Georgia goes up 10-0, then goes down hard to LSU
After early success, it was a difficult night for Georgia's Aaron Murray. (Johnny Crawford/AJC)
(UPDATED: 9:20 p.m.)
This is when all involved with the Georgia program will tell themselves, “Well, we got here.”
They will cling to the fact an inspired defense allowed LSU only 12 yards and zero first downs in the first half. They will bang their heads against the fiberglass Uga’s throughout downtown Athens over the what-might-have-beens, if two dropped touchdown passes on their first two possessions hadn’t left the team with only a field goal. They will grit their teeth as they mold toy Honey Badgers out of Play-Doh, then crush them with their fists.
But in the end, the Bulldogs’ return to the SEC Championship game after six years resulted in an ugly tilt on the scoreboard. The final: LSU 42, Georgia 10.
That might not tell the whole story. But it reaffirms what we sort of knew: Despite the season’s 10-game winning streak and the remarkable resiliency we witnessed after a 0-2 start, the Bulldogs just aren’t there yet.
“It doesn’t seem real right now that our momentum stopped,” said tight end Aron White, whose first-quarter touchdown gave the Dogs a 10-0 lead. “It really catches you off-guard when all of a sudden the accolades and the wins stop. It’s definitely going to take a while to get over. But at the end of the day, I don’t think a loss to the No. 1 team in America from the best conference in America is going to take away from the season we’ve had. We can’t say we’re the best, but we can say we were pretty damn good.”
Hard to believe, the Dogs led 10-0. They would have rejoiced more if they didn’t believe that it should have been 21-0, the residue of dropped touchdown passes by Tavarres King and Malcolm Mitchell. They will wonder how a game in which they once held a 134-7 advantage in totals so completely spun out of control.
“Basically we lost the momentum, they gained it and we couldn’t slow it down,” coach Mark Richt said.
Three months ago, the Bulldogs left the Georgia Dome after a 35-21 loss to Boise State, leaving most wondering about their direction, their resilience and, most of all, Richt.
That shouldn’t be the case any more. But the sting of 42-10 losses tend to sting a while.
Following White’s touchdown, the Dogs’ next 10 possessions resulted in seven punts and three turnovers (all leading to LSU touchdowns). The Bulldogs saw a game that they were implausibly dominating get turned around by a gravity-defying punt returner known in the swamplands as the “Honey Badger.” Sophomore Tyrann Mathieu returned a punt 62 yards for a touchdown in the second quarter to give LSU what the offense couldn’t: points. Then he brought back another one 47 yards early in third quarter – unofficially breaking seven tackles along the way. That set up a second touchdown and gave the Tigers a 14-10 lead.
Richt on Mathieu: “I’ll be honest: I enjoy watching the guy play football, other than when he plays against us.”
Soon, it was like somebody pulled the stopper out of the bathtub.
A fumble by quarterback Aaron Murray led to another touchdown. The Dogs’ wore down on both lines. LSU then ran them into the ground. The SEC championship was theirs, and the Dogs’ 10-game winning streak was over.
By midway through the fourth quarter, a Dome crowd that was two-thirds Georgia fans was two-thirds empty with a decidedly purple-and-gold tilt.
The Dogs will have a few weeks off before their bowl game. They’ll need it to recover — mentally moreso than physically.
About the what-might-have-beens: The Bulldogs’ defense forced six straight three-and-outs. But that success didn’t carry over to the offense. King dropped a third-down pass in the end zone on the first drive, forcing the Dogs to settle for a 40-yard field goal by Blair Walsh. Malcolm Mitchell dropped a third-down pass at the LSU 5-yard-line on the second drive, seemingly preoccupied with turning to run into the end zone. This time, Walsh missed from 45 yards.
A 10-0 lead against No. 1 just isn’t good enough when it should be 21-0.
“We wanted to have a better show then we ended up showing for 60 minutes,” Richt said.
It was a good show for a short while.
By Jeff Schultz
Follow me on Twitter (@JeffSchultzAJC). Friend me on Facebook (Facebook.com/JeffSchultzAJC).
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1,203 comments Add your comment
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:07 am
Bammer… I tried to read between the words, if that is what you call them.
spcmoney
December 4th, 2011
12:07 am
I agree with the comment earlier, two divisions in the conference allows for average teams to play for the championship, over good teams, that should be there. Georgia showed why they were the 5th best team in the SEC. They were only there because of the schedule, not what happened on the field.
Dogbegone
December 4th, 2011
12:08 am
Ace70, you crack me up bro. Great comments.
Let the good times roll. Let tonight be a night that all dogs remember:
dropped touchdown passes;
lack of tackling;
the art of getting decked near the goal line;
the poor running game;
Murray running for his life.
When UGA begins playing quality opponents one day (Top 20 types), they will get better. That being said, we all know they love the cup cake variety schedule, so we all should know they will never win the SEC title again, much less a national title again. It breaks my heart. BOOO HOOO, WOOF, WOOF, WOOF, SLOBBER, SLOBBER!!!!!!
“We should be national champs” you guys said when you beat Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl. GIVE ME A BREAK. BIG WOOF!
Tech Tony
December 4th, 2011
12:09 am
The SEC title game was over the minute Georgia won the East. It’s not a knock on UGA, it’s a testament to how good LSU is.
jwt
December 4th, 2011
12:09 am
Here we go again – the nit picking and everything that goes with it – how far out on the plank do you push CMR this week. I’ve said all year that you gripe and complain about everything. I listened to the stadium for the first half – the Dawgs of old are back – problem is you can’t see the forest for the trees. Your young team will be great next year – and should be expected to contend and win the conference championship – the tools are there – IF you get the running backs heads screwed on straight. Your team has a chance to win 11 games – enjoy the ride, it’s much more than any of you dawg fans expected – and don’t lie when you post anything otherwise. Take this season and enjoy it!!!!! A great bowl game waits – as fans, don’t let the team down!!!!!!!!!! They will play hard – they proved it today – I saw a lot of fight out of those guys -
Stinger
December 4th, 2011
12:09 am
I was at the game and I’m still laughing. It was hilarious watching all you UGA fans start leaving in the 3rd quarter and totally vacated in the 4th. I am very upset with the final score becuase I predicted LSU would get 50 pts. They were so flat the first half I thought they didn’t belong in the top 10; however the second half, excuse me as I laugh again, they just stomped the crap out of you guys. I guess you can expect to wait another 30 years before you win a Championship.
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:10 am
Mr. Pibb… last time I checked Jax is in actually in Florida.
OldFan
December 4th, 2011
12:10 am
LSU did the “Ali Rope – A – Dope” for 30 minutes……then said, “Let’s finish this thing.” I am not an LSU fan. But I do believe they are that good……just saying.
jw
December 4th, 2011
12:10 am
week?
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:11 am
Stinger… you must be doing a lot of crying whenever the dawgs play GT.
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:12 am
I’m so upset that my dawgs got thumped I have to re-live our victory over tech (a mid-tier acc team) in order to feel good about myself.
When I go to sleep tonight, the Honey Badger will be running through my dreams!
Boyz From North Ave
December 4th, 2011
12:13 am
The guy that just pupmed my septic tank had a UGA sweatshirt on……discuss………..
voice of reason
December 4th, 2011
12:13 am
Ace and Pibb, if you are going to throw the ball 60 percent of the time because you do not have a running back that you can depend on, you damn well better learn how to pass block. No excuse for the talent UGA has on the offensive line. Coaches on the offensive side of the ball need to step up to the level of talent recruited, if they cannot coach with the talent on hand, someone needs to find coaches who can. There is coaching talent out there that would salivate at the opportunity to be an offensive coach at UGA.
Bamajacket
December 4th, 2011
12:14 am
You guys had a very solid year. Whoever is dumb enough to think teams make up their own schedules is just willfully ignorant. You beat 10 of the 13 teams you played. You have a good team. LSU has stomped several good teams into mud puddles this year. You got to ATL. S Carolina did not, FL did not. Hell, ARK did not, and they have a pretty good team. I still think 24 had more heart than the rest of the backs combined.
Boyz From North Ave
December 4th, 2011
12:14 am
pumped*
OldFan
December 4th, 2011
12:15 am
The great news is that UGA will now sign Richt to an extension……the bad news for UGA is that they won 10 games but really, really did not beat anyone worth a damn. No one. If I were a UGA alum, I would be concerned.
Ace70
December 4th, 2011
12:15 am
Is that the only comforting memory you have of the “impressive” 10 game winning streak?
Tech Tony
December 4th, 2011
12:15 am
It’s Tech’s fault the Dogs lost. The Jackets didn’t play well enough to get them ready. Our bad!
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:15 am
Man, I must be pretty good. I’ve already got a fan club imitating me.
WnE
December 4th, 2011
12:15 am
I am happy at least LSU covered the spread. But for real our coaches need to look at recruiting bigger backs. They are all at 175 lbs and don’t even compare to what LSU has to throw at them. I say promote CTG to head coach. Richt just isn’t getting it done. We played a weak schedule and it showed. CTG would get our boys ready to play.
Dogbegone
December 4th, 2011
12:16 am
Thanks to the AJC for giving the DOGS the big head and reasons why they could beat LSU. They ate it up like a good dog should. WOOF, WOOF, let the good times roll.
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:17 am
Tony, we already know GT is bad. You didn’t need to remind us.
Ace70
December 4th, 2011
12:17 am
I agree 100% voice of reason. That coaching is poor at making in game adjustments.
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:18 am
Dog… UGA always has a good time beating GT.
Rod
December 4th, 2011
12:18 am
Crowell is talented he just needs to mature but he reminds me of A poor mans Moreno he stays injured just like Moreno did and does
beebee
December 4th, 2011
12:19 am
Big Jacket, I laughed SO HARD I cried!
LOL! LOL!
Post of the night!
NC Dawg
December 4th, 2011
12:19 am
time for Richt to go
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:19 am
The coaching staff did their job. LSU was the better team.
Tech Tony
December 4th, 2011
12:19 am
Maybe, Whisperer, but did you enjoy that royal beat down you took tonight?
Ace70
December 4th, 2011
12:19 am
As long as you keep hanging your hat on beating GT then you’ll never be an elite team.
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:20 am
Richt is going straight to the AD office for his pay raise and another 5 year extension.
Michale Silva
December 4th, 2011
12:20 am
We demanded LSU play the first half as if they did not know what a football was (offensively), in hopes that Georgia could build a lead and make the game close at the end. The punt return player (Mathieu) was not supposed to score, thus he tossed the ball away before crossing the goal line. However, communications were disrupted and a call from the booth could not reach the field before the extra point was kicked. I had no idea just how overmatched the Georgia football program would be. They could not catch ball when the LSU defense was playing off the receivers. In hindsight, playing the score down to get UGA its biggest bowl payout possible may backfire in the long run, especially if they are embarassed by a team like Houston, Oklahoma, or Michigan State, in a bowl with national interest.
Tiger Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:21 am
…and LSU always has a good time beating UGA.
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:21 am
I’m happy with UGA beating GT, period.
Ace70
December 4th, 2011
12:22 am
With the weak Eastern division UGA should be back in Atlanta for the next couple years. the only bad news is LSU/Ala./Ark./Aub. wil be there waiting for you.
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:22 am
Speak up Tiger, cat gotcha tongue. UGA has beat LSU almost as often as they beat us.
Red Stick
December 4th, 2011
12:22 am
Georgia needs a new OC. I don’t understand why Bobo went back to the I after having success with a spread formation in the 1st qtr.
You need some backs too. Losing Ealey and King hurt as Crowell seems to be a disappointment.
Grantham has done a solid job.
Geaux Tigers
Go SEC
Wtf
December 4th, 2011
12:23 am
Did anyone ever tell the Georgia players that halftime was over?
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:23 am
That’s OK, Ace. We’ll take those odds.
Ace70
December 4th, 2011
12:24 am
How many titles do you have DawgWhisperer? C’mon now, you would trade places with LSU in a heartbeat.
Buffalo Wild Wings
December 4th, 2011
12:24 am
@Michael Slive
You should have let us handle the game. UGA would have won.
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:25 am
Wtf… I think you’re right. That really wasn’t UGA playing the second half. Thanks for the explanation.
WnE
December 4th, 2011
12:25 am
I love hanging our hats on beating Tech…who finished 4th in the ACC. FIRE MARK RICHT!!! He can’t control our players. Drug problems are just the tip of the iceberg with the problems in our program.
Ace70
December 4th, 2011
12:26 am
You’ll take the odds and the A**whoopin like you got tonight…..*LOL* UGA is not even close to playing with LSU/Ala..
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:26 am
I graduated UGA in ‘75. I’m ancient. Too late to be a ragin’ cajun.
Ace70
December 4th, 2011
12:26 am
Here’s a little secret…..Those guys show no signs of getting bad anytime soon.
Dawg Whisperer
December 4th, 2011
12:28 am
WnE… pay attention. I already said MR is getting a raise and an extension.
Buffalo Wild Wings
December 4th, 2011
12:28 am
We should have watered the artificial turf and hosed the honey badger.
voice of reason
December 4th, 2011
12:28 am
Dawg Whisperer, what game were you watching? UGA had a dominating first half. No reason to expect they could not do the same the second half. They came back confused, not aggressive in playcalling on either side of the ball. They were out coached in half two. The Dawgs should have won this game but backed off. They, got tired or lost it’s desire in the second half. Make no mistake UGA has as much talent on hand as LSU. It’s how you use it pal.
WE RUIN THIS STATE
December 4th, 2011
12:29 am
Crowell: Another 5 star UGA disaster. How does UGA pick these guys ?