been swirling since the day they let Jeff Schultz have a word processor… These are not children, these are grown people doing what immature people do, hello sewer!
Brian
November 22nd, 2009
12:58 am
Poor UGA VII, died of a heart attack while watching these bumbling idiots practice! He must have known it was going to be a historic game, and that this SENOIR CLASS was going to leave us a REAL memory! Poor thing died of a broken heart!
Bob
November 22nd, 2009
12:59 am
A complete effing embarassment. We’ll be lucky to have a winning season at this point.
SOS Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
12:59 am
THis team is undisciplined both on and off the football field. It all starts with recruiting these thugs and signing them on signing day with their stupid Hat tricks and wanting to showboat in the lime light.Now they cant follow simple rules or get Drivers License. How pathetic !
dogpoop
November 22nd, 2009
12:59 am
here this will make everybody feel better, the sun will come up in the morning.. I promise
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8GuH9oDHrU
Finish The Drill
November 22nd, 2009
1:00 am
I stated last week that the UGA fans forgot that we sucked after a win against a 2A school and an Auburn team that was in a rebuild season. I hope everyone keeps it fresh in their head that we lost to Tenn, FL, and KY (we will loose to GT also) and this will continue until we do something with the Coaching staff. There is no accountablity for bad play, or so it seems. I remember running stadiums after screwing up in a game the following week, and it sucked. So I’m asking WTF is going on with the continued penelty and turn-over issues?
Snoop Dawg
November 22nd, 2009
1:00 am
BTW, how much are we paying that idiot Damon Evans? Not a penny more from me until he is gone.
charles hudson
November 22nd, 2009
1:00 am
you dawg fans continually talk about us not filling our stadium, but you leave your team with still a chance to what losers!!
Kevin
November 22nd, 2009
1:01 am
The entire coaching staff needs to be fired. I’ve watched UGA football for more than twenty years and this is the most poorly coached team I’ve ever seen. Richt, Martinez, Bobo, Fabris, Searls, and the fitness coach all need to go. The team sucks overall! The defense is terrible, where is the dang SAFETY Martinez? The offensive and QB coaching is pathetic. The special teams, and kick coverage are high school level at best. The offensive line cannot block to save their lives. And UGA’s players are way outta shape! The linemen are just big fat boys and the linebackers and safeties are slow and winded by halftime. If the UGA fans don’t start putting pressure on the Athletic Department, we’re gonna see this garbage every year.
Larry
November 22nd, 2009
1:01 am
Derek Dooly and Kirby Smart. Dooly for head coach, Smart for Defensive Coordinator. Enough said.