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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– MLB’s drug policy too soft — teams should be docked wins
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1,006 comments Add your comment
BIGDAWGFAN
September 1st, 2012
7:40 pm
Steve
September 1st, 2012
5:24 pm
Some UGA fans, and almost all UGA haters crack me up. UGA is sloppy in the 1st half but wins, and they get bashed. However if UGA had won 55-0, it would be “well duh, look who they played!” Can’t win either way. Make comments good or bad after next Saturday night
YOU GOT THAT RIGHT STEVE
A-Ville Ranger
September 1st, 2012
7:41 pm
As much as I hate it, Grantham is EXTREMELY overrated by UGA fans. An objective look at his record suggest he’s not among the top 20 DCs in college football. Watching VanGorder’s Auburn defense in his first game at AU shows what a top DC can do with far less talent.
Joey
September 1st, 2012
7:41 pm
“Murray was amped up.”
*********************
So . . . F. Sinkwich, when does a 3rd-year starter get over the “amped up” stage?
Seriously? “Amped up” for Buffalo?
I hope Murray calms down for Mizzou . . .
Bg
September 1st, 2012
7:42 pm
No other team in the SEC had 5 players on defense suspended.
evil empire
September 1st, 2012
7:44 pm
don’t look like LSU is missing the honey badger so far…
LakeDawg
September 1st, 2012
7:45 pm
I’m disappointed. Yeah, UGA will pick it up next week and probably look like a different team. But that’s not the point. They talked all off season about this being a special season. The players said they passed on the draft for a shot at being the #1 D in the nation. That they weren’t playing the opponent, but playing for a goal. That there would be no letdowns. And then they let Buffalo push them around…BUFFALO!!! So its disappointing, because it shows me UGA’s players and coaches STILL…DON’T…GET…IT.
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
7:46 pm
Did ANY other top team look so bad against their $$$$$ for cupcake Win?
Gamecock in Georgia
September 1st, 2012
7:46 pm
And Dawg fans said we struggled against Vandy.
WOW that team looked awful today.
Top 5 defense gave up 23 to Buffalo!!!!!!!!
LakeDawg
September 1st, 2012
7:46 pm
Suspensions had zero to do with the Dline getting pushed around.
Eric C.
September 1st, 2012
7:47 pm
Poor Savannah St…getting slaughtered in the first quarter at oSu…what were they thinking?
Gurley's Goon
September 1st, 2012
7:47 pm
If memory serves me right, Bama (last year’s national champions) had a ‘less than inspired’ performance against Georgia Southern too right? Save your back-handed articles for CMR and staff til they actually LOSE a game ok?
hot diggity dupe
September 1st, 2012
7:48 pm
Such blind optimism. I root for UGA, NOT Mark Richt!
BIGDAWGFAN
September 1st, 2012
7:48 pm
Northern Iowa 21
(0-1, 0-1 away)
(12) Wisconsin 26
(1-0, 1-0 home)
HERE IS 1
realitycheck
September 1st, 2012
7:48 pm
UGA Grad ‘95…………….Spot on!
realitycheck
September 1st, 2012
7:48 pm
UGA Grad ‘95…………….Spot on!
Eric C.
September 1st, 2012
7:49 pm
Seriously, we know what the front seven is capable of…they’ll be alright. I’m more concerned with getting the rest of the guys back for the real games and hoping the OL can hold up.
Mel
September 1st, 2012
7:50 pm
If the story was filed at halftime, then by all means, bring out the naysayers. However, this was a much different team in the second half. That team will have to play 60 minutes next week or we’ll be running from the Show Me state. If UGA wins, however, how many of the ones screaming about how awful Georgia was this week will be out to sing praise? Man, I hate pre-season polls.
hot diggity dupe
September 1st, 2012
7:50 pm
Next year, McGarity should schedule Savannah St. for Mark Richt. Maybe he needs a bigger cakewalk…
Dwag Lover
September 1st, 2012
7:51 pm
As always, the dawgs are all pumped up for another run at the SEC and a national championship. The Kool-Aid is flowing in copious amounts as they make ready to mow down their cupcake opposition.
.
.
.
Wait, haven’t we heard this before… as in every year?
.
.
.
And before long the dreams will be just shattered illusions, victim to 3rd rate coaching, failed drug tests, DUIs, girlfriends beaten up, academic failures, and a half-dozen other reasons.
.
.
.
So let me be the first to say so long, farewell, ciao, adios, sayonara, and adieu to the whimpering puppies, whose only hope is… are you ready for this…
.
.
WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!!
billly
September 1st, 2012
7:51 pm
Buffalo was underated. They are a top notch MAC team. UGA did fine. Richt is the greatest coach in the history of UGA. We roll over Missouri.
Doug
September 1st, 2012
7:52 pm
UGA is going to be mediocre as long as Mark Richt & Company are in charge. He is a very nice man. Just an average football coach.
hot diggity dupe
September 1st, 2012
7:53 pm
Forget it. Instead of paying Division II teams to play us, why don’t we just change to a Division II school?
Maybe THEN “Coach” Richt can “lead” us to national championship!!!
BIGDAWGFAN
September 1st, 2012
7:53 pm
Dwag Lover = GT FAN
Strange Murphy
September 1st, 2012
7:53 pm
Yes! Georgia still has the dumbest fans is all college football.
Sad Richards
September 1st, 2012
7:54 pm
Same ole excuse from the Ridht apologist…. Yep Ive seen this movie too. Conner Shaw will eat our lunch. We will lose to Vandy, Tenn, and SC. Mark it down…..
BIGDAWGFAN
September 1st, 2012
7:54 pm
Strange Murphy AND THATS WHY U R HERE
hot diggity dupe
September 1st, 2012
7:55 pm
“Buffalo was underated.” – billy
HA! HA! HA!
Already with those kind of excuses??? Give me a break!
How do you give up 23 to a MAC team and then expect to “roll over” Missouri???
Sad Richards
September 1st, 2012
7:56 pm
Wonder how far we will fall in the polls. we are a laughing stock.
Crowell
September 1st, 2012
7:57 pm
GO DWAGS!
Crowell
September 1st, 2012
7:57 pm
GO DWAGS!
chilidawg
September 1st, 2012
7:58 pm
Not encouraging! The defense looked bad at times, and Murray was erratic at times (like last year). Glad I changed my plans to attend the Missouri game. On a positive note, there is only praise for Todd Gurly.
marc g
September 1st, 2012
7:58 pm
Jeff,
I was at the game and I couldn’t agree anymore. You pretty much summed up how game went exactly in my eyes.
Other than a few long throws, Murray definitely did not look like the man for the job, considering he’s a Junior this year and the numbers and experience he’s had in the past.
And as far as the defense goes, looking up at the tv during halftime to see Buffaloes leading rusher has 89 yards…that is definitely not the secondary fault.
I do believe retuning the defensive starters will make a world’s of difference, there still seems to be the issue of focus, also stated above.
Gurley was the highlight of the day for me, especially the kickoff return. I think we’ll be just fine at tailback for the next few years.
Good article.
Buffalo Biff
September 1st, 2012
7:58 pm
Coaches plan. Coaches motivate. And the end result, the product on the field, has an awful lot to do with their coaching skills.
Why does everyone get so upset with Richt when he keeps producing the same results? At least he’s consistent in a mediocre way. Y’all should be mad at whoever insists on keeping him as UGA’s head coach!
GFJacket
September 1st, 2012
7:59 pm
Win against Missouri and all will be forgiven. Two words Dog fans: Lighten Up. It was the first game against a tune up opponent.
Just think how bad Twerp fans feel – - they came close to losing twice today, to both William and Mary.
marc g
September 1st, 2012
8:01 pm
Oh and what is the deal with the concession lines.
Those people are slow as molasses and not to mention unorganized, somewhat like georgia’s progress over the last few years.
intheknow
September 1st, 2012
8:03 pm
Hey Lake Dawg….its you that don’t get it. Alabama got pushed all over the field by Ga. Southern last year and still won the NC….its clowns like you that don’t know sh_t about football shows your ignorance everytime you open your mouth!
BIGDAWGFAN
September 1st, 2012
8:04 pm
marc g you should have had the ref flag them foe (holding) you up
F. Sinkwich
September 1st, 2012
8:05 pm
Barners up by one.
Old southern joke:
“I was 10 before I figured out Auburn and Clemson aren’t states.”
BIGDAWGFAN
September 1st, 2012
8:05 pm
oops for
A-Ville Ranger
September 1st, 2012
8:07 pm
Eric7, how do we REALLY know the front 7 is the top unit most seem to think ? Truthfully they got pushed around in all 4 losses last year and today against a team that is even bad against the weak teams they usually play. Michigan St’s center just abused John Jenkins and he got pushed around again today. Buffalo wouldn’t have scored on Bama or LSU.
mark
September 1st, 2012
8:07 pm
We have the same little league offense I mean pittiful no high tech blocking schemes or running plays. and Murry is awful can’t throw over the middle ,he can throw long or attempt to and wide in the flat. against good d coaches our offense will be limited to throwing some long passes hoping to catch a few. we couldn’t runthe ball on Buffalo no idiot should believe we will run on anybody, I see losses to Aub,USC,FLA and possible vandy and tenn, they looked about as ready to play as they did last year at Boise,sign of a poorly coached team when every year they aren,t ready to play on game 1 . I say fire Mark Right today for bringing that slop in Sanford stadium again
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
8:08 pm
BIGDAWGFAN
September 1st, 2012
7:48 pm
Northern Iowa 21
(0-1, 0-1 away)
(12) Wisconsin 26
(1-0, 1-0 home)
HERE IS 1
——————————–
Wisconsin has a New QB and shouldn’t be ranked that high either.
UGa has a 3 year starter at QB
UGa is ranked to high as well.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
September 1st, 2012
8:09 pm
The kool-aid crowd has been duped
marc g
September 1st, 2012
8:10 pm
Big Dawg fan,
The movement in those lines were ridiculously slow.
I understand that kids were the ones running the registers, I’m just stating be more organized and have things running a little more smoothly.
When I simply order a pretzel and they have to run to the back for several moments, be a little more prepared.
You gotta remember, they’re still running a business.
BIGDAWGFAN
September 1st, 2012
8:10 pm
ok whatever you say 5150 you the man
5150 UOAD
September 1st, 2012
8:11 pm
billly
September 1st, 2012
7:51 pm
Buffalo was underated. They are a top notch MAC team.
=======================================
No they are not TOP NOTCH
they are picked 5th in their league
look at their record for the last 2 years.
BIGDAWGFAN
September 1st, 2012
8:12 pm
oh by the way flat tire is its sprite and rum here : )
BIGDAWGFAN
September 1st, 2012
8:13 pm
lol typo
Dawggusted
September 1st, 2012
8:16 pm
Typical Mark Richt team…over rated, over ranked, poorly coached, no disipline, unfocused, confused, bewildered, sloppy defense…business as usual…
Rick James
September 1st, 2012
8:17 pm
A win is a win..Sure it was against Buffalo but like me UGA was looking ahead to Missouri.Ignore the Tech and Bama trolls the guns will blaze in Columbia next week.