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
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:08 pm
“For all the Gaytor fans pulling for LSU”
The gators have TWO national championships in the last 6 years. UGA, not so much.
Matt
December 3rd, 2011
9:08 pm
JB you are one of the few honest ga posters.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:08 pm
“And only a dumbass expected a different outcome.”
That would be 99.9999999% of UGA fans on the AJC blogs.
I'm Just Saying
December 3rd, 2011
9:08 pm
LSU spotted Arkansas 14 before they flipped the switch…I think they like teasing hayseeds getting them to think they may have a chance to win. Mutt fans must have been popping a major chubby early on….only to go limp like their mutts did in the second half. Bwwaaaaahhhhaaaaahhaaaa
The Turd Pickler
December 3rd, 2011
9:08 pm
You know something… Look at it this way, at least UGA co-eds are still sexy. I think the UGA football team wore some of their lipstick tonight!!!!
Tiger Bait!!!! 13-0!!! If they lined up and played 10 times LSU would be 10-0. Get some mutts!!!!
HILLTOPPER
December 3rd, 2011
9:08 pm
After 0-2 did anyone seriously think the Dawgs would be in this game? They played an outstanding half that could have been better with 2 more catches. Then reality came thru the door. The REAL LSU showed up and the Dawgs were gonners. Did you think the GA OL could play 4 qtrs with LSU defense? With no running game LSU turned loose the dogs and came after Murray and blanketed the receivers. NEEDS: Better OL men, a constant shortcoming for this team. But, does anyone still want “Richt to go?”
Nadsmasher
December 3rd, 2011
9:08 pm
Heard the Crowell wears a skirt?
whatthe
December 3rd, 2011
9:08 pm
Crowell has had some bad luck with his ankle. Have you ever had a turned ankle? I sure have and to line up against the Number one team in the nation with a bum ankle is brave in my book. Crowell was making them miss in the first half he looked like the all star we know him to be, slashing and cutting on a dime showing flashes of speed. He tweeked his ankle just before the half on an outcut and he was never the same. People need to lay off Crowell he was not smoking weed as everyone says he was smoking that stuff you can get at the convenience stores (and that is a huge difference). Just Saying, Go Dogs.
JB
December 3rd, 2011
9:09 pm
2010 BCS Champs………….with realignment, we’ll have a new sorry team in the East next year…..Your pitiful Tigers.
Matt
December 3rd, 2011
9:09 pm
Murray is great when he gets protection. When he doesn”t, well you saw the outcome.
InsectInside
December 3rd, 2011
9:09 pm
Just Curious: when you posted, only one Tech person had commented and it was positive.
timbo
December 3rd, 2011
9:09 pm
OMG, the pundits are at it again! They are saying the dawgs are a young team, and they will be good in a couple years. They said that a couple years ago. 42-10……still waiting.
Pat
December 3rd, 2011
9:09 pm
Haha, great 10 win streak. Which one of those games got you ready for a decent team? Was it Kentucky, Coastal Carolina, or N Mex State? This is what happens when you have a cupcake schedule and do not play any decent teams. When you actually get a chance, this is how it turns out.
I'm Just Saying
December 3rd, 2011
9:10 pm
Next year dawgs…..it is always next year isn’t it?
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:10 pm
UGA should stop playing in the Dome and stop playing on national television. UGA gets beaten badly when they play on national television.
GO GO POWER RANGERS!!!!!
When does mark quit step in after turnovers or scores to keep the ship from sinking?
December 3rd, 2011
9:10 pm
Georgia had the momentum and when they turned the ball over they put the defense in bad situations. The Mark Richt and his playcaller BoBo could put them in the position to win. The Defense went reeling after no support from the offense and coaching staff. Everyone says lsu is great but outside of the MVP who put them in position to make plays not impressed even with the amount of points they put up. We had our chances sure there were 2 drops but the other 3 passes Murray had time and couldn’t put it where it need to be. I told someone if they can keep the quarterback clean, make touchdowns instead of field goals and Mike Bobo call a good game. Just run it up the middle of the defense just not a smart thing to do.
Nadsmasher
December 3rd, 2011
9:10 pm
your drinking the kool aid, he had 1 decent run all night, the guy? wears a skirt
lewisbuzzard
December 3rd, 2011
9:10 pm
No Lazer just delusional Dawg fans.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:10 pm
“we’ll have a new sorry team in the East next year…..Your pitiful Tigers.”
Yeah, just like you won the 2008 national championship. Sucks to be you, loser.
DP
December 3rd, 2011
9:10 pm
I’m Just Saying…..are you Tech Turd or what
JB
December 3rd, 2011
9:11 pm
I like those outfits on those LSU gals with the band, just say’n
Let's laugh
December 3rd, 2011
9:11 pm
But you know what, I can remember thinking a very long time ago, if Dooley was all that great, why didn’t he have more to show for it. If not for Herschel, he wouldn’t have the 1 NC.
Clearly there has been a culture there in Athens for a long time of just accepting vs expecting.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:12 pm
JB
Corso said UGA’s mascot was ugly. He also said UGA should not have been in the SEC championship.
OUCH.
I'm Just Saying
December 3rd, 2011
9:12 pm
Whatthe….it what you said was true he is even more of an idiot than I originally thought. He still isn’t an SEC RB
Derek
December 3rd, 2011
9:12 pm
Ga will be good next year. But guess what. So will Bama Lsu and Sc. Funny how you ignore these teams and dream of an sec without them.
Eric C.
December 3rd, 2011
9:12 pm
Haters, say what you will…but most Bulldog fans are still proud of this team.
To start 0-2 and end up in the SECCG is remarkable. The game today was turned on a few plays, but give a lot of credit to the defense for holding the #1 team to 12 yds in the first half. Given the rich history of UGA RBs, it is ironic that the running game was their demise…but we know that will not be the case for long.
The defense will be strong next season. Get the running game back on track and work in concert with one of the best, if not the best, QBs in the SEC, and next season could be really special. Go Dawgs!!!
JDawg1785
December 3rd, 2011
9:12 pm
Still proud to be a Dawg!
DP
December 3rd, 2011
9:12 pm
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!…dang son you are almost as big a turd as Pat Dye
JB
December 3rd, 2011
9:12 pm
Champ…………..You guys got rolled by Bama, LSU…………………..and the Dawgs this year..Speaking of sucking.
Denver Dog
December 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
Would have, could have, should have. Sorry puppies, can’t roll w the big dogs
Swamp Man
December 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
Mmmm mmmm mmmm this here dawg stew shore iz good, no?
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
“but most Bulldog fans are still proud of this team.”
I’m sure you all are. You like mediocrity.
“To start 0-2 and end up in the SECCG is remarkable.”
Not when the rest of the east sucks.
Jabo
December 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
Well I guess all the suspense is gone. The mighty Dream Team can stop dreaming as reality sets in. You are a second class program just lucky enough to be in the SEC. You cannot compete with the best teams in the SEC. How many years have you been pretending with your great recruiting classes? I feel so bad for you, but cheer up as you will probably be matched up with another team with average players that your dawgs can run up a score on in a meaningless bowl game. Then you can thump your chests and tell anyone who will listen how great you are. One thing for sure until you can win games you’re not picked to win all you are is an SEC second class program. How many games did the dawgs win this year that they were picked to loose? I rest and listen to you leg humpers wine and cry about how you should have won the game. The dawgs aren’t just second class SEC they are without class period.
Lugnut
December 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
And now the genius come out to criticize what everyone predicted. Here’s another prediction, as of the nanosecond your pathetic utterance came out of your mouth, no one stepped forward to care about your meaningless opinion. Now go back to your life of formerly quiet desperation.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
“dang son you are almost as big a turd as Pat Dye”
Dye went and played at UGA. Guess that makes UGA a bunch of $hit.
Pee Wee Herman
December 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
Why did that fat Gaja defensive coordinator that looks like Chaz Bono bite his lip? Did someone throw a box of Krispy Kremes on the field? Too bad LSU got off to a slow start and allowed Da Dergs to score and the were held to less than 50 points. Too bad Munson and Gizzard aren’t around to relish this moment. Good Old Huey P. Long and his song: It’s a Touchdown for LSU.
Now We Know
December 3rd, 2011
9:13 pm
Sounds like DUMBO is one of uga’s “boys”.
Nadsmasher
December 3rd, 2011
9:14 pm
Crowell is a puss
Texxy Lexxy
December 3rd, 2011
9:14 pm
Gonna be ‘Bama 23, LSU 17.
I'm Just Saying
December 3rd, 2011
9:14 pm
Nadsmasher….I hear it is a skirt made of Hemp and it keeps getting shorter.
BayouTigerFan
December 3rd, 2011
9:14 pm
First, congrats to UGA for a great come back season, winning 10 in a row….UGA is a young and talented team, uga just need 1 good and mature back and they will be a much stronger team next year…LSU depth was just too much along with playmaker tyrann mathieu leading the charge to victory…SEC Champs LSU Tigers…perfect season with 1 prize left, Geaux Tigers!!!
JB
December 3rd, 2011
9:14 pm
Champs comment at 9:12…………………..Are you 12.
George
December 3rd, 2011
9:14 pm
Damn yall…..last week the dawgs were filet, and tonite theyre round steak??..Give em a break….they got beat by a damn good team after givin em hell…not sayin the two drops for 7 wouldve changed outcome but ya cant give pts away vs a team like LSU. No. I’m not happy with result but we DID show up……lets take this one on the chin, and build on it…..dont want a morale victory, not what we’re about, but damn…..quit throwin em under the bus…..we werent supposed to be here………remember………live AND DIE with the dawgs folks…..no bandwagoneers PLEASE!!! GATA in the bowl dawgs……
Swamp Man
December 3rd, 2011
9:14 pm
Why duz yall say wait till next year all dee time? Yall sound like dem other loser Atlanta teams, like dee Falcons and dee Braves
NEXT #14
December 3rd, 2011
9:14 pm
NEWS FLASH!!! (PICK ANY OF A NUMBER OF GA. RECIEVERS) JUST DROPPED ANOTHER PASS DAGGUMMITT!!! CMR IS AT FAULT YOU KNOW!?!
Dogbegone
December 3rd, 2011
9:15 pm
Dog nation, you guys are the worst 10 game winning team I have ever seen in 45 years of college football viewing. From the looks of your schedule this year, Dooley must have had a hand in that since he always played the weakest SEC schedule during his career.Comes back to haunt an average team every time. It looked like boys against men in the second half tonight. Thanks for making it a great game to watch. I enjoyed it beyond measure. Back to the drawing board for a truly overrated team.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:15 pm
“You guys got rolled by Bama, LSU…………………..and the Dawgs this year..Speaking of sucking.”
Yep, we lost one of the greatest QBs to ever play the game and lost the best defensive player as well. We also lost 33 other players to the draft and graduation.
You all beat a bunch of 18 year olds. Congrats.
You still got your butt kicked on national television.
Douglas
December 3rd, 2011
9:15 pm
UGA played its heart out in the first half…defense was great but worn out by second half. If we are going to win the SEC, we need to hire a new OC and a special teams coach. This special teams coaching by committee is not working.
Pago Pago DAWG
December 3rd, 2011
9:16 pm
Actually, it’s kind a hard to believe a major (?) SEC team NOT having a running game! Pretty sad….
NEXT #14
December 3rd, 2011
9:16 pm
jb’s comment @ 9:14……….I’VE BEEN WONDERING THE SAME THING ABOUT YOU FOREVER!!!!!!!!!