Georgia shows signs of life (for those still paying attention)
Tavarres King's second touchdown catch made the score 35-0, and the rout was on. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
ATHENS – It’s best to not get lost in the blur of “what-ifs.”
What if the first opponent was 1-AA roadkill and not a ranked team? What if Georgia had a week to work out flaws before playing Boise State? Or an easy game to prep for South Carolina? Then would they be leading the SEC East today? What if Marcus Lattimore had suddenly declared before last week’s game, “On second thought, I’m going to save my legs for equestrian. Away with you, Mr. Spurrier”?
It’s just not worth it.
Georgia dug a deep hole, and it’s going to be a while before anybody will be able to see light again. The hole didn’t get any deeper Saturday. But otherwise, we saw what we already knew: The Bulldogs are physically superior to Coastal Carolina. They rule over all Chanticleers. Say it loud, say it proud. They led 21-0 after roughly 17 seconds and 38-0 one series into the second half, when all starters headed for Barcaloungers.
They won 59-0. If they can do this to Coastal Carolina, imagine what they could do to Liberty, and Presbyterian, and Stony Brook. Big South: You are the gum under the SEC’s shoe.
“All right. We got a victory,” coach Mark Richt said.
It was the first time Richt he could use those words in a postgame news conference in nine and a half months.
Georgia had not won a game since beating Georgia Tech on Nov. 27. Since then, Athens had witnessed various forms of suffering, anguish and humiliation: A lifeless defeat to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl. A body slam by Boise State in the season opener. A woulda-coulda-shoulda loss to South Carolina.
“This probably won’t turn a lot of people’s heads,” quarterback Aaron Murray admitted.
But a win was needed for some kind of cleansing. Or exorcism. The Dogs just aren’t feeling the love these days, and they know it will take a long series of victories — or at least one in Florida — before they feel it again.
Even one of the team’s cheerleaders could be overheard as the final seconds ticked down, “Yay! We’re 1-2!” the words dripping with sarcasm.
The good? There is a pulse after an 0-2 start. A 59-0 win takes a certain level of effort and pride, even if the marquee reads: Godzilla vs. Bambi. It was the Dogs’ most lopsided victory since a 70-6 win over Northeast Louisiana in 1994. Richt can only hope it’s a greater launching pad than it was for Ray Goff 17 years ago.
But some of the negative vibes around the program also were reaffirmed. There were about 10,000 empty seats in Sanford Stadium at kickoff. Attendance (tickets distributed) was announced as 91,946, which is the first non-sellout (by 800) in the Mark Richt era. Georgia had sold out 64 straight. The last non-sellout came in Jim Donnan’s final game against Georgia Tech in 200.
We can quibble about how close the number was to listed capacity. But bottom line: When the most popular sports property in the state fails to sell out for the first time in 11 years, it’s significant.
So it was a little surprising when Richt said, “I don’t think it’s a big deal. It was just about taking care of business.”
For players, that last part is true. But externally, confidence will build again only if Georgia can string together wins over the next four weeks: at Mississippi, Mississippi State, at Tennessee and Vanderbilt. It would create some momentum going into the Florida game.
“Our goal is to go 10-0, and that started today,” Murray said.
“I’m sure most people just view this as as somebody we should have beaten,” cornerback Brandon Boykin said. “But a game like this, just getting the shutout, gives us confidence.”
OK: What if? What if Georgia had played Coastal Carolina first?
“I wouldn’t have wanted that,” Boykin said. “I wanted to play a tough team at the beginning of the year. That game showed us what we needed to do to get ready for South Carolina. We played better last week because we had a rough time with Boise.”
In other words, this is your team. The schedule wasn’t going to change that. Now it’s about making the headache go away. We’ll know more over the next few weeks.
By Jeff Schultz
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556 comments Add your comment
RedandBlackDAWG
September 18th, 2011
10:23 am
Buckeye,
The truth hurts, doesn’t it? Man, you are just pitiful. It would be a real surprise if you are even 15, with childish comments like that. If you can do no better than defend your own negative comments like that, you should wait until you grow up a little, and then you might learn how to truly defend yourself and debate reasonably. Until then, I am afriad you remain just a fly in the ointment and not worthy of any space on these blogs. I suppose AJC will contuinue to allow you to waste space though, as they are only interested in web hits, not meaningful content.
GO DAWGS and GATA
Dunwoody Jeff
September 18th, 2011
10:28 am
The problem was statistics, is you can always manipulate them. Based on statistical logic that some posters are using on CMR, should be applied to VD’s record from 1977-79, which was 20-13-1. 1977 he was 5-6, bounced back 9-2-1 the following year, then 6-5 in 1979. During that 3 year run, we went to only the Blue Bonnet Bowl, thats it. Of course the rest is history, as VD recruited Herschel who came to Georgia on a coin flip over Clemson. VD went 12-0, 10-2, and 11-1 the next 3 years. What if we would have fired Dooley in 1979? No national championship or championships run during the 80’s. You can manipulate the statistics and records anyway you want to make someone look good or bad. Come on, CMR is a great coach, and a great recruiter. Lets see what he can do with the Dream Team. Don’t be fair weather fan.
10,000 empty seats
September 18th, 2011
10:30 am
Clempson has the “REAL” Dream team….just saying
35 total passing yards
September 18th, 2011
10:31 am
Fickell’s Buckeyes had 35 total passing yards against Miami.
Ohio State gave up on the game in the final minutes, not even bothering to stop the clock with one of their three timeouts as Miami moved down the field with a 17-6 lead.
JD
September 18th, 2011
10:31 am
It would be nice if everyone could let up on the animosity. Just admit the fact that UGA is having a rough season start but can turn it around and Tech has an offense that is working. (See Navy against SC) It’s not a “high school offense” it’s CPJ’s offense and it has proven itself over the years. Whatever happens during the year, the bragging rights depend on the game in November each year, so quit obsessing on the other teams and support yours.
Now all those that just like to start things (think of the obnoxious drunks in a bar that must fight someone to prove something in their mind) go at it.
10,000 empty seats
September 18th, 2011
10:34 am
I wish folks would would cut the crap that happened 30 plus years ago. Who cares what Vince Dooley did…. Right now the Dawgs stink…. 1 – 2
Just askin'
September 18th, 2011
10:37 am
A few salient comments:
1. Four different SEC teams have won the last five BCS championships.
2. UGA was not one of those teams.
3. During that period, UGA did not win the SEC championship.
4. During that period, UGA did not even win its SEC division.
5. Red panties and Nike clown suits.
In other words, UGA has sunk into total irrelevancy both regionally and nationally.
So why is UGA paying Mark Richt millions of dollars a year?
MrGreggo
September 18th, 2011
10:37 am
UGA shows signs of life??? How freaking STUPID can you be? Playing a CREAM PUFF my grand kids could beat and you have the tiny balls to say the poodles show signs of life???
I guess when you have NO HOPE, you grab and hang on to whatever you can….
REALIST
September 18th, 2011
10:37 am
To Tech Rules this State;
9 out ot the last 10. Who really runs this State? If you Techies are so smart you would see who has BEAT you 90% of the time!! Play somebody real before you beat your chest. Haven’t seen you play a Boise State or USCe so far this year, just gimmes.
Who really rules this state?? GO DAWGS!!!!
tide roll
September 18th, 2011
10:38 am
The kids play harder for the third string QB than for Murray or Hudson Mason. This kid Murray craves attention, good or bad. Only Richt could put together something like this. He’s always been a “Me First” guy as well. ROLL TIDE
Rennie, have you made your child support payment this month?
September 18th, 2011
10:42 am
Was punkdawg Rennie Curran at the game? They could use him in security to beat up unruly women.
Alpha Bravo
September 18th, 2011
10:47 am
Those 10,000 dawg fans who didn’t show up were at job fairs in Atlanta. It’s tough times for people with no education or skills.
richie
September 18th, 2011
10:52 am
fla has one player,wow.auburn 14-0 lead and lose.who has ala played this yr.lsu looks good everbody else doesnt
Mike
September 18th, 2011
10:53 am
Signs of life my a_ _! C’mon, it was Coastal Carolina for gosh sakes. UGA is still a middle of the pack team that will lose to Auburn & Florida again & go to a toilet bowl at the end of the season. RIcht & BooBoo must go & the sooner the better. The Bulldog nation deserves better. Let’s go McGarity, pull the plug & end the suffering.
SanDiegoJacket
September 18th, 2011
10:53 am
Excellent, Alpha Bravo
What do University of Georgia students and TECH students have in common??
They both can get into the University of Georgia!!
TO HELL WITH GEORGIA, EVERY DAY IN EVERY WAY
SanDieogJacket
RedandBlackDAWG
September 18th, 2011
10:53 am
Tide Roll,
You can now bunch your comments in with the buckeye kid. They have no meanang and talking about things you have absolutely no knowledge about, just shows your immaturity. UGA fans no longer, if they did find anything you say revelant either. You can’t seem to back your statements with reliable proof, only your opinions and I am afraid you are the only one who values your opinion.
Go DAWGS and GATA
Shrimp Boat Bill
September 18th, 2011
10:59 am
And just where, exactly, is the Negative Journalism Academy? Let’s face it, Mr. Schultz has rooted himself and his reputation on a UGA losing season and the firing of Mark Richt so the question should really be, “Jeff Schultz Writes Another Negative Article About UGA Football (for those still paying attention).” What a whiner!
PigIron
September 18th, 2011
11:13 am
Week Three:
Congratulations on posting a W Georgia.
Congratulations to GIT for going 3-0 to start this season.
Vandy looks impressive after injecting new life and energy into their football program with a coaching staff change.
Houston Nutt is a dead man walking. He didn’t realize the recruiting advantage that he had at Arky. Maybe he should do some mission work if he wants to save his job.
MSU looked impressive against Memphis. If only all of their games could be against Memphis. They played their best game of the season this week and came up short. Dan Mullen might be a great HC. MSU will likely never be a great football school.
Auburn’s luck was bound to run out eventually. Too many critical members of last year’s dream team played their last CFB game in Phoenix. Lots of young talent on this team, and they play with heart and adrenaline. They will continue to improve, but will probably drop a few more games in the process.
Congratulations to Dabo Swinney for posting his first signature win at Clemson. His seat just got a little cooler.
Florida appears to be back on track, but who knows the true value of a win over the Vols at this stage of the rebuilding process?
South Carolina retains their position as the defending SEC East Champs. When will their inevitable mid-season collapse occur? Enquiring minds want to know.
OSU falters in the IneligiBowl. How the mighty have fallen…
BTW: Is “Buckeye” the same poster who said that he would not show his face here again if the Magnificent Five didn’t honor their contract with Coach Tressel to come back and play this year?
Notre Dame wins a meaningful game! Is anyone on this blog old enough to remember when Notre Dame was relevant in CFB?
Is FSU really on their way back to their winning ways, or is Oklahoma somewhat over-rated? Time will tell.
Oregon looks invincible once again. Helps when the Ducks don’t have to compete with top-tier SEC teams. Good thing they’re in the Pacific Time Zone because they aren’t ready for Prime Time.
The Longhorn football program appears to be on the mend. Too bad they destroyed their conference.
Next week should be interesting. Stay thirsty, my friends!
UGAgirlFAN
September 18th, 2011
11:14 am
JEFF SCHULTZ YOU ARE SUCH A BIG JERK TO WRITE THIS!!!! I am VERY proud to be a Dawg Fan and Darn PROUD of their efforts against Boise State and South Carolina – coached by the “Evil One”!!! We went up against a #5 ranked team when we were ranked #19, Boise State had a previous year Heisman QuarterBack Candidate plus several returning experienced players to their advantage and yet we rallied from a 3 touchdown difference to lose by only 2 at the end, I repeat a #5 team, not some no name team like every one else in the SEC who were playing as their opener, exception LSU!!!!!! As far as South Carolina, yes we should have beat them, but due to 2 or 3 mistakes we lost to them otherwise we would have won! Again, I repeat they were ranked and we were not!!! Still some other teams in the SEC were still playing easy wins at this point like FLORIDA!!!! IF you are really a DAWG Fan I challenge you to support them! Because that is what a true Fan does it is the definition of it, no matter if the chips are down-You support the Coach, the Team and the Program!!! If you cannot do that, then you are defined as a bandwagon fan and you can get the heck off and root for someone else!!!!! GOOOOOOOO DAWGS!!!!! Jeff, your negativity is really for the birds!
PigIron
September 18th, 2011
11:22 am
UGAgirlFAN:
The best sports journalists don’t report the facts — instead, they write fiction to please their local audience. Why can’t you jerks at the AJC figure this out?
Dawgs woulda, shoulda, coulda beat a ranked team in South Carolina. Why is nobody reporting that? Huh?
Is Les Miles available?
September 18th, 2011
11:27 am
UGA will go 1-3 over the next 4 games, at best. People make fun of Les Miles, but I would dump Richt for Miles IN A HEARTBEAT. He knows how to win consistently!
funny...
September 18th, 2011
11:29 am
Three things:
1. Aaron Murray is terrible. He really is. He can’t even lead a receiver.
2. People bragging about military service usually never served.
3. Some idiot telling people how much money is in his 401k actually means he’s about to get forclosed on in his trailer.
funny...
September 18th, 2011
11:30 am
Les Miles ain’t comin’ to Georgia.
you are so dumb, for real
PigIron
September 18th, 2011
11:40 am
@Is Les Miles available?
Les would be a great choice, but if he had any intention to leave LSU, he would be at Michigan right now. Be realistic and consider coaches who are actually available.
How's that Dream Team Working For You Now Inbreds
September 18th, 2011
11:41 am
I know we aren’t suppose to Hate but Dang I freaking totally Hate UGA. I hope they don’t win another game ever.I think it’s more the players now performing more than coaches. To see UGA players on TV is comparable to Muray Povich show Who be da baby daddy wiff dem grills in der teeffs. Next uniforms for UGA will be pants on da ground.
1eyedJack
September 18th, 2011
11:47 am
Some folks would b1tch if they were included in the rapture.
Pacman
September 18th, 2011
11:49 am
Is UGA even relevant outside of state of Georgia?
Kool Aid Drinker
September 18th, 2011
12:10 pm
Chug a lug, gulp, ahhhhhh…
Go Dawgs!!!
hotdawg
September 18th, 2011
12:38 pm
Shultz, you nattering naysayer of negativity! UGA’s 59-0 win had to be diminished somehow, and you chose to emphasize that only about 82,000 fans showed up to see UGA
Old Gold and White Fan
September 18th, 2011
12:42 pm
How about that “High School offense” now folks? Third in the country in total offense. And that was LAST week! Where ya think they’ll be after putting up 768 yards against a team from an automatic qualifier conference? GOOOOO JACKETS!!!
Oh yeah, good win today. Not just a win but a shut out. Good job. No, I’m serious. Really, good job!
10,000 empty seats
September 18th, 2011
12:45 pm
UGA should be embarrassed to have scheduled a team like this.
hotdawg
September 18th, 2011
12:46 pm
Shultz, you nattering naysayer of negativity! UGA’s 59-0 win had to be diminished somehow, and you chose to emphasize that only about 82,000 fans showed up to see UGA dispose of a lower division foe! Eighty-two thousand is a BIG crowd for Auburn! Also, please don’t forget to mention that Florida recently broke a string of sell-outs even though their “swoon” is less pronounced thatn UGA’s. Seems like UGA’s fans are more loyal, right? The constant prattle of the AJC Sports Staff makes it doubly difficult for the Dawgs to get back on the track they were on through most of the Richt era. It seems as though your columns are meant to please Tech fans, Bamer fans, Allbarn fans, and Vol fans. What’s wrong with a little balance, at least. (Have you ever gone through the archives of you past columns to count the number of negative vs. positive columns? If you do, be careful in sorting the one’s where you use a positive headline or single sentence to introduce what becomes a long negative diatribe of speculation–not news.)
Schultz is a hack
September 18th, 2011
1:00 pm
I love reading your silly columns that are pontificated on spewing hate on Coach Richt and the Bulldogs. It isn’t time for a change it is time for a vote of confidence. If you bulldog fans want a real interesting take on the Dawgs then check out Kipp Adams on ESPN’s: DawgNation. He is a great writer that doesn’t resort to writing with scathing criticism and sarcasm.
funny...
September 18th, 2011
1:15 pm
I’m laughing at how utterly stupid some you are.
I mean really stupid.
there does not mean they are
their does not mean there.
you’re is you are not your.
bubba4dawgs
September 18th, 2011
1:17 pm
Congratulations, Team! I’im always proud of you win or lose! This game won’t do a lot for the individual stats but that’s not what this game was about. I’m glad there wasn’t any selfishness on that statement as so many got a chance to play! This will help make the team even better as they move along thru the season. Take each game one at a time. This was a pay per view game and I couldn’t make it to Athens. I watched Fla. and Tenn. which gave me an idea about how things may look for the Dawgs later on when they play them both. I know the Dawgs won’t take them lightly! Hey, don’t forget Vanderbilt! Those guys are for real! Oh, and watch out for the guy named Jacques Smith, DE for Tennessee! He’s a beast just like Clowney!! GO DAWGS!!!!!!
bamaguy
September 18th, 2011
1:17 pm
What do you think becomes of the losing coach next week?
bamaguy
September 18th, 2011
1:22 pm
Georgia Tech in the AP Poll at #25.
Ron
September 18th, 2011
1:23 pm
Yeah!!! Uga won. Whoopdeedoo.
“They won 59-0. If they can do this to Coastal Carolina, imagine what they could do to Liberty, and Presbyterian, and Stony Brook.” I would suspect that St. Mary’s Home for Unwed Mothers might be a challenge. The bulldogs are a joke. All the whay ifs in the world will not change that.
Benny
September 18th, 2011
1:39 pm
Coach Richt is a great recruiter and coach? I can give you a personal statement about this comment. As an ass’t football coach I personally watched the head coach bench a quarter back because he was hitting on the opposing cheerleaders after we lost a tought, close game. He could have cared less as he already had a scholarship to UGA. His attitude from 6th grade thru high school was all about him. He never displayed any team ideals and so he sat out the last 8 games of his high school career. I personally contacted his recruiter and informed him and the attitude was that they did not care and they could fix him. He has been there 4 years and it appears that his attitude has either rubbed off on others or allows him to fit right in at UGA. Character traits are of no concern to UGA and it is now coming back to haunt them. How does this make the head coach so great? This group lacks character and from the many comments on here it appears that many others also see this. Nothing will improve until UGA fields a team and stops putting 11 individuals out there.
Bonnie Blue Skies
September 18th, 2011
1:43 pm
The bulldogs are a joke.
Yes, a very bad joke. And an embarrassment to everyone in the State of Georgia with their illiterate, low class players, not to mention their multimillionaire phony saint of a coach.
Fire Mark Richt
September 18th, 2011
2:00 pm
Bonnie Blue Skies, Richt does have a thing for the bad boys, doesn’t he? Sort of reminds me of some of the girls I went to high school with.
Richt has become the anti-Bear Bryant: he can take his and lose to yours, and he can take yours and lose to his.
I was advocating hard for Richt’s firing at the end of last season because it was obvious he was done. Now we’ll have a season-long farewell tour. A wasted season in other words. Predictable.
Annie
September 18th, 2011
2:02 pm
“I would suspect that St. Mary’s Home for Unwed Mothers might be a challenge.”
Especially since the UGA players are the babydaddies.
Boca Baby
September 18th, 2011
2:05 pm
Yeah, Jeff, go ahead and pay attention to GT putting over 600 yards of rushing on Kansas. UGA will still beat the Jackets, again and again. The Dogs will be in it in the end. And nobody will want to play them. Count on it.
valleyboy32
September 18th, 2011
2:27 pm
I JUST WANT COACH TO OVERSIGHN ONLY GA. PLAYERS I WOULD RATHER DO THAT AND BE THIN AT OTHER POSITIONS ATLEAST 25 PLAYERS A YEAR YOU GONNA HAVE INJURIES OR PLAYERS NOT MAKING GRADES SO WHY NOT
CarolinaDawg
September 18th, 2011
2:45 pm
Great song – “White Shoes & Silver Britches”, an ode to Athens & UGA gamedays by Mac Leaphart from Charleston, SC.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OcQHPVJT_C8
Mac’s a Georgia fan and is playing in Oxford, MS this weekend at a bar on the Square called The Levee Friday night and then at a place just outside of town called Foxfire Ranch on Sunday. Who’s making the trip to Oxford?
The answer from Clemson
September 18th, 2011
3:14 pm
Tech how’s the PROBATION going… That the 2nd major PROBATION this Century JAWGA Tech.
Go Clemson!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
5150 UOAD
September 18th, 2011
3:22 pm
HAHAHAH
Clemson wins a game and now DABO is a great coach…………..Clemson’s head coach is Mike Bobo of the ACC………..never should have been hired
eric
September 18th, 2011
3:52 pm
Georgia won. Woohoo. Who gives a **** when they were playing a crappy team, and over the a win is a win statement. Play some real teams and then we’ll talk. Good for FSU last night, they played hard, and if they played Georgia, they would have shot a seminole arrow up some bulldawg butt.
Wally Butts
September 19th, 2011
12:44 am
For those of you paying attention, Jeff Shultz and the fine editors at the AJC made a mistake:
“The last non-sellout came in Jim Donnan’s final game against Georgia Tech in 200.”
You should be on the hotseat for this kind of mistake.
Whiskey Breath
September 19th, 2011
8:42 am
Generally when Ga get’s a win like this, they will brag for about 8 or 9 months. Don’t worry about them staying down for long. In fact, they will trash Coastal for a long time. They will question why they even have a team. They will call them all sorts of names. They will talk about them like they are white trash.
Keep it classy ga.