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
cattle dawg
September 17th, 2011
10:55 pm
Snoop. I honestly believe that Richt truly is what he portrays about his faith. He just doesnt run a tight ship anymore. I know one of Washaun Ealeys high school coaches pretty good. At eci, ealeys coaches kept an eye on him . They made sure he did what he was supposed to do. At uga no one kept an eye on him. All Richt would do is just give him a stern talking to and thats it. Richt never enforced things until it was to late. But that doesnt mean that Richt isnt a good Christian man, hes just soft. Thats my opinion.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 17th, 2011
10:56 pm
I guess td finally succumbed to his kool-aid spiked Jack Daniels and has gone to sleep
Snoop Dawg
September 17th, 2011
10:56 pm
Confu, your sistah told me to tell you the key to the double wide is under the trash can by the front door….
5150 UOAD
September 17th, 2011
10:58 pm
glory glory
I will be at Church and Sunday School tomorrow. I guess the dawgs will finally smile and talk this week. I has been so quiet with the Dawgs losing.
You are on here a 11 pm what life do you have? I love watching college football
Snoop Dawg
September 17th, 2011
10:59 pm
What does 5150 UOAD mean?
cattle dawg
September 17th, 2011
10:59 pm
Now this is a good game. I did take fsu an the points. All tied up.
confusasnoop
September 17th, 2011
11:00 pm
don’t have a sister….that was my brother. He likes to beat up on Gays.
Snoop Dawg
September 17th, 2011
11:00 pm
I am looking at a couple of candidates to replace Richt at UGA…
Snoop Dawg
September 17th, 2011
11:01 pm
confu, you’re mistaken. It’s your sister. She’s got a tatoo of some barbed wire around her right ankle.
5150 UOAD
September 17th, 2011
11:02 pm
5150 is the police code for crazy & Urinate On A Dawg
Snoop Dawg
September 17th, 2011
11:03 pm
Thanks, I understand…
benchwarmer
September 17th, 2011
11:04 pm
Wow UGA beat who? They probably would have had a better game going against a high school team but I kind of doubt it. How low have the Bulldogs fallen to even schedule such a game? The stink is still on dawg fans. Ya’ll ain’t done nothing yet!
confusasnoop
September 17th, 2011
11:04 pm
My brother Lucca, good luck snoop
Snoop Dawg
September 17th, 2011
11:05 pm
See you next time Confu. My mamma’s pulled the plug for tonight…
confusasnoop
September 17th, 2011
11:06 pm
Your mama………..
dbc
September 17th, 2011
11:07 pm
Snoop. I agree with you 100%. Murray runs up his stats against the teams he can, and just can’t get out of his own way against teams that are good. Richt and Bobo are inept and continue to be out-coached more times than not. This guy you are sparring with, td is either about 15 with a bad case of acne, or he’s mentally disturbed. I guess anyone who isn’t rah, rah UGA no matter what dreck we see on the filed is a troll, a fair weather fan, or humorously, an Obama supporter. Last time I checked, this was a sports blog — only an immature nut case would keep harping on the two together as if they’re somehow connected. Blog on my man.
dawg150
September 17th, 2011
11:07 pm
to Columbus…….couldnt have said it any better…….there IS a difference between a FAN and a bandwagon rider….its damn easy to support a winning team……but to hang with your team thru thick and thin, thats what its all about……I dont like UGA losing to anyone anytime, but nor do I throw the team and coaches under the bus when the wheels fall off …….Columbus, thanks for stating that, and I’m with ya all the way…….I’m also from Columbus, as I guess u r……GO DAWGS
STILL PAYING ATTENTION
September 17th, 2011
11:08 pm
GO DAWGS!!!!!
STILL PAYING ATTENTION
September 17th, 2011
11:09 pm
GO COACH RICHT!!
UGA 92
September 17th, 2011
11:09 pm
Don’t remember AJC “journalists” taking such a snide tone when the North Avenue Virgin All-stars played the powerhouses of Western Carolina and Middle Tenn State a few weeks ago. Only praises of thunderous offenses and genius coaches. Maybe the AJC can pitch in and offer 4 hotdogs and 4 cokes to anyone who would help fill the 10,000 unsold seats in Sanford Stadium.
confusasnoop
September 17th, 2011
11:12 pm
another blog de-snooped.
confusasnoop
September 17th, 2011
11:15 pm
dawgs ROCK
Dawg Whisperer
September 17th, 2011
11:16 pm
McGarity is right. The evaluation of the coaching staff is one game at a time. The criticism of Richt and UGA on this blog is nothing more than venting but UGA did what they were supposed to do today. As for the attendance, it was off a few thousand, not exactly abandoning a sinking ship when 90,000 show up. If the majority of UGA fans had given up on Richt and this team, I doubt 90,000 would show up to watch Coastal Carolina. Fortunately, the group on this blog tonight is not representative of most UGA fans.
dbc
September 17th, 2011
11:21 pm
So funny to see comments from guys like td. Your insecurity with yourself is so painfully obvious in your posts and responses, that I just can’t help but laugh and shake my head. Your supposition that people who knock UGA are fair weather fans is way off base. You further go on to assume that anyone who doesn’t support Richt and UGA is an Obama supporter? That in and of itself is comical (and way off base,) but let me remind you this is a sports blog, not a place for you to shoe horn your misguided ideologies to folks who just want to vent on the Dawgs, or talk a little football. I’ve been a fan of UGA since ‘71, and I think I’ve seen plenty. While I don’t agree with everything Snoop Dawg says, most of it is spot on. Mark Richt and Company will never fix this program. They’ve had plenty of time to do it and it’s time for a change. That’s my opinion and I think I’m entitled to it since people like me pay Mark Richt’s bloated salary. Now fire away td, I’d expect nothing less.
Ohio State
September 17th, 2011
11:25 pm
Running back Jordan Hall and defensive backs Travis Howard and Corey Brown received impermissible benefits at a charity event they attended earlier in the year and were suspended for NCAA violations. Six other Buckeyes were already suspended for NCAA violations- including running back Dan Herron, wide receiver DeVier Posey, offensive tackle Mike Adams and defensive end Solomon Thomas, who all will miss five games as part of their involvement in an investigation that led to the departures of quarterback Terrelle Pryor and Jim Tressel, who is now replaced by Luke Fickell. Terrelle Pryor stand-in at QB Joe Bauserman connected on just 2-of-14 passes for 13 yards in defeat as Ohio State was 4 of 17 passing for -0- TD only 35 yards in the air, and threw an interception in a 6-24 blow-out loss to Miami of Florida, who just had lost giving up 32 points in a loss to lowly Maryland. Neither Maryland nor Miami of Florida, obviously are ranked. Neither is Ohio State, now. Bwaahhh Ohio State.
5150 UOAD
September 17th, 2011
11:26 pm
UGA 92
GT
Points Per Game 59.3
Yards gained rushing 1344
PASSING YARDAGE 743
TOTAL OFFENSE 2026
Total Plays 196
Average Per Play 10.3
Average Per Game 675.3
UGA
Yards gained rushing…….. 594
Points Per Game…………. 40.7
PASSING YARDAGE…………… 760
TOTAL OFFENSE…………….. 1279
Total Plays…………….. 210
Average Per Play………… 6.1
Average Per Game………… 426.3
I know the competition is different but UGA has all the best Talent from the state.
doormats of the sec
September 17th, 2011
11:26 pm
we are the doormats of the sec.
td
September 17th, 2011
11:27 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 17th, 2011
10:33 pm
Do you think Thurmond, Davis or Blue would pass the mustard of this special committee and be on UGA now? I do not think so, just look at a few that the committee did not let on that went on to have good careers in the SEC. Why are we not recruiting the Davis and Blue types any longer. Do you really think CWM said these do not fit into my system so I am not going to recruit them? Do you not think CTG would love to have some some mean nasty attitude players on the D right now?
Just go back and look at what happened. Adams instituted his special committee and CBV left the next year and we have not had the type of D since. You can grip all you want about the O but the PPG have increased since Bobo took over the play calling. The D does not play with the nastiness any longer and that has to do with the type of players on the field. Auburn had them last year, Alabama the year before and LSU before that. This is the difference and you can not see it.
Video: 59-0 win just what doctor ordered for Bulldogs | UGA sports blog
September 17th, 2011
11:28 pm
[...] Jeff Schultz: Georgia Bulldogs shown signs of life [...]
confusasnoop
September 17th, 2011
11:28 pm
doormats….It’s getting better. Believe!
evil empire
September 17th, 2011
11:30 pm
@ 5150 UOAD
thanks for the explaination of the blog name…always wondered what that meant…that Barnabus Collins handle is one i wish i had thought of, good call…don’t respond to anyone from columbus and they will eventually go away…hang in there snoop, you all right with me…love the attempt by the “old timers” to paint cmr in a “good light”…donnan’s forgot more about football than cmr knows…flat tire, i admire your tenacity, keep it up…
evil empire
September 17th, 2011
11:33 pm
who’s fault is it that all the great defensive high school players from georgia are dumb??? quit recruiting dummies…come on td…
UGA 92
September 17th, 2011
11:34 pm
5150 UOAD:
Are you comparing Wester Carolina to Boise State and Middle Tenn to South Carolina? Not sure where you are going with this one.
the indiana of the sec
September 17th, 2011
11:34 pm
thats what we have become.
Shine
September 17th, 2011
11:38 pm
As a loyal Bulldog fan let me say, man did I get drunk today. I was wiping the puke of my buddy’s wife breasts (her and him passed out around halftime)when I noticed the stadium about empty and the game over. I had to wait until I got home to get the score off teh t.v. but I have to do that often. Man, that Marc Richt and all can coach up a storm cant they? I seen sign of improvement everywhere. Like right off teh bat teh beer was colder. Hope they can keep tthis up the rest of teh season. And all you naysayers need to hush now.
5150 UOAD
September 17th, 2011
11:40 pm
UGA 92 no I said the competition was different, but you have to look at the Massive #s GT has put up no matter. You guys played your Western Carolina Today and still didn’t have a 100yrd rusher.
ole dawg
September 17th, 2011
11:46 pm
give me a break,this was not a game, CC take the money and run.
NCAA may look into bullying charges against UGA
Ohio State
September 17th, 2011
11:47 pm
Georgia tek ? Are you kidding me ? You guys are 1-9 vs Mark Richt and he’s on the hot seat. What does that tell you ? Anyway, Georgia tek is on NCAA PROBATION back-to-back in FOOTBALL major violations. By the way, your appeal has no hope.
Dream Team
September 17th, 2011
11:52 pm
“Dreaming of a White Christmas” anywhere but Shreveport or Memphis for the Dawgs! Maybe the Chick-Fil-A Bowl!
UGA 92
September 17th, 2011
11:54 pm
True, but running up the score and stats on the likes of a Costal Carolina or Western Carolina is the equivalent of beating up the special needs kid in elementary school. It’s easy enough to due, but only the truly bankrupt take pride in doing so.
LakeDawg
September 17th, 2011
11:56 pm
Believe it or not, I’m encouraged that the Dawgs came out focused and took care of business. That means the team is still in it to win it.
I also like Murray’s enthusiasm. UGA can run the table, but that means CMR and staff are going to have to do some coaching and keep the team focused. No let downs or off days. Then he is going to have to win a couple of big, tough games. Can he do it? I have my doubts, but I sincerely hope so. I would love to get excited about UGA football again.
Ohio State
September 18th, 2011
12:00 am
“I would love to get excited about UGA football again.”
What’s that gonna take ?
cattle dawg
September 18th, 2011
12:01 am
Who does tech play the next few weeks?
Ohio State
September 18th, 2011
12:01 am
The only ranked team on our entire remaining schedule is # 16 Florida, who isn’t that great.
cattle dawg
September 18th, 2011
12:03 am
Lake dawg, I agree with what you said.. But the middle part of ur post IS the entire problem with UGA football right now.
5150 UOAD
September 18th, 2011
12:05 am
UGA 92
Tech didn’t run up the score. look and the length of the scores and the Few plays it took to score. Tech just ran plays that worked and were well executed. I know that maybe a foreign concept since you have Bobo but some other teams can do it.
Ohio State
September 18th, 2011
12:08 am
“Then he is going to have to win a couple of big, tough games. Can he do it? I have my doubts”
Is this the middle part you are talking about ? He cannot beat the very best teams, never has been able to. And, he loses to the truly lousy teams who do not finish in the AP Poll Top 25 the year he loses to them, too. This season, now, he faces only 1 remaining game against a team ranked at all and they aren’t that good, either, obviously.
Ohio State
September 18th, 2011
12:09 am
Unbelievable Georgia tek fans think they have something to crow about on the blogs of the team who find their coach on the hot seat, whom Georgia tek is 1-9 vs with their football team on back-to-back NCAA PROBATION for major violations.
5150 UOAD
September 18th, 2011
12:10 am
UNC @ Tech this week @North Carolina St
UGA @ Ole Miss Miss St
cattle dawg
September 18th, 2011
12:11 am
That part an cmr and staff are goin to have to do some coaching.