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
If it happened
September 24th, 2011
10:07 pm
LSU 42 Ga 7
Alabama 41 Ga 7
I would put 10 but you can;t make field goals now
Mad Poot
September 24th, 2011
10:08 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
Well you should have no problem there….I suspect you still have 5 losses to go this year. And the Gators and bumble bees shoud both hang 50+ on you. I’ve yet to see your wonderful DC hold any team of significance under 30. (Ole Miss and Coastal Carolina don’t count).
But yes…fire Richt will at least buy the moron that comes in (and yes, you’ll only get a moron after coaches that are actually of quality see how you ran Richt out of town) three years. We don’t really even consider the Georgia game a “rivalry” at this point…nor do we fret over the game. it’s just fun to go to Jacksonville and drink.
yeah, right....
September 24th, 2011
10:08 pm
Mad Poot
September 24th, 2011
9:36 pm
“We”?
Wow, a UF player posting on the AJC blog. Awesome. What number are you?
Simple as pie... for intelligent people
September 24th, 2011
10:09 pm
Can any of the UGA players read well enough to understand blogs like this?
yeah, right....
September 24th, 2011
10:09 pm
If it happened
September 24th, 2011
10:07 pm
True, and you “can;t” spell “can’t”.
If it happened
September 24th, 2011
10:09 pm
Watch what happens when vandy plays @ bama next week
52-10
Dawg4Life
September 24th, 2011
10:09 pm
@5150
“I hear Muschamp is going to put a Georgia G with Teeth in Florida colors on the Gators helmets when they play the dawgs.”
Whatever chump, but you know your little stinkin’ insects will get their stingers clipped again this year by the Dawgs, as usual.
Now go back to your Othello board and quit bothering me punk!
If it happened
September 24th, 2011
10:10 pm
When we play vandy
31-17 if we are lucky
yeah, right....
September 24th, 2011
10:10 pm
Mad Poot
September 24th, 2011
10:08 pm
How many top 20 teams has tech and fla played?
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:12 pm
Dawg4Life, im not so sure about that….sure GT almost blew it against UNC today, but GT is pretty much one of the last teams anyone in the country wants to play right now…..they’ll lose a couple, but Ole Miss is no GT and honestly, you could’ve easily lost today. Get worse.
grasseater
September 24th, 2011
10:12 pm
@yeah right
we play bama next year; we better get a whole lot better quick…hey zook is 4-0…maybe he’s ready to come back to the sec…didn’t he beat richt too?
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
10:12 pm
@Simple as Pie…………….
lets see? Pie R Square not round?
Max
September 24th, 2011
10:12 pm
dawg 4
you do realize that if johnson had kicked a fg on those two possessions inside your territory, we win. the missed extra point is moot. oh well. it makes for a great game. this year he is not so much the gambler. more conservative. and yes i assume our kicker would have made 1 of the 2. lol
Jabberwocky
September 24th, 2011
10:13 pm
Twas bryllyg, and ye slythy toves
Did gyre and gymble in ye wabe:
All mimsy were ye borogoves;
And ye mome raths outgrabe.
B'dawg
September 24th, 2011
10:13 pm
Dabo is a lonely boy.
yeah, right....
September 24th, 2011
10:13 pm
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:04 pm
You’re best and most intelligible post of the evening…..
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
10:14 pm
WHEN IS THE LAST TIME the mutts BEAT A TOP 20 TEAM? Playing them don’t matter… It is the OBJECT to BEAT Them. Richt really has “Clockwork Oranged” you dawg fans.
Poor Arron Murray
September 24th, 2011
10:15 pm
Season season…LMAO good luck with this schedule
Time TBA TBA at Clemson Buy
Tickets
09/07/13
Time TBA TBA at Vanderbilt Buy
Tickets
09/14/13
Time TBA TBA South Carolina Buy
Tickets
09/21/13
Time TBA TBA North Texas Buy
Tickets
09/28/13
Time TBA TBA at LSU Buy
Tickets
10/05/13
Time TBA TBA at Tennessee Buy
Tickets
10/12/13
Time TBA TBA Alabama Buy
Tickets
10/19/13 — Open Date — —
10/26/13
Time TBA TBA Kentucky Buy
Tickets
11/02/13
3:30 p.m. ET Florida 1 Buy
Tickets
11/09/13
Time TBA TBA Appalachian State Buy
Tickets
11/16/13
Time TBA TBA Auburn Buy
Tickets
11/23/13 — Open Date — —
11/30/13
Time TBA TBA at Georgia Tech Buy
Mad Poot
September 24th, 2011
10:15 pm
yeah, right….
Defeats the purpose if your defense of your program is you’ve lost two games because you played 2 top 20 teams already. You’ve basically admitted your team isn’t relevant. And, I’ll agree.
If you need more stats…look at UGA”s SEC record over the last 2 years…pretty much on par with MISS ST huh?
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:16 pm
i usually average 1 intelligible post per 4 just blatant smack talk posts……..but even dawg4life can see my logic i think.
TheItalianDawg
September 24th, 2011
10:16 pm
Richt and company should all be fired!! Georgia is an average team at best. Bobo is terrible,he is absolutely a dumb a$$, even the game commentators questioned his callings. if you having great success in running the ball why suddenly abandon it!!!! I think our D played really good. too many field goal attempts. our offense is loaded with talents but little to show for. we will struggle passing VAndy and we will definitly lose to flolrida
Poor Arron Murray
September 24th, 2011
10:17 pm
@ clemson and @ gt with lsu and bama on the schedy from the west. Wow. That is a potential 8 loss season
azdawg
September 24th, 2011
10:17 pm
The way GA’s offense runs reminds me of an 8 cylinder car that runs on 6 cyl’s. It just misses and doesn’t run very smooth always sputtering between clicking on all 8. Just never runs on all 8 all the time.
IC did well but he was tired from 3rd qtr on. Maybe his ribs were bothering him. He’s going to be a good back but not the caliber of Lattimore. Murray had his shining moments but still continues to sputter. Richt goofed at end of half. He had one time out left w/29 sec’s to play but chickened out and let clock run out. Guess he felt same way when not going for it on 4th down and Walsh missed his 3rd FG. What is wrong w/him !!???
This win is a forecast of things to come when they play MSU and the remaining SEC schedule. They’ll win over KY and vandy but the remaining sec teams including tech will be losses if they play like they played today.
Dawg4Life
September 24th, 2011
10:18 pm
Wow, all these Techies on this blog….. Just make sure to show up for your annual dose of humble pie come 11/26/11, OK chumps?
Poor Arron Murray
September 24th, 2011
10:18 pm
I dont think i missed a game so far in the sack js contest. easy week. gotta get closest to ok mizzou i guess cause ok wont lose
evil empire
September 24th, 2011
10:19 pm
hey broken record…i’m lickered up and i know what your sayin
Britt
September 24th, 2011
10:19 pm
When we play Kty it will be 35-27
Fla beats them on the road 48-10
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:19 pm
this may sound dumb – real dumb – but for some reason, is anyone else still not all that impressed with lsu??
Britt
September 24th, 2011
10:20 pm
careful az…we are tech fans posing as georgia fans.
evil empire
September 24th, 2011
10:21 pm
i’m not thay lickered up broken record; they are in complete control of this game
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:23 pm
i know that evil empire, and they beat oregon…..who cares about the miss st. win…….but for some reason, i don’t see this team as national champion…i have no idea why……miles’, um, hhhhmmm, luck/grit/gambling addiction has to come to an end at some point.
yeah, right....
September 24th, 2011
10:23 pm
Mad Poot
September 24th, 2011
10:15 pm
Speaking of saying something that “defeats the purpose”, I was discussing this year and you puke up the past two years. YOU are the one who’s not “relevant”. Carry on….
evil empire
September 24th, 2011
10:23 pm
they play old school ball and wear you down
TheItalianDawg
September 24th, 2011
10:24 pm
Richt and company should be fired!! there is no way we accept such mediocrity, Georgia is an average team at best. Bobo is terrible, even the commentators questioned his play calling, if you successfully rushing the ball why suddenly abandon it?? too many field goals. beside why we cant stop a faking punt or kick off, everybody seems having great success against us. our D played very well though.
our offense is loaded with talent but underachieve under BOBO
yeah, right....
September 24th, 2011
10:24 pm
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:19 pm
I haven’t been for the past 3 years but they just seem to find a way to win.
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
10:25 pm
MATT where did you go?
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:26 pm
old school ball is woody hayes and bo schembechler…..these guys take that and throw les miles in there and this is the result (which is obviously good)…..whoops, the kicking game – a chink in the armor!!
Mad Poot
September 24th, 2011
10:27 pm
yeah, right….
UF isn’t relevant? You’re really stupid. Or else just challenged.
5150 UOAD
September 24th, 2011
10:28 pm
Dawg4life……………how long is that? Life I mean? the last few DAWGS didn’t live to be older than 21 in human years or 3 in Dog years. You should be about to drink the Antifreeze in about 4 more weeks.
Mad Poot
September 24th, 2011
10:28 pm
Yes….LSU does everything UGA does not do. They win.
Kevin
September 24th, 2011
10:28 pm
Miss st Tenn Uf aub gt
that is 3 losses
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:29 pm
if UF isn’t/hasn’t been relevant…..just wow, i’d hate to know what that makes UGA……3 out of 21 people, that’s just absurd.
yeah, right....
September 24th, 2011
10:29 pm
Mad Poot
September 24th, 2011
10:27 pm
“UF isn’t relevant? You’re really stupid. Or else just challenged.”
I didn’t say UF wasn’t relevant – I said YOU weren’t. Now, care to address again who is stupid or challenged…….
You may carry on.
yeah, right....
September 24th, 2011
10:30 pm
Mad Poot
September 24th, 2011
10:28 pm
Did UGA lose today>
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:33 pm
finally some life from wvu…..i need some excitement before the late pac12 games.
Stinky fan
September 24th, 2011
10:34 pm
If WV doesn’t give up that bonehead play, they would have a chance. Morgantown is not an easy place to play just like BR isnt
yeah, right....
September 24th, 2011
10:35 pm
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:29 pm
you misread my post. See my 10:29
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:37 pm
yep, got it yeah, right…..didn’t see that till after i posted.
Fred Sanford Stadium
September 24th, 2011
10:37 pm
Morgantown is much tougher to play in than Athens. and thats a fact.
Broken Record
September 24th, 2011
10:37 pm
oooooooohhhhh wvu is getting fired up, all 423,000 of that city!!!