Georgia gets needed win but leaves room for improvement
Isaiah Crowell rushed for 147 yards but felt Georgia should've scored more touchdowns.
OXFORD, Miss. – Since the first two games of the season adjusted everybody’s expectations, let’s start with this: Georgia won a game on Saturday. Over an SEC opponent. On the road. These things aren’t taken for granted any more, not after a 2-6 stretch in the conference on non-hedged fields.
So in that sense, the Bulldogs’ 27-13 win over Mississippi was a step forward. It just wasn’t quite the sledgehammer maybe some had hoped for.
This was Ole Miss, one of the worst teams in the nation. It lost to Vanderbilt 30-7 last week. One group among the program’s normally relatively staid fan base, whose greatest focus generally is on picnicking in The Grove, even was moved to purchase full-page advertisements in five area newspapers. In so many words, they asked the school’s administration to strap coach Houston Nutt to a catapult and fire him into the gulf. Even angry Georgia fans haven’t gone that far when it comes to Mark Richt.
So the bar should’ve been set high Saturday for the Bulldogs. In many ways, they dominated an inferior opponent. They killed in real estate. The final yardage totals: 475 to 183. First downs: 25-8.
If this was Monopoly, the Dogs had hotels from Pacific Avenue thru Boardwalk, while Mississippi was mortgaging Baltic.
But the fact that Georgia struggled to score touchdowns and put this game away reaffirmed some of the team’s flaws. The Dogs scored three touchdowns (in the first six possessions). Then they fizzled. By game’s end, they had attempted five field goals (Blair Walsh missing three).
Richt accurately summarized, “When we get a defense tired, we need to stick a fork in them, and we weren’t able to do that.”
A road SEC win is better than losses to Boise State and South Carolina and a win over some pipsqueak from Myrtle Beach. But to beat Mississippi State, Florida, Auburn – maybe even Tennessee, Vanderbilt and Kentucky – Georgia will need to be better. Because every other conference opponent is better equipped than the Rebels to make you pay for a mistake.
Some of what happened could be attributed to the usual: dropped passes, missed blocks, etc. But some of it is on Richt. He didn’t send a great message to his players at the start of the fourth quarter. On fourth-and-1 from the Rebels’ 30, he sent in the field-goal team. The Dogs led 24-13. It seemed like the perfect time to try to pound the opponent for a yard and pass up a 48-yard attempt (hardly a sure thing). Richt played it conservative. Walsh missed.
Question: When a team starts the season 0-2 and the only win thus far has come over Coastal Carolina, shouldn’t there be a more aggressive approach?
Players tried to convince Richt to go for the first down. He later explained, “What I told them was if you want to get a first down, do it in the first three downs.”
Oddly, on the Dogs’ next possession, Richt took a huge gamble when he decided to go for it on fourth-and-1 from the Dogs’ 44. Richard Samuel “made it by a thumbnail,” Richt said. (He later second-guessed himself, saying he should’ve punted.)
Georgia never was in danger of losing this game. It just never had the look of a wrecking ball, which is what you would’ve hoped for. Ole Miss had two touchdowns called back by penalties. Richt conceded, “It was a two-score [lead], and all it would’ve taken was one big play for them and it could’ve gotten really nasty and ugly, but the defense never allowed them to do that.”
There were positive signs. The defense was solid, allowing only one touchdown. Isaiah Crowell is turning into a game-changer. He rushed for 147 yards on 30 carries, including a 29-yard gain on third-and-9 from the Georgia 2 that launched a 99-yard touchdown drive in the second quarter that Richt called “the biggest play of the game.”
But even Crowell, after the biggest day of his young career, found himself talking about flaws.
“I’m happy with how the team played, but I thought we could’ve played better in the second half,” he said. “We should’ve scored [more] points.”
By Jeff Schultz
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719 comments Add your comment
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
7:31 pm
DID C Weiss eat one of the Gator Walk-ons?
I am sure we will eat T. Grantham in a few weeks.
UGAs best hope is that C. Weiss is full on the day of the UGA game.
We Own You
September 24th, 2011
7:33 pm
Typical garbage from a guy who never competed in his life. It’s a long season. You cannot be up 12 times. They did what they needed to do and will be prepared to play like their hair’s on fire next Saturday at noon.
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
7:34 pm
Is VANDY this good or is the SEC EAST just CRAP? The dawgs could win it if the Gators would just be nice.
JB
September 24th, 2011
7:35 pm
different tech team today playing against college players.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 24th, 2011
7:35 pm
5150 UOAD
Your not that bright are you
Posting the degree requirments as an example of what
When 90% of the football team is in the Business program at Tech there is a reason for that. You have a department that is willing to do what it takes to keep players eligible
Thats why 90% of your football team is taking business classes
Again FSU used to put all their players in the Criminology Department to stay eligible
Posting the requirements is cute but who cares.
The Criminology Degree has requirements too.
Oh
Why are there hardly any football players in the Proud engineering department
Hound Dawg
September 24th, 2011
7:35 pm
When is Weis ever full?
Wayne
September 24th, 2011
7:36 pm
It’s been a long time since I fell asleep during a ball game, and this was the Bulldogs. First half saw us lead but I saw the same old team, same old play calling, same old coaching problems. And AM isn’t the great saviour and neither is NO EYEBALLS Crowell. If you would just sit and watch a team like Alabama you would see a blinding difference. These Alabama players have been coached to WIN and you see the o-Line blocking, running backs that are always aware of the ball, receivers that will catch a ball and then look like someone shot them out of a rocket. You see none on this from Georgia PERIOD! I told my father-in-law ten years ago that “we wouldn’t even contend for a National Title much less win one as long as Richt was our coach, that we would more likely be an embarrassment (so true). They still relish in the great black out (errr..I mean Black Eye) from Alabama. Number one in the preseason polls and they come in and stick our faces in a pile of ^@#%^@#%^%. If I am right and I hope like hell I am not, get ready for one long slow ice pick in your eyeballs ride. For as long as Richt is there, which if the Georgia AD and President have they’re way, will be forever, we will forever be the Pee Wee’s of the SEC! My entire family has bolted to Alabama over the last five years, and I’m hanging on by a thread for the dawgs, but even thread will eventually break.
Dabo
September 24th, 2011
7:36 pm
Vandy 3 – SC 0. Garcia already thrown an int…..
OldTimer
September 24th, 2011
7:38 pm
Unfortunately, when it comes to SEC football, the Dawgs are no longer relevant. The gymnastic team still rocks though.
Mr. Peterson vs Bobo
September 24th, 2011
7:38 pm
UGA players are simply not coached up.
bobo
September 24th, 2011
7:39 pm
Our D looked good. BOBO is not good. Nice yards, OK point total, but he always goes on a “lull” that wears out the defense. BOBO is terrible. Third and long? How about a draw up the middle.
Wayne
September 24th, 2011
7:40 pm
In order to Coach players you first need a coach!
Dabo
September 24th, 2011
7:41 pm
make that 2 int’s on Garcia
sickdog
September 24th, 2011
7:41 pm
TAKE IT DAWGS ANOTHER LOSING SEASON
JB
September 24th, 2011
7:41 pm
i’d give up football before becoming a bama fan. they have been caught cheating a bunch, had wins taken away and live on probation. i’ll take doing it right being worse before going dark, just say’n
Wayne
September 24th, 2011
7:43 pm
Are you seriously saying our GEORGIA GANG does not cheat, spend time in JAIL, numerous NCAA violations!!!! At least if you are going to cheat you should at least have something for your troubles, Georgia can’t even do that right!
WestOfAthens
September 24th, 2011
7:43 pm
Could have , Should have scored more points, left 9 points on the table with missed field goals, but the last one made instilled trust in Walsh. Dawgs are still a team to be dealt with, averages 38 points thus far, season is still young
A road win in the SEC is NO gimme, UGA wins, what is the issue?
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
7:45 pm
JB those are the courses for the EZ MGT degree at Tech.
Look at the crap required for the Football degree………..Housing……at UGA.
Huge……….. Enormous……..Freaking Crazy Difference to what a mutt has to take and you can act like it is a lie all you want but it TRULY is What it IS.
JB
September 24th, 2011
7:46 pm
wayne, list our probations, lost scholarships and wins taken away under Richt………………………………Psst, i’ll help you…..0
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
7:47 pm
JB…………….Psssssst……………List your MNC games played!
WestOfAthens
September 24th, 2011
7:48 pm
Shultzy, you never cease to amaze, your opinion is so isolated. We have all known your hatred aimed at this great state’s flagship university.
You are a scrub, yes i said scrub
JB
September 24th, 2011
7:48 pm
5150………give it up…nobody but those nerds in yellow wigs care
OldTimer
September 24th, 2011
7:48 pm
Simply not relevant. Your posts are pathetic.
Hound Dawg
September 24th, 2011
7:49 pm
Hey SC fans, GARCIA IS HORRIBLE! ! Maybe he’s drunk? Let’s give him the benefit of the doubt?! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
7:49 pm
USC under Garcia is Picked by VANDY………………….Did you guys see what Navy did to USC? UGA LOST to USC?…………………PSSSSSST…………..UGA SUCKS.
Dabo
September 24th, 2011
7:49 pm
Garcia has 3 thrown Int’s now.
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
7:50 pm
the Gators are still looking like the Class of the SEC East.
Ga has problems
September 24th, 2011
7:50 pm
Vandy with another pic. Uga wont beat vandy. Much less Fla or Tenn or Aub. Gt will beat them too. SC an overrated piece of dung after navy nearly beat them
WestOfAthens
September 24th, 2011
7:50 pm
And to all the trolling Techies residing, come back when Tech plays someone relevant.
i.e. Tech schedule: not one in the top 25 thus far. DUH, zero relevance
Wayne
September 24th, 2011
7:51 pm
JB – The point was that you think we are righteous at UGA! Ridiculous to think it. We just haven’t been caught YET! And how many games did AJ miss? How many players has GOD (errrr. I mean Richt) got rid of for very minor actions? Never been to their practice or locker room but I can tell you these players do not have any respect or admiration for this coaching staff. I for one am fed up with the crap. I made the mistake of saying I would NEVER forsake my dawgs, but come on!!
Groundhog Day
September 24th, 2011
7:51 pm
Can the nightmare please end?
For 3+ years, I have awakened on Saturdays in the Fall, watched the Georgia game and it’s like Groundhog Day…same sh1t, different week…over and over and over and over. Please for the love of G0D, can’t we get a new coaching staff. At least then we’d have HOPE. That’s better than what we have now.
slydog
September 24th, 2011
7:51 pm
This game shows even more that the either the dogs are too young in certain positions or they need new coaching. This passive, conservative, careful, measured approach to everything will not move this program or the team forward.
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
7:51 pm
I hear Muschamp is going to put a Georgia G with Teeth in Florida colors on the Gators helmets when they play the dawgs.
Hound Dawg
September 24th, 2011
7:52 pm
Wow so UGA sucks because we lost 45-42 to SC? Our defense only gave up 17 points so you can’t say they played bad. After this game vs. Vandy, SC will have one loss in the SEC just like we do. All we need them to do is lose one more then we’re right in there.
frannie mae
September 24th, 2011
7:52 pm
UGA is in a deep hole and is in BIG BIG trouble……
dmr
September 24th, 2011
7:53 pm
My problem with Richt and Company has less to do with wins and losses and more to do with the coaching staff’s inability to read the ebbs and flows of a game. Don’t go for it on 4th and 1 at the Ole Miss 30…go for it on 4th and 1 from your own 44…continue to run 3rd and long draw plays over and over again….stop running the ball early in the game when you’re dominating….Crowell is not on the field when he should be and is getting beat to hell when there is less than 3 minutes to go in the game and our OL is blocking no one.
The offensive play calling still lacks any imagination or surprise to give others something to think about. Our defense played well at times, but was asleep at others. Our special teams are getting it handed to them by not being disciplined enough.
Richt and coaches have further learned nothing about their players. I cannot watch Branden Smith “attempt” to receive another punt. He has been ridiculously indecisive since his arrival in Athens. He is a great athlete, but he has NO BUSINESS FIELDING PUNTS ANYMORE!
Georgia again has the talent to be very good, but the message, the lessons, and the development is sorely lacking so far.
JB
September 24th, 2011
7:53 pm
Alex, for 500 dollars, name the only highly rated engineering school who is still sorry in football who has been on NCAA probation most of the last 10 years.
Alex, who is
Georgia Tech.
ding ding ding….correct for 500 dollars
Hound Dawg
September 24th, 2011
7:54 pm
Tech fans, suck on this: 9-1
Wayne
September 24th, 2011
7:54 pm
This may have just been our last win for the season.
WestOfAthens
September 24th, 2011
7:56 pm
The schedule sets up well for UGA, very well
Haters, please take the complimentary drinks, sit down, shut up, an and hold on!
HBTD
Young Team
September 24th, 2011
7:56 pm
This UGA team is young—all that talent will take a year or two to get experience. 2012 will be the year of the dawgs!!!
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
7:56 pm
WestOfAthens
We will. You keep posting until you beat somebody relevant ok?
Hound Dawg
USC will do that much for the dawgs…………………BUT…BUT………BUT…..The GATORS are still waiting. AHHAHAHAHA………..
WestOfAthens
September 24th, 2011
7:57 pm
Hound Dawg, if you are reffering to Richts record, i have one thing to say….
Go Dawgs!
WestOfAthens
September 24th, 2011
7:58 pm
haha, i am proud you agree with my post. Tech continue to play coastal carolina week in week out
Ga has problems
September 24th, 2011
7:58 pm
Um west unc was ranked in the coaches poll moron. maybe if you win 3 in a row you will pop back in overrated douches
Hound Dawg
September 24th, 2011
7:59 pm
hahaha, here come the haters again….UGA is doing something good and they’re back. A win is a WIN. 2-2, haters…SUCK IT. And we still have New Mexico St…Kentucky…Tech hasn’t beaten us but once so yeah.
Vandy> uga
September 24th, 2011
7:59 pm
that is evident the past 2 weeks
OldTimer
September 24th, 2011
7:59 pm
The Dawgs coach doesn’t have a penus. It begins and ends with that.
WestOfAthens
September 24th, 2011
8:00 pm
Gators are in the same avenue, who have they played?
JD
September 24th, 2011
8:00 pm
Heading for the SEC east title… Run the field in SEC games without a doubt.