After Boise State, Murray foresaw Georgia in SEC title game
Aaron Murray brings something to Georgia's offense far more important than statistics. (Brant Sanderlin/bsanderlin@ajc.com)
ATHENS – Several weeks ago, when Georgia was looking like Liberty Bowl bait and Mark Richt was waiting for that first thrown rock through his office window, Aaron Murray did something rather unexpected. He prophesied an SEC championship game for the Bulldogs.
We can’t be certain if this should be attributed to Murray’s unwavering confidence or the fact that he had just been hit in the head 37 times by Boise State. But the sophomore quarterback walked out of the Georgia locker room after the Bulldogs had just laid a 35-21 egg against Boise State at the Georgia Dome to open the season, met up with his former high school coach and uttered these words: “Coach, we’re going to the SEC championship.”
At that point, Robert Weiner, Murray’s coach at Plant High School resisted temptations to alert medical personnel who might still in the Georgia Dome. He had seen this side of Murray before, like when the quarterback was sprawled on the field with an apparent broken ankle during his senior season at Plant and he told Weiner, “Get me ready for the second half.” (Didn’t happen. But Murray made it back from a four-month injury in seven weeks, in time for the playoffs.)
So how did Weiner respond to Murray’s comment?
“I just said, ‘Alright, Aaron,’” he said, laughing. “I wasn’t too sure. But I’ve seen what Aaron can do. With most people, you blow off a comment like that as blind optimism. But Aaron started going through the rest of the schedule with specifics on each game. He said, ‘You’re coming back here to the Georgia Dome at the end of the year to see us.’ I guess he was prophetic.”
Murray said he felt confident because he saw talent and heart. “We just weren’t ready for that game yet,” he said.
When asked about his prediction, he said, “Based on how we played that game, I would’ve thought I was crazy, too.”
One 10-game winning streak later, Bellevue is firmly in the rearview mirror.
The Bulldogs are 13-point underdogs to unbeaten LSU in Saturday’s SEC championship game. Murray is the X-factor. He has been great lately and he will have to be great against LSU because there’s no guarantee of a decent running attack with the hobbled Isaiah Crowell.
But his strength is his calm demeanor. At 0-2, the house was burning down and Murray was brushing the ashes off his jersey. All Georgia players get credit for not caving early, but the quarterback is the one in the middle of the huddle.
“I understand that even though I’m only a sophomore, there are players who are looking at me,” Murray said. “When you play the quarterback position you have to stay even-tempered.”
Weiner, who drilled that into him, said, “I never doubt two things about Aaron: His will to win and his ability to mobilize the people around him.”
That’s how football teams win 10 straight after losing two. The Dogs didn’t suddenly become faster or stronger. But they grew up and found ways to win. Murray battled some consistency problems earlier this season but leadership and resolve never were problems.
Said Richt, “If things are going rough and your quarterback spits the bit, you’re in big trouble. But if you can stand in a gap and stay strong and keep fighting, your quarterback can pull you out of a bad situation. Nobody questions Aaron’s toughness, mentally or physically. No one questions his dedication. He’s got everybody’s respect.”
Murray is likely to be a four-year starter. By the time he leaves Athens, he’ll likely own every career passing mark at the school. But he said earlier this week, “Championships [are] all that matters. My goal is to win a few while I’m here, and my first one, my first opportunity, is this weekend.”
The odds are long. But the odds were long on Georgia getting here. To most people, anyway.
By Jeff Schultz
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446 comments Add your comment
Bad Dawg
November 29th, 2011
10:32 pm
There you go Delbert. I do not think UGA will have that problem until about 2017. They have amassed some nice quarterbacks over the years save Joe Cox. Now they need to get some big uglies to protect them and a nice RB to hand it off too.
davidinloganville
November 29th, 2011
10:35 pm
Let’s see…
November 29th, 2011
9:42 pm
for starters if Bama and LSU are in the BCS Championship game Georgia can only go to the Sugarbowl if they win the SECCG, of course they would have to beat LSU to do that so you are wrong on that point, second it’s easy to “close the borders” on your state if you live in Louisiana where there are no football powers to compete with for players. Georgia has to compete with Auburn, Clemson, USC, Florida, Tenn, Fla St, Alabama (but not tech) for the elite players in this state.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
10:35 pm
What did Finch do?
Dawg48
November 29th, 2011
10:36 pm
He was the guy that chop blocked Tyson.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
10:39 pm
I don’t think so. Neither does Mark Richt, but he said he didn’t see the play.
Dawg48
November 29th, 2011
10:40 pm
Did you see the play?
OkieDawg
November 29th, 2011
10:40 pm
Delbert, on the first play of the game (the end around pass), the GT center, #50 Finch, blocked Tyson from the blindside at about knee level. Tyson stayed in for one play but could not continue because of the hit. He has an ankle injury as a result and missed the final regular season game of his senior year and will now miss the last opportunity to play in a SECCG. #50 is a punk.
Dawg48
November 29th, 2011
10:41 pm
DD
#50 is finch
OkieDawg
November 29th, 2011
10:42 pm
There was no penalty called on the play that hurt Tyson. The chop block penalty came on the 2nd play of the game when #77 Uzzi blocked UGA’s Jenkins while he was already engaged by a block from #50 Finch. Tyson did come out on that play but he was not blocked.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
10:47 pm
“Richt also said he didn’t know if Tyson was the player who was chop-blocked on the play that he got hurt. ”
From the Macon Telegraph.
Old Blind Dawg
November 29th, 2011
10:52 pm
Everyone that questions the UGA schedule vs LSU needs to follow this and READ.
http://www.dawgsports.com/2011/11/29/2599114/lsu-tigers-georgia-bulldogs-sec-championship-game
Dr. Morpheus
November 29th, 2011
10:54 pm
Why would the Jaguars want a college coach who bombed out totally in the Not For Long? And why would Saban want to go back to a job where his players outrank him? At Bama, Saban outranks God. And doesn’t he already have plenty of money?
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
11:07 pm
What Finch did was a Cut Block, which is legal in the free blocking zone. That zone 4 yards to each side of the ball on the line of scrimmage and 3 feet in ahead and behind. Blocking below the waist, blocking from behind and clipping are allowed in the Free Blocking Zone. They cannot be continued by contact out of the zone and they are allowed only while the ball is in the zone.
A Chop Block is a delayed block at or below the knees of an opponent who is in contact with a teammate of the player who is delivering the delayed low block in the free blocking zone.
Watch the blocks that running backs very often use in pass protection, diving below the knees Those are cut blocks. Defensive players often use the technique to take out blockers.
The Falcons made a living using the zone blocking scheme designed by Alex Gibbs for 3 years in the Warrick Dunn days. When Gibbs installed the cut blocking system at Denver, the Broncos won the Super Bowl and Terrell Davis rushed for over 2,00 yards and was named Super Bowl MVP.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:10 pm
The NCAA needs to ban cut blocking before some college kid gets hurt bad.
UGA Rebuild
November 29th, 2011
11:11 pm
Aaron Murray could possibly make the NFL supplemental draft. That’s sums up his talent level and the extent anyone should listen to what he says. I’m surprised you UGA fans aren’t tired of the mediocre results given the level of talent and what you pay the coaching staff. SEC teams who have won a NC since 1980: TN, FL(multiple), Auburn, ALA, and LSU(multiple). The great ripoff continues!
chazzo
November 29th, 2011
11:12 pm
Flipping through the stats of LSU season, one can quickly discern a couple of things. 1) Teams that play LSU are heavily penalized (so is LSU). 2) Teams that play LSU turn the ball over a lot (granted most likely caused by LSU). 3) Teams (including UT) have put a fair amount of yardage up against the Tigers, but they don’t score a lot of points. That says to me that LSU is tough in the red zone.
It sounds like UGA will field its whole team.
For UGA to win, 1) everyone has to play lights out, fundamentally sound football. 2) NO PERSONAL FOULS. LSU will unceasingly mess with the Dawgs. The Dawgs have to be cool and get revenge during the next play by palying well. 3) Walsh has to put it between the uprights (or Bogotay). 3) I think Murray is a winner. I back that guy 100%. He has to maintain his composure, though. He can’t let himself get rattled and try to force things to happen.
If I were forced at gun point to put money on the game, I would bet that UGA beats the spread. (I never bet against my team!). I don’t think, however, that an LSU victory is a foregone conclusion.
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
11:12 pm
Delbert great info and reasonable points. You know that you are trying to convince Dawg fans right? You wasted your time and effort, but i really liked your post.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:13 pm
UGA Rebuild, I don’t remember anyone asking for your stupid opinion.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:13 pm
They should still ban cut blocking.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:14 pm
Cutting, chopping makes no difference. Any block around the knee area should be banned.
RealDawg
November 29th, 2011
11:15 pm
A bit of a stretch Old Blind Dawg but point taken. The big question is why is Arkansas still ranked so high? They just got creamed last week and also abused in their other loss to Bama. Their strength of schedule is just a bit tougher than UGA’s with slightly better offensive stats and a much weaker defense. Plus, they barely beat Vandy (like us), Ole Miss (not like us), and A&M. It matters because of the the bowl selection process. I wonder when we beat LSU will we still be the seventh best two loss team?
Let's see...
November 29th, 2011
11:16 pm
@ Davidinloganville. I wish the BCS would make sense and do as it’s “supposed” to go but it’s about $$ with the NCAA and greedy college presidents and it comes down to who travels well. Dawg fans will go wherever and whenever. I can’t see Arky in the Sugar again and I know you guys really don’t want to come back to the Dome again. So, represent well my friend. Yes, you can shut down your borders. How come every year the top RBs leave the state? I don’t want to hear about Crowell. You all have buyers remorse with him, I understand, leave the 3A RBs alone. But you shouldn’t be taking LBers and making them last minute RBs. That’s not top tier stuff. The top OL should not be leaving the state either. Who’s under center if Murray goes down? Get my point? Like I said good luck Saturday and may the best team win.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
11:16 pm
kerryb – It has been a controversy for some time, but it is still legal. Note that is is legal for defensive players to use the techniques in the blocking zone, with the same stipulations about where the ball is. In the LSU-Alabama game I saw the RG and RT dive to the shins of the defenders at the snap, dropping them in place.
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
11:16 pm
kerryb they need to get rid of Helmets too. If Players didn’t have helmets they wouldn’t do stupid things leading with their heads; therefore, causing serious head injuries. Kickoffs & Punts are the most dangerous plays. I guess we should stop those too. Just start at the 20 after a score. The Punt returner just gets to fair catch the punts. Yes that is what we need to do to make a VIOLENT game safe. Just play Flag football NO CONTACT at all.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:18 pm
It may be legal now but it should be banned. It’s one thing for it to happen in the NFL where grown men are getting paid a ton of money to take the risk but in college you are talking about college students not professional athletes.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
11:20 pm
kerryb – The rules being changed to prohibit cut blocking will alter the passing game greatly. 200 lb tailbacks standing in place won’t have much of a chance in pass blocking 300+ lb defensive linemen.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:21 pm
UOAD, you defend it because you would have no offense without it. Your argument makes no sense. Helmets are a necessary part of the game to protect from head injuries where cut blocking is NOT a necessary part of the game and has the potential to seriously hurt kids.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
11:22 pm
kerryb – It is also taught at all levels of football, and legal in all levels.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:23 pm
I’ve seen plenty of RB’s make blocks without cutting. RB’s are usually blocking blitzing LB’s and safeties who don’t weigh 300+ pounds.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:24 pm
I’m not questioning whether it is legal or not. I’m saying that it should be banned in college football.
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
11:24 pm
if you don’t like Violence then go watch rugby. They don’t wear helmets. LOL
Nobody is FORCING the STUDENTS to play football.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
11:26 pm
UOAD’s comment does make sense, as football came from rugby. Eliminate the helmet, eliminate many of the injury problems, including concussions (which helmets cannot prevent). There was a story on CNN this morning tracing the types, rates and progression of concussions in soccer, from heading the ball.
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
11:26 pm
Delbert I told you you are wasting your intelligence on a dawg fan. They will NEVER admit their players do it too.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:30 pm
UOAD, I don’t think the aim of football is to be violent. It just has the potential to be. I think something that will injure college kids unnecessarily should not be done. Anytime you go after someones knees it has the potential to seriously injure them and I don’t think it is necessary. The NFL can be as violent as it wants to be because they are grown men. You are talking about 18-21 year old young men in college.
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
11:31 pm
When I played as an end in HS, we were taught on defense to bring the heels of both hand together, while swinging them forward to the top front of the helmet at the snap to “disorient” the offensive player. Thankfully, that is illegal now. I suffered 2 concussions, but I played mostly on defense, so I’m still mentally agile.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:32 pm
Apparently you can make a point with a Tech moron. The only reason you are defending it is because you will have no offense without it because of your small linemen. To me it is a cowards way to play taking a guys knees from him. Block him straight up like a man.
dawg555
November 29th, 2011
11:34 pm
Win or lose, I am thankful we have a shot at the SEC title. I am also thankful that it keeps the blog going because you all entertain the crap out of me. What a great stress reliever after a long work day. Keep on blogging….even you, 5150…haha
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
11:35 pm
kerryb – That nice, but it would upset the system. The NFL would have to fund professional minor leagues to get their players. Maybe we could get back to true amateur student-athletes for college football.
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
11:38 pm
Kerryb…………..what game have you been watching that you don’t think FOOTBALL is intended to be VIOLENT? They talk of it in terms of WAR and God knows war is not violent. I think they call it Trench Warfare because the 300lb players want to have a tickle fight.
You want to stop the potential to injure anybody under 21 then I guess nobody should be allowed to drive until they can legally drink too.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:39 pm
Tech is one of the few teams that uses that type of cheap blocking because the UGA players needed extra practice on it. Apparently no other team they play uses it. So, if other teams don’t use it why is it necessary? Is it necessary so Paul Johnson will have a job?
Delbert D.
November 29th, 2011
11:40 pm
kerryb – When I played, offensive linemen were not allowed to extend their arms away from their body when pass-blocking. We looked stupid running around with our fists together on our pads with elbows extended. Passing became more practical when that rule was changed.
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
11:42 pm
555…….you to have a good night. Football blogging is so much better than Basketball or Baseball blogging for sure.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:42 pm
So, if those rules were changed why not change the cut blocking rule so kids won’t be seriously injured with ACL tears that could ruin their potential career at a young age?
Rampdawg
November 29th, 2011
11:42 pm
@ Football Guy and Real East Champs
You had Lattimore and Shaw when Auburn came into your house and ran all over you.
All you had to do was win. Will send you a postcard from the Domes, Ga. and Super
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:44 pm
For example: Why ruin a kid like Tyson’s career that could be a second round draft pick in his last game just because some Tech kid can’t block him unless he’s cutting or chopping him?
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
11:45 pm
Delbert………..kerryb is just not reasonable or rational on this point. Your argument with him will be as successful as the Super Committee and their Discussions.
gcs
November 29th, 2011
11:46 pm
I’d like to see a UGA-Boise rematch in a bowl game.
.
5150 UOAD
November 29th, 2011
11:46 pm
I notice he has not said anything about the Hundreds of HIGH SCHOOLS that run the same basic offense. He is just mad because one of his dawgs was hurt.
kerryb
November 29th, 2011
11:47 pm
My argument is sound. It is not necessary to football. It has more potential for injury than it is necessary. If you are going to ban launching into other players you should ban launching into knees.
Bali
November 29th, 2011
11:47 pm
Delbert……hahahaha…..I forgot how much I hated that. Hated it so bad I got called for holding at least 2 or 3 times a game…..lol