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
ORANGE & BLUE
September 4th, 2011
12:25 am
IF THE TEAM WEARS ORANGE & BLUE uga IS T-O-A-S-T!!!! BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!
joe taxpayer
September 4th, 2011
12:26 am
It would have been worse if Bosie had not suspended 3 starters.
WHOMP
September 4th, 2011
12:26 am
Athens: Where 5-star recruits go to die.
Sid
September 4th, 2011
12:26 am
Jeff Schultz
September 4th, 2011
12:16 am
I can’t believe what I just saw: Mark Richt laughed in the post game news conference when announcing that Bacarri Rambo was not suspended for next week’s game against South Carolina. Should he really be making a joke right now? I just updated the column.
****************************************************
Nervous laughter…………he’s still trying to put kids thru college and private school, right? At least his son is 1-0 @ Mars Hill.
5150 UOAD
September 4th, 2011
12:26 am
Fire Richt NOW!
Well I am sure many many UGA coeds will be going PRO this weekend too.
Charles is about the only Player that seemed to want to work hard to win.
Dream Team
September 4th, 2011
12:26 am
I see the formula. Lose your 2 best wide receivers, 2 best running backs and best defensive player and you improve. That is UGA logic! Wow you are some smart idiots!
Fire Mark Richt
September 4th, 2011
12:27 am
Mark Richt and Staff got absolutely schooled by Peterson and Staff. Boise is a well-coached team and has been for years, but the advantage should not be that great. Richt seems lost.
first tier program
September 4th, 2011
12:27 am
Dogs you are now offically a 3rd tier team in the SEC.
Jupiter
September 4th, 2011
12:27 am
HAHAHAHAHA Our team sucks again!!!
richie
September 4th, 2011
12:27 am
we need to blow it up and start over.It is sad to say,but the time has come!!!!!!
Budd
September 4th, 2011
12:27 am
schultz, you and that other piece of trash that passes for a sports writer at the ajc, bradley, lead the charge for over hyping gawja and then descend with vigor when they lose. this program is going nowhere and has been going nowhere for years. So don’t act all surprised and huffy about them getting beat by blue turf. even colin cowcrap predicted this and he knows less about college football than you. you played a part in setting them up for failure
ORANGE & BLUE
September 4th, 2011
12:28 am
WHO WAS THE OOOONNNNNLLLLYYY TEAM IN THE S.E.C. TO LOSE TODAY??! HINT….THEY WORE THE UGLIEST UNI’S OF ALL TIME!!!!!
Dream Team
September 4th, 2011
12:28 am
I should say that is uga FAN logic. Morons Enjoy the SC beatdown nextweek. ROLL TIDE
ORANGE & BLUE
September 4th, 2011
12:29 am
WHY DO ALL THE TREES IN THE SOUTH LEAN TOWARDS ATHENS…….?? BECAUSE georgia SUX!!!!
bart
September 4th, 2011
12:31 am
Does anybody think the Dawgs will win next week? It’s time to clean house.
ORANGE & BLUE
September 4th, 2011
12:31 am
THE “DREAM TEAM” LOOKED MORE LIKE A “NIGHTMARE”!!!!
WHOMP
September 4th, 2011
12:31 am
UGA fans are certainly delusional. You’re losing relevancy quicker than Boise St is gaining prominence. The entire nation just witnessed it tonight.
UGABugKiller
September 4th, 2011
12:31 am
I’m going to say this only once.
It’s time for Kirby Smart to come home.
Go Dawgs!
Gooooo Dawgs!!!
September 4th, 2011
12:31 am
What do you know. Overrated once again. UGA football is a joke. Please someone tell me what UGA did to deserve being preseason ranked this season? Let me guess, based on athleticism and talent. Guess what dog fans…that doesn’t mean jack!!!
Fred Dawg
September 4th, 2011
12:32 am
Game one of the Mark Richt Farewell tour is complete – definately his last Georgia Dome appearance.
slimdog
September 4th, 2011
12:32 am
Georgia does not play SEC caliber football anymore. They are looking more and more like a middle of the bunch ACC team. The respect level for Georgia continues to decline!
SEC
September 4th, 2011
12:32 am
Boise State was just too smart for Georgia. Scheme and execution will beat swagger and speed any day.
Stinger
September 4th, 2011
12:32 am
The only red in the stadium during the fourth quarter was the seats. All UGA fans left and Boise State fans were the only ones to remain. Even the announcers on TV talked about it. How embarrassing that must be. Oh well, there is always next year. You can watch TECH play for the National Championship this year.
Fire Richt NOW!
September 4th, 2011
12:32 am
I mean look at what LSU did to Oregon that is how the SEC is supposed to be represented. IF LSU played Boise State next week they would beat them by 30. Georgia is an embarassment to the SEC.
Russ---Once Again the Temporary Mascot (can't keep those replacements alive)
September 4th, 2011
12:33 am
Well, at least the traffic out of Atlanta was smooth. I think there might have been half a dozen UGA fans left in the Dome at the 2 minute mark of the fourth quarter. We got a lot of real loyal fans. They just didn’t show up tonight.
Fire Mark Richt
September 4th, 2011
12:33 am
In a strange way, I’m almost glad we didn’t win in those uniforms. And this only gets us that much closer to the end of the floundering Richt era. There’s always a silver lining if you look hard enough for it.
Dick Tracy
September 4th, 2011
12:33 am
we rule this state….lol
WarEagleRut
September 4th, 2011
12:33 am
Forget the football….who manages the uniform deal?? Auburn University, in a contract with Under Armour , would never…ever allow a company to place out football in these uniforms. Auburn has never and would deviate from out traditional uniforms. If UGA is willing to succumb to Nike in this way, well UGA needs to get a grip. The new AD must intervene on this point. As an Auburn Man, this leads to even more ridiculous results. Get in step UGA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
just facts
September 4th, 2011
12:33 am
natl champ hopes dashed…. I love reading the posts u have brought back. I have one from some guy that I saved… hope you enjoy.
trupert posted on aug 22
When you take the best looking uniform in all of CFB and make drastic changes the first reaction will be negative but the more I see them the more I like them.
The new Unis will look better and better as the game goes on.
When Brandon Boykin returns the opening kickoff for 95 yards, they will be looking good.
When Ga’s defense forces the first of many three and outs they will be looking even better.
By the time the first quarter is over and the dawgs have established dominance on both lines of scrimage and are up by 14 points they will be down right spectacular.
WHOMP
September 4th, 2011
12:33 am
How many UGA players get arrested tonight?
iTiSi
September 4th, 2011
12:34 am
Probable quote from Richt tomorrow: “We may have lost but we shore did look purty doing it, didn’t we?”
How About This?
September 4th, 2011
12:35 am
Team has been soft as baby crap ever since Calloway and Van Gorder left. I’m sure Falcons fans would gladly send BVG back to Athens.
Richt = Bobby Cox. Both look brilliant good when the competition is easy, but have ALWAYS been overrated.
73dawg
September 4th, 2011
12:35 am
7&5, 6&7 ! Will Muschamp is at Florida not Georgia. Why? The Bulldog Nation must unite and clean house this year.
Jimbo
September 4th, 2011
12:35 am
Todd Blackledge said that Boise did not have the depth to compete with the UPPER LEVEL SEC TEAMS. Now kool-aid drinkers you know exactly where UGA is.
Fire Richt NOW!
September 4th, 2011
12:36 am
WHOMP
I hope all of them do along with their circus trainers I mean coaching staff. Playing that bad should be illegal and if not playing that badly would certainly make me wanna get drunk, high, or beat my baby momma….LMAO!
dan
September 4th, 2011
12:36 am
My Saturday afternoon’s are officially freed up. I will not watch another UGA football game as long as this staff remains in place. If this team isn’t going to show up ready to play, then I want this season to bottom out so that this coaching staff gets fired and then we can rebuild. This programs needs a complete and total overhaul. We’re getting exactly what we deserve. This is what happens when we don’t hold demand more and fire people who need to be fired. I hope South Carolina hangs 50 on us next week. Extreme losses are what this program needs in order to prove to our idiot donors that a change needs to happen. I’m over it. Wake me up when this program is serious about winning again.
The Truth
September 4th, 2011
12:36 am
Fire Mark Richt and his whole staff. Pathetic coaching in all aspects of the game. Kudos to BSU. Richt – don’t let the door hit you on the way out. You & your staff should have left the field tonight jobless.
On another note, our fans SUCK! The parking lots were trashed with garbage, broken bottles, etc. Classless. I’m ashamed to be associated with UGA after what I witnessed tonight on the field from the coaches and outside the stadium from the fans.
dan
September 4th, 2011
12:37 am
My Saturday afternoon’s are officially freed up. I will not watch another UGA football game as long as this staff remains in place. If this team isn’t going to show up ready to play, then I want this season to bottom out so that this coaching staff gets fired and then we can rebuild. This programs needs a complete and total overhaul. We’re getting exactly what we deserve. This is what happens when we don’t demand more and fire people who need to be fired. I hope South Carolina hangs 50 on us next week. Extreme losses are what this program needs in order to prove to our idiot donors that a change needs to happen. I’m over it. Wake me up when this program is serious about winning again.
erkrolledovertonight
September 4th, 2011
12:37 am
tdawgmoney
September 4th, 2011
12:06 am
Bobo should be nicknamed “Mr. 3rd and 8″. He is more predictable than a Mother’s Day sermon on Mother’s Day. Zero creativity. I’m sure he is a nice guy…..but he is Appalachain State material…….in WAY over his head in our league.
WTF would app state want an idiot like this calling plays for them?
How About This?
September 4th, 2011
12:38 am
George Foster told it like it was on his twitter page tonight. O Line and D Line still getting pushed around.
eternal optimist
September 4th, 2011
12:38 am
UGA goes on to beat S. Carolina and reels off 11 in a row on their way to the BCS national championship. Isiah Crowell wins the heisman and Aaron Murray wins Offensive MVP and Best QB in the nation award for averaging 400 yds per game.
WHOMP
September 4th, 2011
12:39 am
No waaayyyy!!!! UGA fans? Trashed tailgate camps? Why, thats unheard of…. UGA fans would never do that….
Fire Richt NOW!
September 4th, 2011
12:39 am
The Truth
At least the fans want to win and losing makes them upset. They only spent hundreds of dollars to see a circus act. Maybe the coaching staff should get pissed off like the fans or maybe the fans should throw stuff at the coaches when they come out of the stadium.
5150 UOAD
September 4th, 2011
12:40 am
just facts
Thanks for that. I remembered reading that and laughing now I am crying thinking about the ABUSE he will take at the Garbage Dump on Tuesday.
Listening to the UGA post game show is funny. NOW Boise St is a Legit #5 team and UGA shouldn’t have beaten them because BOISE is so PERFECT in there execution. AHHAHAH….That ain’t what Buck, Eric Z, Hondo, and the other UGA jock sniffers were saying all week.
GatorFan
September 4th, 2011
12:40 am
So i think UGA needs a bailout from Uncle Sam. Horrible game tonight. Fire Richt and everyone that is under him and start fresh.
Dennis Caniglia
September 4th, 2011
12:40 am
I believe there was bad play calling by Coach Bobo. Give Crowell the ball one the first three downs, and then put a great QB in the position to throw and then a long pass?? How about the screen pass or just a short 3 yard pass every now and then? Am I missing something. They have the talent but just aren’t coach up???
cs
September 4th, 2011
12:40 am
LAC, they dont just need haircuts. You could wringe at least two barrels of crude oil out the heads of a few I saw. We might can cut out all foreign oil imports by drilling in some THUGA wigs.
Dawg Jones
September 4th, 2011
12:41 am
How did their offensive line dominate our defensive line? We had them by 50lbs per man! When they went fast…we looked gassed…Where was all that Joe T mojo I heard about? pathetic!
Barkley
September 4th, 2011
12:41 am
Turrible ! Can Mark May coach ? He seems real smart.
The DawgNation
September 4th, 2011
12:41 am
Fire Richt and Fire Bobo! RIGHT NOW!