LIVE from Liberty Bowl: A.J. and Russ are in, Uga is out
Russ is in the house! (Literally.) He's got his bowl game face on.
MEMPHIS — Welcome to the end of Georgia’s season. I know. The Liberty Bowl is not what you were expecting, and neither is the modest goal of trying to finish with a winning record. But Memphis is a nice place, particularly if you’re into barbecue, and I can recommend the ribs at the “Germantown Commissary” (albeit not a BBQ-sounding place).
I would’ve saved the bones for Uga VIII but, alas, he has a tummy ache and didn’t make the trip from his palace in Savannah. At least, that’s the word that the Seiler family is putting out. I’m more inclined to think Uga just didn’t want to make his bowl debut at a game so beneath his standards, particularly since he came in as such a highly touted recruit.
Or maybe Uga’’s just academically ineligible like Caleb King. Like everybody else, he lost interest after the Florida game. Like King, he missed five “academic-related appointments” (obedience school).
So, we have this significant change the depth chart: Russ, The Temporary Mascot, is back!
Don’t, worry. Russ has more bowl experience than Aaron Murray: He won the Independence Bowl last year. Come to think of it, maybe Georgia Tech should’ve borrowed Russ last week for its game in Shreveport. Does Russ get holiday pay for this? The poor mutt was probably happy in retirement, playing shuffleboard at the Daisy Hill Puppy Farm.
But this could be good news for the Dogs. Russ is only 4-4. But he’s 1-0 in bowls and won his last game over Tennessee. Also, Georgia is 3-1 when both Russ and A.J. Green are in the lineup. (Kudos to newshound Tim Tucker for supplying me with that statistic.)
Meanwhile, back here on earth . . .
A loss would give Georgia (6-6) its first losing season since 1996, when the Dogs went 5-6 in Jim Donnan’s first year. Ironically, the last time the Dogs lost in the Independence Bowl was to North Carolina State, which had Donnan at quarterback, in 1967.
Here’s the good news: Donnan is not in Memphis.
But do I think Georgia will lose this game? No. Central Florida will be able to put some points up but in the end I don’t think George O’Leary’s defense will have an answer for Murray-to-Green.
Take one last look at Green because this likely will be his final collegiate game. He most likely will be a top-five NFL pick and I don’t believe the threat of an NFL lockout has any significance. Remember, any college junior who comes out can always take a nice little $1 million loan from an agent to hold him over, just in case the league doesn’t play next season. The potential of a lockout affects mostly mid-to-low-round picks, not first-rounders.
As for the significance of this game, it’s obviously a much bigger deal if the Dogs lose (panic!) than if they win (expected). But going 6-2 after a 1-4 start would be a slight boost going into the offseason.
Not sure what kind of crowd this game will draw but I’m guessing not great. The last report was that the Dogs had sold only 5,000 tickets for this game and gave about 1,000 tickets away for staff and families. That would still leave about 4,000 from its 10,000-ticket allotment.
If you missed them, here are links to a couple of stories from the week worth looking at:
– Tucker’s story on Murray, who’s about to break every significant, single-season Georgia passing record as a freshman.
– Tucker’s piece on the homecoming and disappointing season by Marlon Brown, a highly touted receiver out of Memphis.
That’s it for now. I’ll be here to report on the game and all of Russ’s movements.
♦
Follow me on Twitter @JeffSchultzAJC; friend me at 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
2,311 comments Add your comment
Alphare
December 31st, 2010
9:02 pm
Oh, dawg fans, you can also take comfort that AJGreen is dawg’s greatest wide receiver, ever.
Nick Fairley showers with his mother
December 31st, 2010
9:02 pm
Enter your comments here
Tripple Lindy
December 31st, 2010
9:03 pm
wow. people are getting ornery and the moderator must be in the middle of new years reveling. Settle down y’all, you still have 3 hours of drinking until midnight.
Nick Fairley scares dawg fans
December 31st, 2010
9:03 pm
“Hitler only loved himself.”
I bet you believe that “Inglorious Basterds” was based on a true story.
5150 P.O.A.D.
December 31st, 2010
9:03 pm
Nick when was your last National Championship? You can run your mouth a lil this year, but YOU have no History to talk about but PROBATION and undefeated seasons that NEVER matter. EASY big boy KARMA is a BIT>H.
Roark
December 31st, 2010
9:03 pm
Ok…I have close family ties to the team and the school…..but after the FG in the 1st quarter after the 90+ yard drive on the 4th and inches after we had been gashing their defense for 4+ yards per carry, I suddenly realized that CMR is not the guy for this job. I hope that Dr Adams does what needs to be done tomorrow. CMR has to go!!!!!!
Phil
December 31st, 2010
9:03 pm
The sign of a good staff is when other teams come calling trying to hire them away as head coaches or as a lateral move in the same position. Much like we went after Kirby Smart as DC before hiring that punk Grantham.
Can anyone name any coach on our staff in the last few years that have been targeted by other schools? I rest my case.
The entire staff needs to be blown up starting with Richt himself.
Loyal Dawg Fan Forever
December 31st, 2010
9:04 pm
If Pukes were so great why did they lose so badly in 2006-2008?
Oh I know – the country hated Mr 23% Bushpig and his evil sidekick – Dickless Cheney.
Why not ask the 4400 US soldiers they killed?
Or the trillion bucks they blew out of the budget?
Or the fin meltdown they caused?
Or the $1.3 trillion deficit they left?
Hah???
JB
December 31st, 2010
9:04 pm
Today’s game will push another 2-4K season ticket holder to the curb with 1Mil in Hartman fund with it.
There comes a time to make a better pizza. Ask Domino’s…….Bad product= loss of revenues.
JimNasium
December 31st, 2010
9:04 pm
I thought the Tech loss to Air Force was ugly but Georgia’s loss to UCF was even more ugly. Both programs were disappointing this year. The Bulldogs had to be one of the most talented losing teams in the country this year.
Tommy2tone
December 31st, 2010
9:04 pm
Hey torn down…I got yo money and I’m strut in the side line talkin to the water girl on the head set
I’m clueless..guess who I am???
USMC dawg
December 31st, 2010
9:05 pm
“Dumbass wants to know from all the AD’s on the post who would you bring in?”
Hey Leno, that’s why AD’s are paid the big bucks, knucklehead.
But we all see that there is No friggin discipline on our team. We are being out coached every game. Get over your love affair with CMR. All leaders have an Arc of rise and fall.
Richt was good for the program, but is now not worth the $3million plus that we are paying him.
But don’t tell us there is no other coach that will come to UGA for $3mil and do worse than 6-7.
Nick Fairley scares dawg fans
December 31st, 2010
9:05 pm
“Nick when was your last National Championship?”
I’ll let you know on Jan 10.
“but YOU have no History to talk about but PROBATION and undefeated seasons that NEVER matter.”
We’re not on probation, 6-7er.
“EASY big boy KARMA is a BIT>H.”
Sucks to be you, loser.
Jeff Schultz
December 31st, 2010
9:05 pm
Hello unhappy commenters. I need not ask what you thought of the game. I’m going to go out on a limb here: Without even reading the last 2000 comments, I agree with you — all of you.
Anyway, I just posted the game column, so if you like we can shift commenting over there. Here’s the link: http://blogs.ajc.com/jeff-schultz-blog/2010/12/31/richt-gives-no-reason-to-believe-he-can-turn-georgia-around/
The Curse of Loran
December 31st, 2010
9:05 pm
You knew this was going to happen when they fired Loran. You thought The Curse of the Bambino was bad? Just see how long this lasts.
Nick Fairley scares dawg fans
December 31st, 2010
9:06 pm
“I need not ask what you thought of the game.”
I thought it was a fantastic game. Nothing makes me happier than to see inbred trailer trash dawg fans cry in their PBR’s
JB
December 31st, 2010
9:06 pm
What SEC team could we have beat today……Maybe one…. Vandy…Maybe
Hunker Down
December 31st, 2010
9:08 pm
wiw, wis, Who, Who,,,Who let the poodles out? Rednecks!!!
InsectInside
December 31st, 2010
9:11 pm
I’d like to know where all the Tech fans are that are alleged to crash the UGA blog. Those 2 or 3 people must really get busy…..Hey Steve (1:31 pm)….still feeling relevent?
Bulldykes
December 31st, 2010
9:14 pm
Hey Nick, the techies beat auburn twice with our MVP reggie ball! They also gave 4 NCs.
Don’t talk smack or you’ll be an Obama bulldyke like the rest of us.
Marcel Ledbetter
December 31st, 2010
9:15 pm
When CMR decided to turn over the play calling to Bobo and become more like a CEO this football team has gone down hill, too many 3 and outs, no rhythm on offense resulting in the D having to spend too much time on the field. This experiment CMR made to be more like a CEO is not working. We need someone with a passion for football, not management driven., leave that to the AD.
red&black 4 ever
December 31st, 2010
9:19 pm
Someone from Auburn, Alabama calling us trailer trash?
Nick Fairley scares dawg fans
December 31st, 2010
9:20 pm
“the techies beat auburn twice with our MVP reggie ball! They also gave 4 NCs. ”
I’ll wave to you from Glendale, 6-7er!
Nick Fairley scares dawg fans
December 31st, 2010
9:20 pm
“Someone from Auburn, Alabama calling us trailer trash?”
I’m from Chicago, idiot.
Corch Myer
December 31st, 2010
9:22 pm
Auburn on major probation- 7 times make that SEVEN times since 53. How proud all you Barners must be of your Lowder led heritage
George O''leary
December 31st, 2010
9:24 pm
You guys better sign the “dream team” before you you play me again. You’re going to need it. I OWN YOU!!!!
Corch Myer
December 31st, 2010
9:24 pm
And you Barners better enjoy this year with your highly paid personnel- next year will be a bitch. Ask the Gators how this year turned out without Tebow!! Scamming Cam will be one and done.
Corch Myer
December 31st, 2010
9:26 pm
“I had to step outside Cam Newton the athlete and step into Cam Newton the human being, the person that is very caring,” he said.
Get your gag bags ready. This clown is a punk and a liar.
ChunkyMonkey
December 31st, 2010
9:27 pm
Richt should be ashamed of himself. His team was ILL PREPARED! They really looked terrible.
He will not use this one as a recruiting film!!!!!
red&black 4 ever
December 31st, 2010
9:27 pm
Chicago is even worse than Auburn, Alabama, slimeball!
ryan
December 31st, 2010
9:32 pm
We need to repair the bridge with Kirby Smart and give him a blank check and get him to Athens .
second chance
December 31st, 2010
9:32 pm
Go Puppies HAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHAHAHA
O'Leary OWNS UGA
December 31st, 2010
9:32 pm
Somewhere, Wilile Martinez is trying not to smile. But he did.
t. slay
December 31st, 2010
9:38 pm
CMR going for the field goal instead of going for it on 4 and inches in the first quarter was a microcosm of this game. What a way to show confidence in your players, Richt!! For the umpteenth time this season, UGA was outcoached and outplayed. They looked like they wanted to be anywhere than in the Liberty Bowl. I watched the Tennessee game last night and although the Vols lost a heartbreaker, Derek Dooley and Tennessee showed a lot more passion and desire than UGA showed today. Dooley still has a lot to learn as a head coach but he will improve and, mark my word, Dooley will turn that program around in a few years. A previous poster said that insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. The UGA coaching staff is doing the same thing over and over again and getting the same results: Losing. Look like they would learn by now instead of looking for scapegoats or excuses. There is NO excuse for what happened today or to this season.
A few days ago, the AJC printed a interview with CMR in which the writer described Richt as being very lighthearted and happy about the practices for the Liberty Bowl being over. Obviously, the team didn’t practice much. I have followed Georgia football for over 40 years and I have seen many high points as well as low points but today is one of the truly low points. I’m sorry to say that if the whole coaching staff comes back next intact, I will not watch any games on TV nor listen games on the radio until there are wholesale games. Call a fair weather fan if you want but I have better things to do with my time than watch a team that is poorly coached and does not play with passion.
I live in the Gainesville area and there some great high school players such as A.J. Johnson of Gainesville High School and Ashely Lowery who will be going to other schools as they didn’t even get some much of a look from Georgia (Johnson will be going to Tennessee I believe and Lowery to Kentucky). Georgia use to own the state but have slipped in the past few years. As one poster, pointed out, why would a player want to play at Georgia if he can go to Alabama, Florida, or Auburn and play for SEC and National Championships. As long a Richt is head coach, Georgia will NEVER win a national championship and highly unlikely it will win the SEC or the SEC East for that matter.
MttPF
December 31st, 2010
9:43 pm
Only even odds CMR makes it thru next Sept. Boise State and USCe gonna tag your painted white azzes!!! Crowell, Drew, Mitchell, Jenkins and Rome are going to wonder what gives with a new coaching staff being hired while the pups sit home next post-season. LMAO
bag over head dawg fan
December 31st, 2010
9:44 pm
georgia tech fan,,,even if georgia really stinks, we can beat that one trick pony of a coach you have…why not just run a true wishbone and bring pepper rodgers back? F GATECH….at our worst we are better than you
Snoop Dawg
December 31st, 2010
9:48 pm
Mark Richt is a good Christian. It’s all George W. Bush’s fault…
Time for Change
December 31st, 2010
9:53 pm
As a longtime Georgia fan I hate to say it, but the downward spiral started in the year that alot of Dawg fans think was one the best. UGA was no where close to being the No. 2 ranked team after the 2007 season. Because of it Richt was given a pass. We lost our toughness when Van Gorder left and it’s been steadily eroding.
Go back and look at the Tennessee game of 2007, that’s when I knew we were in trouble. They manhandled us. It was embarrasing. They punched us in the mouth, and we haven’t answered since.
We closed that season undefeated, and everyone got giddy, but it was fools gold to think we were that good. We beat a Fla. team with a hurt Tebow and a weak Aub. squad. The worst thing that happened was that we were matched against a “girly” Hawaii squad. If we would have been matched against anyone else, we would have been exposed for what we were … weak with no mental or physical toughness.
Look back since then, we wear silly jerseys and pants to motivate, no more two-a-days, instead we make a big deal out of swimming and bowling during summer practice. We wants to do away with kickoffs …too physical.
Erk’s gotta be rolling over in his grave ready to head-butt somebody.
Steve is a loser
December 31st, 2010
9:53 pm
So glad the AJC went to cover such an important game. Even happier that you were put in your place. How the mighty Dawgs doth fall. Losers.
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA
5 stars equals 7 losses ,11 arrest, 3 pts
December 31st, 2010
10:08 pm
congrats on winning the biggest Buffoon award of all the 6 and 7 teams this season, 3 pts really? wow
Big Jacket
December 31st, 2010
10:11 pm
UCF Runs this State
THE MUTTS LOST OUT ON MUSCHAMP,BUT KIRBY IS OUT THERE
December 31st, 2010
10:31 pm
THANK YOU UCF,FIRE MARK RICHT GREG!
six and seven
January 1st, 2011
12:43 am
I have to say reading these post on this blog has been the greatest New Years ever! Tears of laughter, I am taking in every page. You dog fans need to learn to keep your mouth shut until the bowl game was played but you just couldn’t do that, you all so full of pride and delusion, it is too funny…sux to be the laughing stock of the entire nation doesn’t it
UCF98
January 1st, 2011
12:59 am
six and seven, you said it all!
5150 P.O.A.D.
January 1st, 2011
1:00 am
Dude Where is My Offense?
Staring………Mark Richt
Co-Staring……Mike Bobo
Gaffe………..A Murray, AJ Green, W Ealey
chaos theory
January 1st, 2011
1:15 am
losing to lowly ucf? I need a drink. No, make that several. Embarrassing.
Henry Heimlich
January 1st, 2011
1:46 am
Did someone choke? I thought I heard someone choking… Too late, they’re dead?
I do think that Mark Richt fellow is a fine coach. I hope he stays around.
6 points? Really? Ha ha ha ha ha ha!!
Buckeye
January 1st, 2011
6:44 am
Nope, it wasn’t a dream.
Vain Jangling
January 1st, 2011
6:58 am
2305?
Vain Jangling
January 1st, 2011
6:59 am
Yes!