Georgia’s win not art, but we’ve come to expect this
The Dogs celebrated after Justin Houston's interception in final seconds sealed win. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
ATHENS — It was supposed to be easier than this.
But then, so was the Colorado game.
So was the Mississippi State game.
So was . . . well, let’s just assumed “easy” left town with Louisiana-Lafayette 12 weeks ago.
The offensive line hasn’t been the dominating unit that Georgia expected. The defense under Todd Grantham certainly hasn’t improved like expected. (Did Willie Martinez leave just his playbook in Athens or was that his spirit?) The physical and mental edge that the Bulldogs have often lacked over the past three seasons? Still lacking.
This is what Georgia fans get in 2010: a 6-6 record in this season’s deep sea of 6-6 records. The Dogs won 42-34 over Georgia Tech on Saturday. They became bowl eligible, not because they were much better than the Yellow Jackets but because — until a touchdown with 1:29 left — the opposing kicker had missed an extra point.
The teams combined for six turnovers plus a botched opening kickoff return by Georgia. When the Dogs and Jackets accounted for three fumbles in four exchanges, I’m pretty sure every bowl official in attendance stood up and left.
But if you’re a Georgia fan this season, you take it. Why? Because a win at least makes the 6-6 record far more appealing aesthetically than 5-7. Because a bad bowl game is better than no bowl game. Because this season has predominantly lacked beauty from the outset, save the acrobatics of A.J. Green and the surprising play of freshman quarterback Aaron Murray.
In retrospect, it was silly to think that the fact the Dogs were two-touchdown favorites suddenly would propel them to a dominating performance.
“It would’ve been sickening to be 5-7 right now and for the season to be over,” coach Mark Richt said.
Who knew a bottom-tier bowl game in Birmingham or Memphis could look like paradise?
It was nearly three months ago to the day Saturday when Richt looked ahead to this season like a child peering through the window of a toy store. He talked about his offensive line. He talked about veteran leadership. He talked about a turnaround on defense. But when asked for a won-loss projection based on the schedule, he balked.
“I used to do it more than I do now,” he said in August. “What year was it — [Matthew] Stafford’s freshman year [2006]? I kind of did it that year a little bit. We didn’t have a great season. Everything looked different than it was.”
Sort of like this year. There’s no spinning it. The season went sideways, and the Dogs have been wobbling almost from Day 1.
Richt will be back next season, and he should be back because winning two SEC titles in his first five seasons earns him the right to fix the problems. But he has a lot of problems to fix.
Aaron Murray completed 11 of 14 passes with three touchdowns in first half but didn't throw much in the second (4 for 5). (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
He can leave Murray alone. The young quarterback entered this season as the team’s biggest question mark, and he ended it as one of its few strengths. But almost every other area is due for an overhaul.
It wasn’t difficult to tell this was a game between 5-6 and 6-5 teams. The Dogs’ Shaun Chapas dropped the opening kickoff and Tech recovered (technically it’s not a fumble, just early humiliation). But the Jackets failed to score on that possession or the next one, despite starting at the Georgia 27 and 46. Their second drive? It ended with a fumble.
In the end, it wasn’t so much which team had fewer thumbs — we’ll call that one a tie — but which best took advantage. The Jackets’ first three fumbles all led to Georgia touchdowns. The Dogs’ fumbles led to bupkis for Tech.
Murray was phenomenal early, completing 11 of 14 passes for 220 yards in the first half and touchdowns to Kris Durham, Orson Charles and Bruce Figgins. But the Dogs couldn’t get through this without some drama. They jumped to a 14-0 lead and to fizzle ad see Tech come back with touchdowns on three of their next four possessions to tie it at 21-21.
The Dogs jumped back ahead by two touchdowns on a Washaun Ealey run and a Justin Houston 18-yard return of a fumble. But the Jackets, who had 512 yards in offense (411 on the ground), drove through the Dogs’ defense for two more scores.
Only a missed a extra point by kicker Scott Blair with 4:57 left kept the Dogs ahead, at 35-34.
Defensive end Akeem Dent, on the field, turned around just in time to see the miss.
“I turned and looked and was like: I know he didn’t miss it. Did he miss it?” Dent said.
A 20-yard touchdown run by Ealey with 1:29 left made it 42-34. Tech had one last possession fall short.
Two 6-6 teams stumbled over the finish line.
“I don’t care what bowl game we’re going to,” Green said in likely his final game at Sanford Stadium. “It’s better than going home right now.”
After the disappointment of the 2008 season with Matthew Stafford and Knowshon Moreno and the pronounced slide of the last two years, it’s clear Georgia’s future doesn’t come with any guarantees. Richt doesn’t need to fix the quarterback. But he needs to fix everything else.
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447 comments Add your comment
rogeriter
November 28th, 2010
12:00 am
We won–thats ultimately what counts. But Bobo, once again started playing not to lose rather than playing to win. I mean when we got the ball with time left, he ran two plays up the middle where we haven’t gained an inch all night instead of letting Murray put the ball up to Green and company, which had worked all night! I say fire BOBo!
Matthews Dawg
November 28th, 2010
12:00 am
Herschel….why don’t you give it up? Everyday you are on here about firing CMR! Get over it…not going to happen! If you know so much, send in your resume’ and ask for an interview and see if you can get the job!! Your act is tired! Celebrate the win and move on! Better an ugly win than a loss anyday!! Go Dawgs and THWGT!
GT fans quit making excuses! Turnovers are part of the game and we should know b/c we lost games because of turnovers.
wins-by-a-link
November 28th, 2010
12:01 am
The offense scored 42 tonight, That should win 100% of the time, The defense was terrible, Defensive line was pushed from one end of stadium to the other, Can anyone give me reason to think the defense will be better next yr?
DawgInDFW
November 28th, 2010
12:01 am
What we already knew:
1) Rivalry games are frequently closer and flukier than the line or the score would suggest.
2) Dawgs are better than their record.
3) The defense seems to be the problem with the Dawgs.
What we learned:
1) Tech is better than their record, too.
2) Turnovers should have cost us this game. (Thankfully, Tech paid them back to us with some change.)
3) The offense is still not firing on all cylinders, primarily in the run game (until Bobo locates the page that says “COUNTER” at the top).
4) Yes, the defense is that bad. Say what you will about NFL coaches defending the option. Our defense kinda stinks, especially against running teams, either for lack of time or personnel or both.
Hats off to the Jackets. They played a tough game. We just sucked a little less than they did tonight.
bleedsredandblack
November 28th, 2010
12:02 am
I am so angry I should not post. We win games and lose games and we should man up in our losses. But it is the way we have lost the last two years. This is not Georgia Football. When we lose, it should be because someone had to nearly beat us to death. We have either beaten ourselves or not put that extra effort. The defensive coaches are going to be alright, especially if they get some help recruiting. But the overall game preparation in some of our contest has fallen short. I cannot not for the life of me figure out what Bobo is thinking. The two things that should determine Richt’s future here is this year’s recruiting and next year’s record. I hope this predictable play calling doesn’t cost CMR his job. I know I am venting out of disappointment for the season and this game (even though we won), but I have many years of support put into this program. This is no longer just college athletics….this is big time sports. Universities such as ours have sold out to big money, so they should be open to petty whinny jerks like me, voicing my concerns. Georgia football is not life and death to me…it is far more important!
Terry
November 28th, 2010
12:02 am
Dang, spot Tech 2 botched kick turnovers, a fumble, 2 failed conversions on two 4th & 1’s by Murray,
AND GEROGAI STILL WINS BY 8?
Florida Dawg
November 28th, 2010
12:02 am
Why get excited by beating GT….so what? GT is just an average ACC team.
Beating the gators would have been the thing to do.
Tide Roll
November 28th, 2010
12:02 am
Murray is the worst 4th quater QB in America. Check the stats. Also, can’t the Richt/Bobo brain trust anticipate Tech letting Uga score and tell Ealey to kneel down after he gets a first down. Sheesh. Those two aren’t the sharpest knives in the drawer, are they.
Baby Ray
November 28th, 2010
12:02 am
wins-by-a-link -
you moron. dawgs didn’t score 42…they scored 35 and then had the defense watch them walk in another…unbelievably bad coached team to have done that.
hard to imagine
November 28th, 2010
12:03 am
We are able to make Willie’s D look good these days. Glad we won but it was a tough year.
No play makers next year but still hope we improve.
Mac
November 28th, 2010
12:04 am
Aaron Murray failed on both 4th down conversions.
Fumbled one.
He’s terrible under pressure.
OkieDawg
November 28th, 2010
12:04 am
A totally one dimensional offense and our $750,000 per year DC could not figure out how to stop it? He outdumbed Bobo tonight and CMR seemed to be clueless. How could a totally inept Ga. Tech team even be competitive in our house? Sad, very sad!
trey
November 28th, 2010
12:04 am
((( 42-34 )))
Who’s your daddy yellow maggots? LMAOOOOOOO
Real Bulldog
November 28th, 2010
12:04 am
The Real Bulldogs (MSU) run the state of Georgia and Mississippi
St. Simons is Dawg Country
November 28th, 2010
12:05 am
Why did anyone allow the idiot to cop that name anyway? The only place that’s more “UGA” than St. Simons Island is Athens. SSI = ‘Dawg Country. Any ‘Techies there stay in hiding.
Les
November 28th, 2010
12:05 am
Rumor is Coach PJ will be fired. Tech is embarrased he couldn’t beat the worst team Richt’s ever coached.
joeygt
November 28th, 2010
12:06 am
we gave ga the game tech had so many opportunities to take the lead every time we would fumble it or stall WE STOPPED OURSELVES I KNOW GA DIDNT
WE HAD OVER 500 YARDS OF OFFENSE TO GAS 425, IF WE HAD ANY KIND OF DEFENSE WE WOULD OF WON THE GAME. BUT I WANT TO SAY CONGRATS TO GA FANS ON BEATING TECH WITH ITS BACKUP QB ………BARELEY…… EVEN THOUGH HE PLAYED DECENT HE MISREAD SOME PLAYS BUT THAT WAS ONLY HIS 3RD START..
IF WE HAD JOSH NESBITT YALL WOULD HAVE NEVER STOPPED US ONCE WE WOULD HAVE WON LIKE 49-42
BUT THE MUTTS DID WIN AND A WIN IS A WIN. P YEAH TO ALL THE IDIOT GA FANS WHO SAID GA WAS GOING TO KILL US.. WHAT HAPPEN YALL BARELEY WON PLAYING US WHO HAS INFERIOR TALENT!@!!!!!!!!!!!!!
jack e. row
November 28th, 2010
12:06 am
I’snt it ironic how Ga.Tech gave UGA so much grief for going to the Independence Bowl in Shreveport, and where is Tech going to this year….Shreveport..
Erk
November 28th, 2010
12:06 am
Wreckmaniac – I love your superior attitude! You voted for Obama didn’t you? It is documentation that after a long stretch of beatings, you don’t feel the pain anymore, you’re just numb. Enjoy the novacaine!
Vance Dueley
November 28th, 2010
12:06 am
1. Our strength/conditioning coach should be replaced. 2 different members of the training profession have stated privately that Georgia is behind the times and specifically that Van Halenger is a big part of the problem with our team lacking what it needs to “finish the drill”.
2. Our offensive coordinator needs to be replaced. As Coach Richt just said on the radio, “we probably should have thrown the ball more”. WHY do we consistently stop what is working, and bog our offense down with our inconsistent running game?
3. We need to recruit some big playmakers on defense, and teach guys like Jakar Hamilton that trying to pick a fumble up TWICE and failing TWICE is a good reason to fall on the stinkin’ ball….!
4. Go Dawgs…..!!!
Les
November 28th, 2010
12:06 am
Jeff-
Thought you were supposed to be representing the “pro-Georgia’ view tonight?
This article doesn’t sound too positive?
Supes
November 28th, 2010
12:07 am
I’ll take the ugly win anyday over a loss. Yes UGA got lucky…all that we’ll remember in several years is 9 out 10!
When UGA had to, they made plays. Tech knows how to do one thing…hand it off to Allen up the middle. I’ve never seen a more boring and predictable way to rack up 400+ yards of offense…Tech can’t run a 2 minute drill b/c their QB can’t throw the ball pass the yard of scrimmage without it fluttering like a lame duck in the air and into the hands of Justin Houston.
Not Don Waddell
November 28th, 2010
12:07 am
Please, Miami, spare us. Please offer to buy out Coach Richt and let us all part ways amicably.
It is clear that Richt has lost control of this program, and that this is much more than a one-year blip.
It would be a fantastic way for UGA to move on, Coach Richt to get a fresh start and Miami to get a great man of integrity to lead their program.
Barkin'Dog
November 28th, 2010
12:07 am
WOW! After going 1-4 all you heard or read was, “the Dawgs won’t win another game. So-and-so is going to beat them, Tech will beat them.” Well, they did win more games – FIVE MORE – AND BEAT TECH! Was it pretty? No. But they did what most thought they couldn’t… and kept most every game close. Even Bama lost to SC and Auburn. Look at Florida and Texas. This was a crazy season and I’m glad the Dawgs can win a bowl game for a winning season, after starting 1-4. Oh, and next year will be much better – starting with a season-opening win against a top 10 team.
Pirtdawg
November 28th, 2010
12:08 am
To Saint Simons……((((((Your an idiot))))))…oh and we STILL run this state 42-34.
Scoreboard, Jeff
November 28th, 2010
12:08 am
Cry, Lil’ Jeffie, Cry!
Jason
November 28th, 2010
12:09 am
Miami did the overhaul to the coaching staff–are we possibly going to see another 6-6 season or are changes in the future?
I’m still nervous and the game has been over for a while–probably b/c we’ll keep our coaching staff and then we open with Boise and then South Carolina right after that. Oh hell. Another dreadful season awaits.
Gary
November 28th, 2010
12:10 am
Murray’s 4th quarter struggles ocntinue.
Completed 1 pass in the 4th quarter.
Had 1 sack.
Fumnbled on fourth down.
Vance Dueley
November 28th, 2010
12:10 am
Oh, and how could our beloved offensive coordinator NOT warn Ealey to take a knee at the 1 yard line on that last run, so that Tech would NEVER get the ball back again….!?!?! It’s called being INTELLIGENT during the game. It’s so frustrating…………….. Go Dawgs!!
SatillaDawg
November 28th, 2010
12:10 am
Well, it wasn’t pretty, but at least it’s a win.
And at least the Dawgs get to go bowling.
But let’s face it. It was a mediocre season.
Thank God A.J. got back on the field, or it would have been even worse.
McGarity’s already saying CMR will be back, but I still think it’s time for a change.
Hey, CMR, Miami’s calling….
Pirtdawg
November 28th, 2010
12:11 am
oh and all the comments coming about Murray being a bad 4th gtr QB must be from opposing fans worried about loosing to him next year.
SadDawg
November 28th, 2010
12:11 am
We were supposed to win by 15…and we win because of a missed extra point by a team missing their QB?
I’m glad we won…but be humble fellow UGA fans…I’m worried about this team after this win than before we played the game. GT needs to be congratulated on playing as tough as they did…this is no time to brag.
stendek
November 28th, 2010
12:11 am
Yellow Jacets had their way with porous UGA defense except when it counted most. FG would have lifted Georgia Tech to deserved victory. Bulldogs worse 6-6 team than Georgia Tech! No real comparison. That said…
http://stendec7.wordpress.com/2010/11/28/yellow-jackets-gash-uga-but-missed-pat-kick-proves-costly/
Supes
November 28th, 2010
12:11 am
Garry, that’s b/c Bobo’s timid and predictable play calling put Murray behind the 8 ball with third and longs to convert (obvious passing situation) and then he calls plays where the routes of the WR aren’t designed to Murray’s strength to roll out and have a pass/run option.
joeygt
November 28th, 2010
12:12 am
I THINK GA FANS EVEN KNOW THEY WON SHOULD BE CONCERNED BC TECH GAVE YALL THE GAME EASILY YALL GA HAS 4-5 STAR TALENT GA TECH HAS 2-3 STAR TALENT WHO IS COACHING THE PLAYERS UP BETTER TECH OR GA?? WITH OUT A DOUBT
COACH PJ IS WE ALL KNOW THE TALENT TECH LOST LAST YEAR.
I AM ACTUALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING TECH WHEN THEEY GET SOME BETTER PLAYER OUR OFFENSE WILL BE NEARLY UNSTOPPABLE
This just in
November 28th, 2010
12:12 am
Mass suicides on North Avenue. Worst UGA team in a decade and a half with a new (lousy) defense and PJ’s triple option couldn’t pull the trigger. 2008 was an anomaly and that realization finally sinks in among Nerd Nation. The Pee-pee colored Kool-Aid was consumed and thousands are sick and dying in the Joke-by-the-Coke.
DBCOOPER
November 28th, 2010
12:13 am
UGA’s worst team in decades is still good enough to beat Tech.
Georiga is one of the worst coached team that I have ever witnessed. You are either an idiot Tech fan or you don’t know squat about college football. It’s true UGA underachieved this year however, Richt runs the same offense as about 2/3’s of the NFL runs. And many college teams in the top 25. So that might mean you’re an idiot.
ALMA
November 28th, 2010
12:13 am
I’m just proud of Justin Houston and hope he wins out over our best enemy Fairley for the defensive player award.(Can’t remember the name of the award…too late….) Tech plays a very, very boring, but often successful, game. I’d much rather watch my Dawgs anytime. My daughter (a double UGA grad) said she was cheering the Dawgs on at a Wild Wings in suburban Chicago. See, the Dawgs are popular everywhere!!!
USMC Dawg
November 28th, 2010
12:14 am
Great Victory for Georgia, but Tech has nothing to hold their heads down about.
Tech’s offense chewed our defense up tonight, but the defense bowed up when it counted.
Fumbles equal poor coaching. Why don’t our guys know how to FALL ON THE BALL? Coaching.
Also, our (no) strength and (no) conditioning coach needs to be replaced.
I think Grantham was a good hire, but next year will tell us for sure.
Tech played a good game, but CPJ needs to rethink the going for 4th downs all of the time.
Nice win Georgia, but we should be MUCH better.
WJ
November 28th, 2010
12:14 am
You clowns are hilarious. I have been reading this blog for many years now and see nothing but a bunch of idiots splatterd with a few intelligent comments. A.J. Green should be forced to return for pooping on his team’s head. Had he played all year, the dawgs would be in all likelyhood 8-4. WHOOOOOPEE! Richt is a good coach- but not the MAN. I see no reason to dismiss him yet, but realize that it probably means few championships (if any) in the near future. The problem with GA is that most of the players are too wrapped up in themselves to deal with doing what’s right for the team. Baccari Rambo looked liked a 3rd grader on his “tackle attempt” at the goal line during the second Tech score. When you have that kind of attitude and play—-you’re mucked. Yeah- maybe another coach could weed that out- and improve- but it could be worse as well. My suggestion is go learn how to fish or play golf- and quit depending on a bunch of delusional thugs to complete your Saturday. Otherwise, shut up and have a drink….and enjoy!
Whaaaabulance
November 28th, 2010
12:15 am
Is enroute for the cryin’ Nerds on here. Is UGA a good team? Hell no, but it doesn’t take one to beat tech. Go play cornhole or those videogames you nerds love so much.
Gen Neyland
November 28th, 2010
12:16 am
Congrats to all the winners (GBO) Friday and Saturday. Let’s see what shakes out for all us 6-6 teams…
Joke
November 28th, 2010
12:16 am
ALMA…UGA is popular everywhere because a UGA grad lives in Chicago? Umm…
OkieDawg
November 28th, 2010
12:16 am
Sorry CMR, but why does one and done seem appropriate? Ga. Tech is a totally inept sqaud and our D could not be relevant? Embarrasing!
Miami is on the line,
November 28th, 2010
12:16 am
Will Erin Murray go with him?
JacketMan
November 28th, 2010
12:16 am
He was on the line and should not have been able to recover the ball. Georgia suxxxxx
McDawg
November 28th, 2010
12:16 am
we won b/c our best player on D made the plays-how bad do we need some players on D-line–startes aren’t bad but we need some depth-it was ugly but better than losing pretty
robdawg
November 28th, 2010
12:16 am
I’m a proud dawg but enuff is enuff. CMR & BOBO need to go. We have been outcoached all year. Grantham was a costly mistake. He has no clue. We will be 8-3 next year. We will again lose to Florida & beat Tech. We have wasted Aj, Mo Mas, knowshon with nothing to show for it. CMR use to beat teams better than us. This year we lost at least 4 games we should have won: Florida, Colorado , miss state & Arkansas. When this starts happening it’s time.
joeygt
November 28th, 2010
12:16 am
GT gave ga the game tech had so many opportunities to take the lead every time we would fumble it or stall WE STOPPED OURSELVES I KNOW GA DIDNT
WE HAD OVER 500 YARDS OF OFFENSE TO GAS 425, IF WE HAD ANY KIND OF DEFENSE WE WOULD OF WON THE GAME. BUT I WANT TO SAY CONGRATS TO GA FANS ON BEATING TECH WITH ITS BACKUP QB ………BARELEY…… EVEN THOUGH HE PLAYED DECENT HE MISREAD SOME PLAYS BUT THAT WAS ONLY HIS 3RD START..
IF WE HAD JOSH NESBITT YALL WOULD HAVE NEVER STOPPED US ONCE WE WOULD HAVE WON LIKE 49-42
BUT THE MUTTS DID WIN AND A WIN IS A WIN. P YEAH TO ALL THE IDIOT GA FANS WHO SAID GA WAS GOING TO KILL US.. WHAT HAPPEN YALL BARELEY WON PLAYING US WHO HAS INFERIOR TALENT!@!!!!!!!!!!!!!
superDawg
November 28th, 2010
12:16 am
LEWIS GRIZZARD IS DEAD BUT HE IS LIGHT YEARS BETTER THAN schultz.