LIVE: Georgia looks to make quick work of Buffalo, move on
Thirty minutes to kickoff. Fans may want to get here quick before the blowout starts.
ATHENS — For the first time since November, I can begin a blog with, “Good morning from Sanford Stadium.” The Georgia Bulldogs plan to have the Buffalo Bulls for a light lunch.
Let’s get to the important stuff:
• 1.) It’s humid. I mean, really stupidly humid. My iPhone right now says 81 degrees (projected high in Athens: 93). But it feels more like a sauna on July 1 than the almost-fall cooling temperatures of Sept. 1. Logic suggests this will affect Buffalo more than Georgia, not that we would have attached any trace of suspense to today’s outcome even if it was 72 degrees with a soft ocean breeze. (The point spread is 37½. I say the Dogs cover. See the rest of my picks here).
• 2.) This is the first game for Russ, The Temporary Mascot, as Uga IX. I’m hoping this ascension to full time means the poor dog finally gets insurance benefits. I had to crack up at athletic director Greg McGarity’s statement the other day: “Russ has endeared himself to the Georgia people over the last three years. His dedication to duty when called upon has been exemplary and it’s fitting that he takes his place in the official line of Georgia mascots.”
People. The dog is in a crate. What’s he going to do? Make a break for it and hop a bus to Starkville?
(You may now commence with your cyber attacks on me for making Uga jokes.)
• 3.) This is a good chance for Georgia to test its depth on defense and try some players in different situations. Five defensive starters are expected to miss the game: Cornerback-wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell (sprained ankle), cornerback Sanders Commings (suspended two games for domestic battery), linebacker Chase Vasser (suspended two games for DUI), linebacker Alec Ogletree (violation of team rules) and safety Bacarri Rambo (violation of team rules). Georgia has never confirmed reports that the Olgetree and Rambo both failed drug tests or that they have been suspended (and for how long).
• 4.) I’m most interested to watch the Dogs’ offense, particularly the play of the offensive line (which I believe ultimately will determine what kind of season they have) and the effectiveness of freshman tailbacks Todd Gurley and Keith Marshall. As much as the excommunicated Isaiah Crowell was undone by off-the-field issues, most recently felony gun charges, he easily was the best running back the Dogs had.
That’s it for now. I’ll post any updates on the lineup and suspensions as warranted. Now, I may head down for a pre-game chat with Russ.
Welcome back to college football.
The cyber venting lines are open.
By Jeff Schultz
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1,078 comments Add your comment
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
4:05 pm
No turnovers, oh yeah.
SOS
September 1st, 2012
4:06 pm
Dang, Murray overthrew about 3 or touchdowns today.
KC
September 1st, 2012
4:06 pm
Where was Marlon Brown and Conley today? Did they catch anything?
Are olinemen injured?
ARdawg
September 1st, 2012
4:07 pm
The Gators look worse than UGA although thats no consolation
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
4:08 pm
Riches got to go
September 1st, 2012
3:52 pm
Dawgnole I will say again if you don’t like what’s going on move on to a different team. That’s not being an idiot that is just calling a spade a spade..if you feel like bashing ga on a message board is gonna get you heard by the AD your definitely one big IDIOT.. If you feel like this is attacking I’m sorry..I’m a dawg fan and a former ATHELETE that understands you don’t show your hand to some weak team..
_____________________
The bottom line is that you’re calling out those you perceive as idiots–while acting and writing like one yourself. How many times do you need to be told?
And if weren’t playing weak teams in the first place, we wouldn’t have to worry about showing our hand–or about having uninspired performances like today’s.
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
4:08 pm
LOL, Hope is the people that have been waiting at the pump for 4 years to have Obama pull up and fill their tank.
When all the Dawgs are back we’re gonna be fine, we’ll step up the play with the level of competition.
SaddenedFan
September 1st, 2012
4:09 pm
What a pathetic showing by the Bulldog “Faithful.” No wonder players like Nkimdeche, Foster, and Derrick Henry don’t want to come to Athens! Why play for a half full stadium of fan making a mild ruckus when you can go to Bama who fills the stadium and shakes the ground for the most worthless opponents. Anyone in red and black should be ashamed of themselves! Let’s hope we can at least make the stadium look half full at kickoff when Tennessee comes to town…otherwise, don’t complain when the Dawgs lose!
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
4:09 pm
Touchdown BG!!
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
4:09 pm
ARdawg
September 1st, 2012
4:07 pm
The Gators look worse than UGA although thats no consolation
____________________
Well, it might be just a little consolation.
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
4:09 pm
Great, nerds commenting on a Bulldog game. Win your own game, then talk.
Virginia Dawg
September 1st, 2012
4:10 pm
SOS – we were using two punters. Ericsson, the walk-on, for pooch kicks and Barber, the freshman scholly guy, punted one 57 yards.
FLA DAWG
September 1st, 2012
4:10 pm
HURLEY SCORES EARLY (AND OFTEN) IN UGA OPENER !!!!
DAWG OFFENSE OUTSHINES DAWG DEFENSE IN SURPRISE OPENER !!!
Too good not to beat the AJC editors to the punch Dawg Nation.
The O certainly was a pleasent surprise today. Against albeit a cupcake team they did quite well and about the way a very good team needing some tuning would begin a season against a cupcake team.
Even Bobo was impressive in playcalling. Murray had problems in his long pass that may have yielded two or three more TDs but that’s forgiveable in a first game of the season.
The D was expected to dominate throughout the game but they did not. They DID make adjustments and dominate later however and I think this is the mark of a very good team too.
Will it last? Is it for real? We will see. Mizzou is a tougher test and despite The Gamecocks disappointing performance (except for Lattimore) it will be the third step of the test for our Dawgs in the early season.
Bottomline, I liked what I saw for a first game (remember how we struggled with Ga. Southern a few yeas ago?) and hope the adjustments on both sides of the ball will be made to run the table. Here now is the real test of good coaching……………we have proven good talent and a team that can execute but needs some adjustments to be truly something special.
It is squarely on the shoulders of Richt, Bobo and Grantham.
We’ll see if they are good coaches or not very soon.
CONGRATS DAWGS and DAWG NATION !!
Savh dawg
September 1st, 2012
4:10 pm
Did Jay Rome play at tight end?
Junkyard dawg
September 1st, 2012
4:11 pm
In Grantham’s defense, it’s hard to coach real well when you don’t know exactly which players you have. He will build on today’s game really really well. He has great talent and will have the best defense in the SEC (statistically) by week four.
rabbit
September 1st, 2012
4:11 pm
Todd Gurley nickname=tobacco road terror! What y’all think?
VADAWG
September 1st, 2012
4:11 pm
Murray was pressing early on, however ZERO turnovers. He did overthrow two wide open receivers, however we did have two touchdown passes dropped one by KM and the other by RW
Big Crimson 75
September 1st, 2012
4:11 pm
SaddendedFan — uga has some tools supporting their boys!!
One minute, their the greatest – the next minute, the Apocalypse is here!
Virginia Dawg
September 1st, 2012
4:11 pm
Glad to hear the broadcast team giving Bennet some kudos.
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
4:12 pm
When all the D is back and the level of competition gets tougher the Dawgs will step up their game. Unless you’ve been a serious athlete or coached you realize the season is long and a series of emotional ups and downs. Dawgs are gonna be just fine and in the SEC championship game in Dec.
Bad Dawg
September 1st, 2012
4:13 pm
I’m still trying to figure out how in the heck Mark Richt is still our coach. I don’t understand this love fest dawg nation has with the guy. If I was McGarity I’d be on the phone with Chris Peterson asap. Did you see how Boise hung in there tough against Michigan St? And they lost like 18 starters from last years team. Boise probably would have beat UGA yesterday and that is just sad. Time for an elite coach in Athens to get the job done.
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
4:13 pm
SaddenedFan
September 1st, 2012
4:09 pm
What a pathetic showing by the Bulldog “Faithful.” No wonder players like Nkimdeche, Foster, and Derrick Henry don’t want to come to Athens! Why play for a half full stadium of fan making a mild ruckus when you can go to Bama who fills the stadium and shakes the ground for the most worthless opponents. Anyone in red and black should be ashamed of themselves! Let’s hope we can at least make the stadium look half full at kickoff when Tennessee comes to town…otherwise, don’t complain when the Dawgs lose!
___________________
Looked nearly full at kickoff to me. Another idea is to play decent OOC opponents so you’re not stuck with a crappy TV time slot. Noon in 90-degree heat is not something everyone can endure.
azdawg
September 1st, 2012
4:13 pm
GA over rated at this point in season. Yes, they win but still not consistent on offense and defense looked gassed and also gave up big plays. Gurley is a bright spot but needs some practice on blocking for Murray. Hopefully def will look better when all the suspended players return. Swann looked good though and did well on punt returns. Hope Thius’ ankle is not serious and others as well. Will have to play a lot better on both sides of the ball vs MO and rest of sec oppponents.
VADAWG
September 1st, 2012
4:13 pm
Big Crimson, you are correct my friend, there are a bunch of tards on here.
FLA DAWG
September 1st, 2012
4:13 pm
Gurley scores early (and often) !
O shines while D made adjustments in surprise opener.
No one misses Crowley with Gurley.
Gurley looks more like Herschel than Crowell ever did.
Some possible headlines you may soon read.
GREAT JOB DAWGS !!
collegeballfan
September 1st, 2012
4:14 pm
I just listened to the game on the radio but it sounds like Girley is the real deal.
John
September 1st, 2012
4:14 pm
Murray didn’t throw to a tight-end today (He hasn’t in 2 years, he can’t see them) How many did he overthrow? underthrow? how many sacks he took for negative yards? Definetly losing to Tenn. SC. Mizzou, FL and Auburn are close games. Murray is the same as last year, big numbers against losing teams, no wins verses a winning team yet.
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
4:14 pm
Great comments FLA DAWG
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
4:15 pm
Enter your comments here
Rantastic Dawg
September 1st, 2012
4:16 pm
Rabbit
Play Donovan’s “Hurdy Gurley Man”, Bad A$$ tune. I know it’s Hurdy Gurdy, but it’s a cool song.
KC
September 1st, 2012
4:16 pm
LOVIN that Guerley TD.
Start hard right, hits the pile, keeps his feet moving.
Uses his vision, sees an opening, darts left.
Stiffarms defender No 1 to the ground and turns upfield.
Stiffarms defender No. 2 to the ground and turns on his track speed.
Then he outruns everybody.
WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, WOW, that’s ESPN TOP 10!!!
FLA DAWG
September 1st, 2012
4:18 pm
j,
It may have been a cupcake team we played but our boys executed and adjusted better than they have for over three years in an opener in my opinion.
For the first time in years I have hope.
Against Mizzou and SC we’ll soon see.
UT is obviously better than most thought so our season may have just become a bit tougher.
GO DAWGS !!
DCDawg
September 1st, 2012
4:18 pm
Thought Gurley’s 100 yard kick off return was also ESPN top 10, could Gurley have 2 ESPN top 10 plays in his first game?
John
September 1st, 2012
4:19 pm
We know defense will improve game to game under Todd G. but can you say the same for the offense and Mike Bobo? How long has Bobo been UGA offensive coordinator 6 years? How does he keep his job? Bobo should give seminars on the subject, he would make millions!
TalaDawg
September 1st, 2012
4:19 pm
Ridiculous. Murray is not a big time QB. And, why year-in, year-out are the freshmen always better-looking than upper-classmen. WE COACH KIDS DOWN, not up!
LakeDawg
September 1st, 2012
4:20 pm
Two things: 1) Gurley is a beast. Strong, fast, and agile. 2) The Dawgs are poorly coached.
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
4:20 pm
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
4:03 pm
Sometimes hard to get up for an uninspiring opponent. Kind of like swatting at a spesky mosquito until you finally just squash him.
_____________________
You nailed it right there. That’s why I hate playing teams like this.
DCDawg
September 1st, 2012
4:20 pm
ATHENS, TAILBACK U IS BACK!
TODD GURLEY, WELL DONE SON!
John
September 1st, 2012
4:21 pm
Bad news UGA fans: Gurly will only get worse with more UGA coaching. It happens everytime, they will coach him down.
CHDawg
September 1st, 2012
4:21 pm
Can we move Gurley to tackle?
RQ
September 1st, 2012
4:21 pm
Christian Robinson got beat so many times today I lost count.
He’s awful.
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
4:22 pm
KC
September 1st, 2012
4:16 pm
LOVIN that Guerley TD.
Start hard right, hits the pile, keeps his feet moving.
Uses his vision, sees an opening, darts left.
Stiffarms defender No 1 to the ground and turns upfield.
Stiffarms defender No. 2 to the ground and turns on his track speed.
Then he outruns everybody.
___________________
And drops the ball before crossing the goal line. But hey, he’ll hear about it and learn from it. Just glad the refs didn’t notice.
TalaDawg
September 1st, 2012
4:22 pm
@saddenedfan – Alabama is opening against Michigan. That is their general tendency
KC
September 1st, 2012
4:23 pm
He didn’t drop the ball, he was in the end zone…
John
September 1st, 2012
4:24 pm
RQ: Christian Robinson is one of CMR favorites, he will always start in front of the better player.
DIT
September 1st, 2012
4:24 pm
Hate 1st games. glad it’s out of the way. Can’t gauge this team based on what happened today. Let’s see what they look like against Mizzou. We will see what kind of character they have after that game.
Devil's Advocate
September 1st, 2012
4:25 pm
I learned a long time ago that it is wasted effort complaining about how the Dawgs looked against a weak opponent. At the end of the day they won 45-23 while testing the waters on offense. They were trying something different every possession just to see where they were. Imagine if the gameplan actually revolved around leaning on the RBs led by Gurley and then Murray making plays through the air when required?
UGA’s offense appears to have balance that we haven’t seen since Stafford-Moreno. The good news about that is Murray doesn’t have to be the man anymore and so we shouldn’t see as many bad turnovers out of the QB position.
I don’t think Bama fans were crying when they beat FCS Georgia Southern 45-21 at home last November after the team was well oiled. They only won the BCS Championship 2 months later. The irony is that GSU’s 21 points was the most Bama gave up to ANY opponent last season.
Get a clue then get a life people.
DawgNole
September 1st, 2012
4:25 pm
jvillebil
September 1st, 2012
4:12 pm
When all the D is back and the level of competition gets tougher the Dawgs will step up their game. Unless you’ve been a serious athlete or coached you realize the season is long and a series of emotional ups and downs. Dawgs are gonna be just fine and in the SEC championship game in Dec.
__________________
Hope you’re right. Hard to measure much after playing an opponent like Buffalo. We should know a lot more after the trip to Mizzou.
10-2 is a good year!
September 1st, 2012
4:25 pm
No faith in the UGA coaching staff to do anything different this season. Dollars to donuts Bobo will not adjust his playcalling to Gurley and Marshall, who should get 15-20 touches apiece from here out, then Malcome should also get carries when he gets back. Murray is overhyped and makes bad decisions in close games.
Establish the run and play defense. Formula for championship football since the beginning.
But I have little faith that Richt and Bobo will adjust.
MRSCC
September 1st, 2012
4:25 pm
Hey Mark richt, if you don’t start handing the ball to #3 about 20x a game, you ain’t as smart as I thought.
Left Coast Dawg
September 1st, 2012
4:27 pm
@john – if you have nothing but negative things to say, why not find another blog where people actually care.