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
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1,203 comments Add your comment
Same ole Crap
December 3rd, 2011
8:44 pm
Give that Dawg a Bong!
Common Sense
December 3rd, 2011
8:45 pm
After Crowell was called for the personal foul, Richt tried talking to him and Crowell turned his back to Richt and walked away. That pretty sums up the state of Georgia football.
Amazed that Dawgs thought they had a shot
December 3rd, 2011
8:45 pm
I felt sure that Richt would have pulled out the power ranger unis to start the second half. Just gimmick away from winning the SEC. Please give this clown a five year extension.
OleDawg
December 3rd, 2011
8:45 pm
You can take the boy out of Carver Columbus, but you can’t take the Carver Columbus out of the boy.
NEXT #14
December 3rd, 2011
8:45 pm
ALLLLLL WEEK LONG YOU LEGHUMPPERS TRIED TO WILL YOURSELVES OUT OF YOUR 2ND TIER DWELLING INTO A CHAMPIONSHIP CALIBER TEAM & RAN BAMA DOWN,WELL GUESS WHAT CHUMPS………………YOU SUCK AT IT!!!!
atgotbling
December 3rd, 2011
8:45 pm
@Dawg48,
I agree about Malcome; he runs hard and tough. He really seems to deserve more PT.
priceless
December 3rd, 2011
8:46 pm
that was a hob nailed boot that stepped on the dogs in the second half. pretenders, not contenders….but then everyone outside the deluded dog fans already knew that
Georgia Dome Staff
December 3rd, 2011
8:46 pm
I feel so sorry for Mister Coach Mark Richt. Such a good upstanding man that deserves better than what his players give him on gameday. But that defensive coach Grantham is mean…he punched a hole in the side of the Marta train.
tgraa
December 3rd, 2011
8:46 pm
Please fire Richt and hire the guy from UCLA
jaglaw
December 3rd, 2011
8:46 pm
LSU fans that that talk smack will be on next weeks episode of Swamp People. Shamefully ignorant and don’t realize that a tv show is making fun of their existance.
UCF again?
December 3rd, 2011
8:47 pm
A little reminder from last year:
A few comments about the UGAy-UCF game:
1. It was obvious that neither the UGAy goons or coaches were ready for the game. It was obvious that UCF was.
2. The whole team sucked.
3. How much longer will dawg fans put up with this kind of crap with Richt as coach? More importantly, how long will McGarity put up with it?
4. Some of the UGAy players, and a lot of the fans were crying after the game ended. This was a heartwarming sight for decent, intelligent people to see.
5. When the cameras zoomed in on some of the UGAy fans, it was very clear why most states have laws against incest. It was also clear why beer companies are so profitable.
6. How much stuff has A.J. Green sold already? How much is his stuff discounted when UGAy loses and he plays like crap? :-)
7. How is Russ taking the loss? Oh, I see, he’s crapping all over everybody. Sorry about that, coach Richt. I’m sure those stains can be removed from your pants.
8. Aaron Murray demonstrated how devastating it was to lose Zach.
9. Good news for the seniors playing their last game for UGAy – you’ll never have to spend another night in the Athens jail. The lawyers and bail bondsmen of Athens salute you.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
egbert
December 3rd, 2011
8:47 pm
Crowell has probably played his last down for the dogs. I don’t know what the deal is. Hope Keith Marshall commits next week. Malcome looks like he wants the rock. I love the way he plays
NEXT #14
December 3rd, 2011
8:47 pm
HEY lazer girl…….WE’VE GOTTA BETTER RECORD THAN your LOSER guys!!!!
TN Jeff
December 3rd, 2011
8:48 pm
We desperately need a tailback. I hope they sit Crowell for the bowl game. It sure appears he’s a primadona and he does NOTHING to help the team.
UGA fraud
December 3rd, 2011
8:48 pm
Yeah UGA lost because of depth. No UGA got boat raced because they’re not very good and all their fans believed in the hype of a s o f t schedule.
Bobby
December 3rd, 2011
8:48 pm
Dem poor little dogs!
GEAUX TIGERS! THWG!
Tom
December 3rd, 2011
8:48 pm
At the end of the day, the dawgs are still what they were at the beginning of the day…..
The #2 team in the SEC East and somewhere in the #5-#6 position in the conference.
bart
December 3rd, 2011
8:48 pm
Richt is a good coach but not in the same league as Miles and Sabin. Wish we could get Peterson but I fullly expect Richt to get a contract extension. This game just showed how deceiving the 10 game win streak was. We beat 10 mediocre to poor teams. This game exposed just how average a team we are. Crowell needs to go.
michael
December 3rd, 2011
8:48 pm
The score was very deceptive, just check out the box score to see for yourself. It really looked like we shot ourselves in the foot too many times. I was not very impressed by LSU’s play. The Honey Badger won this game for them and BOBO definately lost it for the Dawgs. Bobo handcuffs his players with his horrible play calling, it really is a shame. Somebody start a petition to get rid of this guy now. We really need to fire our OC just like we fired our DC two years ago. The OC is definately the glaring wekness of this team!
Mr. Pibb
December 3rd, 2011
8:49 pm
How embarrassing! To get destroyed on national TV is disheartening. CMR just can’t get his talented but undisciplined teams up for the big game. Looks like the running back situation is a mess. Did you see IC??? He acts like a spoiled brat. CMR still can’t get it done when it counts. Ouch.
david
December 3rd, 2011
8:49 pm
Well I guess that swagger didn’t last very long!!
DUMBO
December 3rd, 2011
8:49 pm
Where was Alabama, where was Florida, where was UT, where was USC, where was Arkansas or where was Auburn,….oh, that’s right….they are the teams that had to stay home because they weren’t good enough to be in the Championship game. Now I see where all the silly comments about UGA come from………….UGA might have gotten their heads handed to ‘em, but at least they were in the big game…right, you losers. And please Techies…remember 10 ot of 11 loses to UGA…enough said.
Dawg48
December 3rd, 2011
8:49 pm
Atgotbling
He seems to be fighting for it……
Will find out at 2:45 on Tuesday if marshal commits…..
If so and we pick up TG also we will have the depth and compition at running back
Dooly
December 3rd, 2011
8:49 pm
I thought I heard that Crowell was the next Walker? What happened?
NEXT #14
December 3rd, 2011
8:50 pm
HEY lazer girly……………………..HOWS THAT HOBNAIL BOOT FEELIN’ NOW!!!!
Return to Glory
December 3rd, 2011
8:50 pm
One complaint to CMR: 2012: HIRE A FULLTIME SPECIAL TEAMS COACH,and please put some starters on the punt coverage team we looked like a bunch on smurfs covering punts.
Dirty Harry
December 3rd, 2011
8:50 pm
Great game LSU! Although your quarterback is HORRIBLE, the depth you have at every position is impressive to say the least. Good luck in the championship game. With that said, I
tim scott
December 3rd, 2011
8:51 pm
Hey UGA fans I know your not feeling at this moment but I would like to congratulate you on a wonderful season. This coming from a tried Orange and Blue Gator. You your coaches and players did your self proud. Best of luck in your bowl game, Go SEC.
War Dang Dawg
December 3rd, 2011
8:51 pm
Let’s keep some perspective. We went 13-12 from ‘09-’10, and this year won 10 straight and came within 30 minutes of an SEC Championship. We need a tough, durable back, and a good kicker to replace Walsh, but otherwise we should be loaded for next season. I think the Dawgs have a great chance to make another championship run next season. But LSU and Alabama are going to have to cool off some for anyone else in the conf. to have a chance.
Crowell = Thug
December 3rd, 2011
8:51 pm
What a waste and a bust
sheepdawg
December 3rd, 2011
8:51 pm
flanker, the ugliest side of college football is made up crip majors and calling the street thugs “students”. we were bout equal with LSU in that department
Go Dawgs
December 3rd, 2011
8:51 pm
I pray to god MARK RICHT leaves UGA and all the hater who think 10 or 11 wins in a season is bad! You have not seen bad dumba$$es.
Dooly
December 3rd, 2011
8:51 pm
I guess Marshall is the next #34….now!
spider
December 3rd, 2011
8:51 pm
no way am i watching the bcs title game, i cant believe i watched the whole 1st game between lsu and bama, one of the worse football games i have ever seen, espn better be prepared for the lowest rating ever of a bcs game.
Let's laugh
December 3rd, 2011
8:52 pm
Jeff, you just can’t for the life of you see what any objective observer sees. Richt is clearly, year in and year out. out coached in games of significance. GA did not do well in the first half, Miles hadn’t chewed his players __SSES yet. Get a clue.
Same ole Crap
December 3rd, 2011
8:52 pm
This coaching staff isnt getting it done. Pure and Simple!
Georgia Dome Staff
December 3rd, 2011
8:52 pm
Turning off the Dome lights now…nothing left to see here.
Dirty Harry
December 3rd, 2011
8:52 pm
Great game LSU! Although your quarterback is HORRIBLE, the depth you have at every position is impressive to say the least. Good luck in the championship game. With that said, I’m VERY PROUD OF MY DAWGS for perservering this year!!! Go Dawgs!!
The Turd Pickler
December 3rd, 2011
8:53 pm
Good thing UGA had the 5th ranked defense in the country or this game would have gotten ugly! Oh wait it did get ugly!
Anybody here Jarvis Jones’ name called once tonight? You remember that guy that lead the SEC in sacks and said “we are just as good a defense, maybe even better than they (LSU) are”.
Go home clown and next time STFU before kickoff. 13 have tried none have succeeded. 13-0, UGA is TIGER BAIT!!!!!!
Jeffdawgfan
December 3rd, 2011
8:53 pm
Really had hope in first half. Dropped passes and that punt return killed us. One prediction I will make. Crowell will never be a good running back. He cannot play injured, does not have that big heart to go with the big hair. If he is not kicked off team then eh will sit most the time. And jawing that cost us that 15 yards, from a freshman? Please. We need some running backs, and please some that weigh in about 200 lbs, no more 160 pounders. This is the SEC. And Bobo, why are you running 160 lb backs at that defense??? Oh that is the only backs we have……..
Mr. Pibb
December 3rd, 2011
8:53 pm
LSU is a great team no doubt, but UGA just looked awful in the second half. How can you play so well early and then just fall apart in the third quarter? Currently watching the Clemson, Va Tech game. LSU would beat these guys too, but UGA would lose to both of these teams. UGA has talent, but the coaching is horrible. Richt needs to go or you will never win the conference.
Wallydog
December 3rd, 2011
8:53 pm
One thing I loved… how about that onside kick call? We NEVER do that! That was awesome!
Still proud of the Dawgs… LSU is just a machine this year. We are obviously not in their class. But I still think we are a top 20 team, with potential to do better next year.
Hey all you guys crying for Richt to be fired… who would you hire? Hasn’t LSU done this to EVERYONE this year except Bama? So should every coach who loses to LSU be fired? I’d love to win the BCS every year too. Other than Saban and Miles (and maybe Peterson at Boise), Richt is a great coach. It’s so easy to say “fire the coach” when there is no one else who will do any better. Harold and HT, you guys don’t have a clue.
War Dang Dawg
December 3rd, 2011
8:53 pm
Good point Harry, LSU might be the best team not to have a decent QB I’ve ever seen. If they had Murray or that Arkansas quarterback they’d belong in the NFL. The sideline shots of Jarrett Lee were priceless. His face said it all – how did I lose my job to this guy?
PerroGrande
December 3rd, 2011
8:54 pm
common sense–noticed the same thing. #1 just turned his back on the HC! Why don’t they let #24 run it then? He runs much tougher than #1. I have to say, though, the helmet to helmet shot by the LSU guy with the ball in the air should have gotten him ejected. Crowell had a right to be upset. Not that it would have done much good, but the refs let LSU do a bunch of hitting after the whistle. I couldn’t believe they didn’t call 44 for his late hit on Boykin. They also let LSU interfere as much as they wanted pretty much. When they tackled the receivers, or gave our receivers helmet to helmet shots with the ball in the air they had to call it. Unfortunately, they probably didn’t need help LSU. I think they could have easily won because we were out to help them more than the refs were.
Go Dawgs
December 3rd, 2011
8:54 pm
You know why recuits dont want to come to UGA? You moron fans want to bash them and bash your head coach!!
Harold
December 3rd, 2011
8:54 pm
IT IS TIME FOR RICHT TO GO. VERY EMBARRASSING LOSS!
Alphare
December 3rd, 2011
8:54 pm
I started by predicting 42-13. Then I read to too many postings by dawg fans and changed it 40-17.
So I was in the ball park.
Thuga
December 3rd, 2011
8:54 pm
10 and 1/2 straight, you gotta be proud. At least we won the first half. I’m so proud of #1. He is as smart as he is pretty. Great 2nd half defensive coach. I don’t think that red lip stick you put on made you as hot as you thought.
DUMBO
December 3rd, 2011
8:55 pm
The Turd Pickler…and people give me hell about my handle…….oh boy!!!!!!!!!!!!!
TN Jeff
December 3rd, 2011
8:55 pm
Hey UCF again,
How much time did you invest in trying to be funny? You failed except for the unintentional humor at your expense as a result of you being an idiot.
Oh, and UGA seniors still have time for more criminal activity since this isn’t their last game moron. Bowl season awaits … something I realize that as a Tech fan you tend to forget.