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
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:26 am
And ga has a new off line a 5 starters out. U thought they were going to be world beaters? Get over it. Move on.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:29 am
We played like crud! Fire everyone!
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
1:29 am
Yahoo! headlines read: “ALABAMA (#2) POUNCED EARLY AND SHOWED MICHIGAN (#8) DOESN’T BELONG AMONG NATION’S ELITE.”
Those are NATIONAL HEADLINES. UGA ISN’T THERE!!!
Where does that leave Mark Richt’s UGA (#6)? WHERE ARE OUR NATIONAL HEADLINES???
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:30 am
The good news is next week is a whole new game and they get another shot to improv. I heard one time that teams can improve over the course of a season. Crazy, I know.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:32 am
Move to Alabama get yourself a houndstooth purse, dupe.
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
1:32 am
10-3 University of Northern Iowa played in the Quarterfinals of the bowl championship.
Buffalo bulls were 3-9 and 2-10 the last 2 years
Gumps, are you trying to make yourself feel better about UGA’s performance against such a CUPCAKE of their own division, Buffalo bulls ?
You make me sick Gumps
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
1:32 am
I wish Bobo’s Uncle was VINCE LOMBARDI! At least then he would be JUDGED ON MERIT, NOT ON MARRIAGE!
Loyalty kills
September 2nd, 2012
1:32 am
They are there…”UGA has multiple suspensions for season opener”.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:33 am
“where are MY headlines?” tears tears tears cry whimper cry
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
1:35 am
By the middle of the year when the suspensions are done and everybody is playing, UGA will be a load and all you toads know it. No arguement, just play ball. We will be more than ready for a sinking S.C. program. Haters, get over yourselves, you got zip…
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:36 am
Oklahoma is only beating utep by 10…….fire bob stoops!
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
1:38 am
Gumps, get yourself a Mark Richt pillow and go to sleep. I SUPPORT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BULLDOGS! NOT MARK RICHT!!
Dear Florida State,
PLEASE HIRE OUR COACHES SO WE CAN START FROM SCRATCH! I DON’T CARE IF IT TAKES FIVE YEARS TO REBUILD! CHRIS PETERSON CAN DO IT IN THREE!!!!
Yours truly,
A LOYAL UGA GRAD AND SUPPORTER
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
1:38 am
Gumps September 2nd, 2012 1:30 am
“The good news is next week is a whole new game and they get another shot to improv. I heard one time that teams can improve over the course of a season. Crazy, I know.”
_____________________________________________________
So, what you’re saying is that we played like crud. So, get over yourself as a better fan than I. You’re not. Quit with the EXCUSES, Gumps.
We haven’t improved over the course of the CURRENT TODAY 7 years.
After beating Auburn # 9 way back in 2006, we have not beat one single team who made the Top 10. And, although we don’t play one in 2012; we would clearly lose again if we did.
Over the course of the season, the same mistakes we made in 2006 losing to 2-win Vandie whose 2 wins were over only 0-12 Duke and 1-11 Temple, we’re making again this season.
What I’ve heard is that if you have issues, you face-up to them, admit it, and FIX IT. You can’t do any of the 3 steps.
NONE.
Loyalty kills
September 2nd, 2012
1:40 am
On a side note.. The NCAA seems so concerned with player safety. So when are they going to put a rule on how much hair a kid can fit under a helmet (granted I am a jealous balding 40 year old). Helmets are popping off because you can only fit so much of a mop in those things.
I bet that personal foul wouldn’t have been called on Vandy had the South carolina players helmet not come off..thanks to that Predator hair he was supporting.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:40 am
U do understand the difference between FCS and FBS, right? As in, north Iowa is an FCS school, and buff is FBS….know what that means dumbazz?
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
1:43 am
kingdaddy September 2nd, 2012 1:35 am
“By the middle of the year when the suspensions are done and everybody is playing”
____________________________________________________________________
How is everybody going to be playing with 31 players have transferred-OUT of this program of Mark Richt’s leaving us only 67 scholarship recruits plus a transfer-in LESS all the 4-games SUSPENSIONS and 2-game SUSPENSIONS and NCAA violator.
You must be drunk, again ?
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:44 am
No one is challenging your fan hood Francis, I’m just saying you’re an unrealistic whiner having a knee-jerk reaction to a game that looked a lot like a firt game of the season
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
1:45 am
Good Lord son,
You are the 1 trying to make UGA look good because a Quarterfinals FCS team played Wisconsin well, too.
Duh.
Buffalo bulls moved from FCS to FBS in 2006, you know the last time we beat a team making any top 10 poll in the FBS ?
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
1:48 am
Don’t get Gumps all flustered with facts–he’ll end up taking a MASSIVE GUMP all over this blog…
Hee Haw!!!
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:49 am
Life will go on buddy, there are a bunch more games to watch try and enjoy them. Or you can always twitter at #firemarkrichttheskyisfalling lol
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
1:49 am
hot diggity dupe September 2nd, 2012 1:38 am
“Gumps, get yourself a Mark Richt pillow and go to sleep. I SUPPORT THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA BULLDOGS! NOT MARK RICHT!!
Yours truly,
A LOYAL UGA GRAD AND SUPPORTER”
_______________________________________________________
Is it not clear by now that Gumps feels it is his appointed DUTY to tell everyone like yourself that he is a better fan than you, and that that then is his only point EVER – forget your points that Mark Richt has done NOTHING but bring us BAD PRESS.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:51 am
Trying to make uga look good? Wtf are u talking about? I was pointing out that lots of good teams struggle on week 1. it’s not rocket science.
Gumps
September 2nd, 2012
1:54 am
Just stating the obvious Francis, you’re a whiner. Some people move forward in life, and others b!tch and moan.
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
1:59 am
Watching the Michigan quarterback try to throw a pass reminds me of watching Aaron Murray try to throw a pass. I see Aaron Murray against a 3-9 and 2-10 the previous 2 years Buffalo bulls team we paid one million dollars to play us before the 1st NON-SELLOUT of a home opener at Sanford Stadium since back in the nineties, completed a SMALLER PERCENTAGE of his passes today than he did in coming in # 72 in pass completion percentages last year, nationally. Both quarterbacks are too small and have horrible footwork, yet think they can throw a pass.
All afternoon long, Aaron Murray POUTED back there, slamming his hands to the turf after once-again, over-throwing a wide open receiver.
57 % completions against hapless CUPCAKE one-million dollars to even play us Buffalo bulls a 3-9 team or 2-10 team whose best player was SUSPENDED. They did better against our defense than we Aaron Murray would have.
I thought Aaron Murray was supposed to throw 67 % completions like AJ McCarron did last year ?
If this is all he can do against this cupcake, what happens when we play Alabama in The SEC Championship Game only because we play only sorry South Carolina while South Carolina plays Arkansas impressive, LSU impressive, Clemson impressive and us NOT IMPRESSIVE.
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
2:03 am
Some people make EXCUSES in life and never face-up to the truth while holding everyone else in the entire known world as not as good a fan as you feel you are. Others actually have expectations in life, and hold themselves to a higher standard.
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
2:08 am
Currently etc…
You are such a dumba$$. We won our game by 22 playing vanilla with a crap load of freshmen. When we get to your lame team, whoever that is, lol, we will beat the brakes off of you. You are a loser because you don’t want anyone to know your team. Until you tell us your team, STFU…
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
2:11 am
Again, I’m not as good a fan or any of the myriad of others – about 300 posters here – as you because you say so, yet – you admit you are drunk now posting here as you always are, and you repeatedly tell us you don’t go to the games.
What’s my team ?
UGA, BBA. Top 5 % graduating class. Honors. Walk-on. Seasons’ ticket holder and legacy seasons’ ticket holder. Been to many away games, and bowl games too; and, have been to 25 JAX games.
Oh, but you’re a better fan and would I please fess-up who my team is.
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
2:12 am
Well said, Currently today…
Gumps, when was the last time you saw a Mark Richt team play as well as Alabama did tonight?
Or, when was the last time you saw a Mark Richt team beat a team ranked in the top 10?
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
2:13 am
Don’t act stupid kingdaddy.
You know all that.
You knew it before your WEAK argument that you’re a better fan than I BS when we’ve been all through this and you ADMITTED repeatedly that I am a REAL BULLDOGS football fan.
Remember ?
Want I should post your post to this blog, son ?
I also recall everything about you. Top 5 % UGA grads can do that.
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
2:17 am
BTW, kingdaddy and Gumps:
How does it feel after ‘Currently today…’ just took you to the shed?
Seriously…that JUST happened.
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
2:19 am
dupe :
Last time we played like Alabama tonight ? vols in 2001 David Greene, all Jim Donnan’s recruits, beating # 4 vols to “knock the lid off the program” Mark Richt proclaimed, only to lose 4 games 2001 including to unranked at game time Boston College in the music city bowl.
Other than that game, DJ Shockley beat # 6 LSU in 2005 but Mark Richt exclaimed that Joe Tereshinski III was a GREAT QB and would beat Florida, then rushed DJ back to try to beat Auburn, then fell behind at Sugar Bowl that never happened at the Georgia Dome (kingdadddy, sir) 0-28 before we could quit booing Mike Adam$ and his wife losing that too, to end up # 3 SEC team every poll 2005, then 2006 # 9 Auburn.
3 wins vs teams making the top 10, dupe, out of 16 games for Mark Richt. 19 % win percentage. Only Missy State and Vandie have fewer wins over teams who made the top 10 than Mark Richt after 2005.
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
2:22 am
Ohhhh, I’m scared now. You think someone like you is a fan, a true fan? A 5%ter? All you are is a hater of this program. That’s all you’ll ever be. That and a loser…
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
2:22 am
Spoken like a Top 5% BBA. UGA is proud, sir!
I don’t hear anything from kingdaddy (ha!) or Dumps…I mean, Gumps.
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
2:23 am
Kingdaddy (and I mean that with all due sarcasm), it’s time for you to go to bed.
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
2:29 am
2012 – 30 transfers-out 6 suspensions playing like crud not starting obvious better players
2011 – played 4 teams who made any top 25 lost all 4
2010 – have to go back 58 years to 1953 to find UGA team lost more games
2009 – Joe Cox junk season from Hell
2008 – Fulmer Cup national championship # 1 every poll ended # 13 AP Poll, played 3 teams who beat a team who made the top 25, gave up 22, 42, and 29 consecutive points losing all 3. Had we started out # 13 where we ended, would not have been ranked 2008 either.
2007 – LSU beat 2 teams who made the top 10 we beat none. We lost to 6-6 USCe not even in a bowl game.
2006- made Matthew Stafford # 3 on depth chart, like he’s doing with our freshmen running backs this season, and our freshman fullback, and our tight end who dares to want to play basketball lost to 2-win Vandie lost – not worth reviewing all the losses, did beat # 9 Auburn (last good win.) 2006 season was now today 7 seasons’ ago.
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
2:30 am
If UGA loses, I’m wrong. Eventually, we will lose, but not next week. Let’s see what the polls say this week. Doubt we will fall much. We beat Missouri then we coast till S.C. You hate the Dawgs success. You can’t handle it, too bad. Get used to it. Seems like a top 5% grad would know better, lol…
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
2:32 am
I am not a hater of this program whose games you do not even go to; I am a hater of what has happened to this program whose games you do not even go to.
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
2:34 am
“Doubt we fall much.”
I speak the English language fluently enough to know that you just said we played like crud.
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
2:35 am
I’m supprised your moms let you play on the computer this late, lol. What does it matter to you what UGA does? You aren’t a fan anyway, just another troll who UGA beats on a regular basis…
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
2:36 am
We beat Mizzou ? I mean wow. Ranked # 42 today Mizzou. A team who has maybe 50,000 fans at most of their games. A team # 56 in wins over the current 3 decades. A big xii team who had 5 losses, then lost their entire team except their running qb and their running backs. Then, cruise.
Cruise ?
You mean like we did this afternoon, Mr. Drunk I don’t even go to the games.
Under The Bleachers
September 2nd, 2012
2:39 am
Grading The SEC teams opening weekend
USC-C-
Vandy- C
Auburn-B-
UGA- C-
UF-C
Tenn-B
LSU-A-
Alabama A-
Missour-A-
Miss.St-B
Ole Miss- B-THEY Won an opening game
Arkansas- D
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
2:40 am
Who have we beat regularly ?
_______________________________________
WON / LOST RECORD after 2005 :
_______________________________________
# 1. .8025 at 65-16 LSU*
# 2. .7805 at 64-18 Florida*
# 3. .7286 at 51-19 Alabama*
# 4. .7051 at 55-24 Auburn*
# 5. .7037 at 57-24 Missouri*
# 6. .6875 at 55-25 Georgia* # 6 of just 2012 SEC
_______________________________________
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
2:42 am
UGA C -
?
I want to take your classes.
You must be grading on a curve, compared to what you usually look like playing a football game.
F
William Kitchens
September 2nd, 2012
2:45 am
The Bull Dog network interview with Richt at halftime said it all… there was no fire or embarrassment in his voice… Sure we’ll probably win the East and then settle for that.
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
2:45 am
Take some Midol, it might help with your cramps and depression, lol. Oh yeah, and while you are,at it, find a team that makes you happier. You made my day with your fantasy bs. You & Dope have fun, I’ve got better things to do than waste my time with a troll like you…
Under The Bleachers
September 2nd, 2012
2:47 am
They got a C because of Gurley and getting him to sign with UGA, without his two big plays today it would have been a long day for UGA fans, whom I may add BOOed their team during the 2nd and 3rd qtrs.
kingdaddy
September 2nd, 2012
2:48 am
Thomas
I’m glad they let you out of the nuthouse. I missed you…
Under The Bleachers
September 2nd, 2012
2:49 am
There were numerous teams in the top 25 who looked average opening weekend.
hot diggity dupe
September 2nd, 2012
2:51 am
Kinglady–I mean, kingdaddy (I just can’t type that with a straight face),
Yes, you are wrong. I’m glad we finally agree.
Now, seriously–go to bed. Your arguments are hollow and (more importantly) boring.
Even more boring than Bobo’s play calling.
Under The Bleachers
September 2nd, 2012
2:51 am
Auburn just looks like they will have a very long year if they cannot find a qb who can make mid range pass completions.