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
Russ_TTM Fan
October 25th, 2011
8:17 pm
On paper… GA 24 – FL 21
Then again, fear is a component.
Summit Dawg
October 25th, 2011
8:19 pm
Hey guys, It’s not just LSU or Ala. vs. the Dawgs……..there’s no team in the East that can stay on the field with those two…..The Dawgs would do as good and maybe better against them…..if they can beat the Gators……GO Dawgs!!!!
NRBQ
October 25th, 2011
8:20 pm
Hey, Beginning.
Really ‘preciate your input as an all-world CFB expert (and your patronizing attitude)!
But shouldn’t you know that the SEC Championship game will be played in Atlanta? Not in Alabama or Louisiana?
The Beginning of the End
October 25th, 2011
8:21 pm
The Wednesday Schultz article will begin:
Once upon a time in a land called Jackstown there was a mighty game to be played by young men wearing combative equipment. One team colored their equipment red and black, the other colored their Orange and Blue. They two villages were separated by an imaginary line placed by elders many many years ago. Some young villagers from one side would seldom cross over to the other side to join them in their fight for their homeland. One such village had won 18 out of the last 21 battles…….
The Beginning of the End
October 25th, 2011
8:23 pm
NRBQ
October 25th, 2011
8:20 pm
Hey, Beginning.
Really ‘preciate your input as an all-world CFB expert (and your patronizing attitude)!
But shouldn’t you know that the SEC Championship game will be played in Atlanta? Not in Alabama or Louisiana?
Does it really matter where LSU or Alabama finds and defeats their division rival. Either way the drive back to Tuscaloosa or Baton Rouge will be much easier with the light post game traffic once they are up by 21 at half.
WmG
October 25th, 2011
8:29 pm
<CBS Sports ..nice write ups….But the AJC has some fine sports writers as well, the Bulldawg nation will disagree but they do a fine job.<
I have to agree – the AJC does a fine job with sports in general (and in specific Schultz is good). I think part of the problem is that some folks are looking for a cheerleader (hey nothing wrong with cheerleaders, I looked for a few in my youth) instead of a columnist.
leman bennett
October 25th, 2011
8:30 pm
Would you be more afraid of losing to the gators or facing coach Dooly monday morning?Thats the reason we are 3&21.
ThUGA
October 25th, 2011
8:30 pm
If Richt had any integrity, he’d suspend Murray for under age drinking. And the guy he’s standing next to.. Former Tech player flashing something Murray will never have – a championship ring. I especially like the FSU shirt.. Nice to see your starting qb wearing another schools shirt.
http://atlanta.sbnation.com/georgia-bulldogs/2011/10/25/2513890/photo-aaron-murray-in-fsu-gear-hangin-with-shirtless-former-georgia
5150 UOAD
October 25th, 2011
8:31 pm
A good night of making love starts between the Ears too. I tell my Girlfriend that all the time. LOL
valdosta native
October 25th, 2011
8:38 pm
I hear so many comments about how bad of a game it would be for Georgia to play LSU or Alabama. Who else would be a good contender for those teams? S.C. without Lattimore? Florida?? I’m not saying any of the three would be great contenders, but why not Georgia? They could at least put up a fight. I don’t know if either of the other two could.
The Nature Boy @ 5150 UOAD
October 25th, 2011
8:38 pm
You’re a fiction writer…..first sentence told me….@ 8:31
AJC Agenda
October 25th, 2011
8:39 pm
Jeff,
Once again, you are showing what an agenda you and your AJC colleagues have. Tech has lost to lesser opponents two weeks in a row. Not a single comment from you. When Tech was winning, you had plenty of time to heap praise on their program. I expect you to write a nasty article about Tech the week UGA plays them because we have had similar domination over Tech in the last 20 years. Magically, that article won’t appear Thanksgiving week. You have barely written about Tech’s second probation in five years. Yahoo Sports had to report Tech’s probation; yet, this occurred right in the AJC’s backyard. What gives here? I know you will deny that there is no agenda here. Total BS.
Sounds like you and Mark Bradley might need to get your head in the game. You and the AJC are first rate losers, not Mark Richt.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(Richt fan for life)
October 25th, 2011
8:45 pm
@AJC Agenda: Good stuff right on the money but I believe you meant “deny there is an agenda” not “deny there is no agenda”.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(Richt fan for life)
October 25th, 2011
8:52 pm
ThUGA: Where did the techie get a championship ring???? Off Ebay maybe Y’all can’t keep the ACC championship ring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh, wait a second. You mean the “HALF/SHARED/DIVIDED Championship where you Bunglebees have to send the NC Trophy back and forth to Colorado.
dawg4u
October 25th, 2011
9:01 pm
I don’t really believe that the AJC has an agenda against UGA. Both Schultz and Bradley have had favorable and critical columns about both programs. UGA has had the touchiest fan base this year that I can ever remember. The fact is that whenever negative things happen regarding the UGA program whether it be the players performances or coaches after the game (re: Vandy) the fan base takes it out on the reporters. Whatever is newsworthy is going to be reported and op-ed pieces are generally the most scrutinized especially when the writer is writing about either one of the hometown teams and usually giving a very logical opinion regardless of whether it is popular or agreeable to the readers. I have to commend both Schultz and Bradley for consistently taking the bullets and sometimes personal attacks from the bloggers here in a professional and polite, good humored way for the most part!
Ace
October 25th, 2011
9:05 pm
Jeff,
“Must win” game? Again? No it’s not.
Richt went 6-7 last year.
9–4 would be a 50% INCREASE/IMPROVEMENT in W’s.
That means beating New Mexico (win 6), Kentucky (win 7), Tech( win 8), and either Florida or Auburn or winning the Bowl game (win 9).
He can lose to Florida, and still get to 9 wins and a top 25 finish. That won’t get him fired, but will get him a contract extension and a raise.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(Richt fan for life)
October 25th, 2011
9:07 pm
You don’t need to worry your feeble little brain about any SEC East team’s performance in the SEC Championship Game. It probably won’t be any worse than last year’s SEC Championship Game.
Snoop Dawg
October 25th, 2011
9:07 pm
It’s the coaching, stupid.
Donnan was a much better coach than Richt.
The other coaches and players are on to Richt and Bobo.
Let’s pay a finders fee to get Richt and Bobo on the UNC coaching staff!
Don’t worry. Almost any legitimate college level coach could run circles around Richt.
The team chokes every year because of the coaching.
UGA will probably lose again in Jacksonville. The stats point to another loss…
ozzfest
October 25th, 2011
9:10 pm
….and the War Eagles-slah-Tigers await.
Sic Em.
Ace
October 25th, 2011
9:10 pm
I wonder if Aaron Murray will put up a Bible verse about underage drinking on twitter this week?
I got no prob with drinking a beer, only when you try and act like some Bible beater, and then get shown to be such a hypocrite.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(Richt fan for life)
October 25th, 2011
9:11 pm
ACE: Damn good dawg. You wonder maybe if “SCHULTZY” may be in over his head when writing articles about “Between the ears” Know whut’em sayin???????????????
Resident Georgia Fan
October 25th, 2011
9:13 pm
You’re another stupid Gator fan.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(Richt fan for life)
October 25th, 2011
9:17 pm
Snoop dawg: You suck bigtime. CMR has the best won-loss record of any active SEC coach and is in the top 10 nationally. Of course only few other “off their medication” nutcases agree or even give a fat rat’s patootie about your illinformed, uneducated opinion. Not even Yo Mama.Put a sock in it.
rogeriter
October 25th, 2011
9:19 pm
Hope the dawgs win…but it’s hard to put a lot of value on this game when our country is on the verge of collapse. But we will survive win or lose because God is in charge ultimately. Don’t mean for this to sound preachy but I am concerned about America more than Georgia and Florida or Mark Richts job. God Bless America.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(Richt fan for life)
October 25th, 2011
9:23 pm
Ace: Leave Murray alone. He and CMR have a relationship similar to that of a certain coach and quarterback from Florida a couple of years ago.
bardawg
October 25th, 2011
9:25 pm
Leonard’s Loser , If I did’nt know better I’d think Mr. Postero had risen from the grave to grace the dawg nation with some of his most prodigious prognostication! I do miss some of the little things that went along with Ga football. Good Job on your prediction, hopefully we’ll hear from you again soon.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(Richt fan for life)
October 25th, 2011
9:30 pm
Dawg4u: Did you see the game and immediately after the game? This whole thing should be dumped on James Franklin. He initiated the crap by getting on to Shawn Williams(who deserved a swift kick in the butt in addition to his penalties) but IT AIN’T FRANKLIN’S job to do that. From reading the crapola from AJC would-be journalists one would think CTG pulled a gun or knife when in reality he was correct in telling CJF where to go.
Ace
October 25th, 2011
9:30 pm
The drought would end if the UGA QB didn’t commit three interceptions each time they play Florida in 2008, 2009, and 2010.
If you had to put money on Brantley or Murray in a big game, I’d go with Brantley.
Ace
October 25th, 2011
9:34 pm
Great verse Murray will NOT put up on his twitter account this week:
Proverbs 20:1
Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise
Jeff Schultz
October 25th, 2011
9:35 pm
The Beginning of the End — Funny stuff.
gbal
October 25th, 2011
9:38 pm
I have to say I agree with BDawg that CMR plans to throw in the towel at the end of this season regardless. He is not into it… Has his lake house for sale…. I really think he is out of here and ready to move on to life after coaching
Jeff Schultz
October 25th, 2011
9:38 pm
AJC Agenda — You are correct. We have secret agenda meetings twice a week, and a wonderful mixer the last Saturday of every month. The objective, of course, is to tear down Mark Richt, build up Paul Johnson and, most of all, irritate you as much as possible. Clearly, our plan is working.
NRBQ
October 25th, 2011
9:42 pm
Nice try, Beginning.
But you revealed yourself as a blowhard know-nothing to anyone with CFB or SEC knowledge.
Ace
October 25th, 2011
9:45 pm
AJC Agenda? You guys are nuts. Jeff and Bradley rock and do an awesome job covering 8000 teams and sports. If you don’t like it, go back to your blog with 2 readers. Lay off.
Derek
October 25th, 2011
9:47 pm
Anyone who revels in being “First” is a moron. Please get a life.
Birdhair
October 25th, 2011
9:47 pm
Change the game to 7pm and fly the team in the day of the game, I dunno. We show up tight and the playcalling is way too conservative early on. It has to be dome, jax, dome, jax.
Ace
October 25th, 2011
9:48 pm
You nut cases might want to read Jeff’s bio the next time before you post.
Top 10 journalist, in the nation. Best in state of Georgia.
There, clueless ones.
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(Richt fan for life)
October 25th, 2011
9:48 pm
Big Al: Is your checkbook as big as your mouyh???????????
Dawg48
October 25th, 2011
9:53 pm
Did snoop really say donnan was a better coach than richt?
Birdhair
October 25th, 2011
9:53 pm
Wonder if schultzie ever had birdhair?
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(Richt fan for life)
October 25th, 2011
9:56 pm
Ace: Break out the chapstick. The AJC boys have had enough :kissing up to. They do a great job but fumbled on the Vandy fiasco. I feel 90% of all the stuff on here is, as Jeff put it, to irritate folks. Did I succeed on this one?
Birdhair
October 25th, 2011
10:00 pm
shultzie lost all accountability with his “Frank executive of the year” article after 2010 season. At least shultzie can pick games correctly. his counterpart might be better off picking his seat
Brainiac(Dawg for life)(Richt fan for life)
October 25th, 2011
10:01 pm
Ace: I don’t know who voted Schultzie into the top 10 but just remember who got the most votes in our last presidential election. Sometimes you are the iceberg sometimes you are the TITANIC.
Russ_TTM Fan
October 25th, 2011
10:04 pm
Brainiac,
You make an excellent Poe. I am impressed by the irony of your chosen name, coupled with the way that you present comments as if they were written by someone with an IQ of 85-90. You have the perfect touch. Are you a Florida fan, or a Tech fan?
Ace
October 25th, 2011
10:07 pm
The Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) named Jeff Schultz one of the top 10 columnists in the nation in 2008 among top circulation newspapers. Most recently, the National Sportscasters and Sportswriters Association (NSSA) honored him in 2010 as the top writer in the state of Georgia.
I’m not kissing up. Just get tied of UGA homers trying to hijack a great blog with dumb comments.
You’ll notice, in my first comment, I disagreed with Jeff, hardly kissing up.
AJC Agenda
October 25th, 2011
10:08 pm
Jeff,
I am sure you are smoking pot and eating pot brownies at your monthly mixer. The only thing you are more obsessed about than writing negative articles about UGA is pot.
Ace
October 25th, 2011
10:09 pm
Jeff’s right, losing 18 out of 21, when you’re in the top 5 over the last 10 years, isn’t because of talent, it’s because the UGA coaches can’t coach the players to not be pysched out.
JD
October 25th, 2011
10:10 pm
Jeff, please go back and look at the past years and see how many times Florida had an open date prior to the GA-FL game. I am sure that it has been the majority of the games. If a team gets two weeks to prepare, they have a distinct advantage in the SEC and this is one of the advantages that FL has had over the past years.
Ace
October 25th, 2011
10:12 pm
Richt has been a top 5 recruiter at UGA nationally, it’s not talent. And Richt wins most games against other quality coaches/teams, just doesn’t know how to fix the Florida losing thing.
Richt’s had 11 tries to win the Florida game. He’s succeeded 2 times, failed 9 times.
If Richt knew how to fix it, he would have 5 years ago.
Richt has NO IDEA how to turn it around.
Ace
October 25th, 2011
10:14 pm
I’d go further and say Richt CAN’T CHANGE the Florida/UGA outcomes.
Again, if he could have, he would have.