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
•
Some selections from the jukebox
– Gonzalez knows if Braves fizzle, he’ll be one to catch heat
– Georgia State pounded in opener as growing pains continue
– Weekend Predictions: Dogs yes, Jackets no, Hawaii (duh)
– Paul Johnson will defend Tech’s offense, but not defense
– Countdown: Vandy’s she-QB, ESPN’s ‘power,’ creepy bobble
– College football, Week 1: Somehow it keeps getting better
– Isaiah Crowell ‘happy,’ seeking fresh start at Alabama State
– MLB’s drug policy too soft — teams should be docked wins
– NFL is damaging its own product with replacement officials
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1,006 comments Add your comment
jerry
September 2nd, 2012
2:29 pm
Duped my ass. How could anyone who has been a Georgia fan more than a blink of an eye, have the conviction that they are or ever will be anything special? Maybe a gullible one. A very palpable gullible one.
Tampa Gator
September 2nd, 2012
2:37 pm
@The Bear…….
Simple solution to losing your helment and missing the last play of the game…or any play for that matter…..buckle up your chin strap. Many players have not been doing so thinking they can get a facemask or roughing call if the helment comes off….and they will pay the price for such this year. Great rule. If someone tears your helment off during a play…..you don’t leave the game. That will be hard to do if it is buckled up.
Tampa Gator
September 2nd, 2012
2:39 pm
Big Crimson…..
Just like in your car…..buckle up and no one gets hurt by the rule. Great rule.
Weenie Dawg
September 2nd, 2012
2:40 pm
Mizzou will be passing out brown paper sacks for all UGA fans at the game next week. You will be able to cover your head when Mizzou kicks the s**t out of UGA.
Tampa Gator
September 2nd, 2012
2:41 pm
I was watching the Alabama State vs. Bethune-Cookman game early and Crowell scored a touchdown and the reporter said he came to the sidelines and yelled, “They can’t stop me.” He did not yell, “They can’t stop us.” Since then, Bethune has outscored them 17-7. Not surprised since Alabama State….with Crowell…..has probably become an “it’s all about ME” team.
valdosta native
September 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
Honestly naysayers? We won the game by more than three touchdowns. No, It wasn’t the 37 point spread projected, it was 22. If the team came out calm, T.K. pulled in another catch or two, or Murray hadn’t overthrown the ball twice in the first quarter because he was amped, we would have had a 43 point spread. You can’t expect a team, not familiar with high expectations, to come out and perform at the highest level on the very first game even against a Buffalo team. The defense was able to adjust at halftime, I think in years past our defense hasn’t been able to do that. On top of that, we had 5 key defensive starters out and a key slot receiver in Marlon Brown on offense. Those who came in, stepped up and we beat the team decisively like we should have. We have those others players in, it’d be close to a shutout. We need to worry about Missouri and Vandy without those key players, once they get back, I’m sure you’ll see the #6 team you’ve been expecting. We might not get to the NC game, but expect us to at least win the East again and a good record 11 wins maybe 12. Go Dawgs!
Tampa Gator
September 2nd, 2012
2:43 pm
Oooooppppppssss……make that outscoring Crowell’s team 24 to 7 since then….and now his team is losing. Anyone surprised?
gbal
September 2nd, 2012
2:44 pm
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.The press gave them this high ranking and there are obvious reasons that this is too high. Inexperience and depth on the OL alone is the major issue.UGA could have a good tteam this year if the get on a roll and avoid injuries but the press is all to blame for the false expectations going into this season.maybe 12-16
Tampa Gator
September 2nd, 2012
2:45 pm
Weenie…..
Wish I knew you…….could win a lot of money off you.
akitadawg
September 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
How many teams can lose 45% of its starters on defense and be productive? Their running back had one 22 yard run. Other than that he was getting 2-3 yards a carry. It was their QB taking off on passing downs that racked up some yards. Georgia’s back-ups haven’t had enough reps, it was the first game. If Rambo were in the game, couple of those passes to Buffalo’s TE would have been picks. On offense were missed 1 field goal and dropped a TD pass (Marshall). Gurley’s running style reminds me of a young Eric Dickerson. Marshall was one broken tackle from taking it to the house twice. The problem with Georgia is depth and that is Richt’s fault. Between the dismissals and small recruiting classes our reserves are not better than many starters on other teams. Only Alabama and LSU have that luxury in our conference right now. The best thing that could have happened is for us to have a relatively tough game on our opener. This will enhance the focus, keep the egos in check. Georgia historically plays better after poor performance. Play ball control at Missou, gash them, and go vertical when the safeties come forward.We should score a hell of a lot on Missou. We will definitely need it.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
September 2nd, 2012
2:46 pm
UGA is a poorly coached football team and it shows. The discipline is even worse. You have a good looking back in #3 but what does he do right off the bat but put on a ghetto show when scoring. It must be a UGA thing to show your azz over and over since your coach will do nothing to stop.
Tampon Gator…your QB’s are a joke and scare nobody and neither does your team. UF is at least another years away and only then if you have a QB other than those two.
Bama is loaded for sure but Mitchegun is and average team at best. AJ did ok but still missed two long passes to put that game on ice in the 3rd Qtr. Beating Arkansas is the game of the year for Alabama and it must happen. Bama had two starters that didn’t play in the 2nd half due to injury and I hope both will be fine (Jessie Williams and Robert Lester). TJ Yeldon will go down as the best RB at Alabama and I just hope his success doesn’t send Tyrene Jones elsewhere but that could happen. There is no comparison between the coaching of the Bama staff and UGA.
Great to see Cheater U at Auburn go down vs Dabo!!!!! Cheezestraw is history and Bobby Petrino will be the new coach for 2013. The old banker will start using his media contacts to sink Gene.
Roll Tide…..
gbal
September 2nd, 2012
2:48 pm
hkkkkf
bill allen
September 2nd, 2012
2:51 pm
Jeff S. is right on as he always is. UGA is its typical up/down self as it always will be under CMR. Their recruiting prowess is obvious and will always yield athletes capable of being above average and winning 9-10 games most years. However, CMR’s teams will not be teams that will be dominant and consistent over a season. That is not being negative, it is simply observing their play the last several years. Unfortunately UGA extended CMR’s contract last year so we will continue to witness this type play. One cannot help but wonder what a Chris Petersen of Boise State could do with UGA’s athletes. McGarrity adjusted to UGA’s acceptance of mediocrity instead of bringing UF’s demand for excellence.
Roddy Norman
September 2nd, 2012
2:51 pm
Come on now, this was a challenge. The Bills got some talent. I give credit to scheduling ‘genius’ Mark R.. Get them in early before they get good. It was fun to beat Gailey again, like old times.
Rick James
September 2nd, 2012
2:57 pm
@GFJacket
September 2nd, 2012
2:24 pm
Rick, Stanford and Vanderbilt also offers liberal arts programs for bright athletes that may not do well in math and science. Tech does not. That is the difference. Tech is also a public university and has to answer to the Board of Regents. Since UGA now has an engineering school, perhaps Tech needs some liberal arts programs. Do you think Richt could recruit better than Johnson, if he were at Tech, given Tech’s requirements and academic limitations?
Tech is not “crying a river” about its situation. Tech will always be Tech. The question remains, given UGA’s situation, why are all the schools surrounding UGA winning NCs since 1980 (Clemson, Florida, Tech, Alabama, Tennessee, Auburn, LSU – – some multiple times). UGA should have a fistful by now
——————————————————————————————————————————–
In fact I do think Richt would be a better recruiter at Tech than CPJ because he’s a better recruiter period.Say what you want about Gailey but the last Tech win over Georgia came with his players.The last Tech player to be a first round pick in the NFL was a Gailey recruit.CPJ is not getting the caliber of talent at Tech that Gailey was.Bobby Cremins had no problem with academics,neither did Hewitt and nor is Coach Gregory.Why is there an academic crutch with Paul Johnson? The other SEC teams are winning national championships and Georgia has not because they’ve been better.No crying and no excuses they’ve just been better.But those teams have been better than everybody in the country. So what’s your point and why does how Georgia performs matter to a Tech fan? When Georgia lost to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl a few years ago it was it’s worst team in ten years.Tech won the ACC championship that year yet could not beat Georgia.As a Tech fan I would question why that happened instead what Georgia’s doing.No matter much or how little Georgia does they’re still ahead of Tech.natonal championship or not.
Big Crimson 75
September 2nd, 2012
3:02 pm
Wet Willie back from the dead!!!!
Roll Tide my friend!!
Tampa Gator
September 2nd, 2012
3:06 pm
@Wet Willie……(although I hate myself for responding to your ignorance and rudeness)
Jeff Driskel was 10-16 for 114 yards with 1 TD and no interceptions (threw the ball exceptionally well)….and ran the ball very well. Hardly a joke. Brissett was 3-5 for 36 yards and no INTs. Both played well. Florida had 62 offensive plays and ran the ball 41 times…..to get the power running game going….and they did. Penalties killed the Gators offense yesterday…..not either of the QBs. Driskel was not rated the #1 QB in the nation coming out of HS because he is a joke….and the same for Brissett…who was rated the #5 QB in the nation the same year. Driskel will continue to get better…..and will play in the NFL some day…..and Brissett may as well. But you just continue doing what you do…..which is spewing forth ignorance and ill will. You are good at that….and not much else.
Tampa Gator
September 2nd, 2012
3:10 pm
Make that 31 to 7 for Bethune-Cookman since the very moment CROWELL raved about “ME’ on the sidelines. Less ME in Athens now.
The Bear
September 2nd, 2012
3:19 pm
Crowell just got his oil checked!
Tim Scott
September 2nd, 2012
3:23 pm
This is exactly what is wrong with big time college football,never good enough. You won you won by 20+ yet it is not good enough nowadays. The same thing down in Gainesville (my team) they won yet everyone says they suck,the quarterbacks are awful,wide outs not working to get open,defense not emotional etc etc. At the end of the day it’s do you have more in W column or the L column? Winning is not always pretty does anyone remember the old saying sometimes its better to be lucky than good. In other words enjoy this win don’t be armchair quarterbacks nit picking things that you only think you understand.
It's all about expectations... and shattered dreams
September 2nd, 2012
3:24 pm
Duped. Yes, duped again.
I guess dwag fans are used to it by now, so maybe it doesn’t hurt quite as much.
Or maybe it does.
Really?
September 2nd, 2012
3:33 pm
schultz pandering to the sad hate filled losers like his “special” friend 5150. Wow! What a surprise. All the better to get more hits on his blog. That must be the same reason schultz allows 5150 and others of his ilk to make jokes about rape victims and the recently deceased with not even a warning.
Yet ken whatever closes comments on any textie blog that mentions how out of control those steroid junkies on north avenue are. Well on the rare occasion that the ajc actually runs a story about the many problems at the most crime ridden program in the south aka ga tech.
stay classy schultz. Hmmm maybe 5150 aka fried twinkie aka flat tire aka still at kool aid aka unlimited others are all actually schultz. All the better to iritate readers and get more hits and raise those ad rates.
#1 is as #1 does - same ole Crowell
September 2nd, 2012
3:34 pm
Crowell keeps taking himself out for “cramps.” Sound familiar?
Go ahead and sign the punk up for welfare and get him a shopping cart. That’s his future.
JW
September 2nd, 2012
3:40 pm
First game against a non-conference team. Georgia doesn’t want to show all their offensive and defensive packages. Plus key defensive players sidelined w/suspensions and injuries. Georgia will come out and bring the house against Mizzu! They just played basic striaght up ball yesterday – probably could have taken Buffalo a little more seriously but its hard to get ampted up for a team you’re a 30 point favorite. Murry wass just pumped and over through some receivers. He’ll settle in and find his rythmn.
FL dawg
September 2nd, 2012
3:43 pm
I think whoever put UGA at no.6 is smoking some opium. Murray acts like he’s on it the way he prances his pampered rear end around like he’s Mat Stafford. Hope I’m wrong but Michigan State made a helluva pick to get The best QB on the field in the Citrus Bowl. I hope Murray goes pro for the sake of UGA. I’m sorry, I respect Richt but he falls in love with the wrong players sometimes. I don’t give a rats butt how much time he spends in the film room. His sorry self should be out throwing deep routes, the kid aint Stafford, more like noodle arm Ryan.
The Truth
September 2nd, 2012
3:55 pm
The Boise State coach will Not leave. So don’t hope and pray he’s coming to Athens…..
Eric C.
September 2nd, 2012
4:00 pm
I see the early line is UGA -2 and I can understand that with so many doubts about defensive starters
Dawg-Nation
September 2nd, 2012
4:01 pm
There are a lot of idiots on this forum, some ignorant Dawg fans, others just trolls posing as Dawg fans. I was at the game; despite what this article and several others have claimed, NOBODY was booing the team. This is pure media sensationalism, thinking that it makes for a better story, never mind the fact that they were just making the “Booooo” sound for a player’s nickname.
The last touchdown was in garbage time, against a soft prevent and a bunch of subs. It was very obvious that Georgia could have scored again at the end of the game, even with their substitutes in, and very likely could have scored more than that had they left Aaron Murray and Gurley in in the fourth quarter. So if this game had ended 52 or 59 to 16, most of you are not making the ignorant comments that you are, despite the fact that it really would not have accomplished anything other than feeding the egos of a few overzealous fans who bought into a Las Vegas point spread.
At least we played a mediocre FBS team; Missouri is basking in their demolition of a horrible FCS team, who came in riding a 12 game losing streak and with a brand new coach. Now their fans are duped into thinking that they have really got something special; short memory spans, considering that they had a 69-0 win over a similar team last year… that was immediately followed by 2 losses.
It annoys me that so many so called “fans” don’t understand why coaching staffs hold back and don’t run many different plays and packages in a game like this. I can assure you, the Missouri coaching staff wishes that Georgia had your mentality, so that they could spend the week reviewing tape of everything that we have to offer.
Georgia will be fine. Some of you fans, however, I’m not so sure…
Eric C.
September 2nd, 2012
4:02 pm
If UGA is full strength on defense, would imagine at least a -7 or -8
Tom(Independent Viet Vet,USAF)
September 2nd, 2012
4:05 pm
Buffalo was better than expected or was the 4/5 defensive starters a big factor? My hope is that it was a little bit of both?
Eric C.
September 2nd, 2012
4:06 pm
Dawg-Nation, that’s a great point about the score. I was really hoping they would keep it at 16 because I knew the pessimists would make a big deal about giving up 20+. Unfortunately, the polls love a good blow-out.
Eric C.
September 2nd, 2012
4:08 pm
Tom, yes…Buffalo played a really clean game, no turnovers and made some great plays…they played like this was the biggest game of the year. Call them a poor team, but they have play-makers and played with a lot of heart.
Techster
September 2nd, 2012
4:15 pm
With all the arrests they’ve had, I don’t see how the dogs can even field a team. I mean aren’t about 25% in the hoosegow by now?
John
September 2nd, 2012
4:17 pm
Stop saying Murray was amped up. Look at the tape of the Boise State game last year…amped up? Look at every winning team he has played and lost to….amped up? Looking at the QB’s in yesterdays games in the SEC, there are 5 SEC QB that are miles ahead of Murray. He still hasn’t beat a team with a winning record.
DawgNole
September 2nd, 2012
4:20 pm
dawftired
September 1st, 2012
8:30 pm
Settle down folks. Our def front was not pushed around. Buff rb had 29 yds on 16 carries until Gilliard took a bad angle and gave up a 32 yd run on third and 6. LB also responsible for his one other long run. Take those away and he averaged around 2 ypc.
________________________
Whaddaya mean “take those away”? You CAN’T take them away, ignoramus, so why even bring up such a suggestion.
Dawg-Nation
September 2nd, 2012
4:25 pm
John – Do you just make up facts that you think sound good as you go along? Without looking any records up, I know for a fact that Georgia Tech had a winning record last season when we beat them. Aaron Murray is on pace to shatter nearly every QB record at UGA, whether you like it or him or not. Nice try though, troll.
Dawg-Nation
September 2nd, 2012
4:30 pm
DawgNole – His point is that 1 or 2 bad plays can skew a statistic badly. A defense can play lights out all day, and then have 1 or 2 busted plays that raise a yards-per-carry average by several yards. It doesn’t mean that the defense as a unit isn’t good, it means that a particular player has something he needs to work on and address. Relax.
jvillebil
September 2nd, 2012
4:36 pm
Dawg-Nation: Good comments, I imagine that most guys on here that make the nonsense comments nevered played or coached. You lose four or five starters on defense and the chemistry completely changes. Dawgs are going get stronger as the season goes.
Rick James
September 2nd, 2012
4:52 pm
@The Truth
The Boise State coach will Not leave. So don’t hope and pray he’s coming to Athens
————————————————————————————————————-
If he does leave he wont take a job east of the Mississippi river..
7576DAWG
September 2nd, 2012
4:55 pm
I hate to criticize Murray but after what we watched last year and against Buffalo why don’t we all have a warm fuzzy confident feeling about him ? Instead I hold my breath or close my eyes and pray on every play. Shouldn’t we feel different about our starting Quarterback? I don’t think I am alone.
He has been at Georgia for four years and this will be his 3RD year as the Quarterback. Why are there so many unanswered questions after that length of time and why has Richt not been able to see it. All I am saying is I want Murray’s hype and playing skills to catch up with his mouth. When he talks I really don’t think he is accepting any of the blame for poor play. He doesn’t think he is the problem at all. It’s always blamed on something or someone else. RICHT DEMAND MORE LEADERSHIP AND EXCELLENCE FROM YOUR QUARTERBACK.
I'm confused...
September 2nd, 2012
4:57 pm
First game, we won. Mistakes were there, but if you bail after the first game, you know nothing about sports.
Dawg-Nation
September 2nd, 2012
5:10 pm
To the worst of you doom sayers, let me point something out: In November of last season, Alabama took on FCS powerhouse Georgia Southern. Not only was it still a close game at half time, but Georgia Southern managed to roll up over 300 yards rushing and 21 points against the highly-touted Crimson Tide defense, who were in mid-season form. Did Saban panic? No, because his team won the game, by 24 points. Period. They certainly did not beat the spread, but they got the W. That attitude seems to have worked out pretty well for them in January.
James Elder
September 2nd, 2012
5:17 pm
They will never be a great time with Richt & Bobo.
DawgNole
September 2nd, 2012
5:23 pm
kingdaddy
September 1st, 2012
8:43 pm
I know this for a fact, sometimes teams play down to their competition. I believe this was one of those times.
________________
Just one more reason not to play garbage teams.
Billy
September 2nd, 2012
5:23 pm
Bear Bryant was a hard drinking cussing tough coach. but he would have taken these thugs and won’. not preached to them, he would have cussed to them. thats what they understand. get rid of the deacon richt.
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
5:25 pm
No body really commenting on the positives. That’s what sets the “REAL UGA FANS”apart from the folks that want change at any cost. Some of you morons can only point-out the negatives. This is something we have heard from many trolls for months on end. They never mention the improvment on Special Teams, or the fact that there was “NO TURN-OVERS”! MURRAY threw the ball @26 times completing 15 for 258 yds.! NO INTs…When was the last time we had only 5 penalities for just 22 yards? Why aren’t you so-called fans mentioning any of these improvments? On one of Buffalo’s first TDs, I watched their left Tackle grab Jarvis Jones jersey long enough to snap JJs head forward. JJ would have disrupted the pass for sure. No call, TD, Buffs. A real UGA fan sees the good and the bad. Fricking trolls…
kerryb
September 2nd, 2012
5:25 pm
We won the game 45-23 so everyone just shut up. I’m sick of the usual crap from naysayers and fair weathered fans. LSU won their game 41-14 against North Texas. I don’t hear anyone whining about them.
kerryb
September 2nd, 2012
5:27 pm
kingdaddy, I saw that too. Everyone I was sitting with saw that holding when it happened. Sorry SEC refs as usual.
georgiagirl
September 2nd, 2012
5:31 pm
We were not booing, we Wooooooooo Wooten, get it right I was there.
And Ken “Boo” Malcome
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
5:37 pm
DawgNole
I won’t be suprised if Buffalo has a pretty decent season. Who knows what will happen this year until the games are played? (Except for the amazing troll sage’s who claim UGA will lose 6 or 7 games this year, lol.) What complete tools hiding behind tard-names, just to bash the Doggies on the blog cause they can’t do it on the field…