Georgia gets hammered and doubts about Richt grow
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
Old School
September 4th, 2011
9:10 am
IM SO GLAD – Get the racist chip off your shoulder. Did you see my earlier post about Trent Richardson at ALA yesterday? You sir are the racist.
BAMA STAN
September 4th, 2011
9:10 am
What did you expect?
No intelligent football fan or relevent sports commentator in America was suprised by what they saw last night in the Georgia Dome. The only ones that were suprised were the delusional Georgia fans and the polically correct Georgia media that wanted to believe that Georgia was not as average as they really are. Even Cubs fans are hopelessly optimistic on opening day.
UGA is a proud and slightly above average college football team (regardless what their fans and southeastern scouting services tell you). The only teams they “own” are Vandy and Georgia Tech and that gap has rapidly closed the past 3 years.
The dawg nation needs to swallow it’s pride (among other things).
Chillahill
September 4th, 2011
9:10 am
The Notre Dame of the south. The expectations? The reallity? The same as South Bend.
The Ol Miss of the East! More bark than bite! The perception is that the power pups are out of their minds when it comes to their own self worth, the truth is THEY ARE! When inferior coaching staff meets superior coaching staff, no matter the talent level , superior coaching ALWAYS wins!! Im embarrased to say I’m from GA. Wait can I get a “”shimmy shake” with those 3 yard gains.
Oh I remember the (fill in the blank)dawgs blogs,…. To a man/ woman they all said we will see what GA is made of after this game. Well we didnt even have to wait that long. Same undisciplined bunch of overated, out of shape, lay down football players. Showed their true colors. Unfortunately the whole nation got to see the overhyped “well dressed” mess that is GA football! Way to represent the 2nd tier of the SEC! Touchdown Jesus has left South Bend and made a stop in Athens. You can always do like the Cubs do- Wait till Next year!!!! The truth will set you free, the truth is GA football has been hijacked by a highschool OC ( boo boo) and the beat goes on— and on !
Atticus
September 4th, 2011
9:11 am
I don’t think Petersen will leave. Mullen would be the first target……and possibly Urban Meyer.
IM SO GLAD UGA LOST
September 4th, 2011
9:11 am
MARK RICHT AT TECH 4-7 EVERY YEAR
PAUL JOHNSON AT UGA 11-1 EVERY YEAR
BeeFart
September 4th, 2011
9:11 am
Last.
catlady
September 4th, 2011
9:12 am
On the plus side, we have plenty of room
for improvement!
USMC
September 4th, 2011
9:12 am
“Our players need to be protected by quality helmets that do not keep falling off. Did a member of the coaching staff, or one of their supports, determine the problem with the new helmet?”
Yeah, the artificial dreadlocks that the UGA players WEAVE into their hair are more important than their actual safety on the field.
topcat
September 4th, 2011
9:12 am
try another color dawg
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 4th, 2011
9:12 am
We really need a uniform change
Thats the problem with this team
I vote for all pink uniforms including socks and shoes
BAMA STAN
September 4th, 2011
9:12 am
at least it wasn’t 31-0 AT THE HALF! You are getting better, just not a lot.
Atticus
September 4th, 2011
9:13 am
Here we go, the Maggotts coming on here BS..ing about their little program. Even when we suck we beat them. What a joke.
Big Daddy T
September 4th, 2011
9:14 am
Bulldogs are an embarassment to the state of Georgia. Mark Richt and Mike BoBo need to step down. I’m a Tech fan and maybe I should be rubbing it into the cowpuppies faces, but, im ashamed to be represented on national TV by such an out of control uncoached football team. Enough is enough. Someone mentioned the cowpuppies had the biggest o-line in the SEC. What a joke, they couldn’t block an old lady in wheel chair. That game was sickening. The only good thing to come out of that butt-whooping is: It shut up all of those stupid cowpuppy fans who think that Georgia’s crap don’t stink.
IM SO GLAD UGA LOST
September 4th, 2011
9:14 am
1.PETERSON
2.MULLEN
3.SMART
THESE ARE THE CHOICES THAT UGA HAS!
Georgia Hater
September 4th, 2011
9:14 am
stop scheduling good teams!
UGA = Yawn
September 4th, 2011
9:16 am
I wanted to read all the comments before I commented but geesh…16 pages. You all need to move on. Boise is very good. Hard pill to swallow but it is fact. UGA needs to just come down to earth and play football and stop trying to project themselves on others – as opposed to on the field. I for one love coach Johnson. Not to pretty to look at but an in your face old style of coach. So we don’t win every game – we get over it. But putting nearly 700 yards on the field sure is a good sign – no matter who you play. Just play football and stop trying to be something you are not. Then maybe you’ll start winning.
IM SO GLAD UGA LOST
September 4th, 2011
9:16 am
UGA LOOKS NOTHING LIKE ALABAMA OR LSU
USMC
September 4th, 2011
9:16 am
PHIL,
I agree that both Peterson and Mullin would be GREAT coaches to go after. But let’s quit pretending.
They have both taken their programs WAY past that of UGA.
But you are correct that money talks. I would take Mullins in a NY minute.
Really?
September 4th, 2011
9:17 am
Stick to gymnastics Dawgs!
Larry E
September 4th, 2011
9:17 am
Not trying to be racists, but why do we never see any white defensive players for Georgia ? I have seen lots of really good high school white defensive players that Georgia just passes over. Certainly. Boise State doesn’t have a problem with it. And BO BO, Real good play calling, run your new tailback straight into the middle of the line 5 times, real smart.
Too Much Hype
September 4th, 2011
9:17 am
So, how’s that “Dream Team” thingy working out for you?
ratherBgambling
September 4th, 2011
9:18 am
Same ole UGA. Penalties, turnovers and bad coaching.
jerry
September 4th, 2011
9:19 am
Even if Petersen would leave, it is not UGA’s m.o. to hire successful D1 coaches. I would not be surprised if some influential booster does not have his sights set on some ex Dawg, e.g., Ray Goff, (who didn’t have a clue), just in case Richt does get fired.
virginia dog
September 4th, 2011
9:19 am
this is the same team as 2010…. same coaches same staff … why would we expect a better result. the real sad part . i say fire Richt mid season but WHO DO WE PICK OFF THIS STAFF TO BE THE TEMPORARY HEAD COACH ? there is no coaching talent on the side lines… NONE…. AND THAT IS WHERE THE PROBLEM LIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
b slapped again?
September 4th, 2011
9:19 am
Boise style!
b slapped again?
September 4th, 2011
9:20 am
Central Florida style!
Lifelong UGA fan
September 4th, 2011
9:20 am
It’s not racist to say the players (all of them) acted ridiculous when there was a good play. One good play doesn’t win games. They need to remember that the game is 60 minutes of hard playing. Murray had a hard time not over-throwing or even just getting rid of the ball quickly. The receivers acted like there was oil all over their gloves. The defense just sucked. Boise St. was the better team last night. Better coached and more disciplined. Outside of Georgia, no one expected the Dawgs to win. Next week is when the season really begins. UGA needs to make some big changes or the same thing will happen.
On a different note, I was highly embarrassed by the way the UGA “fans” (if you can call them that) acted at the game last night. Leaving the game before it’s over is ridiculous. The comments being made and the way they acted just make me sick. All I’ve heard (from Boise fans and the TV announcers) is what lousy fans Georgia has. If I was a player, I would lose heart seeing the “fans” act that way too!
b slapped again?
September 4th, 2011
9:20 am
South Carolina style!
Honest Ingine
September 4th, 2011
9:20 am
I went to both the GA State game and GA game. Got to tell you, GA State played like they wanted to win. GA, don’t know where to start,except at the top and work down.. What an embarrasment on all aspects of the game. WOW, still can’t believe it. Dang Dawgs Defense Didn’t Defend
b slapped again?
September 4th, 2011
9:20 am
Mississippi State style!
Greg
September 4th, 2011
9:21 am
So we should have played rambo even though he broke some rules? Is that what you are saying JS?
UGA = Yawn
September 4th, 2011
9:21 am
And poor ‘Atticus’. Every year we hear you UGA fans say the Tech rivalry means nothing. But apparently it means a whole helluva lot more to UGA fans than GT fans. You bring it up constantly. Maybe now you will all be men and actually say, yes, the GT game is our biggest most heated rivalry’. Because, we all know it is for you. PS: it isn’t for us.
b slapped again?
September 4th, 2011
9:21 am
Georgia Tech style!
George P Burdell
September 4th, 2011
9:21 am
Bulldog fans, lighten up, please. What did you expect playing a top-5 team. Instead of dissing your coaches and your team, remember, while the rest of the SEC (save LSU) were playing minor league ball, your coaches and athletic director elected to play real competition. Instead of whining about a not-so-surprising result, look set your goals on winning the SEC-East. You are lucky to have Mark Richt as a coach. You deserve Lane Kiffin or perhaps the football version of Jim Harrick.
Dr. Phil
September 4th, 2011
9:21 am
Some big lies perpetrated by Richt and Richt apologists:
1. Richt’s off season study puts him on the “cutting edge” of coaching (i.e. book on Energy Vampires.)
2. Crowell is a “special person” and the best running back in the country.
3. The off-season conditioning program.
4. Big, fat linemen are better than smaller, quicker linemen.
5. Grantham is a brilliant defensive coach who needs a little more time.
6. “The Dream Team.” –Meet the new Richt, same as the old Richt.
bradley the homer
September 4th, 2011
9:22 am
yes….i think murrary is better than kellen moore LMAO!!!!!
SmyrnaMan
September 4th, 2011
9:22 am
Can’t wait for Oct 7th. Vols are going to destroy UGA
Greg
September 4th, 2011
9:22 am
Hey schultz I got 9 games right in the contest. Does that mean I can punch your scrawny liberal face and laugh?
IM SO GLAD UGA LOST
September 4th, 2011
9:23 am
CAN UGA FANS SEE 0-2? I CAN
USMC
September 4th, 2011
9:23 am
def. Insanity:
Doing the same thing OVER and OVER again and expecting a DIFFERENT outcome.
Unbelievable.
Crow server
September 4th, 2011
9:24 am
The only thing that is worse than the uga football program is its fans! How about STFU all you loud and proud re-livers of yesteryear!
jerry
September 4th, 2011
9:24 am
A win over South Carolina and we will all be thinking, hell, we really are great after all. What was I thinking?
The Coon
September 4th, 2011
9:24 am
I’m old enough (too old) to remember the days of Bear Bryant who would walk his team around the field during the pregame. His players were dressed in maroon blazers and ties. It was a class act. The players were discliplined. As soon as I saw all of the disjointed jumping by the Georgia players prior to the game, all I could think of was a mob of undiscliplined individuals. I’m embarrassed as an alumni to be represented by this group. Look back at the quiet dignity exhibited by Herschel Walker. He let his actions speak for him. I realize more than ever how lucky we were to have him as the face of the University of Georgia.
Rcgator
September 4th, 2011
9:25 am
Please draw up the necessary paperwork and turn in your SEC membership.
alpha male
September 4th, 2011
9:25 am
boys, did you see that bunch from Baton Rouge play old school SEC football. Pound the rock, nasty defense…they wore Oregon down. Georgia needs to face reality; this program is sinking like a rock. Where was all this conditioning we heard about? The d-linemen couldn’t stay on the field more than a couple of plays before begging to come out for air…pathetic. ANd another thing…quit bragging about being 9-1 over Tech…probably 10 of the 12 sec schools would do the same thing…it’s no biggie
UGA = Yawn
September 4th, 2011
9:26 am
Greg, go kiss Bachman or that witch from Delaware you loser….or Sarah. hahahah
Auburn Man
September 4th, 2011
9:26 am
uga football………bwahahahahahahahahahahaha
Chillahill
September 4th, 2011
9:27 am
Give GA state 3 years and that program will be better than the puppy mill… Auburn admits they have a High school coordinator running their offense! Richt has headphones on – does he not hear – lets run it through up the middle 4 times straight. What does Boo Boo have on Richt- tiger woods info or what– friendships have cost you your job MR. But know that you have your retirement paid for – maybe yall can go fishing together in the off season– it is probably coming sooner than later- hey honey say Go Dawgs!!!!
Chop blocker
September 4th, 2011
9:27 am
At least we can rush for a first down every now and then
dtanner
September 4th, 2011
9:27 am
just pray mark richt and everything will be fine won’t it