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
VegasBob
October 26th, 2011
3:44 pm
In 4 out of 5 wins in 2011, Murray throws 25 or LESS passes.
The more you put the ball in #11 hands, the more games you gonna lose.
Run the ball, and limit Murray’s touches.
Murray cannot win this game. If he or Bobo or Richt thinks he can, and Murray throws 28+ times, Florida wins.
papadawg
October 26th, 2011
3:44 pm
It’s over for the DAWGS, Brantley is back and they have some new world winning head coach who went to UGA. Game over gators score 100. Some DAWG Fans are just WIMPS
VegasBob
October 26th, 2011
3:55 pm
As long as Murray’s QB, Dogs gonna lose.
Murray, u8nlike the LSU QB, doesn’t trust his defense and rush attack,
Murray thinks he’s superman, but anytime Murray throws a bunch of passes against a good team, Superman turns into to PanicMan & loses.
VegasBob
October 26th, 2011
3:56 pm
if you’re Muschamp, you gear up to stop the run, and try and get Murray to throw 28-40x, guaranteeing 3 interceptions and another win.
Terry
October 26th, 2011
3:59 pm
Jeff, Although this game has always been big, the fact is there have been only three times, out of the 18 losses, that UGA was playing for a chance to win the East, this being the fourth, so its not like Florida has been keeping us out of the Championship game. I would give that credit to Tennessee, more so than Florida.
VegasBob
October 26th, 2011
4:07 pm
Murray has thrown 27 or more passes in 10 games so far.
His record in those 10 games is 2-8.
His 2 victories were against bad teams, Vanderbilt & Idaho State.
The Dogs have lost 9 games in last 2 seasons.
In 7 out of 9 losses, Murray tried to win it throwing the ball 27 or more times.
Murray can’t win the game, he’s not clutch enough, but he can sure lose it.
Burma Shave
October 26th, 2011
4:08 pm
Florida wins again
Too bad for UGA
For a new coach
Dawgs need to pray
BURMA SHAVE
LIONSFAN
October 26th, 2011
4:10 pm
you guys can’t even just WIN you have to be poor sports about it as well, if you can show the video of those 2 players teasing your crybaby QB the keep your big mouths shut before someone sues you for slander
still laughing
October 26th, 2011
4:20 pm
Tech last in graduation rates….hahahahahhahahahahahahahahha
so much for recruiting students with tougher standards! hahahahahahhahahahah
And who’s on probation? Oh yeah, that would be Tech! hahahahahahahhahahha
VegasBob
October 26th, 2011
4:22 pm
Jarrett Lee attemps 18 passes per game.
Aaron Murray attempts 28 passes per game.
BG
October 26th, 2011
4:22 pm
What is your suggestion Jeff??
ATTN: ALL LIZARDS
October 26th, 2011
4:23 pm
BACK TO YOUR CLOSETS AFTER THE DAWGS KICK YOUR PIEHOLE SATURDAY!
Gaytors, Gaytors, how'd ya like to bite my......
October 26th, 2011
4:30 pm
Getting me a new pair of reptile boots made from the dead lizard carcous Russ and the Dawgs leave on the field in Jax Saturday night.
It's great to be a gaytor hater
October 26th, 2011
4:33 pm
About to hit St. Simons in about an hour.
It's great to be a GA Bulldog
October 26th, 2011
4:34 pm
And even better come Saturday night!
UGA been suxing for 30 years
October 26th, 2011
4:36 pm
Hey Steig will Georgia wear The Power Rangers uniforms again? Have another Black Out? Or wear giant pink “G” like the one on your sweater? SWEET!
It's a known fact that all bulldawgs
October 26th, 2011
4:38 pm
Licks their own ass.
Let the new winning streak begin!
October 26th, 2011
4:39 pm
Brantley will know what his father and uncle felt against Vince…..Big fat losses to the Dawgs!
I am a dumb redneck georgia fan
October 26th, 2011
4:43 pm
if dawgs win it’s not much to brag about..4 wins in 21 years.how may different coach has the gayturds had during this time?
Gary
October 26th, 2011
4:45 pm
Look, the fact is Georgia and Tennessee have been battling for the second best team in the East for 10 years. Florida has been playing on a different level for years. Florida is drowning in talent. Georgia has some talent but it does not go quite as deep. Some of Florida’s 2nd and 3rd string line men would be starting for Georgia on Saturday. It shows. Florida has 2 National titles and would probably have 3 in the last ten years if Bama did not snag Saban. Florida last to two great and far superior football teams this year. No one is really sure what the deal is with Auburn. They lost to top 5 teams as well. Anyone who tells me Florida is down this year, I say compared to who? Bama, LSU? Of course. Everyone is down compared to them. I certainly don’t think Georgia is playing better ball than Florida. I don’t think Georgia is playing well. I think we have had some lousy opponents. If Georgia can beat Florida, they will have to play much better ball than we have seen from them this year.
Bring it on Gaytors
October 26th, 2011
4:45 pm
Gaytors try to poke somebody’s eye and they’ll get a whole lotta a$$ whooping from shawn williams and kwame geathers….then again all the Dawgs are gonna put an a$$ whooping on all the gaytors this year.
M
October 26th, 2011
4:49 pm
I love my Dawgs, but UGA has to play a “perfect” game in order to beat elite teams, and I just don’t think we have the discipline (or the Off. Coor) to call and play a perfect game for 60 mins.
I thought we had a really good chance as long as Brantley sat out, but now they’re saying he’s going to suit up. I don’t like our chances. Not only that, but UF’s dropped three straight, which means they’re good and p*ssed off.
Murray and Bobo are gonna have to bring their A game.
Gaytors going down
October 26th, 2011
4:50 pm
4 in 21 will actually be 3 in 6 and 47-40 in GA’s favor…..so let’s get a bit more recent.
FL has had a heck of a past 20 and still can’t take the overall. And they never will.
VegasBob
October 26th, 2011
4:50 pm
Murray doesn’t have an A game.
He’s 0-7 vs. ranked teams.
Gaytors going down
October 26th, 2011
4:52 pm
Rambo still leads nation in INT’s……He’ll be picking em off Brantley on Saturday! He might as well fake that injury than face the wrath of the Dawgs!
Chairman
October 26th, 2011
4:53 pm
Easy with the comments about someone getting slaughtered in the SEC championship game.
I remember in 2005 when LSU was a heavy favorite and UGA was to come in and lay down for them,
but JaMarcus Russell and the rest of the tigers got punched in the mouth and sent home without that ring.
DON”T BE SO FAST TO DISMISS THE RED CLAY HOUNDS
ARdawg
October 26th, 2011
4:54 pm
Vegas Bob
Florida isn’t ranked, oh wise one
Ohhhh we're halfway there.....
October 26th, 2011
4:56 pm
there’s gonna be a ton of rotting lizards on the side of the road Saturday night..
ARdawg
October 26th, 2011
4:57 pm
Chairman
If we can make it to the dome, just the fact that they got there will make a tremendous difference in this young team next year. If they do make it, I would look for a blowout either. Winning it might be a stretch with the mass of talent on the West team. Afterall, who could look worse than did Carolina did last year?
harold
October 26th, 2011
4:57 pm
TENNESSEE AND FLORIDA ARE SIMILAR. GEORGIA WINS IN A CAKEWALK!
Ohhhh we're halfway there.....
October 26th, 2011
4:58 pm
FL is gonna be a deer in headlights…..or make that a lizard in headlights Saturday!
VegasBob
October 26th, 2011
4:58 pm
I didn’t say Florida was ranked.
I said Murray doesn’t have an A game, he’s 0-7 vs. ranekd teams.
ARdawg
October 26th, 2011
4:58 pm
wouldn’t too
Dawgs are back
October 26th, 2011
5:01 pm
Good comment ARdawg….legitimate and constructive. The future looks good for UGA after this year.
Chairman
October 26th, 2011
5:01 pm
Vegas Bob is a douche
ARdawg
October 26th, 2011
5:02 pm
Vegasbob
Then what has the 0-7 stat have to do with the price of tea in China? The only stat Murray brings to the table for this game that matters, we’ll know when the game is over. There’s no reason on paper Georgia doesn’t win this game. You shooting off your mouth with useless stats doesn’t change that. Neither the paper or your mouth will have anything to do with the outcome of the game
question
October 26th, 2011
5:03 pm
If not the head, then try a laxative.
Gaytors got the clap
October 26th, 2011
5:03 pm
No more Urban Cry er…….He got sick of the gaytors crap….bolting to ohio st.
Gaytors got the clap
October 26th, 2011
5:05 pm
Urban Cry er and tebow……butt buddies can’t take being apart.
UCF owns UGA
October 26th, 2011
5:08 pm
Generally, when I read the term “Gaytors” I chalk it up to a third grader’s attempt at an insult; however, given the appalling illiteracy of Georgia fans on this site, the misspelling may not even be intentional.
It is what it is
October 26th, 2011
5:12 pm
Any representative from the East will get crushed by Bama or LSU this year in ATL. It’s a bad combination of superior teams in Tuscaloosa and Baton Rouge this year and mediocre teams in the East. If you can’t see that, then just admit you’re a homer and move on.
willie boy martinez
October 26th, 2011
5:17 pm
I hope and pray UGA makes the SEC champion game to watch them get get steamrolled
by either Bama or LSU. Either way you look at it,it will be a losing cause in or not. LOL
ARdawg
October 26th, 2011
5:21 pm
It is what it is
Who has denied that? With that said, if you believe whomever wins the East is going to lay down in the SEGCG, you are probably in for a rude awakening
ARdawg
October 26th, 2011
5:23 pm
Bama and LSU are the two premier college teams in the country. That isn’t to say they are invincible. One will surely get beat this year, possibly both. There is a reason the games must be played
It is what it is
October 26th, 2011
5:24 pm
Not calling anyone out, AR. And I wouldn’t expect a team to lay down. My point is that it doesn’t matter. Give Bama or LSU your best shot, but it won’t change the outcome. I’d love to see the East’s rep give them some competition, but it ain’t gonna happen.
It is what it is
October 26th, 2011
5:25 pm
Didn’t say that they can’t be beaten either – just not by any team from the SEC East. That’s all.
ARdawg
October 26th, 2011
5:27 pm
It is what itn is
The East winning it this year is definitely a long shot and unlikely to play out. Bama and LSU are “just that good” and head and shoulders IMO above everyone else. However, stranger things have happened. Teams that good often get the entitlement attitude and get caught looking.
midland Dog
October 26th, 2011
5:28 pm
Enter your comments here
midland Dog
October 26th, 2011
5:28 pm
the beginning… get a life you tool!
take it from me.
October 26th, 2011
5:28 pm
I heard through the grapevine that Tebow is coming back for one more game,is that messing with your mind or what?