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
guy
December 3rd, 2011
9:16 pm
Lazer,
God is not to be prayed upon to ask for a win in a football game.Get your priorities in order!
PerroGrande
December 3rd, 2011
9:16 pm
There is a lot to be positive about, but the 3 turnovers, the two dropped TDs, the dropped int, and the other dropped passes sealed the deal. You can’t do that sort of thing against anybody, much less LSU. We have done that all year, although not this bad. As hard as it was in the second half, we had 6 more first downs, much more total yardage, and much better time of possession. Eliminate the stupid mistakes and we were in that game. Dawgs showed their potential, and if they can eliminate the dumb mistakes, we should be good as we keep growing.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:17 pm
“Pretty sad…”
42-10. Very sad.
Outer Banks Dawg
December 3rd, 2011
9:17 pm
Licking my hind quarters… Still trying to figure out what happened…. LSU blocked in the back on the first punt return… Clearly… No call…. did we do bong hits at halftime? Once LSU was aware we had no chance to run the ball, they changed defenses and it was over… You will never win an sec championship without a running game… It was a shame, too, because our passing threats were making the run available, but we have no running backs. Also, if you can’t run, please abandon play action. Why bother? they know its not a run. Kudos to LSU for winning the SEC and to the Toughest football conference in the country and what will be a 7th straight BCS National Championship. Still great to be a Georgia Bulldog!
JB
December 3rd, 2011
9:17 pm
Doc Adams at 10-2 and spending tonight with regents in a booth eating BBQ is thrilled. Richt saw his shadow and we get 5 more years,
NJ Dawg
December 3rd, 2011
9:17 pm
Crowell reminds me of the Samuel Jackson character in “Unbreakable”. I really hope someday this staff realizes the necessity in the SEC of a very strong 200 plus pound back that can run people over instead of more undersized scat backs that would fall over in a 50mph wind gust.
This isn’t Florida State and the ACC coach, that scat back crap isn’t going to work in the SEC. Please get us a real running back or two for next season and beyond.
DAWG
December 3rd, 2011
9:17 pm
Number 1 will turn out to be a dud, and we are stuck with him. Will Georgia ever be able to pick up a running back with some size and speed? Are defense hung in there the first half and when the second half started we lost it. I hope Alabama wears there ass out.
Lagdawg
December 3rd, 2011
9:18 pm
UGA came a long way this season, but they have a long way to go. It will start with a new OC and to recruit big physical RBs and OL. The D just couldn’t get it together in the second half. There is still a lot of work to do.
Eric C.
December 3rd, 2011
9:18 pm
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!, I love when a fan whose team was absolutely destroyed by 4 different teams this year talks smack…you are truly a moron
Dg
December 3rd, 2011
9:18 pm
Breaking! LSU just scored again.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:18 pm
” 7th straight BCS National Championship.”
3rd from the SEC West. UF is the only SEC east team capable of winning a championship.
Mr Green
December 3rd, 2011
9:18 pm
42-10 HA HA HA HA HA HA
Nadsmasher
December 3rd, 2011
9:18 pm
I’m just saying -Yep with his hemp skirt and pretty locks
jimmy
December 3rd, 2011
9:18 pm
@ next #14. Your bandwagon will get a flat tire soon. Beat it you troll. Go gloat on ESPN. Dawgs played a great first half, but the better team prevailed. Thanks UGA! Great season after an 0-2 start.
Chillahill
December 3rd, 2011
9:19 pm
So the fake Running Back was smoking Fake Dope! But tested positive for drugs, when did UGA start testing for FAKE drugs!! Hmmmm nice try ! They need to start testing for heart and courage and gumption and Balls and IQ’s cause that team I just watched had none . Yea they stayed in the game for 30 minutes, but when it was time for gut check. The puppies left theirs in the locker room . Out coached out performed out classed! 5 star high schoolers 3 star leg humpers. Good job Ganja boys good job!
I'm Just Saying
December 3rd, 2011
9:19 pm
Good thing that Murray can scramble…that Ugag O line has three senior starters…next year should be fun.
UGA
December 3rd, 2011
9:19 pm
what a disaster that game was. 0 first downs in the first half and they still scored 40+ pts. And you really can’t even say “Next year, this team will be better!” when here lately the SEC East vs West in the Championship game is the ACC vs the SEC at any point during the year.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:19 pm
“I love when a fan whose team was absolutely destroyed by 4 different teams this year talks smack”
I love it when an overrated UGA teams gets its butt kicked in front of a national audience.
“you are truly a moron”
No, that would be your head coaching staff, ma’am.
Seth
December 3rd, 2011
9:19 pm
Ga needs a lot more than one RB
JB
December 3rd, 2011
9:20 pm
Great tonight to not be a Tech or Auburn fan. Worse things in life than tonight’s loss, and those two top the list.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:20 pm
“Dawgs played a great first half”
Yeah they scored a whooping 10 points. Amazing.
JDawg1785
December 3rd, 2011
9:20 pm
Thanks, BayouTigerFan. Best of luck to your boys in the national title game. I’ll be cheering for y’all all the way.
DILLIGAF
December 3rd, 2011
9:20 pm
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
“You still got your butt kicked on national television.”
UGA kicked your pathetic team’s butt on national T.V.
timbo
December 3rd, 2011
9:20 pm
I wonder if UGA will get rings that say ‘2011 1st half SEC Champs’?
JJ
December 3rd, 2011
9:20 pm
2 things. LSU gets away with alot of unsportsmanlike actions/gestures and Crowell has played his last game for UGA
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:21 pm
“Great tonight to not be a Tech or Auburn fan.”
Not when you have a crystal trophy to look at. How’s UGA’s crystal..oh wait they don’t have one. I think I saw a VHS tape of the 1980 season on sale at the Cracker Barrel. I can pick one up for you.
Eric C.
December 3rd, 2011
9:21 pm
I must say, Crowell may not be around much longer…he is a joker and Thomas is too. I said all along that I really wish Samuel had been good to go for this game, more of the bruiser type with some attitude. He could have made some difference and made it a closer game.
UGA
December 3rd, 2011
9:21 pm
“we can say we were pretty damn good”
no no you were not.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:22 pm
“UGA kicked your pathetic team’s butt on national T.V.”
Yep, you beat a 7-5 AU team. Congrats, you must be so proud.
Ball Coach
December 3rd, 2011
9:22 pm
Is Crowell really that bad, or has Richt just coached him down?.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:22 pm
” LSU gets away with alot of unsportsmanlike actions”
And here come the excuses.
How bout them dawgs
December 3rd, 2011
9:22 pm
The 10-0 UGA bulldogs were crowned this evening as the 2011 CUPCAKE champions of the year. (pssst…don’t tell anybody about the other three games)
Vote for "which is it"
December 3rd, 2011
9:22 pm
The GA fans motto “We’ll win it ALL, NEXT YEAR” or “We had a Chance”
HHHAHHAAAAAHHHAAAAA!!!!
MttPF
December 3rd, 2011
9:22 pm
Yo Muttards …. how’s that bus ride back to Athens after seeing real big boy football?? Your 10-win schedule had a bunch of sissies on it and your all-world running back ain’t fit for any SEC defenses. I really enjoyed Boykin’s weak tackles after Hilliard bulldozed him on that TD reception. You’re all quitters.
GTBob
December 3rd, 2011
9:22 pm
why am i not trolling like all these other morons????? I love focusing on another team losing than whoever my team is for this week like the trolls on here.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:23 pm
“Crowell may not be around much longer”
But…but…he was part of the DREAM TEAM!
Cmill
December 3rd, 2011
9:23 pm
Hey schultz/Ajc sports editor…
I think you mean than not then; but if you meant then, there is a comma missing
Nadsmasher
December 3rd, 2011
9:23 pm
Another hempmaster Crowell, Does anyone remember the other Carver recruit? Jasper?
JJ
December 3rd, 2011
9:23 pm
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!! = 45-7 in 2011
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:23 pm
“The GA fans motto “We’ll win it ALL, NEXT YEAR”
UGA = Chicago Cubs of the south.
Mista
December 3rd, 2011
9:23 pm
Please get rid of bobo! Bobo is like getting the woman of your dreams, and can’t get an erection. MAJOR Disappointment. Mark Richt you can’t bring a donkey to the Kentucky derby!
Why It's A Ruger, Thank You!
December 3rd, 2011
9:23 pm
You know there are so many haters here on this blog, Shut the damn thing down so they have to turn their hatred inwards and maybe then they will implode then the world will be a better place. Problems? Put a face on it if you are such a man about what you write. Enough is enough…go play with your Play Do….and I am not even a Dog fan
Murray for heisman
December 3rd, 2011
9:23 pm
yeah baby
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:24 pm
” 45-7 in 2011″
42-10 in the Dome.
(go gators)
December 3rd, 2011
9:24 pm
Same old dawgs(ga pups) same thing every year can’t win the big game 1980 need i say more
JB
December 3rd, 2011
9:24 pm
WE would of lost tonight if the refs would of been in the bag for us….but you are correct JJ, LSU got the benefit of the doubt on a lot of plays. The punt return for a TD could of easy had two blocks in the back…..plus he flipped the ball to the ref BEFORE he crossed the goal line.Neither would of changed the outcome….but.
2010 BCS CHAMPS!!!!!!!
December 3rd, 2011
9:25 pm
UGA Motto: WE’LL WIN THE EAST NEXT YEAR! EVERYONE ELSE SUCKS!!!!! MURRAY IS THE BESTEST EVER!!!!! HERSCHEL WALKER IS THE BESTEST EVER 1980 BLAH BLAH BLAH!
Alphare
December 3rd, 2011
9:25 pm
I was hoping the iron man would slip on a banana peel. But he didn’t.
Dogbegone
December 3rd, 2011
9:25 pm
Tiger Trip said it like it is above. Nice read brother man. The dogs are low class indeed. Go to a game in Athens and you will see just how low class they really can be. It’s like they think they should win a national title every year. Get over it. It will not happen for a long time because another professor like Jan Kemp will arise to shut it down sooner this time.
WHY?
December 3rd, 2011
9:26 pm
Why did we continue to run that I formation and run on first and second down, why didn’t UGA spread the field like they did in the first half?????!!!!! Bobo and Richt, no coaching adjustments, I swear they shoudl be fired on just that second half. Granted the defensive started to suck too, but once the momentum shifted its hard to stop a #1 team.