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
Let's Laugh
September 2nd, 2012
12:17 am
Can I get a hell yeah. Auburn (Chizik) lost to the ACC today.
10-2 is a good year! Right?
September 2nd, 2012
12:18 am
@chase
But they did show their playbook. They run the same plays they run game after game, year after year. I know because I watch the games. It IS predictable. I know many times, and I’m sure others know too, if a run is coming, or play-action, or a draw, just from watching over the years and knowing the pattern. And if I can predict it, without the football experience that you hold superior over the rest of us, what does a full time SEC defensive coordinator see?
They may not have run some of the gimmick plays that we will probably see with Smith or Mitchell, but everything else we’ve seen before. Nothing “vanilla” about it. And how could they hope to hide anything from Mizzou? All Mizzou’s coaches have to do is watch the last 5 years of game film to learn the offensive gameplan.
And why are you accusing me of being a troll? I’m not the one who came on here with “As a former player and coach” bull, like that makes your opinion any greater than the rest of ours.
Hines Word
September 2nd, 2012
12:18 am
How about another trip to the pool?
The Bear
September 2nd, 2012
12:18 am
Big C agree trying to throw the ball with a QB that uses his feet bad idea.
1969 Graduate
September 2nd, 2012
12:21 am
Had we played Alabama what would have happened?
Had we played Clemson what would have happened?
I’m not sure that the team I say play today would have beat Michigan or Auburn either.
Fact is our University of Georgia Football Team is not being adequately prepared for the 1st game. I’m sure it’s possible because all four of the other teams I watched today were ready to play. Boise was ready to play last year, too.
We have excellent players for the most part, but we don’t have a team to compare with Alabama. Until we do, we’re not in the hunt. I’m fairly certain the responsibility to build a team rests with the coach. The coach has to assume that we’re going to encounter teams which are equally talented, or even more talented, both in terms of the players on the teams, and in terms of how they are coached, and figure out how to prepare a team to deal with them, and have a chance at a victory. Did the team we saw today look like such a team?
Will we improve? I suspect we will, but why would we not be quite ready for prime time by opening day? What happens if we face an first opponent stronger than Buffalo? What happens if we aren’t ready next week? I wonder what goals our coaches have for the University’s football team? Could it be that they were satisfied with last year’s record?
I think the article Jeff wrote is what needed to be said. We have special players, but we don’t yet have a special team. Not even close.
Go, Georgia. Beat Missouri!
Robert
September 2nd, 2012
12:21 am
Bama is just that good! I’m not a Bama fan. I can however appreciate a good team when I see one and they are good. I can’t imagine USC would have beaten that Michigan team that badly if at all. WVU was pretty impressive today picking uo where they left off and continuing their scoring that never ended against Clemson last year. Geno Smith looked good. Ohio State looked like an Urban Meyer team and umlike UGA he doesn’t allow his players to be mediocre and settle for good enough. Did anyone see Saban screaming at the punter for taking the delay of game with hardly any time on the clock? That’s what makes him different and way better than Richt. He’s passionate and enthusiastic and his players play the same way.
#FireRicht on Twitter!
GO DAWGS and drag Richt’s ass to the umemployment line while you’re at it!
FSU FAN
September 2nd, 2012
12:21 am
Duped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! HAHAHA
Dawg Whisperer
September 2nd, 2012
12:22 am
Last time I checked UGA had 4-5 starters on defense out. The reason why they’re starters is because they are BETTER. And that is not a bed time story.
Jeff, why are you surprised that you’ve been duped? That Socal education should have taught you that when several of the starters aren’t playing in key positions, there might be a difference in performance. Having said that, I believe the defense will continue to improve with the return of the starters. It’s the offensive line that concerns me the most.
An impressive win for the Bammers. If their fans wren’t so insufferable I could actually celebrate with them…. naw.
Let's Laugh
September 2nd, 2012
12:22 am
I’ve said it from a long time back. Michael Adams has a secret agenda for GA that is not football. It’s obvious that the current top brass do not want UGA to be an elite team. What educated person would keep Richt based on his marginal results most years.
Sick & Tired Of Being Sick & Tired
September 2nd, 2012
12:22 am
UGA playing for a national title this year???……some folks are believing the hype based on some of the comments on this blog……NOT ME!!!!!! LMAO
Start scheduling some quality opponents each year and I might start to buy into the hype!!!!
FSU FAN
September 2nd, 2012
12:23 am
8-4 at best
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
12:24 am
Quit ur whining dawg fans
Columbus
September 2nd, 2012
12:24 am
UGA hasnt “duped” anyone. The rest of the world is the one who has created the hype and expectations for every team, not the teams themselves. That being said, this was a practice game with half the defense not on the field, 5 freshman starters on the field and 13 true freshman playing. Weather the strom until Ogletree gets back and Rambo and Commings, Vasser and Mitchell. The season starts next week. Murray needs to become a championship QB. Its HIS team and he has the defense to win championships. No more excuses from Murray. Its his time. He needs to forget the NFL TOTALLY and concentrate on EACH game, stop missing receivers and NEVER throw INT’s again. All in all if UGA can weather the strom until they get HALF their defense back! They should be fine….It just the IF of weathering the storm…Lets go Dawgs! 2012 is a great oppurtunity. LEts grab and run with it and dont look back!
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
12:25 am
Fsu fans know all about 8-4 seasons for a decade now
SSIgator
September 2nd, 2012
12:25 am
Grading the two games I saw today:
Uf is not that good and they know it.
UGA is mediocre, but they don’t know it.
The Bear
September 2nd, 2012
12:26 am
@Dawg Whisperer cry somewhere else
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
12:27 am
Wow so insightful SSIdumbazz
Robert
September 2nd, 2012
12:27 am
If anyone wants to use the excuse that we had 5-6 players out on defense Bama fans could easily say they wouldn’t have given up any points if they hadn’t lost 7 players to the NFL draft. It’s an excuse and they plugged guys right into their system and beat Michigan by more than UGA did Buffalo. I’m a UGA fan but I refuse to be an irrational idiot and defend their horrible coaching and lack of preparedness!
#FireRicht on Twitter!
GO DAWGS and drag Richt’s ass to the umemployment line while you’re at it!
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
12:28 am
They don’t ave to be perfect u whiners….just win and play again next week
Columbus
September 2nd, 2012
12:28 am
FSU fan, we will kick your Seminoles into the next decade and you know it. I wish the Noles werent such wusses they wouldnt join the SEC. UGA 8-4 after playing a scrimmage game with 13 freshman playing? Talk to me next week when we play for real…see me after UGA goes to Columbia and spanks Spurrier and the Cocks, see me after UGA runs Tenn back to reality…Florida? Dont have a chance. thank God Muschamp is not our coach….Auburn? Still not enough offense….See you in the SEC Championship. UGA WILL get better AND BETTER EACH GAME AND ROLL INTO THE GEORGIA DOME IN THE SEC CHAMPIONSHIP READY TO WIN….
The Bear
September 2nd, 2012
12:29 am
What is the big deal here folks UGA won.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
12:29 am
Robert get a flipping life. Have fun on twitter whining all night
The Bear
September 2nd, 2012
12:29 am
They beat Buffalo
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
12:30 am
Feel better dawgs Oklahoma 7 UTEP 7 at halftime.
Robert
September 2nd, 2012
12:30 am
Gumps please learn how to type or spell and save us all from becoming dumber by having to decipher the garbage you are putting on this website and leave the conversation to us grown-ups.
Robert
September 2nd, 2012
12:32 am
I guess u dunt ave a clue huh? Gumps… You GD moron!
Sad Richards
September 2nd, 2012
12:32 am
These Richt apologists sure know how to slurp the kool aid…. hats off!
Robert
September 2nd, 2012
12:33 am
Good night rational people who wish for UGA to be an elite CFB program and to the rest of you please go to sleep with a plastic bag over your head and save natural selection the time!
#FireRicht on Twitter!
GO DAWGS and drag Richt’s ass to the umemployment line while you’re at it!
10-2 is a good year! Right?
September 2nd, 2012
12:36 am
It’s funny how there are 1) people who can already see the kind of team this will likely turn out to be, which is: talented but poorly coached, but with the benefit of a weak schedule that will make them look better than they really are until Alabama in the SECCG, and 2) the excuse makers who seem to be satisfied that the team they support did not, and has not for years, looked like a team that can play with college football’s elite.
But they are going to win that division. right?
The Bear
September 2nd, 2012
12:36 am
@Robert good night
cynicaldawg
September 2nd, 2012
12:37 am
Once again CMR does not have our team ready to start the season, you’d think we would be ready to play after last years embarrassment to Boise St. I wonder if our coach’s noticed that Alabama was ready to play and defend their title. It’s all about the coaching.
azdawg
September 2nd, 2012
12:42 am
When you compare the way AL defense beat down an explosive MI Offensive to the slavenly play of UGA’s over rated fat front four it makes all those media experts that continue to tell us how great jenkins and gathers are look like the idiots they really are. AL is head and shoulders a much better team all-around then GA. I see no improvement over last season’s team other than the bright spot on this team, Gurley. GA was sputtering on both sides of the ball much of the day. Murray is still the same. He has not improved. Yes, he hit some long TD’s but those plays were xelled out w/the over throws and sacks. Luckily, he didn’t toss any INT’s or fumble but the season is still very young and better teams are upcoming on the schedule. Both TG and MR didn’t have this team ready to perform. Unless there is a drastic turn around in GA’s play on both sides of the ball it’ll be another so so season w/no hope in sight for a SEC much less NC as long as CMR (a nice guy but no Sabin) is HC. TG didn’t impress either. Luckily we didn’t open w/BSU again. They would have embarrassed us again. That guy Petersen can coach along w/his asst’s. Grab them all before some other school does.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
12:45 am
Robert go wipe your tears you’re pathetic
10-2 is a good year! Right?
September 2nd, 2012
12:47 am
Look, I’ve been waiting since that debacle of the 2008 season for change and I’m still waiting because somehow Richt is still living off the 2005 and 2007 seasons and luckily backed into the championship game last season.
If a guy can’t take a team with the future #1 pick at QB, two other future first rounders, another NFL wide receiver, and who knows how many draft picks and 4-5 star recruits on the line and on defense and get it done, why does anyone think it will be any better?
Richt has peaked, the UGA program has peaked. It needs a fresh face and someone who really deserves a shot at competing in the SEC.
Loyalty kills
September 2nd, 2012
12:48 am
His loyalty to Silly Willy almost cost him…his loyalty to Bozo will cost him..and loyalty to Malcom and Samual will keep Gurly and Marshall on the bench when they should be the ONLY backs on the field! Loyalty ran Phat Fulmer outta town.
SSIgator
September 2nd, 2012
12:49 am
10-2 is a good year! Right? -
Save your breath. They can’t hear you while they are slurpping their Kool-Aid.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
12:53 am
All these dawg fans cryin bc they didn’t win by enough points, wishing they were Bama fans, I seem to recall Bama getting all they could handle from gsu last year and that was late in the season. Relax chicken little.
Big Crimson 75
September 2nd, 2012
12:55 am
Richt needs a win next week.
Dawg Reporter
September 2nd, 2012
12:55 am
For you geniuses who want Richt fired, just know that there would be a mass exodus of players who would transfer including Gurley and Marshall. Then a five-year rebuild job with multiple losses to UF, UT, SC and others. Richt isn’t the problem. He still has a very mediocre, emotionless offensive staff. Ever heard a Bobo interview? Guys play hard but slow up and lose focus. Inconsistency is the name of the broken record. He needs an enthusiastic coach added to the offense. That element is missing.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
12:57 am
Hey if u don’t agree with me ur just sipping kool aid. See how stupid that is?
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
September 2nd, 2012
12:59 am
Aaron Murray, once again, was not the better QB head-to-head. That’s now 13 quarterbacks who were better than he on the same field in the games. About half the time, other QB is better than Aaron Murray.
Aaron Murray had ANOTHER FUMBLE today. 24 in 28 games for his career.
What else is new ?
He also had 7 carries, like he is some great runner for us, or a dual-threat QB. Right. Career 1 yards a carry. Today no different.
Participation shows :
OGLETREE – neither played 1 snap ALEC – 4 game SUSPENSION
FATON BAUTA – redshirt
MARLON BROWN – held out protecting injury for Missouri
____________________________________________________________
We’re obsessed with Mizzou ranked # 42 lost whole team except qb & rbs
____________________________________________________________
SANDERS COMMINGS – 4 game SUSPENSION
Malcolm Mitchell – ankle sprain, not 1 snap
Zach DeBell – not 1 snap
Ty Frix – burned on return coverage missed tackle
KOLTON HOUSTON – NCAA violation, not 1 snap
HUNTER LONG, not 1 snap
HUTSON MASON – redshirt
DEXTER MORANT – not 1 snap
CONNOR NORMAN – burned repeatedly
BACARRI RAMBO – 4-game SUSPENSION
BRANDEN SMITH – burned repeatedly
DAMIAN SWANN – burned repeatedly
CHASE VASSER – Multiple game SUSPENSION
SHAWN WILLIAMS – burned repeatedly
Aaron Murray – ANOTHER SORRY FOOTBALL GAME
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:01 am
Another worthless post.
Congrats
Loyalty kills
September 2nd, 2012
1:06 am
@dawg reporter
Who hires and fires coaches? Think Mcgarity (sp?) would overrule an offensive coaching overhaul?
I tend to judge asst. coaches on how many other schools come calling to steal them away…the phone ain’t ringin…yet Richt still believes….finger can only point to one person.
Huh?
September 2nd, 2012
1:06 am
Look, I think it’s foolish for UGA fans to making excuses for why UGA didn’t play well today (startes missing…vanilla schemes…looking past a cupcake…etc.) The bottom line is that there is no excuse for not playing better and beating the crap out of BUFFALO.
I understand why UGA fans are doing it though. You only have 2 things you can do…either hope beyond hope that the team is better than they look and that through some miracle of God you can win a championship….or admit that UGA looks to be an average football team. UGA fans will never admit that…so bring on the excuses.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:07 am
I wonder if Wisconsin fans are calling for their coach o be fired after only beating north Iowa by 5? I doubt it.
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
1:15 am
Mike Bobo is still the OC at UGA BECAUSE HE IS MARRIED TO THE NIECE OF A GUY NAMED VINCE….
5150 UOAD
September 2nd, 2012
1:16 am
Wisconsin has a NEW QB not a 3rd year starter.
Loyalty kills
September 2nd, 2012
1:17 am
…wish it was Vaughn!
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
September 2nd, 2012
1:18 am
Gumps September 2nd, 2012 12:53 am
“All these dawg fans cryin bc they didn’t win by enough points”
___________________________________________________
No, Gumps. Once again, Mark Richt coached football players look LOST. We have no strategy. We obviously have 2 freshmen running backs who are NFL caliber, and we have them buried on the depth chart, while all Mark Richt can think about instead is that well what can I hide from # 42 Mizzou – when we all know what the real issue is that he has no DISCIPLINE on or off the field, no special teams (except for Chris Conley and Todd Gurley – both of whom EARNED starting jobs BEFORE today.)
We played like crud, Gumps.
Please make some excuses and tell me how you’re such a better fan, not admitting how poorly we obviously played, again.
We’ll never beat the top teams like this, and drop in the polls today.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:25 am
In ever said they played lights out or anything. I saw some good things and some things to work on. Thats all there is to it. They weren’t perfect, big friggin deal. It was buffalo. They were not ever going to lose that game. The dawns aren’t world beaters and that’s the reality. I don’t think richt needs to be fired because thet lost focus a few times and looked cruder the first game of the season. News flash, almost every team looked cruddy today. It happens. I for one look forward to more games and hopefully having a good fun season. I’m definitely not going to b!t<h and moan for the next 11weeks. Move on buddy. It's football. It's fun. Join the party.