Ending Dogs’ drought against Florida starts between ears
Mark Richt and Dogs celebrated after 2004 win over Florida, but celebrations have been few.
ATHENS – It was the Tuesday of Florida week, and Mark Richt took the expected route for a coach who has been on the losing end of too many of these things. Downplay the history. Downplay the emotions. Downplay any suggestions that the other team is in Georgia’s heads.
Like that first play of the game last year when Aaron Murray threw an interception to Janoris Jenkins? It wasn’t about Murray being overcome by the moment, Richt said. “I think it has a lot more to do with the fact [Florida] just played well. A guy breaks on the ball and he makes a play. I don’t think it had anything to do with emotion. It’s more of an execution issue, really.”
Here’s the problem with execution issues: An athlete’s body parts can do only what the head tells them to, and sometimes there are all of these things that get in the way. Nerves. Atmosphere. Confidence. The general dread of, “We’ve been here before.”
This was Murray’s answer to the same question Richt was asked: “There were definitely a lot of nerves, a lot of jitters, and I definitely didn’t start out the way I wanted to.”
Georgia plays Florida again Saturday. A case could be made that this is the most important game in the series during the Richt era. There are potential ramifications for both this season (SEC East race) and the big picture. Theoretically, the Bulldogs could lose to Florida and still win the East. (Richt: “This wouldn’t bury us, the way things are happening in this league. It wouldn’t count us out, [but winning] it wouldn’t count us in.”)
But a loss would drop Richt to 2-9 against Florida. That would be a difficult thing to sell to the administration after this season, especially since the Gators carry a three-game losing streak into this game for the second consecutive year (and won last season 34-31).
Richt must win this game. The Florida game is simply that important to the season and to the program. Florida matters more. It follows that it has caused the most misery.
The numbers are dizzying: three consecutive losses, 11 of 13, 18 of 21.
Vince Dooley went 17-7-1. His 25-game winning percentage: .700. Since then, Ray Goff (1-6), Donnan (1-4) and Richt (2-8) have gone 4-18. Their 22-game percentage: .182.
How can players and coaches not think of that history, even if they weren’t here for most of it?
Some players weren’t even born yet. Murray? He actually was born Nov. 10, 1990 — the day Steve Spurrier’s Gators tortured Goff’s Dogs, 38-7. That’s when this 21-game stretch started. So it’s all Murray’s fault.
When one signature program loses 18 of 21 games to another, it’s not just about talent. At some point, it’s between the ears.
Georgia’s starting quarterbacks in the past three meetings have thrown nine interceptions. Florida’s, one. The Dogs have committed 12 turnovers. Florida, one.
That not about athleticism. That’s one team being calm and the other having a meltdown.
Richt has tried different ways to prepare his players. Twice, he brought in former players and coaches who had previous success against the Gators to speak to the team during the bye week.
“One year we won, one year we lost,” he said. “I think we might be better off just focusing the things that truly matter: What’s your job? What’s your assignment? What are you going to do if this happens? When we get there, I don’t think we’ll have any problem with emotions.”
Easier said than done. Defensive back Sanders Commings said, “It’s hard not to get caught up” in the hype and surroundings. Early in last year’s game, Florida’s Trey Burton fumbled at Gators’ 14-yard-line. Commings had a chance to fall on the ball. Instead, he tried to pick it up and run for a touchdown. But he failed, and the Gators kept possession, eventually driving 91 yards for their first touchdown.
“It was early, but it could’ve changed the game,” Commings said. “Next time I’ll just fall on the ball.”
That’s the way it has gone for most of the past 21 years. Richt made history in Athens, winning two SEC titles early in his tenure. But this is one part of history he hasn’t been able to change. And as much as he wants to try to play this off as being just another game, it isn’t.
By Jeff Schultz
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347 comments Add your comment
Vain Jangling
October 25th, 2011
5:53 pm
Thanks a heap, Schultz. The day was going pretty well until you reminded me that Ray Goff was once Georgia’s head coach. He was one blind pig that could never find the acorn.
The Beginning of the End
October 25th, 2011
5:55 pm
Heck no it is not about talent…CMR has proven that..17 FIRST Round Picks, 11 Second Round Picks and he loses more games to Florida than Charlie Weiss eats Krystals. And that is alot.
By the way..just saw a “WIDE LOAD” flat bed truck heading across I-10..it was carrying the “cooler” that Charlie Weiss sits on.
You've got to be kidding!
October 25th, 2011
5:56 pm
Expecting Richt’s illiterate gangbangers to use their brains is a joke.
JB
October 25th, 2011
5:56 pm
We need a killer instinct. Not a “look at Me” attitude for making a tackle. We need a new OC. Do those two things, we would be in the Dome a lot.
Bama in Atlanta
October 25th, 2011
5:58 pm
If I’m Muschamp, here’s what I would do in preparation for UGA:
1) Get a decent haircut
2) No matter how much I would WANT Brantley to play, I need to prepare as if he wasn’t
3) In reviewing game films of the last three games, I do not have a good backup QB
4) UGA has a big, solid defense with the only weakness being depth
5) Whoever is at QB, throw the screens, quick outs and slants
6) Run the “WildCat/WildGator/WildWhatever” to take the QB issue out of the equation
7) Change it up by running the no-huddle to try and get the D tired (see #4). This may not work early but if continued it could either wear down the starting D or force them to substitute to lesser players
That’s my gameplan as Muschamp but not necessarily in that order…..except for #1…..Go Dawgs.
The Beginning of the End
October 25th, 2011
5:58 pm
JB
October 25th, 2011
5:56 pm
We need a killer instinct. Not a “look at Me” attitude for making a tackle. We need a new OC. Do those two things, we would be in the Dome a lot.
Yeah in the “Carrier Dome” playing Syracuse.
Say what?
October 25th, 2011
6:06 pm
Sir,
You are 150% correct. UGA has choked often in this series and last year both Floridians, Walsh AND A Murray cost UGA the game.
Back in Dooley’s era, we asolutely loved knowing “Florida had the better players” and we wanted to get at em. Attitude is the key to anything. Goff in particular comes to mind with his swollen forerams from blasting would be Florida tacklers.
UGA men under the last three coaches have simply yellowed out.
UGA CLASS OF 71 & 73
shankit
October 25th, 2011
6:08 pm
Call heads in the coin toss for overtime
and we will win.
Vain Jangling
October 25th, 2011
6:09 pm
@ The Beginning of the End
If Muschamp tag teams up with Charlie Weis for that mid-field cabbage throwdown, Grantham is going to need some back-up beef. Hey, that reminds me; is Ralph Friedgen available? Richt can make a cameo as the voice of reason (”Why can’t we all just get along?”).
The Nature Boy @ Vain
October 25th, 2011
6:09 pm
Are you implying that Ray Goff could “find a way to lose”….BETTER THAN ANY COACH IN UGA HISTORY..??????
Destin Dawg
October 25th, 2011
6:11 pm
Spurrier came in hating the Dawgs… started off week before Cocktail party vs. UGA.. also Jax is like a home game for Fla.. .. Dawgs have to travel… should play Atl./Jax or home/home… at least we had this week off… level playing field = Dawgs win !!!
The Beginning of the End
October 25th, 2011
6:12 pm
Vain Jangling
October 25th, 2011
6:09 pm
@ The Beginning of the End
If Muschamp tag teams up with Charlie Weis for that mid-field cabbage throwdown, Grantham is going to need some back-up beef. Hey, that reminds me; is Ralph Friedgen available? Richt can make a cameo as the voice of reason (”Why can’t we all just get along?”).
LMAO!
George P Burdell
October 25th, 2011
6:15 pm
Bulldog Nation, keep up the shots at Coach Richt. Your players of the future are reading this as they decide where they want to play college ball and who they will be playing for. Do they want to go to Alabama, Auburn, Florida or even Georgia Tech where they’ll likely play for the same coach that recruited them, or do they go to Georgia, where the Bulldog Nation is totally focused on getting rid of the coach.
Destin Dawg
October 25th, 2011
6:16 pm
Spurrier hated UGA… started off week for Fla. prior to cocktail party with the Dawgs…. should play the game home/home or Atl./Jax… we have to travel… now at least we had last week off… level playing field = Dawgs win !!!!
JB
October 25th, 2011
6:17 pm
George…………Richt been getting bashed the last 3 years on here….and still lands classes in top 10.
balismith
October 25th, 2011
6:18 pm
another negative column about the georgia bulldogs….if georgia wins you will be negative…..if georgia loses again negative………..the coach will keep his job reguardless….same old story..getting old jeff
Vain Jangling
October 25th, 2011
6:34 pm
@ The Nature Boy
Yeah, Goff took the handoff from Dooley and promptly went 46-34-1, and 2-2 in bowl games. But, I must say that I was there in 1976 when he and the Dawgs beat Bear Bryant and Alabama 21-0.
LakeDawg
October 25th, 2011
6:36 pm
CMR is taking exactly the right tact this year. Focus on your job and fundamentals and everything else will take care of itself. If the Dawgs do that, then they have a better than even chance of winning.
B'dawg
October 25th, 2011
6:36 pm
Im just stating the obvious people. I know if I were a coach and the media and fan base attacked me ruthlessly at every option they had, after a few bad seasons, Id walk. Richt is considered the”preacher man” if you will, turn the cheek kind of guy. How many cheeks does 1 man have!? When a pastor of a church isnt “leading the flock” so to speak, what does he do. If hes the man Richt is he steps aside to please the masses that be. In other words, “Be careful what you wish for, cause you cant have your cake and eat it too. I for 1 hope and pray we do finish out 12-2, for Richt, and he rides off into the sunset with a smile on his face. I will miss him.
Dawgs Win
October 25th, 2011
6:41 pm
Relax–this will be an easy win. This may be the worst fla team since the 70s or 80s—their offense is absolutely bad and will have trouble even getting first downs against this monster Ga D. Murray will light up their weak secondary for big yards and points–it could get ugly early. Dawgs win in a rout—37-9.
The Nature Boy @ Vain
October 25th, 2011
6:47 pm
Yep…Goff was a darn good veer QB…but a train wreck as the head coach..I love the guy….he bleeds red and black…but,I’ll never forget the loss to Vandy at home in 1994…(that was a dark moment)
Rilo
October 25th, 2011
6:47 pm
Richt loses to Florida OR Auburn, he will be done at Georgia. Of this, I have ZERO doubt.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
October 25th, 2011
6:51 pm
The east is so week they shouldn’t even have a team in the dome this year and next year will be even worse. Slive should stick A&M in the east and they would win it in 2012.
Gary S. in South Georgia
October 25th, 2011
6:53 pm
Georgia loses because they don’t seem prepared and have excessive turnovers. They must stop by the cookout tents and eat some greasy food. Georgia has between 3 to 5 turnovers when they play the Gators. The results are a loss! Florida doesn’t really beat the Dawgs, its more of Georgia giving the game away year after year. This is a tradition that has been handed down from team to team for the past 21 years. Georgia has gotten so good at giving the Gators the ball, that they decided not to delay the turnovers last year by giving them a turnover on the first play of the game. If they don’t turn the ball over, I suspect they will win the game regardless of what happens. I recommend they learn how to take care of the rock and execute their game plan.Throwing an interception the first play of the game tells me the Georgia offense was very predictable.
Also, if any team executes another successful fake punt against the Dawgs, I’m going to sue the coaching staff for non-support. Has Georgia ever faked a punt in the history of football? Bring out all the stops! Onside kicks, fake punts, trick plays, and fumble rooskie. Any player who is flagged with a personal foul is out of the game for 2 series. So he can get his head out of his A**!
LakeDawg
October 25th, 2011
6:55 pm
Goff wiped out all good will he earned as a player by how he responded to his firing. He spent years denigrating Dooley, after Dooley gave him two more years than any sane man would’ve, because he didn’t want to fire a former player. Goff=no class..
poopdawg
October 25th, 2011
7:08 pm
Dawgs can only win 1 game this year against the Gators. The last 20 years is in the record book. The next 10 yrs will be interesting. The way the AJC reports is pathetic . Now what was the overall series record? I like the Dawgs this year , its going to be fun.
45ACP
October 25th, 2011
7:09 pm
Vegas has the Dawgs as a 3 point favorite. I believe it and I will bet it. Dawgs cover! Go Dawgs!!!
poopdawg
October 25th, 2011
7:11 pm
Wet willie your WEEK too, you were last week also.
Russ the Temporary Mascot
October 25th, 2011
7:13 pm
Well, I heard the guys after practice today talk about some “Tonya Harding action.” If I was a FL Gator I’d be mighty careful around anybody with a cane or baton. Anyway, that’s our best hope. You can’t run too good on one leg. I would say more but here comes the guy with the bucket of white paint. C ya!
PDawg
October 25th, 2011
7:13 pm
too bad you could not get our defensive coach suspended
you and your paper did everything you could to get two of our defensive players suspended
don’t even act like you care about Ga winning, I’m sure you will be cheering for Florida all the way
remember you are the Georgia sportswriter that hates his home team
Red Stick
October 25th, 2011
7:15 pm
Good article Jeff. I think you are right that the Gators have gotten in the Dawgs’ head. Georgia needs to treat this like any other game. I know, easier said than done.
On paper I think Georgia has the edge but I think the off week is going to be a big help for the Gators.
I agree with Bama in Atlanta that I think the Gators will try to do as much as possible to take the pressure off its QBs. I believe they will try to move the ball with a ball control offense and hope that Demps or Rainey can make a big play. I think if the Gators have problems moving the ball it will be a long day.
I would not want to bet on this game. It’s too close to call and yes it is probably the most important game in Richt’s tenure.
I’m looking forward to watching it.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Fat Loud American
October 25th, 2011
7:16 pm
I like Muschamp, he should be running this country.
Douglas
October 25th, 2011
7:19 pm
Part of it is between the ears the other part is coaching. Sorry…Spurrier was a better coach than Donnan or Goff. He probably would have beaten Dooley. And Meyer was better than Richt. It’s hard to admit that as a UGA grad but it’s the truth.
Red Stick
October 25th, 2011
7:19 pm
Dawgs Win
October 25th, 2011
6:41 pm
“Relax–this will be an easy win. This may be the worst fla team since the 70s or 80s—their offense is absolutely bad and will have trouble even getting first downs against this monster Ga D.”
This is exactly why I think the pressure is much more on Georgia to win this game than Florida. This is the Dawgs best chance in years and this very well may work against them.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
doctor
October 25th, 2011
7:36 pm
There are two teams that will enter into this game—-one will win and one will lose——–there is only one thing is this sport and it is winning—-when you lose you are done. It is all coaching because Dooley could win. He did it by not passing alot and slowing the momentum of the game and eating up the clock–he wore down the defense—-but Richt is too complicated—he wants to throw 60 passes a game and against Florida this never works!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I repeat —Murray is not Joe Namath. And his recievers aren’t good enough to run all the way down the field when they catch it————————–so why not just run and break the other teams backs??????????? Hellooooooooooo anyone home in Athens!!!!!! Its a simple game—quit trying to make a circus out of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!1
doctor
October 25th, 2011
7:39 pm
Oh yea—tell those sissies on the GA team to cut those stupid hair doos or tie them up like Alabama does———–it is so sloppy and un uniform———-get a bleep bleep bleepin life!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! UGA dosen’ t have the guts to tell them to straighten up.
duronimo
October 25th, 2011
7:44 pm
If athlete quality is similar, then it must be about how they are coached and how they perform. I think Richt’s fortunes changed when other SEC schools began hiring coaches able to the get more out of their athletes. It remains to be seen if the new Gator staff is able to do that.
Send'em Uhauls!
October 25th, 2011
7:46 pm
Its time to fire these bozos and clean house. Richt will choke again come Saturday. Book it!
Cam
October 25th, 2011
7:47 pm
Richt needs to recruit more TE’s to beat gators. Just saying…..
Cohutta Dawgman
October 25th, 2011
7:58 pm
Even a Blind Hog finds an acorn every once in awhile. GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Nature Boy @ Cohutta Dawgman
October 25th, 2011
8:02 pm
The same can be said for a squirrel..
Jeff Schultz
October 25th, 2011
8:06 pm
Jaglaw — Excuse me, but do I always pick Tech to beat Georgia? Get your facts straight, son.
Jeff Schultz
October 25th, 2011
8:07 pm
Texas Falcon — Thanks.
I've been listening to Munson for too many years
October 25th, 2011
8:08 pm
Don’t bet on this one, the Dawgs will break your heart!
Jeff Schultz
October 25th, 2011
8:08 pm
Skeeter — “Saturday Between The Ears” <<< That would be a really weird looking field.
Jeff Schultz
October 25th, 2011
8:09 pm
Mike — Bye weeks help. Explains some of the issues, not all of them. It’s not a magic formula.
Jeff Schultz
October 25th, 2011
8:10 pm
Phil – “Schultz is dead on….How is it being negative to point out that we’ve lost 18 of 21….WE HAVE!!!!”"
<<< Thanks. I guess I should’ve written 20 inches on how great those 3 wins were.
Jeff Schultz
October 25th, 2011
8:11 pm
Vain Jangling — Hah, sorry for the Goff reference. But hey, you gotta like Zaxbys.
Jeff Schultz
October 25th, 2011
8:13 pm
Thanks, Red Stick. I guess you’d have to say Dogs have edge on paper, but I think it’s closer than people think.
The Beginning of the End
October 25th, 2011
8:16 pm
Jeff,
Sometimes it is better just to write fiction so some people do not get their feelings hurt.