Has Georgia duped us again, or was this just a hiccup?
Mark Richt wasn't pleased with his team's opener, and justifiably so. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
ATHENS – Teams like Georgia don’t put teams like Buffalo on the schedule to build character. Teams like Buffalo are put on the schedule because they’re perceived as safe, possibly even a punchline. Georgia was willing to pay the opponent $975,000 because that’s how much it takes now to find a school willing to suffer public humiliation and say, “Fine, hit me with that two-by-four. Just make sure our hotel has decent pillows.”
Something went wrong Saturday. Georgia paid for the entertainment, maybe a little exercise, but the expected embarrassment was closer to home. That might seem harsh given the Sanford Stadium scoreboard had a distinct tilt at the end: 45-23. But it shouldn’t be considered nearly satisfying, not for a program that went into the day with a preseason No. 6 ranking and aspires to something greater than just outlasting South Carolina in the SEC East Division.
Great teams don’t have first games like this. Great defenses don’t allow touchdown drives of 75, 94 and 75 yards to an opponent that went 5-19 over the past two years and was shut out twice by Temple. Top teams from the SEC shouldn’t allow a projected fifth-place team from the Mid-American Conference East 243 yards in the first half. The Bulldogs, a 37½-point favorite, led only 24-16 after two quarters — that because of a 100-yard kickoff return by freshman Todd Gurley, a gift goal following a blocked punt and a missed Buffalo extra point.
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham said he had some choice "adjectives" for his players at halftime. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
Mark Richt is good in math. “If not for that, we’re losing at halftime.”
The defensive front got pushed around. (Buffalo rushed for 199 yards, including 147 in the first half.) Quarterback Aaron Murray frequently was off target. (Even Richt took a rare public shot at a player, referencing Murray’s overthrow to Tavarres King, saying: “He’s a veteran. You get a guy open like that on a post [pattern], you have to hit it.”)
Only Gurley and Georgia’s wide receivers were above criticism. Gurley was above everybody, actually. He had the kickoff return for the touchdown, two other scores on runs of 10 and 55 yards and he rushed for 100 yards on only eight carries in his debut.
But most Georgia players often looked like their heads were somewhere else, maybe Columbia, Mo., where the Dogs open conference play next week.
“Even the coaches had issues,” Richt said. He referenced plays when Georgia had 10 and 12 players on the field.
Was this an early hiccup? Or have we been duped again?
Nothing that occurred Saturday made you think this team is special. Actually, this was closer to a disturbing reminder of last season’s opener against Boise State in the Georgia Dome. The Dogs looked shockingly unprepared, unfocused and sloppy.
“I felt like garbage at halftime,” nose guard John Jenkins said.
“It wasn’t pretty,” Richt said. “I wasn’t thrilled with the way we played. We missed some early shots, offensively. We gave up some big plays.
“Am I concerned about it? Yeah. If we don’t play better than that next week, we’re going to come home sad.”
Defensive coordinator Todd Grantham was understandably animated on the sideline, and certainly at halftime with his players. His vaunted defense was missing five starters because of suspensions and injuries, but even he acknowledged, “That’s no excuse.” And he was right. Missing key players in the secondary doesn’t excuse the play of the defensive front.
“Play better,” he responded when asked what he told his players at intermission.
When asked if he delivered the message to the players that calmly, he said: “Not really. No. I don’t think you can [write] everything. I had some adjectives in there.”
Georgia carried its highest preseason ranking since 2008, when it was No. 1. The 92,000 fans who showed up expected more. They booed loudly in the first half. Thousands left at halftime. Thousands more left in the third quarter. The weather was humid, and the performance wasn’t worth sticking around for.
“If we wanted this to be a cakewalk, we should’ve came out and done a better job,” defensive end Abry Jones said.
Sometimes you don’t get what you pay for.
By Jeff Schultz
•
– New feature: My three observations on the game
•
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1,006 comments Add your comment
Kool-Aid
September 2nd, 2012
8:06 am
3 wins 12 years vs teams who made top 10 out of 16 games.
Saw nothing different this year, again.
Neither did you.
So, why do you try to make these Lame Excuses ?
Does that make you feel better making up Lame Excuses that somehow you did not boo yesterday too ?
When you try to ignore the loud booing, you have no credibility.
There is no excuse for that which we witnessed in season # 12 of this failed regime.
Yes, Mark Richt, you’re right – your coaching staff again is making the SAME MISTAKES.
Mark Richt, by the way, Mizzou read all about all your players not playing yesterday who you gave Scholarships to to play and did not. Your statement was that you did not want Mizzou to know what players are missing.
Then, before the game, you told us all everyone including Mizzou who is missing.
I also noticed that of the 5 who failed the NCAA drug test during the Spring Practices where Todd Gurley proved beyond all doubt that he is better than the guy you had starting at his position, you only announced 2.
But, we know these guys are missing yesterday :
OGLETREE – neither played 1 snap ALEC – 4 game SUSPENSION
FATON BAUTA
MARLON BROWN
SANDERS COMMINGS – 4 game SUSPENSION
Malcolm Mitchell – ankle sprain, not 1 snap
Zach DeBell – not 1 snap
KOLTON HOUSTON – NCAA violation, not 1 snap
HUNTER LONG, not 1 snap
HUTSON MASON
DEXTER MORANT – not 1 snap
BACARRI RAMBO – 4-game SUSPENSION
CHASE VASSER – Multiple game SUSPENSION
RGP
September 2nd, 2012
8:12 am
It was the first game so get over it. Still won by 3 touchdowns which is still a licking.
Big Cat
September 2nd, 2012
8:14 am
Your clearly a stat reader. While both looked good, Gurley and Marshall weren’t even close if you actually watched the game. Gurley seems to have an instinct to break tackles and get to the end zone. Maybe Marshall will too but they were not the same yesterday even taking away the kickoff. Like Murrary said, “he did what he has been doing in every scrimmage”. This was no fluke.
I will reserve judgement for next week. We need our 5 starters back on defense too.
Lamont
September 2nd, 2012
8:21 am
I am so disappointed that the Dawgies did not dress out in last year’s Boy Next Door Boutique Jet suits. What is wrong with mark that he doesn’t see that these unis give the Dawgs more swagger?? This is so depressing. Well maybe in Columbia next week we will see the real Dawgs when they play in the jet suits that must have cost a fortune. Now they are just collecting mildew somewhere.
Talent wasted
September 2nd, 2012
8:21 am
If it is no fluke, then why did Mark Richt not start Todd Gurley ?
uh huh...
September 2nd, 2012
8:23 am
after watching ‘bama, ut, auburn and lsu play their openers, and being in the staduim yesterday, I feel much better about my 8-4 prediction….like maybe I’m being overly optimistic at 8-4.
Wardrobe changes
September 2nd, 2012
8:23 am
That’s all Mark Richt has got for motivational speeches – wardrobe changes to the best uniform on the planet by a wide margin
PappyHappy
September 2nd, 2012
8:25 am
It just seems like every year we get out hopes up, and then the reality of LACK OF UGA DISCIPLINE and PREPARATION SETS IN. Will the defense show up for future games?
11 opponents averaging 4.8 wins and 1 opponent playing Clemson Arkansas Georgia and LSU
September 2nd, 2012
8:25 am
Who cares what our won/lost record is ?
When our own fans boo as loudly as we all did again yesterday ?
Trueblueeagle
September 2nd, 2012
8:26 am
Take lots and lots of tissue paper to cry in to MIzzu.
GFJacket
September 2nd, 2012
8:26 am
kingdaddy, you call others names stupid. Go look in the mirror.
Defense played like crud
September 2nd, 2012
8:27 am
Please list the excuses now about 5 Starters missing, 5 of the 11, when you spent the entire off-season as they each came up telling me that our back-ups are GREAT.
Defense played like crud
September 2nd, 2012
8:27 am
kingdaddy is passed-out.
Resident Georgia Fan
September 2nd, 2012
8:34 am
Look at all the big teams and lines. With the exception of Bama nobody covered. Nothing to free over.
Smitty
September 2nd, 2012
8:47 am
Seriuosly? It is one game folks. Please calm down! Should we just forfeit the rest of the season? Should Oklahoma, because they barely beat Toledo! Florida, they barely beat BG? A season consist of 12 games, please go support your team, or get off the band wagon! Most teams show dramatic improvement from week 1 to week 2! I guess everybody hating on this site always went 12-0 when they played! Yes, the D played soft at times, but Buffalo had 19 yards in the 3rd qtr, and Georgia led by 29 at one point before the 3rd string played. Get a freakin life folks! Go Dawgs!
Chris Murphy
September 2nd, 2012
8:47 am
The only ‘adjustment’ UGA made was McGarity going into the Buffalo locker room at half-time and threatening to tear up the check. If the Buls didn’t need the bus money to get home, they would have won.
Costanza "Lord of the Idiots"
September 2nd, 2012
8:51 am
Just be glad we are playing Missouri next week and not Alabama.
Dunwoody dawg
September 2nd, 2012
8:52 am
Schultz, you are an idiot. Nice spin…who cares if they didn’t win 65-0. Last I checked they are 1-0 and all goals continue to be intact. If anything a game like this will provide incentive to the players and coaches to work harder and temper the enthusiasm of both the players and the fans. Florida, LSU, Oklahoma, south Carolina, etc. didn’t look particularly dominant in their openers. Hey, here’s a thought, Apple stock just fell $2, SELL!! SELL!! SELL!!
Mobile Dawg
September 2nd, 2012
8:54 am
I got a life Smitty, and carrying around a jug of kool aid, chugging it, and making excuses isn’t part of it. I love how all you folks can spin an all around bad performance. It’s not just you Smitty so it’s nothing personal. Once again we just weren’t prepared to play. I just get tired of all the “talk” and seeing the same tired results. Don’t get me wrong, we’re good, but not as good as we think we are. My guess is we go to Mizzou, hear all the same talk from Coaches and Fans, and see similar results.
Mobile Dawg
September 2nd, 2012
8:57 am
Why is it guys like Dunwoody dawg always want to compare themselves to the lowest common denominator. Those teams who performed poorly, instead of the great ones like Bama. People like you make poor performance acceptable.
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
8:57 am
I hope you aren’t comparing Mark Richt’s team to Apple…
Maybe NCR Corp….
tony
September 2nd, 2012
8:58 am
love them dogs
September 2nd, 2012
7:41 am
only thing i have to say is we should have let gurley and marshall get 50 touches between the two i couldnt understand why we wouldnt run the ball but murray was gun slinging
_____________________________________________
I think Mr Richt is more concern about preparing Aaron Murray for the nfl than to run the football 50 times a game. Does Matthew Stafford ring a bell?
I’m with you…..they should give those guys all the carries that they handle. To control the clock in football it is all about getting slow steady yardage … Passing is not a good idea if you want to control the clock.
Pulpwud Smiff
September 2nd, 2012
8:59 am
“DUPED US AGAIN” is the correct answer.
Kewpie dolls for all those who answered the question correctly.
Plus a gallon of Kool-Aid.
FLA DAWG
September 2nd, 2012
9:00 am
I’ve been the biggest critic of The Dawgs performance over the past three years but in this case I disagree with you and many of the writers here.
I saw a good, young SEC team in their season opener executing well with good playcalling from the sidelines. I saw errors in playcalling at times and player errors (overthrows that would have given us two more TDs) but adjustments that corrected most of the problems DURING THE GAME.
This was a much better opener than that v Boise State or Ga. Southern. The team will make adjustments and will know if we still have the same krap coaching as we’ve had over the last several years or if there has been a real change. In a week we’ll know something. By the tiome we get through Vandy, UT and SC we should know all we need to know.
By the way, Bama and LSU looked very, very good. We will have to improve alot to have a chance to win in the SECC Game if we make it that far.
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
9:00 am
kingdaddy is probably hot diggity hungover.
NateDawg
September 2nd, 2012
9:00 am
This was about the equivalent of an NFL preseason game. Play a bunch of players. See what you have. The only thing that really concerned me was the D-line. Hopefully,they can get motivated. From Shultz’s tone, it seems like he lost money on this game.
Duke of Flatbush
September 2nd, 2012
9:01 am
It was great sitting in the stands and watching the Dawg Nation cry over every perceived “missed call” by the refs. The look on Dawg fans’ faces around the stadium at halftime was priceless, you’d think the Bulls shot their pet bulldogs.
The Bulls couldn’t hand the heat and humidity in the send half, yet Georgia could only muster a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.
Not sure how good Georgia really is, but then again, you guys like Mark Richt so this is what you get.
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
9:05 am
FLA DAWG making a bold statement. I like your level-headed objectivism.
I respectfully disagree, but I like it.
I do have a question for you: Do you really think the coaching will change?
mcdaviddawg
September 2nd, 2012
9:08 am
It’s what we’ve come to expect from unprepared Richt teams.
Earl of Greenpoint
September 2nd, 2012
9:09 am
I’m confused as to why people are so “stunned” that UGA wasn’t prepared for the game.
When was the last time Richt had his team prepared. I mean REALLY prepared and firing on all cylinders from the first snap?
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
9:14 am
Currently today Lost 9 in a row to teams making any top 25 poll; Currently today Lost 7 in a row to teams who made the Top 10 after # 9 Auburn 2006; and Lost Currently today 9 in a row every SEC team making winning SEC Record starting Ky 2007
Thomas Brown/ 13-1/ buLLdawg———————
I wondered where Thomas brown was Now I see Thomas Brown has Changed His Name Again……………….
Sad Richards
September 2nd, 2012
9:15 am
No matter who wins the east they’ll get crushed in the SECCG for the third straight year.
dale morphy
September 2nd, 2012
9:16 am
Good take aways: Gurley, O-line, patchwork secondary, special teams. Not so good: defensive line intensity, linebackers, penalties.
1eyedJack
September 2nd, 2012
9:16 am
I too was disappointed in the performance of the Dawgs on yesterday. But in the light of a new day and after having slept on it I realize it was the first game of the year, they were missing 5 starters on the defense and we played 13 true freshmen. The bottom line is that they won the game. They go to Missouri undefeated. Hopefully they’ll get a couple of those starters back next week. If they can win in Columbia1 they will roll into Columbia2 undefeated.
Flo-Ri-Duh
September 2nd, 2012
9:18 am
If half your starters on defense are out and your two best WR’s you will probably not be as good. Don’t know why you can’t get this Schultzy!
jerry
September 2nd, 2012
9:18 am
I thought they did great. For Georgia. For Richt. I mean, hell, they ain’t Alabama and Richt ain’t Saban.
Tampa Gator
September 2nd, 2012
9:19 am
I did not see the Georgia game….as I stated late last night…….but I am sure they showed very little of what they will show vs. Missouri…..on offense or defense. The same with Florida. Both teams knew they would win their games against Buffalo and Bowling Green…..and both should play much better in game two……they better. But one thing is clear right now……neither Georgia nor Florida are in the same paragraph that describes the top two or three teams in the SEC….right now. Of course…..that could change in the coming weeks.
Sad Richards
September 2nd, 2012
9:20 am
I wonder when will Richt take his team to cosmic bowling? Like Brent Musberger said “Saban gets the job done” always coaching like he is behind.
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
9:22 am
love them dogs
September 2nd, 2012
7:41 am
only thing i have to say is we should have let gurley and marshall get 50 touches between the two i couldnt understand why we wouldnt run the ball but murray was gun slinging
———————————————————————————-
Richt & Bobo wants 35:55minute MURRAY to get in the HEISMAN race. The starting QB was in the game with 8 minutes left in the 4th qtr still throwing bombs for the TD.
Flo-Ri-Duh
September 2nd, 2012
9:22 am
Aubarn lost to a mediocre Clemson team and Florida and South Carolina don’t have a QB or an offense. UGA will take the east.. Bummer looks very good against a slow Michigan team with no RB’s or WR’s and Muttenbubba is an unfinished project for LSU.
wins-by-a-link
September 2nd, 2012
9:24 am
Shocked by the shaky defense, Murray and his recievers looked good but overall I thought it was more of the same from the last several seasons, No intensity except from Grantham, Richt looked like he would rather be somewhere else.
Joey
September 2nd, 2012
9:24 am
“People like you make poor performance acceptable.”
************************************
Mobile Dawg, exactly.
Not to mention he thinks a game like yesterday will be an incentive for working harder. As if working harder will bring better results.
I hope next week we have some problems solved, but if not, Mizzou will beat our butts. Picture in you minds a bigger, faster, more accurate QB than the one that looked pretty good yesterday.
That’s Mizzou’s James Franklin.
The truth is, Mark RIcht has not led the Dawgs to many road or neutral field victories in some time. He needs to figure out what he was doing so right 10 years ago . . .
Sad Richards
September 2nd, 2012
9:26 am
BTW Clemson will clean our clocks next year if Mark Richt is still our coach. Clemson has some STUDS on their team.
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
9:26 am
Flo-Ri-Duh
September 2nd, 2012
9:18 am
If half your starters on defense are out
————————————————
So UGa has no depth on D or all the dWags fans saying all week that UGa’s 3rd string would Kill BUFFALO were Drunk on the Richt Kool-aid……
Bama replaced how many Defensive starters and still KILLED Michigan?
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
9:28 am
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
9:00 am
kingdaddy is probably hot diggity hungover.
======================================
I can’t believe he was still posting at 2-3 am. Mustang Sally didn’t get no Openday Wictory Luv’n last night
LMAO
September 2nd, 2012
9:34 am
45-23 over who? UGA is ranked 6th? what? Man, they messed this up again. Missou beats the mutts to shock redneck nation.
Yeti
September 2nd, 2012
9:35 am
Go
PaulieOldschool
September 2nd, 2012
9:36 am
Unprepared + undisciplined = these results and Bulldog Nation worries. Richt is NOT the right coach, his time has passed, and I just don’t see us finishing as well as pundits and crazed fans think we will. If you’re not ready for your first game, something’s wrong. We’ll see after Mizzou. I hope I’m wrong, I really do.
Ronnie
September 2nd, 2012
9:37 am
Interesting question Jeff, Is UGA duped us (something bad) or hiccup (something bad)?
Was UGA good or great? Now THERE’S a better question.
Offense?
The offense scored 38 points.
4 rb’s averaged over 5 yards a carry.
Murray threw for over 250 yards, 3 td’s, 0 interceptions.
Inexperienced o-line did solid in run blocking, and gave Murray enough time to try several slow developing plays or long bombs.
Marshall dropped Wooten’s throw should have been a td, Murray missed Bennett 2 yards too wide for a 2nd td, Murray missed Tavarras on 2 other long passes should have been td’s. Murray missed Wooten in the end zone for a 5th missed td. Shold have scored 5 more td’s, but I’ll take 38 points in the opener.
Grade: A
Special Teams:
Blocked a punt.
Only had 1 punt returned for more than 5 yards.
Kickoffs were almost all touchbacks.
Scored a 100 yard kick off return td.
Hit a 35 yard field goal.
Grade: A
Defense:
Held Doak Walker candidate running back to under 4 yards per carry.
Held offense to 23 points total, but just 6 points after some excellent 2nd half adjustments.
Held offense to poor passing day.
Lots of QB pressures, and Jones had 2 sacks.
Did this with 5 of 11 starters out of game.
Grade: B
Offense & Special Teams were great, defense was good.
Jeff, unfortunately, no phase was BAD.
Joey
September 2nd, 2012
9:39 am
UOAD, I thought your “Rambo Brownies” post was the best post of the day yesterday.
I was impressed with LeMay’s showing late in the game. He showed nice poise for his first game.