Georgia’s embarrassment grows more historical by week
Mississippi State's Arceto Clark leaps high to catch a touchdown pass over Branden Smith, one of many plays to not go Georgia's way Saturday. (AP photo)
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Was this convincing enough? Georgia just made Mississippi State look like a major force in the SEC. It’s seldom a force even within state borders.
Last week the Bulldogs lost to Arkansas for the first time in 17 years. This time they lost to another conference opponent for the first time in 36 years.
Doesn’t that suggest this isn’t some aberration?
The Bulldogs are 0-3 in the SEC. They stand alone in the conference in that regard. Behind Mississippi State, behind Vanderbilt, behind the schools you used to joke about. They are no longer the team that can beat everybody except Alabama and Florida. They are the team that can lose to every team well below Alabama and Florida.
After a 24-12 loss to Mississippi State on Saturday night, Georgia is 2-7 in its past nine SEC games. That’s not trivial, and it’s certainly not an aberration. The opponents in those seven losses are LSU, Tennessee, Florida, Kentucky, South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi State.
Such widespread failure screams this isn’t about missing one suspended player, no matter how good A.J. Green is.
“We’ve got to fix a lot of things,” said the maligned offensive coordinator, Mike Bobo. “It’s not just A.J. Green. We got beat on the field. You’ve got to go earn it.”
Turn back the clock. Cover your faces. The Dogs just lost to Mississippi State for the first time since 1974 and the first time in Starkville since 1951. Their humiliation becomes more historical by the week.
Embarrassed?
“It’s one of those things where you’re not embarrassed to be a Georgia Bulldog,” wide receiver Kris Durham said, “but we’re embarrassed at the way we’re playing.
“Our season could turn into a catastrophe if we don’t stay together.”
Georgia was coming off losses to South Carolina and Arkansas. Mark Richt remained optimistic (of course). He didn’t believe his team would come into Starkville in a funk. But in the first three minutes of the game, the Dogs went three-and-out on offense and allowed Mississippi to drive 53 yards to a touchdown in four plays.
If that’s not a funk, it’s the early stages of rigor mortis.
Offensive-line play remains mediocre, particularly in the running game. The offense had three red-zone possessions in the first half, resulting in a net of six points (two field goals, one fumble). Georgia’s only touchdown came with less than two minutes left.
At least give Bobo credit for throwing himself under the bus: “You can’t turn the ball over, and you can’t have penalties. That’s coaching. It’s our fault.”
Starkville is cowbell central. Think vuvuzelas, only slightly less obnoxious, thanks to an SEC rule that allows fans to ring their bell only during the pregame, timeouts and following Mississippi State touchdowns and field goals. The video board at Davis Wade Stadium even carries the message, “Respect the bell.”
Regardless, coach Dan Mullen implored Mississippi State fans to make life as miserable for Georgia as possible. Just 15 minutes before kickoff, he stood in the end zone with a microphone and yelled: “Our team is ready to go, and I know our students are ready to go!”
Glad somebody was.
Many of Georgia’s early problems were self-inflicted. Washaun Ealey fumbled at the Mississippi State 1 following a 20-yard run after he was clocked by safety Nickoe Whitley. The Dogs also fumbled when a Mississippi State punt inadvertently was touched by Bacarri Rambo, then quickly recovered by the home team.
The offense has gone from a mild concern to a five-alarm blaze. Bobo has replaced Willie Martinez, the departed defensive coordinator, as fans’ primary punching bag.
But this is about more than one assistant coach or one suspended player. Once again, Richt did not have his team ready to play. The Dogs should have played desperate. They didn’t. They certainly didn’t play smart or play well.
They are 0-3, having lost three in a row under Richt for the first time. They are somewhere south of ordinary. And it’s not a blip.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC and Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
1,247 comments Add your comment
jerry
September 26th, 2010
12:02 pm
Al Beeski, I agree with you. Leave the players alone.
Homecoming Queen
September 26th, 2010
12:03 pm
Out played, out hustled, out coached, out “wanted”, out EVERYTHING. Great coaches build a program through consistency – consistency in their staff (the really good ones picked off for top jobs – when has that happened at UGA?); consistency in recruiting; consistency in NON-OFF FIELD incidents; consitency in impression. Looks like we’re now the patsies of the SEC. Soon schools like KY, Vandy, Ole Miss, Miss St. will all be begging us to be their Homecoming “queen” and I can’t blame ‘em. Oh, isn’t it great to be a cellar dweller? Get it players; Get it COACHES – this season is already a DISASTER!! Wake up and smeel the homecoming flowers!
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
12:03 pm
@Al Beeski – From what I’ve been reading most are criticizing the coaches and MR specifically.
Yes a few have ripped the players, however, most are ripping the coaches! Some of these players are thugs, and should be recognized as such. The majority of these kids are hard working individuals with good morals and a great work ethic, i.e. Aaron Murray and Kris Durham.
You can’t close your eyes to the fact some are thugs and should be thrown off this team asap, or at least be riding the pine!
True fans know where the problem lies and it lies with MR.
TGT
September 26th, 2010
12:03 pm
What little of the game I watched was an embarrassment! I’m not sure why Ealey didn’t jump on the ball in the end zone? The Rambo mistake on the punt was completely idiotic! I’d rather see Richt play walk-ons that don’t make foolish mistakes than witness another self inflicted loss. I am completely disgusted! Mississippi State is a really bad football team, so what does that say about us?
ratherBgambling
September 26th, 2010
12:03 pm
There always next year………………..again.
RIP
2010 UGA Football season
Reality Dawg
September 26th, 2010
12:04 pm
Snake Doc.. you are weak. I have outstanding intellect which can be measured in any number of ways. First, I have built over $10mm in net worth by the time I was 38. Second, I scored a 1510 (99th percentile) on my SAT. Finally, I don’t let the Barack Obama give-a-man-a-hug approach stand in the way of the final objective. I am just not stupid enough to buy it. You keep intellectualizing and I’ll keep taking names. By the way… are you coming or not?
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
12:04 pm
WOW I saw a bunch of UGA car flags Flying upside down. Now I know it is bad for sure when fans are displaying their flag in the form of the international symbol for distress.
MSU cheerleader
September 26th, 2010
12:05 pm
I put a better hit on one our players than an GA bulldog!
T-Dawg
September 26th, 2010
12:05 pm
“Historical?” Schultz, go buy a dictionary…
StillProudDawg
September 26th, 2010
12:07 pm
Reality – yes I was in a frat at UGA what’s wrong with that? And I was going to play for the Dawgs, theirs recruiting that goes on that I won’t talk about here. You wouldn’t know about that playing your little kick ball games You have to play football to understand it and clearly you don’t.
Dan
September 26th, 2010
12:09 pm
Guarantee you Richt will be here at least 5 more years. Take it to the bank. I have been a UGA supporter (money included) for 50 years. You are foolish to turn away from Richt. I have heard that administration will stick with Richt, they believe in him and I as a very old UGA fan–am very proud to have CMR at the helm. I will also put my money where my mouth is and do all I can to sure up support for CMR.
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
12:09 pm
If we just ignore Reality, he will slither back under the rock from which he crawled out from under!
Downed Dawg
September 26th, 2010
12:10 pm
I think insteed of a black out; that we have a brown out (brown bags over head) next game.
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
12:10 pm
@ Dan – Just what are you proud of?
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
12:11 pm
Still P What’s? Theirs? dude you don’t need to tell people you actually attended classes at any college that is for sure.
Reality Dawg
September 26th, 2010
12:12 pm
Still Proud… you are lying about the football part. Your facts don’t add up. I actually was a college athlete at a major university in a major sport. I was also the guy doing a little horizontal disco with your girlfriend while you were hazing pledges.
Phil
September 26th, 2010
12:13 pm
Hey UGA fans…Houston Nutt might be available at the end of this football season.
LIVE from New Orleans, as Falcons go for the upset | Jeff Schultz
September 26th, 2010
12:13 pm
[...] NEW ORLEANS –Good morning. I’m looking forward to actually watching some football today since I really didn’t see any last night in Starkville. [...]
K. Whittingham
September 26th, 2010
12:14 pm
@Downed Dawg – Love it. I sure as hell am embarrassed to show my face right now.
Jaw ga Tards
September 26th, 2010
12:14 pm
I is tired of Yalls knocking Coerch Rick and Bozo. Yalls need to remember wgat it was like befo
Coerch Ric and Boboe came here. We needs to keep these great Christian mens
5150 P.O.A.D.
September 26th, 2010
12:14 pm
Damn Jeff that was a low blow. True but you better not talk bad about the mutts or they will call for your job too.
Reality Dawg
September 26th, 2010
12:16 pm
I’m outta here. Our fans are so weak. Nothing but a bunch of panty wearing rednecks. Demetre… good to see you at Skyy’s. Snake Doc and Still Proud need to get a room. The first is a sissy and the second is a liar. In the name of all that is Bulldawg, I am revoking their UGA Fan Cards! You ferries lost all your Athens’ priveleges. Go Dawgs!
StillProudDawg
September 26th, 2010
12:17 pm
Reality, MY facts do not add up???? How do you know that? So, what major university? And that part about my girlfriend is just stupid. Are you the type of guy that would have sex with someone elses girlfriend – that says it all about you.
I knew you were never man enough to play football!
SRS
September 26th, 2010
12:17 pm
Snake Doc,
The majority of the DUI arrests, drug and alcohol abuse are commited by non-football playing students. Are they “thugs” too? Georgia has approx 80 football players on their team, mostly black, yet you only point out two white players(Murray and Durham) as having a good workt ethic. Typical.
K. Whittingham
September 26th, 2010
12:18 pm
Schultzy – As a journalist who has his hand on the pule of “program”, we want to know what you think should happen to this staff. Please speak on this!!!
Reality Dawg
September 26th, 2010
12:18 pm
Still Proud… to answer your question… “Yes, I am. And their mother, too.” You should call home…
Fire Mark Bradley and Schultz
September 26th, 2010
12:20 pm
LETS ALL PETITION TO FIRE BRADLEY AND SCHULTZ AND GET REAL SPORTS WRITERS IN ATLANTA THAT ARE NOT GOING TO SIT IN THE CORNER AND HOLD JOCK STRAPS AND ASK REAL TOUGH QUESTIONS INSTEAD OF PLAYING PATTI CAKES…..CONTACT THE AJC TO ASK FOR REAL SPORTS JOURNALISTS…..WHAT A JOKE PLEASE ONCE IN YOUR LIFE PUT SOMEBODY ON THE HOT SEAT…..HERE ARE YOUR CHOICES….BOBBY COX, MARK RICHT, PAUL JOHNSON ITS NOT LIKE U DONT HAVE TONS OF CHOICES TO PUT ON THE HOT SEAT
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
12:21 pm
@StillProudDawg – Reality is a mental midget, he’s probably a 38 year old loser, stuck in his parents basement. He has the intellect of a 5 year child. He’s a panty wearing beyotch!
Debating a man with a half a flea brainis no fun!
StillProudDawg
September 26th, 2010
12:21 pm
Reality – why don’t you go play your socker games with the other girls. Us proud UGA men will talk about football without you.
Mister Pants
September 26th, 2010
12:21 pm
The real issue with this team is discipline. Ten arrests in a year shows lack of discipline and if they can’t show it off the field, why should we expect it on the field? This falls directly at the feet of the coaching staff.
I’d rather see a 3 star recruit who plays hard, smart, and stays out of trouble for 4 years than a 5 star guy who is a character case and is gone in two years.
NoGaGator
September 26th, 2010
12:22 pm
K. Whittingham -
It sure looks like Foley learned from the Zook hire. As good as he is – and UF has won 20 out of the last 23 SEC All Sports Championships, Foley makes mistakes and he’d be the first to agree. He doesn’t tolerate mediocrity.
The question for UGA is will they continue to tolerate less than mediocrity?
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
12:22 pm
@SRS – Playing the race card? Typical!
Dan
September 26th, 2010
12:23 pm
Proud of 10 good years. Proud of 90% win record. Proud of nation leading road win percentage. Proud of 3 trips to SEC championship and 2 wins. Proud that former players reverence CMR and attribute their NFL leadership skills to CMR. Proud that CMR is making a long term difference. Proud that he and wife adopt poor kids from other countries. Proud that he has not quit amid the foolish ranting of ignorant fans. Proud that he is not short in his vision. Proud that he has personally never done anything but represent UGA well. Proud that he is still young and has tons of potential. Proud that CMR is at UGA. I could go on. Did I mention that he has tremendous bowl win percentage. Did I mention that when he left Fla. State, that FSU immediately began to decline. UGA football will not soon recover if CMR is fired. SUPPORT RICHT.
Reality Dawg
September 26th, 2010
12:24 pm
No problem Still Proud, I am outta here. You “proud” UGA men have so much to talk about… it’s kind of like being in a fraternity all over again. On your knees pledge boy.
P.S. Tell you mom I said, “Hi.”
K. Whittingham
September 26th, 2010
12:24 pm
We shall see? If we allow this to continue, we should be more ashamed than we already are.
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
12:26 pm
@ Dan – So its ok to be a mediocre football program? Tell me about the last 3-4 years. What is happening with this program today? How many big wins against teams ranked higher then UGA in last 4 years?
Are you proud of this teams performance this year? You sir are wearing blinders! You’re probably Buck Belue, if you’re not, then you’re just a blind homer!
K. Whittingham
September 26th, 2010
12:27 pm
@Dan – Curious what you do for a living? Do you work in the real world? There is not a successful corporation in the nation where this type of extended failure is allowed. You have to wake up and face reality. If you, assuming you work in a moderately demanding job, put out such poor performance – what would your boss do?
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
12:28 pm
@ Dan – some of the things you sight are things to be proud of.
The state of the team today is not!
some of the things you cite do not win football games or Championships.
Publix
September 26th, 2010
12:28 pm
20% off brown bags with your UGA tickets
StillProudDawg
September 26th, 2010
12:29 pm
Reality – GOOD RIDDANCE! If you every say anything about my mother again I will find you and you will regret it.
SRS
September 26th, 2010
12:30 pm
Snake Doc,
Let’s try and stay on topic. Please qualify your comments. Name the “thugs” on UGA’s football team, and please provide tangible, justifiable reasoning for your accussations?
Sid dampie
September 26th, 2010
12:33 pm
Fire Mark Richt:) Lets get Mullen:) At least he can make things more fun.
1eyedJack
September 26th, 2010
12:33 pm
CMR’s comments are certainly not a vote of confidence for Bobo. If he should wish to replace him at this point in the season he should look no further than across the Sunday dinner table. Brother-in-law Brad Johnson. Played for Richt at FSU, Pro Bowl and Super Bowl QB.
The offense is installed already. You’re certianly not going to trash the playbook now, but if you want somebody to call the plays and coach QBs he’s available. And he’s family so surely he’s been watching the games.
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
12:36 pm
@SRS – Why did you say my giving to “white players” as examples of hard work and leadership was typical. My definition of a thug football player is:
1) A player who does a face wipe on one play then is beaten for sack on the very next play. Stupid no discipline, thug. 2) Player taking a swing at another player, thug! 3) Player kicked off team for a alcohol offens, and some other non-named offense, i.e. Zach Mettenberger, white, thug!
Are these boys thugs in the real world, probably not, on the football field they’re just undisciplined, which, when on the field is a thug!
Me
September 26th, 2010
12:36 pm
Should he have said hysterical?
Dan
September 26th, 2010
12:36 pm
I have worked hard for many years. In any organization there are down times. Does not usually mean that the CEO must be fired. There are numerous factors that contribute to challenging times. In a company or organization you have to evaluate the whole not just the recent. Just like life. Do you really want to be evaluated by the worst period of your life, or your down times? Or do you want folks to look at the total package and discern from that. Any company or organizational leaders would recognize all of the above and conclude that CMR is a great coach and a good man. I would not fire him from my company but would offer more encouragement and hope he would stay with me for the long term. Successful companies think long-term. Richt is the guy. Support him.
dawgman
September 26th, 2010
12:38 pm
Once your program starts downhill and continues for more than two seasons, the hand writing is on the wall. Good recruits want TV time, and their parents don’t want to have children on a team of thugs (if for no other reason than the fact that these kids are not all thugs, but most of us have come to that conclusion). The change of head coach is inevitable, because the money will dry up. I personally have 75,000 points and I gave up Champions Club seats on row one last year….and that’s the truth.
dawgman
September 26th, 2010
12:41 pm
Dan, please let me know the name of your company so I can avoid investing in it. You are either one dumb son of a gun or you’re an HR person, or both.
Snake Doc
September 26th, 2010
12:42 pm
Oh yeah, remember folks, we have a 5 star recruit coming to save us who isn’t even playing his senior year of high school football.
MR’s problem is he wants to save kids, not win football games.
And who ever said we could dig up Bear Bryant and put him on the sideline and it would be any worse then what we are have now. You are correct Sir!
SRS
September 26th, 2010
12:43 pm
@ Snake Doc – Nevermind, I digress…