The looks on the faces of Georgia coach Mark Richt and defensive assistants Todd Grantham (center) and Rodney Garner (left) say it all Saturday night. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
(UPDATED: 12:10 a.m.)
This is when you start struggling to remember the good times. This is when a Georgia fan thinks back to an early seven-year span under Mark Richt when Georgia went 24-11 against ranked opponents and wonders, “Wait, did that really happen? Or was it those brownies I ate?”
If it wasn’t bad enough that the Bulldogs were underdogs (get used to that) in their season opener and a relative home game Saturday to a school from Idaho — something difficult for so many to swallow — the team’s response made all past criticism seem understated. With eight months to prepare since a humiliating effort against Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl, Georgia couldn’t give Boise State any tougher of a game than it usually receives from Wyoming.
Save some trickeration — an 80-yard touchdown run by Brandon Boykin that gave the Dogs an early 7-0 lead — it was Boise State’s night. It was Boise State’s celebration. It was Boise State that played smart and physical, the kind of performance that gets teams into BCS bowls. Remember BCS bowls?
Both teams made loud statements. Georgia just made the wrong one. Following that Boykin touchdown, the Bulldogs saw their opponents real off 28 straight points. Boise State went on to win 35-21, and it didn’t even feel that close.
Georgia’s defense looked as bad in its second season under Todd Grantham as it did in the first. The Boise State offensive line dominated. Quarterback Kellen Moore at times seemed to toy with defenders.
If only the Dogs had more than eight months to prepare.
If only they had completely revamped their strength and conditioning program.
Oh, wait a minute …
Since going 24-11 against ranked teams, Richt is 2-9. That’s more than a trend. The next ranked opponent also is the first SEC opponent: South Carolina, next week in Athens. The level of desperation just went up.
Richt must realize that. He just didn’t show it after the game. In fact, what he showed was somewhat alarming. After some standard introductory comments — “They were better than we were. We’ve got a lot of work to do before next week. But we know everybody is 0-0 in league play” — Richt actually laughed. Yes, laughed. He turned to Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Chip Towers, who had been pestering Richt all week about the status of safety Bacarri Rambo, laughed and said that Rambo would not be suspended for the South Carolina game. Richt had been playing coy with the media, but Rambo was held out Saturday as expected for an unspecified violation of team rules.
Laughter may be a defensive mechanism for Richt. But his team just got whacked with a 2 x 4 in the season opener. Is laughing in the post-game new conference really a good idea?
Richt has been getting a lot of heat. He should. Fact is, Georgia’s slide hasn’t been merely about the ascension of Alabama and Florida in the SEC. In the last two years alone, the Dogs have lost games to Oklahoma State, LSU, Tennessee, Kentucky, South Carolina, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Colorado, Auburn and Central Florida. How long ago was it when you could not have imagined Georgia losing to many of those teams?
The Dogs suffered borderline humiliation on their first possession. They had a false start penalty before the first snap. They had a false start three plays later. They were whistled for delay of game before punting. Before the first quarter was over, the Dogs also were called for an illegal formation for having five players in the backfield (the penalty was declined) and they burned a timeout before a Boise State punt for having only 10 players on the field.
This is why having the biggest, strongest and fastest players sometimes doesn’t matter.
Boykin’s touchdown would be the Dogs’ only score of the first half and it comprised more than half of the team’s yardage (151). The Dogs totaled 71 yards in the other 29 plays.
Georgia’s defense looked strong for the first few Boise State series. But the Broncos appeared to make some adjustments in pass protection and Moore starting find holes in the zone. He moved the offense well in three of BSU’s last four possessions in the half, two resulting in touchdowns (the other, an interception by Branden Smith).
Boise State’s offensive line took over in the second quarter. Moore wasn’t sacked all game and completed 28 of 34 passes, three for touchdowns. He could’ve had a Baracalounger in the backfield to recline before some of his throws. At the outset of the third quarter, Georgia looked lost and overmatched on defense. Moore went 7-for-7 for 69 yards on Boise State’s first possession of the half. Then on second down from the Dogs’ 7, running back Doug Martin faked Smith into oblivion and danced into the end zone for a 21-7 lead.
It wasn’t over. But it was over. Once Boise State’s offense got going, Georgia couldn’t stop it.
The slide continues. It’s uncertain if Richt can stop that, either.
By Jeff Schultz
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1,481 comments Add your comment
Mike Bobo
September 4th, 2011
3:15 am
I scored some points guys. Lets not get too rash. Just fire Mark and Todd and make me interim head coach. Then you’ll get all the third down runs you ever hoped for! All carried by Samuel of course. That Crowell’s a bit too shifty.
GTFan478
September 4th, 2011
3:16 am
Just like y’all hid in the locker rooms tonight huh. Again try again. And know we sure wouldn’t be competitive in the sec as long as we didn’t play bama and lsu every year like y’all don’t. You know now that I say that kinda makes sense why y’all are so delusional.
@yourmomshouse
September 4th, 2011
3:27 am
@GTFan478: Dude, for real. You guys totally beat us that one time. I’m serious. You’re freakin amazing. Only Bama and LSU could beat you. You’d run the east man. Super scared of you guys this year. For real this time……
John
September 4th, 2011
3:27 am
The UGA motto…”Maybe next year”
@yourmomshouse
September 4th, 2011
3:29 am
@John. Funny guy, that’s your motto when you’re talkin about girls. Maybe next year stud….
John
September 4th, 2011
3:30 am
Go read a couple of the first few pages where the UGA fans predicted not only a win, but a double digit win…lol..classic
http://blogs.ajc.com/mark-bradley-blog/2011/09/03/live-from-the-dome-uga-boise-meet-to-decide-fate-of-world/?cp=56
Paul Johnson
September 4th, 2011
3:32 am
Shut up nerds, you’re making our thugs look bad. I can only lie so much you know.
5150 POAD
September 4th, 2011
3:32 am
Uga is the greatest team in the SEC. They prove it every year. don’t worry the Dawgs will prove it again this year. They are so not afrid of TECH they are begging the SEC to let TECH rejoin the SEC.
GTFan478
September 4th, 2011
3:34 am
Dude I didn’t say anything at all about the reat of the sec did I? No i didnt. I was making a point. And that point being theast is a joke minus UF. The sec is a joke minus Bama, UF, and LSU. The rest of the sec is a joke. All the other 9 schools do is ride those 3 a for mentioned schools coat tails. Greatest conference my ass. Auburn almost loses to Utah state. BYU beats Ole Miss. Eastern Carolina scares the crap out of USCeast and the sec is “great.” Hahahahahah. I’ll laugh myself to sleep tonight for sure on that thought.
John
September 4th, 2011
3:35 am
Not just that 5150, UGA is the greatest team in the history of the USA. I am surprised that they haven’t just kicked them up a notch to play in the NFL.
Paul Johnson
September 4th, 2011
3:36 am
@GTFan478: Shhh, you do realize I’ve been skating by on mediocrity right? Don’t rock the boat douche bag.
GTFan478
September 4th, 2011
3:39 am
Wow and another “almost got a girl” joke for real. Must be living your life out on here huh? Gotta girl in the bed and a 6 year old kid to go with her. Tey again dude and this time try to come up with something original for once. I know its kinda hard to think when living in a trailor and the only girls you’ve ever had were relatives. At least going on wth your stereotypes they are.
Rhall55
September 4th, 2011
3:39 am
CMR got mad this summer and stated “I’ve been coaching for 25 years and I know what I’m doing”!!! He’s wrong there!! He’s destroying UGA Football!!! OL CWF was a poor hire and CMB is a horrible keep!!! Thru poor decisions and holding onto incompetent people, CMR has demolished a storied program; please resign!!! Tired of losing; tired of losing top in-state recruits; tired of seeing an unprepared Team; ready for a new focus, new energy, and new blood!! Please bring in Coach Kirby Smart!!
@yourmomshouse
September 4th, 2011
3:39 am
Tech fans are great. When you can’t beat relevant teams on your own, piggyback on those that beat UGA. Much easier than actually beating UGA on your own. You’re so cool homey. God, I wish I could get as little tail as you……
Timbo
September 4th, 2011
3:40 am
Well, now that Boise State avoided the 1st game jitters by beating a cream puff team, now it is on to some competition. Wow, I thought UGA would at least give us a challenge. You guys did a good job representing the SEC. Hahahaha, dawgs are a joke.
John
September 4th, 2011
3:40 am
Cmon Paul, don’t say that. You run the ball to the right side, then to the left, then to the right. Just when they aren’t looking, you go back to the left side, they never see it coming.
GTFan478
September 4th, 2011
3:40 am
Hows one losing season mediocrity? Another scared uga fan trying to be funny.
raiderdawg
September 4th, 2011
3:41 am
Why didn’t we just get in the I and go right at them? I love Richt, best since Dooley, but come on!! We have bigger stronger faster guys. We didn’t play SEC football tonight.
GTFan478
September 4th, 2011
3:43 am
How am I living through other teams? Never brought up how UF owns y’all did I? Nah but don’t let facts distort your vision. Sec is a joke minus the 3 teams I mentioned and most people know it minus the other 9 that ride their coat tails.
NCAA
September 4th, 2011
3:46 am
This just in: Boise State beat a mediocre Georgia team to win the national championship. Congrats Timbo. Nah, just kidding, you guys still suck. Thanks for choking on our nuts. You almost thought you were important. That’s super cute.
Sincerely,
The NCAA
John
September 4th, 2011
3:46 am
Wait right there Timbo, seems like you made the mistake. You actually thought UGA would be a challenge. They showed you that they are no challenge at all.
5150 POAD
September 4th, 2011
3:46 am
Shawn
September 2nd, 2011
11:27 am
Dawgs win this eeeeeaasssyyyy 48-21!
Dawgy Due
September 2nd, 2011
12:18 pm
My money is on the Dawgs. Two large in fact….so they better win!
BMDPD
September 2nd, 2011
12:28 pm
OOPS. Three BSU players ruled ineligible. OOPS!
collegeballfan
September 2nd, 2011
12:37 pm
UGA will run Boise off the field. What was the score in 2005 – 48-14 or something like that?
Same thing tomorrrow.
DawginLex
September 2nd, 2011
1:17 pm
Any Boise supporter want to discuss this?
Points allowed to “real” teams
VT-30
Oregon St 24
Nevada 34
kinda debunks that defense rating doesn’t it?
InsideInsight
September 4th, 2011
3:47 am
The players were not in the shape they needed to be and it showed in the second half. I remember the ESPN announcer saying something like “Georgia looks like they need a rest…” just shortly after half time. If the players had been trained and worked out ‘properly’ the past 6 months the second half of this game would have been a completely different result.
The outcome of Richt’s decision to replace CDV with Joe T has finally come to reality…on the field. Our players did not have the endurance and amount of injuries was unsettling. Maybe now the UGA staff, Richt and fans will realize what Joe T has been doing the past 6 months — Covering up injuries, giving false reports of progress at meetings, and specifically, while timing the players on the track, blatantly stopping the clock in front of S&C assistants much before players even reached the finish line.
I’m ashamed and embarrassed at the program as a whole for taking such amazing opportunity to succeed but instead, pushing UGA football back…..
UGAKev
September 4th, 2011
3:48 am
Timbo we do suck, but thats honestly a dumb ass statement when your trying to make the case that boise state is a legit national title team. Your right though you beat a Georgia team that is really just not good. So Boise is back at square one. They can’t beat the best in the SEC.
UGAKev
September 4th, 2011
3:50 am
Points allowed to “real” teams
VT-30
Oregon St 24
Nevada 34
LMAO that fact remains the same
5150 POAD
September 4th, 2011
3:51 am
hahahahah
UGA ain’t a real team cause they didn’t even get 22
@yourmomshouse
September 4th, 2011
3:52 am
@GTFan478: No man, you/re just on a UGA board at 3:30 in the morning because your super proud of the one win you guys have had in the past decade or so. You’re team would totally make it in the SEC. Gosh, you guys are soooo good.
UGAKev
September 4th, 2011
3:53 am
5150 POAD your right Georgia is def not a real team. I guarantee UTAH State eill give boise st a better game
UGAKev
September 4th, 2011
3:57 am
LMAO UMMM yeah I think three or four really good teams in the SEC is more than any other conference
GTFan478
September 4th, 2011
3:57 am
No I was just bored and felt like reading I happen to like Schultz so what. Never said anything until sad ass uga fans wanted to bring up Tech like always. I mean we are the only team y’all can claim to dominate. So don’t even try to justify anything you’re saying now. Especially when it wasn’t directed at you.
GTFan478
September 4th, 2011
3:59 am
Ugakev I’ll give you that seeing as how you are the only sec fan I’ve ever heard admit it. Just hate how most fans talk smack about the top3 teams but then ride their cot tails as much as they do.
5150 POAD
September 4th, 2011
4:00 am
UGA by 20
September 2nd, 2011
1:36 pm
won’t be close
papadawg
September 2nd, 2011
2:00 pm
It would be a DAWG home game if we were playing them in Athens outside in 90 degrees and high humidity
like the DAWGS could have lsted outside in the heat better than in the DOME. LMAO
Pago Pago Dawg
September 2nd, 2011
2:22 pm
Do you people actually think that UGA will be out-coached by Boise?
YES and they were,
DAWGS forever
September 2nd, 2011
2:48 pm
DAWGS 24-13
Our D is improved and we have enough O to score a few times. They only get 1 TD and the rest FG.
Great day to be a DAWG in the dome!
LinkReport this comment.DAWGS forever
September 2nd, 2011
2:49 pm
The dome becomes a DAWG house!
hahaha DAWG House alright.
5150 POAD
September 4th, 2011
4:04 am
anybody want to float those A MURRAY Stats by me? I know he is All SEC and His Stats will prove it…….but he is 6-8 and still has not beat a team with a winning record.
@yourmomshouse
September 4th, 2011
4:06 am
@GTFan478: The more you post, the more you become relevant. Keep it up buddy. Everyone’s counting on you. I’m logging off. You beat me guy. Mark one up for Tech. Your super awesome logic skills and super superior knowledge of toss ball has made you champion of fantasy land again. Good night champion. Until we meet again……I resign in defeat.
5150 POAD
September 4th, 2011
4:07 am
hahhah DRESSED to KILL? more like dressed as Road Kill
Ralph
September 3rd, 2011
10:57 am
It is going to be a shocker for those who have not followed UGA since the end of last season. The strength training, speed work, discipline that has marked the past few months is scary (in the positive sense). This is a “dressed to kill” GA team. UGA’s defense will smother BS. Murray will light up the score board. Not only will GA win but likely will win in a blow out. UGA is back.
GTFan478
September 4th, 2011
4:08 am
Yeah didn’t think you would have a reasonable response without insults. Keep trying though and you still never answered my question just changed the subject.
5150 POAD
September 4th, 2011
4:10 am
Enter your comments here
I know a little
September 4th, 2011
4:18 am
I will continue to give money to the”Keep Mark Richt at Georgia” fund. I like what is going on in Athens. Nice game poodles…you all suck….again…LOL… couldn’t happen to a better bunch…I can’t help but laugh at the flea bag nation… Got into it with some idiot blogger named WDE last week..hey WDE your poodles are still not on probation…LOL
Wild Bill
September 4th, 2011
4:18 am
My God are we that shocked that Georgia lost to Boise. I don’t even like Alabama or LSU, but I pray to God that Boise plays Alabama or LSU this year. Boise is a Joke. I am a Georgia fan, but lets get real ( dogg) Georgia is a middle of the road SEC team. I would for Bosie to play Alabama or LSU.
Doug Wiley
September 4th, 2011
4:22 am
I agree that Bobo is the problem, but the fact is, he is Richt’s problem. We did much better when Richt called the plays. I do not understand his loyalty to Bobo, but it is probably going to cost him his job. I have met Mike Bobo and watched him play ball and call plays. Upon meeting him, I remember saying this is no “rocket scientist” and that was when he was a player. He reminds you of a smaller more sophisticated Ray Goff. I am not blaming Bobo for many of the failures, but it is really not his fault as he should be at Memphis or somewhere else. Bobo is frankly a high school coach at best. He is not articulate and has trouble thinking on his feet, ala. the play calling. His idea of chess is tic tack toe. I blame Richt, as the CEO of UGA football, not taking the measures to ensure that we had if not the best, but dang near the best in coaching. As CEO, he is responsible for the accomplishments and failures of his subordinates. Took him too long to fire Martinez. Terishinski has no reason being in the gym for lack of integrity and expertise. Marc has gotten lazy and his priorities have changed. Just because you are in Bible Study with these guys and your wives are friends, does not mean it is not a big business. I suspect you are going to have time to communicate with each other regularly. My fiancee’ asked me what would Richt do? Does he have enough money? I told her, “Last year he sold a $2 million house and gave it to charity”. She responded that obviously he had enough money to fulfill whatever his desires were. I think she is right on point. His heart, soul and mind are on Godly things. Does not matter that they should intersect with a college team, I think Lou Saban does not agree. I am not going to judge Marc Richt nor Lou Saban. All I know is that you are are paid alot of money to win football games. Does not make it right, just the way it is. Personally, I think Richt wants to leave to go somewhere else with his contract where he has more time for his Lord and not the Bulldog Nation. I do not have a problem with that, I just wished he would go ahead and do it and lets get Petersen in here as quickly as we can. No Kiffins, Holtzs, Bryants, Carrolls or others, just people that do their job that they were expected to do within the rules. I hope he would be a Christian, but I do not believe that Arthur Blanks, as a Jew, considered Mike Smith’s religious beliefs. He was hired to win ballgames. Now, if Joe Paterno will come here, that would be welcome, which he will not, but how many of our recruits are Catholic. I am a proud Christian and will be in church today. I want our athletes to respect the law and hopefully believe in a higher power. I would expect our Coach to do the same, but his job is to set an example, counsel them, but most and not least, WIN. Play with discipline. Forget the penalties and every time you made a tackle or a good run or reception. Act like you have been at this level before, even if you have not. Stop the trash talking, whether they do it or not. Start remembering you represent the Georgia Bulldawgs and not you glorified self on one play. Focus on every play and give it your best. If you are not willing to do that, then you do not deserve to wear the uniform. Get a damn education and quit looking at this as a free ride, meal or extension in your life. I do not see any motivation except at the start of the games or we kicking someone’s butt. Where is that internal integrity that did everything in their power not to be beat. Boykin, you are the exception. The rest of you look like this is practice, and the number 2 team is supposed to understand that. This is University of Georgia Football. If your first priorities are to go the NFL, hangout and get fed housed while I play ball in front of TV and get whatever money we all know you don’t get, then do it. I am tired of this crap and I know we play in the SEC, but what the hell happened to class, presentation, respect, winning, and more importantly team over me. I am just making this assumption based on the facts, you guys are losers that will not stand up for a man that deserves better. You are fat, unconditioned, unmotivated(coaching and you probably never knew success and if you did it was easy). Man, y’all want to do. Play rap. Prance around. No I am no racist. All I am saying is what Coach Richt cannot or will not say, are you thinking of the team on every single play, or are you thinking about ESPN, the NFL, etc. We keep sending skill players to the NFL and do not have the results at home. I had rather have a David Greene over a Matthew Stafford for example. I had rather had a Terry Hoage than anyone I saw on defense tonight. You guys are so big and fast, but you do not give a crap about life, what it takes to succeed in college and be gone . For example, most of you think you are going to play NFL. Kellen Moore is a great college quarterback, will probably win the Heisman, will be drafted in the second round, and probably will never start. Hines Ward will probably go into the Hall of Fame for his receiving records and pro accomplishments. Don’t know for sure, but I would bet. This is a guy that was quarterback at UGA, and they are trying to change the rules on how aggressively a wide receiver can BLOCK someone because of him. Boys, that is a Bulldog.
But see, that was he and teammates did not have in mind. They did not want to have an individual show so they could be the next A.J. Green, or fat ass lineman on both sides that somebody will pay for because you are fat. Those little white boys on the Boise’s line kicked your ass. You could never get to him, but they damnsured got to yours. You are costing your coach his job because of your own selfishness. I do not expect that any of you will give a crap, because he makes so much money and you do “without”. I saw Herschel on TV on the sideline on TV as I was not at the game. I remember walking up to him after a late season game (South Carolina), and saying “Herschel, I enjoyed watching you today, thank you for that opportunity”. His response, “Thank you. I did not think that was my best game, but if you thought it was a good game, I am sure it was”. I walked away and said that is a good man. If only our athletes, specifically at Georgia and see what a champion carries himself on and off the field, maybe they would understand.
5150 POAD
September 4th, 2011
4:28 am
犬は非常においしい。馬ではないほど。
too funny from bill’s blog
Best to Worst Uniforms
September 4th, 2011
4:29 am
UGa lost when they hit the field in those UGLY uniforms. How can you take a uniform that was beautiful for many years [and I graduated from Tech] and make it look so UGLY? Oregon has nothing on UGa’s new ‘duds’ [uniforms... not team].
Shane
September 4th, 2011
4:34 am
GET A LIFE Tech and florida fans. We could have opened up with sorry teams like Florida Atlantic and Western Carolina, but we took on a challenge. Im so sick of hearing the backlash on UGA, why don’t ya,ll focus on your own programs and your cupcake schedules.
5150 UOAD
September 4th, 2011
5:00 am
Watching the replay already and it is just as FUNNY the second time.
I bet Boise State fans think Chic-fil-a’s taste just like Dawg.
5150 UOAD
September 4th, 2011
5:09 am
SHANE………..you have played 1 Challenging 1st game in how long? When you scheduled OKIE ST they were bad & it turned out when the Dawgs traveled there Okie St wasn’t so bad after all
55-7 Louisiana Laf, LOSS 10-24 Okie St, 45-21 Ga Southern, 35-14 Okie St, 48-12 Western Kentucky, 48-13 Boise St, 48-28 Ga Southern, 30-0 Clemson, 31-28 Clemson
SHANE UGA really opens with POWER HOUSES……………….
Stinger2
September 4th, 2011
5:11 am
I as a GT fan will make these comments:
. Fellow GT fans: top the gloating and trash talk.
. UGA fans: grow up. One loss to the No.5 team does
not ruin your season. You have not lost an SEC game.
. A win over SC at home will put UGA in a great position to win the SEC East. It can happen. SC may not be that good.
.CMR and staff will correct mistakes and your team will be ready for SC.
judge
September 4th, 2011
5:13 am
They will lose to South Carolina too. No doubt. Richt is an offensive coordinator from an ACC school. His first head coaching job was Georgia. He will never bring Georgia out of this ridiculous play calling, half ass(idiots running around on the field losing their helments and getting hurt every year) era. He is a softy. He was good when Van Gorder was at UGA but those days are long gone. Other teams have gotten better in the SEC east. But UGA is just a pictograph of confusion. Where do I run the ball? And that is another problem about Richt. No running game. He does not understand the concept. Forget it. It is not going to happen as long as he is the coach. His mind is floating around in the air somewhere in fantasy land. UGA looked like a bunch undisiplined high school players. Braided hair so thick they can’t keep their helmants on long enough to run a play. What a bunch of idiots!!!!!!!——–This coaching staff should go coach in another league, because they will never get it together in the SEC—–not going to happen folks. Take it to the bank!!!!
Come on guys
September 4th, 2011
5:16 am
Come on guys, Richt is a nice guy. HA!
I hate the snake. Soft spoken, but I would trust him as far as my mother could throw him.
Amazing that he is still the coach there. Watch him go 9-3 as shultz predicted and steal another year from the Ga idiots. Check that, Ga faithful.
count_schemula
September 4th, 2011
5:17 am
Doug is, um, upset.
All you fire Richt people, who would you hire to walk in and be an Urban Meyer or Lou Saban?
Keep your eye on Al Golden in Miami. I’ve been following their progress this offseason, and, we’ll see but I think you will see some inspired play from UM this year, win or lose. And Miami has a lot of the same problems on the field that Georgia does – swagger with nothing to back it up, jump around when they are ahead or after meaningless hits, sullen and dejected when when losing. Living on the legacy and not making a new one.
If UM gets smacked down with sanctions and scholarships and bowls get yanked, he can be had after this year. Most agree that they would not blame him for leaving if the sanctions are severe.
Not saying he’s the man, but keep your eye on how UM plays this year. I think they will fight harder than in recent years.
hey stinger 2
September 4th, 2011
5:18 am
s. t . f . up go get your worthless engineering degree, or terrorize somebody, whichever. georgia should not be satisfied with losing to these mid major pu$$ies. you dont understand, so go back to new jersey or yemen or wherever.