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.
♦
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
447 comments Add your comment
pulpwood smith
November 28th, 2010
11:04 am
I need more money to keep my mouth shut.
Evansdawg
November 28th, 2010
11:07 am
You know, Jeff…you seem to forget the shortcomings Tech had last night. Your article is ALL about Georgia and the failure that the season was for them. Seems to me you enjoy it. Why don’t you get in your car, and drive over to that dump in Atlanta and cry with the rest of the Star Trek fleet. HOMER.
Speaking of Star Trek…did anyone notice the Tech band uniforms??? They could be worn to a Star Trek convention!
Epaminondas
November 28th, 2010
11:14 am
If Miami offers Richt the head coaching job, he’ll take it. Why? Well, he has one year left in his contract at UGA, and it could very well be his last. If he loses more than four games next year, his contract with UGA will not be extended. If you were Richt, would you take that chance? Or would you opt for a five year contract with your alma mater? No matter what happens at Miami, Richt can retire for good after the 2015 season. Presumably he will have enough money by then to lead whatever missionary life he so pleases.
Hollis
November 28th, 2010
11:16 am
It’s always painful to lose to the thUGA morons, but it’s just asking too much for Tech’s student athletes to beat the thugs and punks that UGA recruits.
But it’s kind of rewarding to see thUGA stars digging ditches or riding the back of a garbage truck a couple of years later.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 28th, 2010
11:20 am
“When all you UGA fans sober up just think that Florida State proved last night they are a better team than UGA.”
***************************
Um, Techbuzzer, I’m pretty sure there are about 30 or so teams that are better than UGA right now, including FSU, but excluding Ga Tech.
Dang, we are 6-6. Who’s excited? Not me.
DavisDawg
November 28th, 2010
11:25 am
Funny how all the tech fans suddenly didn’t expect to win this game. Don’t remember seeing that on any posts before yesterday. With a few poor play calls we let you stay in the game. Take the loss…you should be used to it by now.
bdog10
November 28th, 2010
11:26 am
Raze is the idiot. I’ve not heard anybody so stupid since I listened to Bo Jackson trying to give a pep talk on Auburn’s sideline. It went like this Raze. ya gud i thunk ya gud and Cam said what was that? And that’s what I say Raze—-What was that you said?
Mr. Red
November 28th, 2010
11:26 am
MR has been rebuilding for 2 years and will be rebuilding again in 2011.
What a joke!
10 years not one National Championship. In that span Florida has won 2, LSU 2, Alabama 1 – UGA ZERO!
UGA Last 5 years has won nothing!
Tell me again why MR is the greatest thing to UGA football since sliced bread!
Fire MR now!
Wreckmaniac
November 28th, 2010
11:27 am
You dawgs can always come up with 10,000 reasons to keep CMR and I hope you do keep him. As far as Johnson, if he can’t cut it yesterday he’ll never cut it. He needs to not spend the next two weeks planning for next year but needs to seriously consider whether or not he can get it done at Tech. He knows he was hired to win one game only Nobody cares about the ACC deal. He is here to do one thing and that is to beat GA.
bdog10
November 28th, 2010
11:28 am
Better idea Mr. Red —You’re fired. You people are too negative. Glad our team doesn’t give up.
Wreckmaniac
November 28th, 2010
11:28 am
The worst UGA team in 20 years ? You guys have been saying that for the last 5 years.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 28th, 2010
11:29 am
“Georgia won but was definitely outcoached. Just think if PJ had UGA’s talent.”
***********************************
Amen to that, Kramerica.
Let’s just trade coaches!
Steve
November 28th, 2010
11:31 am
Yea “Wreckmaniac” you made a great point! Oh, wait, did you want to look up UGA’s record in 2006, 2007, and 2008 real quick? What a loser! 9 of 10, ha ha.
Wreckmaniac
November 28th, 2010
11:31 am
Lord, please give us a high school defense to go with our high school offense.
bdog10
November 28th, 2010
11:31 am
Heck wreckmaniac better stop wasting time on MR and get your own coach fired. 1 0f 3 is not looking too good. How long you going to give him? You need to move to Auburn I think. Go down with Cam.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 28th, 2010
11:32 am
Who said our #2 ranked ‘07 team was UGA’s worst team in 20 years? Or even the ‘08 team?
The ‘09 team was the worst team in 20 years. This year’s team was at least competitive in every game.
Wreckmaniac
November 28th, 2010
11:32 am
Please give us a high school defense to go with our high school offense.
KeepDreaming
November 28th, 2010
11:32 am
Listen up Dawg fans, this win is nothing to be proud of. Our players got GOUGED last night, after having an extra week off to prepare for that high school offense. Im glad we got the “W”, but we are still glaring at a lot of off season issues to deal with. That coupled with the fact that even losing the game, CPJ still got the last laugh. Kinda embarrassing if you ask me.
John
November 28th, 2010
11:33 am
Hollis.
Way to find a silver lining in that black cloud of a Tech football season dude. At least you guys came from behind to smite Duke. Whatta football juggernaut they are. Good job.
I must tell that I resent the aspersions you cast at honest and decent folks who’s vocation includes ditch digging and sanitation engineering. Spawned by your intense, Tech self hatred no doubt. I think you owe us all a freaking apology.
You Tech people couldn’t find enough butts willing to occupy every seat at Grant Field during football season if admission was free and you emptied the jails and gave away Ipods and hummers from strippers as added inducements.
Shoot, a good segment of the current student body probably doesn’t even know what American football is – not that there’s anything wrong with that.
And I for one am sick and tired of posters referring to a 18-21 year old kids as “thugs”. Go examine your own lives at that age and see how you measured up. Ever smoke weed? Got a traffic ticket, a DUI perhaps?
Come on folks! Can’t we all just get along?
bdog10
November 28th, 2010
11:34 am
And take the okefenoke dawg with you.
Wreckmaniac
November 28th, 2010
11:35 am
Johnson’s demise will be his inability to understand defense. Similar to Spurrier but at least Spurrier found defensive coordinators who could take on the responsibility.
bdog10
November 28th, 2010
11:38 am
THE POINT IS IT TAKES TIME TO TURN A PROGRAM AROUND. GIVE MR AND TG A LITTLE AND YOU’LL SEE A BIG DIFFERENCE IN THE “D”. THE OFFENSE IS PUTTING 30 + A GAME AND MOST OF THE TIME 40+. COME ON GUYS BE MORE POSITIVE.
Sluggo
November 28th, 2010
11:40 am
This season, with both Tech and Georgia, is a classic example of there being too many bowl games. Neither of these teams is deserving of a post season game.
Wreckmaniac
November 28th, 2010
11:42 am
Anthony Allen last night looked like a combination of Bo Jackson- Walter Peyton- Eric Dickerson.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 28th, 2010
11:44 am
Absolutely right, Sluggo, but with the SEC (and probably ACC too) teams are required to accept bowl invites, because the conference shares the bowl revenue.
and bdog10, exactly why did the program need turning around?
bdog10
November 28th, 2010
11:48 am
Everybody knows defensive improvement is needed. It is a mute point. It wasn’t created by Grantham and until he gets the right players to run a 3-4 we will suffer. Yeah MR has a responsibility for the defense going down. He has assumed the responsibility and made the changes. Do you really want a coach that has no idea what is going on at Ga. to come in and scratch everything or would you rather have a good man for the job that is there that knows the issues and is dealing with them as fast as he can. He will fix it. I know what will take less time and we get to keep a guy with great morals. Someone that won’t let a program down with things like trying to pay for play. You never hear things like that about MR and never will.
bdog10
November 28th, 2010
11:52 am
SEC and possibly BCS champs would work.
nmdawg
November 28th, 2010
11:52 am
Any bowl is better than no bowl. The extra practice time is imperative, and the teams who cocsistently miss bowl games have a ver had time improing becasue of the practice advantage. I hope the Dawgs concentrate on fundamentals more than game prepeation for the bowl game, so they have a better chance to fix their weaknesses. Don’t worry about firing anybody…go woth strong fundamentals and there is talent enough to be very good every year. The lack of coaching and fundamental play has held this team back. Go Dawgs!
LIVE BLOG: Hot Falcons get another big test from Packers | Jeff Schultz
November 28th, 2010
11:52 am
[...] ♦ Georgia wasn’t any more impressive in a win than it was in some losses [...]
bdog10
November 28th, 2010
11:53 am
BCS —–possibly a real nat champs program when the joke is over.
nmdawg
November 28th, 2010
11:58 am
bdawg–agree with the “BCS” champion not being the National Champion! Any time you have “voters” instead of on te field play, it is not a “national Champion”….and before any one loss teams begin their lobbying, there shoud be a rule that you can’t get voted in unless you at least win your conference.
OkefenokeeDawg
November 28th, 2010
12:05 pm
bodg10,
I, for one, want Mark Richt to stay at UGA, and I still think Grantham was a good hire. But anyone that hasn’t noticed that there aren’t some problems at UGA, simply has his/her head in the sand.
The Dawgs were competitive in every game this season, and that’s an improvement. but we still aren’t beating better talented (UA), equally talented (Ark, SC) or some cases, lessor talented(Colorado, Miss St, UF) teams, and that is on the coaches, and ultimately Mark Richt.
bdog10
November 28th, 2010
12:06 pm
And we could go on and on and on . Watch the Cam Newton story unfold and the effect that has. Got to clean that up too.
Top Recruit
November 28th, 2010
12:11 pm
Amazing how Jeff can miss so much. Aaron Murray dictated the play calling of the dirt road builders’ Johnson and Groh. Yes, the dirt road builders had a lot of plays and a lot of TOP, but it took awhile for their antique car to move down the dirt road. Forced Groh to put two on Green, which allowed to Murray to move the Dawgs at lightning speed and quick scores via other sets and personnel. Forced old Johnson to call those timeouts because he needed time to move the antique down the road…call that TOP, too.
Much is made of the number of plays ran, and it can be reasoned, but the downside, greater chance to put the ball in the opposing team possession [call that TOP, too] via turnovers. Teams that score quickly and often will dictate the defensive strategy.
Now the other side of Murray. How much impact wil he have on recruiting for UGA? A great deal. He does not turn the ball over. Understands the small things in a game. Loves to put the ball in the end zone whether its his arm and a receiver or a number 1 tailback.
Sorry, you missed really seeing the game Jeff…like alot of the AJC writers…stuck in the past while football has moved past you.
DIT
November 28th, 2010
12:14 pm
Glad that one is over!! Everyone knew that was going to be a close game if you admit it or not. I know there are a lot of people that want to blame the defense on CMR. I was a little encouraged about one thing. Not sure if you people at the game saw it, but CMT was in CTG face a good bit in the 2nd half. For once I could see that CMR was very upset at his DC. TG could not even look him in the face and MR was giving it to him. Was I the only one seeing this? My friends & I were like “well, it’s about time MR got in his face.”
I knew the offense would put up points and at the same time knew tech’s offense would run on our Defense. I’m no DC by any stretch, but could our LB’s play any deeper? 90,000+ people knew that they were going to run up the middle and our LB’s STILL sat back.
I’m not sure what defensive people we have committed to the up coming recruiting class, but can someone tell me if we have any good LB’s coming in!
Still, Go Dawgs and great game by GT.
Wes Durham's Gigantic Bottom
November 28th, 2010
12:17 pm
Unconfirmed rumor – Kevin Butler advised that some of the UGA players told him after the game that Paul Johnson was actually out during the pregame “festivities” calling out UGA players and telling them that they were going to lose……if true, very classy….I do not want to hear anything about Grantham and the choke sign if that is true…..
bdog10
November 28th, 2010
12:17 pm
Good job top recruit… I personally think Schultz is a GT grad. If you read him week after week you sort of get that. That would be a better excuse for him than the obvious stupidity route you know.
GaCracker
November 28th, 2010
12:23 pm
Naw Jeff, Richt doesn’t need to fix the place kicking and punting. Is your memory short or do you take it for granted?
UGALOVER
November 28th, 2010
12:40 pm
How do they let a jocksniffer like you who never played the game write about football? Your anti-Georgia musing just keeps getting old and stale and you should go work for the Tech school newspaper (if they even have one). The defense under Grantham has improved statiscally and with the turnover ratios for last years team coached by Martinez. Anyone who knows anything about football knows that a new defensive system takes more than 1 season for the coaches to impliment and for the players to learn the system. You didn’t write anything negative about Al Groh’s defense and they lost the game. You want to write about something negative then explain to your bosses why you and Mark Bradley are the main reasons that UGA people no longer subscribe to the AJC!
We
November 28th, 2010
12:43 pm
Hey where is “Blackberry Pie and Yellow Fuzz? They swore that they would be on here today! Typical!
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 28th, 2010
12:43 pm
DIT I would hope Richt was in Grantham’s face. Richt realized in the 3rd qtr that he(richt) was coaching for his LIFE. If Richt is gone he was telling TODD no other school or coach would be STUPID enough to hire Grantham for that kind of money. Richt’s team has all the talent and was LUCKY to win a 1 point game and Richt now knows his seat is OFFICIALLY HOT.
We
November 28th, 2010
12:44 pm
If some of you think that JS article reeks then you need to over to Bradley’s column. Talk about kissing teks behind!
MATHDAWG
November 28th, 2010
12:45 pm
THIS WIN WILL LAST ALL YEAR – BY THIS TIME NEXT YEAR UGA WILL BE A TOP 10 TEAM AND WILL BEAT TECH AGAIN IN ATLANTA.
IT’S ALWAYS GOOD TO PUT THE NERDS IN THEIR PLACE, #2 IN THE STATE AND SOON TO BE #3 AFTER GA. STATE. TECH HAD BETTER KEEP AN EYE ON KENNASAW AS THEY WILL SURPASS TECH IN A FEW YEARS.
takedowndawg
November 28th, 2010
12:53 pm
Raze, regarding Murray, you’re an idiot. Which 1A program would not want him as a sophomore next year? Look at his stats as a freshman, and look at comparative stats not preceding him at Georgia Greats but other NFL QB past and present. Georgia poor record falls clearly on our lack of making defensive plays all year long, not on Murray.. Outstanding freshman effort. I was very proud him, If you Raze are a dawg, you then, are an idiot, regardless of your affiliation!!
Tim-Buck-Two
November 28th, 2010
1:00 pm
*** 42-34 ***
Techerheads wrecked again!!!
I don’t give a damn about anything else…….
For a true Georgia man (1981), whipping the Techmites arse is all that really matters!
LeadDog
November 28th, 2010
1:01 pm
Jeff, the dogs got off to a terrible start this year and I think fundamentally the coaches dropped the ball. UGA offseason program needs a total re-work. However, during the last seven games the Dogs have performed at a very high level both from a national and SEC perspective. Offensively, they have been among the most elite teams in the SEC. Under CMR, the Dogs recruited and developed some of the top quarterbacks in the nation. Defensively, they don’t have a scheme problem. The have a significant talent problem. On special teams, while on occasion they have been out coached, they are clearly a special teams threat and one of the best in the nation. Lastly, in terms of penalties and special teams this team clearly improved over last year’s performance. Your assessment of UGA’s team lacks real depth.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
November 28th, 2010
1:02 pm
Go ahead and tell me I was right 3 years ago when I said CMR would be headed to Miami. All of you in Athens thought I was crazy, but UM timed the firing perfectly as CMR comes off one his worse, if not the worst seasons since his arrival.
He will be in Miami in 3 months or less just in time for recruiting, go ahead save this blog, he will be offered the job and the chances are good he will take it.
http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/11/28/1946337/shannons-status-is-unknown.html
5150 P.O.A.D.
November 28th, 2010
1:03 pm
WE
UGA get more coverage be it Good or Bad. Richt and Bobo need to be called to the carpet. UGA will lose a lot of TALENT after this year and then what? Richt went 6-6 and had 11 players arrested or suspend for games that cost UGA games. What do you expect Mark and Jeff to say. All is well! Nothing is wrong. We can win the SEC EAST next year with no changes and less Talent. The scariest things for UGA fans is that If Tech passed better or If Nesbitt played the Dawgs would most likely lost the game. If Blair makes the PAT do dawg fans really think UGA with Murray would have won in OT? I don’t know but I would trust BOBO to make some bad play calls, while Tech would just pound the ball in the endzone. No matter what team you cheer for the BRAIN TRUST at UGA is not much. UGA scoring las could have killed the Dawgs. All you had to do was take a knee or run around in the backfield to burn a few seconds and then take a knee. Think if Richt had done the samething against an Auburn or Arkansas. Either of those teams would have passed down the field and forced OT easily and won in OT probably. TECH did all they did with a KID starting his 3rd game. Murry lost his 3rd start 31-24 to Arkansas sounds about the same.
The CRAZIEST thing UGA 6-6 and the VOLS 6-6. The Vols way way exceded expectations with all they went through and now look at RICHT and the Dawgs! Tell me RICHT shouldn’t be on the HOT as HELL THRONE.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
November 28th, 2010
1:04 pm
The problem with UGA runs deeper than Mark Richt, the problem with UGA goes back to Dooley running the football program and no one had the guts to say otherwise. UGA football is some sort of football mafia where if anyone says anything negative about the program, they disappear.
There is not goal for championships, just have a good time getting drunk on a Saturday afternoon. If we win great, if not, then business as usual.
Mike Bobo 17 INT
November 28th, 2010
1:08 pm
Mr. Red
UGA has been rebuilding since 1982 and only 1 national title in 117 years. GT is awful this year, and weak, but they at least have 4 national titles.
Auburn can talk about beating Alabama all they want, but Alabama has 13 titles, and Auburn has 1 title from 1958 and they were on probation. Auburn can try and run the table for a title, but their gauntlet is too large.
They have to get past Spurrier, then Oregon then the forthcoming NCAA investigation. There is only 1 thing worse than losing a national title, and that is winning a national title then watch it taken away.