Georgia starts slow, then writes winning script (UPDATED)
If Dogs' comeback wasn't big enough statement, this was.
(UPDATED: 1:15 a.m.)
COLUMBIA, Mo. — By the time this night was over, Georgia had to be more than just somebody else’s memory.
Decades from now, there couldn’t be any warm-and-fuzzy storylines about how some newbie won its first SEC game, because the flip side to that would be that the Bulldogs had lost it. There couldn’t be the tale of how a long-standing program (Georgia) had stumbled in its conference opener for the third straight season, this time falling to a program (Missouri) that some questioned was even worthy of this leap.
But by the time the evening ended, Georgia didn’t have to worry about that. The Dogs had several early hiccups Saturday. They turned the ball over. They committed penalties. They trailed as late as 20-17 with less than three minutes left in the third quarter. Then they changed the script.
The Dogs scored the final 24 points of the game. They scored 38 in the final 30:30 of the game after managing only a field goal in the first 29:30. They won 41-20.
It’s too early to know if Georgia is a great team. But that is how great teams react. They take over games and look like they’re ready for the moment, especially when the opponent looks like it isn’t.
As the game ended, Georgia fans in one corner of Memorial Stadium, chanted, “Old man football! Old man football!” The reference was to the Missouri player who had mocked their style.
Big mistake by the Tigers. Fond memory for the Bulldogs.
“We all heard it — that was great,” quarterback Aaron Murray said.
“”Hilarious,” wide receiver Marlon Brown added.
Defense held Dogs in it until Aaron Murray got going.
It was 3-3 until late in the second quarter. Brown said, “I was thinking, ‘Wow, this really is ‘old man football’ — for both teams.”
But Georgia drove to a touchdown with 30 seconds left in the first half, and suddenly it couldn’t be stopped. In one stretch they scored on five of six possessions (four touchdowns and a field goal), although the last two touchdowns of the game were gimmes, set up by Missouri turnovers caused by linebacker Jarvis Jones: an interception and return to the Mizzou 1, and a sack and forced fumble at the 5.
“I think we showed people we can play,” Jones said. “In the first half, they threw a variety of punches at us, they showed us everything they had. In the second half we were more comfortable. And we made plays.”
Meanwhile, the Tigers unraveled. It started with their head coach, Gary Pinkel. He called for a fake punt early in the fourth quarter when Georgia led only 24-20. Some might call that the element of surprise. In reality, it was an awful message to send his players. It was like telling them, “We can’t win this playing normal football.” There is nothing wrong with calling a fake punt, but not at that point of the game.
Also, it failed. Punter Trey Barrow was stuffed on a fourth-and-11 run by Sheldon Dawson at the Tigers’ 38. The Dogs converted that into a field goal and outscored Missouri 17-0 from that points.
Jones: “That was a big turning point for us.”
Nobody went into Saturday expecting a blowout win. Georgia showed flaws last week against Buffalo (soft defensive line, off-target quarterback), was missing bodies (four defensive starters suspended) and was playing on the road against a solid opponent that obviously was pumped for its SEC debut.
But the one thing nobody in Athens wanted or expected was a reminder of last season’s first significant test of the season. Remember the Boise State game? The Bulldogs looked outcoached and overmatched physically by a perceived inferior team that night. They trailed 28-7 in the third quarter and lost 35-21.
That’s sort of what it looked like for a half (or more) against Missouri. The offensive line didn’t block well. Murray was off target. He frequently overthrew receivers, and the one time when he underthrew a receiver (Brown), the pass was intercepted — and on the first play after Georgia had recovered a Missouri fumble.
There were other problems. Malcolm Mitchell belatedly and foolishly decided to field a punt on a bounce and in traffic. Of course, he got hit and fumbled. The Dogs finished with 12 penalties, including five false starts. There were dropped passes. Placekicker Marshall Morgan made 52-and 41-yard field goals but missed an extra point and had another ricochet in off the upright.
But defense, despite also having some bumps, kept the Dogs in it until Murray and the offense got going. With Georgia trailing 20-17, Murray completed consecutive passes to Brown (40 yards), Michael Bennett (22) and Brown (11) again, the last one for a touchdown and a 24-20 lead.
Missouri panicked. It didn’t look ready for the moment. Pinkel’s fake punt backfired. It was over.
This memory was all Georgia’s.
By Jeff Schultz
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687 comments Add your comment
Cobb Dawg
September 9th, 2012
10:59 am
Good win…….any SEC win is. Mizzou was geeked but tight. Had a couple of great plays exposing our thin (for 2 more games) D. Murray has to get more consistent. I think he will as the O line improves. What ever happened to inside screens?
Travis
September 9th, 2012
11:00 am
The reason Bama fans don’t hold a sign up is because the #1 ranked team is not proud of that pitiful performance, now do you understand, Nancy?
ATLNative
September 9th, 2012
11:00 am
Erk and Munson would have loved that 4th qtr and I hope they saw it!
The Stork
September 9th, 2012
11:00 am
Well I got me one MO friend on the facetube who was mouthing off all week about this game. Oddly he is unresponsive this morning. Hope ATL kicks KC’s natural a$$ for good measure.
Well what the he11 we sposed to do ya MO – RON?
air of mendacity
September 9th, 2012
11:00 am
signing off now – going to my lake house in Alabama. Take a boat ride and enjoy the wether and UGA win – Let’s just get the team back and let up on suspensions. All these college kids smoke a little reefer – Bama gives players 45 day notice before their random drug tests – maybe we do too but someone not getting message.
10-2 is a good year! Right?
September 9th, 2012
11:00 am
And I do support Georgia and have for a long time as a fan and alumni. But I’m getting tired of the way that team represents my university.
01HAWK
September 9th, 2012
11:02 am
Show some respect to the other team. Shake hands, pray together and go to your locker room and whoop it up.
1eyedJack
September 9th, 2012
11:02 am
Don’t you a$$holes have a calculus test to study for?
K Conway
September 9th, 2012
11:03 am
USC……yeah both of them are over-rated!
PNWTIM
September 9th, 2012
11:04 am
They picked it up when they had to. Gurley shud be the man. Until he tires he shud be the back. They couldn’t stop him. Jones is all he is hyped to be..great player. Bobo is who he is..really can’t figure his play calling out.
Murray was Murray. Great and no so great..Don’t want to speak to the kicker…makes the tuff ones..blows the PAT..go figure.
All in all…Georgia,gets a grade of B.. They will get better and win the SEC East. Alabama/Georgia will be a great game.
Some of you guys need to chill out tho. It’s the second game…
Cdpridg
September 9th, 2012
11:04 am
Hawk…never knew bama fans were such sore losers….nope sorry not convinced tech fan
MaryBeth
September 9th, 2012
11:04 am
YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME….. THIS is the BEST and FIRST story on AJC.COM? Um…. Did anyone WATCH this game? UGA looked terrible. Sorry, but if you want to headline a game from the state of GEORGIA last night, it should have been Georgia Tech and not the ‘Steamroll” but the “SLAUGHTER”. I
Cdpridg
September 9th, 2012
11:05 am
Marybeth…hun…lead story are all ways abt top 10 relevant teams….lol…put your stinger in the ground
01HAWK
September 9th, 2012
11:06 am
Travis
September 9th, 2012
11:00 am
The reason Bama fans don’t hold a sign up is because the #1 ranked team is not proud of that pitiful performance, now do you understand, Nancy?
YES………………………………………..We are not satisfied until we are clicking on all cylinders. Oh, by the way, we had 3 starters out on defense also.
Also, you should have pitched a dhutout agains BUFFALO.
I am sure WESTERN KY would beat BUFFALO.
Rob Hilliard
September 9th, 2012
11:07 am
We just saw a Georgia defense missing four starters muffle a fairly good offense featuring an extremely mobile QB and 6′6″ wide receiver who was #1 rated H.S. player in nation, with the exception of two breakdowns in the secondary. Hard to imagine that will happen when Bacari Rambo replaces Connor Norman at free safety and Alec Ogletree & co. return. In the meantime, we have two wins and Norman has gained invaluable game experience in Rambo’s absence.
Theus looked … well, like a legit freshman starting his first SEC game on the road in a much-hyped contest. He was beaten cleanly on a few occasions by a very experienced defender and schemes requiring an OL to have quick thinking without premature action. He’s a beast and will get better as the season progresses. Good to have FAU and then Vandy at home. He’ll grow quickly.
Bennett uncharacteristically didn’t latch onto a few passes he normally grabs. Everyone has a game like this. Marlon Brown shows what happens when a defense tries to focus on taking away Tavarres King. To be sure, Todd Gurley is more explosive. But you can see Keith Marshall has the goods. There is absolutely no comparison (as one blogger indicated) – in style or in skill level – between Marshall and Crowell. Isaiah had toothpicks for legs, and it’s hard to see his future as a pro RB – maybe a WR. Together with Ken Malcome and Richard Samuel IV, the Dogs have the latest – and fully stocked – version of “running back U.”
With all the hype of the Mizzou contest, I’m hard-pressed to fault players for a somewhat lackluster performance versus Buffalo (which piled up 56 points against Morgan State). They’re going to surprise a few teams in the MAC this year.
Give Missouri some credit for stiffling a Georgia offense during most of the first half. They had months to prepare for our tendencies. Murray will be fine. When he had to perform, Aaron elevated his game and drove the offense down the field.
Just hope Jon Jenkins is okay. He was walking gingerly off the field in the fourth quarter.
Cdpridg
September 9th, 2012
11:07 am
Hawk…you know throwing a temper tantrum is not going to stop UGA from WINNING…right?
Travis
September 9th, 2012
11:10 am
I heard that Arkansas offered Petrino his job back with a motorcycle allowance, any truth to that, Jeff?
01HAWK
September 9th, 2012
11:10 am
MIZZOU………………….How much did NIKE pay you to wear the HALLOWEEN outfits last night ?
That was a total embarassment to the league. Mike Slive I hope will talk to your President about that outfit…………………..and not a uniform.
rivercard
September 9th, 2012
11:11 am
Good win – but nothing other than Jones screamed elite or top ten team about that performance. If you are a top ten elite team you are expected to go in and handle an unranked physically inferior team with ease. Not wait till they wear down to take control.
Same inconsistent QB play, OL has some issues. WR and RB look pretty good. Defense has some good (2 great players) but stlll gave up too many plays.
No dog in the hunt , but Georgia fans calling out Bama is hilarious. Missed the last time they played? Missed those national championships?
Georgia fans and team have a reputation for being poor winners – hard to argue against that idea.
The Stork
September 9th, 2012
11:12 am
Marybeth, well what the he11 we sposed to do ya MO – RON? I guess since we looked so bad we should just forfeit our 41-20 conference road win? Get back in the top 25 and then complain. Or just stomp your feet real hard, hold your breath until you turn red and make a really really mad face.
Go Jackets
September 9th, 2012
11:12 am
Looks like ur the East rep for the Dome…..cant see SC or UF gettin u guys IF u play like u did 2nd half……grats Dawgies…..here’s to hopin u go 11-1 and undefeated in conference.
flagboy?
September 9th, 2012
11:13 am
Good win.
Too many offensive miscues. Lots of false starts and too many turnovers. But, it’s early in the season and hopefully that can get worked out
Missouri is a pretty good team. . . but by the end of the SEC schedule, they’re going to be beaten up pretty bad. The lack of depth will really show for them by the end of the season.
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
September 9th, 2012
11:14 am
@ Turd Ferguson:
We will always act like that when we have similar results in the future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Either JJ is not human or he has the highest motor skills in UGA history………………………….maybe as good or better than David Pollock!!!!!!
I can’t believe he can continue at the pace he displayed against Mizzu, and against larger players!!!!!!!!!!!!!
No use in waiting. Let’s start the “JJ for Heisman” NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike Oxbig
September 9th, 2012
11:14 am
marybeth- shouldn’t you be changing over the breakfast to lunch menu at mickey D’s right about now instead of hacking the boss’ computer?
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
September 9th, 2012
11:17 am
Mizzu will win several games but……………………………………………IF James Franklin goes down their season will be over!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Rob Hilliard
September 9th, 2012
11:18 am
Marybeth: Maybe you should take a couple of intro courses at the Grady College of Journalism & Mass Comm at UGA. Clearly, you have no concept of what constitutes “news.” Now, if Georgia Tech beat BYU 59-3 – as opposed to Presbyterian (Is that a college or a local church group you played?) – that would be another matter. Of course, when you grabbed defeat from the jaws of victory last week against Virginia Tech, now that deserved a lead sports article.
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
September 9th, 2012
11:19 am
@ Go Jackets:
Thanks man!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Go Jackets = Damn Good HONORARY DAWG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Treaddawg
September 9th, 2012
11:21 am
Jarvis Jones sets an example for all athletes, and people in general. He gives it his all, makes a difference, and when the game is over people know he was there. That is something we should all aspire to. Hopefully other guys on the team will not let him shame them. As for Gurley I will blindly speculate that they are going to try to keep him healthy for later on…
Murray looked fine except being jittery in the beginning, overthrowing passes. His receivers are the ones that looked tight. Without the dropped passes the game would have gotten out of hand much sooner methinks. Overall, a solid effort by players who know how to execute and have the physical ability to do so. Coaches just got to get everybody ready for game time…and cut down on the penalties arrrggggg…!
Coffee Bluff DAWG
September 9th, 2012
11:23 am
Missouri is going to be a good SEC member, in FB and BB . I thought their lack of depth hurt them last night after some injuries and they started wearing down late in the game. They have pretty good skill players so I think they’ll be fine.
May as well give the game ball to Jarvis J. He is something special and has really improved his draft status by coming back for his sr yr.
Kelly
September 9th, 2012
11:26 am
This trend of snapping it to the QB and running it reminds me of girls flag football. The Vandy/S.C. game was like that, too. Did you hear that Mizzou? You play girls flag football!
frank christa
September 9th, 2012
11:29 am
Great game. Good story but the big play stuffing the fake punt was amde by Richard Samuel. Damn good Dawg.
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
September 9th, 2012
11:31 am
@ MaryBell:
Will you please get off the Big Boy Blog and finish cooking my dinner but first, please bring me another frosty mug of beer? Obviously you you know less about more than a real human!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oops, hurry with that beer!!!! JJ just got another QB sack!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
An old man here
September 9th, 2012
11:35 am
Dawgs won but I’m getting tired of Murray and his inability to lead. The guy was hanging his head, griping at players and generally blaming others for his poor first half performance. He’ll never be a leader on this team if he keeps acting that way.
CoachFishFry
September 9th, 2012
11:35 am
Hawk isn’t it time for the customary Sunday Bama daughter/daddy diddle? You inbreeds are so much fun.
Double Zero Eight
September 9th, 2012
11:36 am
Great win! I have no complaints.
Travis
September 9th, 2012
11:36 am
What a difference a day makes, yesterday they were in Missouri, today they are in Misery.
Hungry Dawg
September 9th, 2012
11:38 am
Schultz,
You need to go back and watch the game again. Richard Samuels snuffed the fake punt and Murry’s interception was not due to an underthrown ball, but due to an outstanding defensive play by a Mizzou linebacker.
It’s amazing how you can insult UGA while at the same time trying to sound like you a praising them. The Dawg’s showed real character going into a very hostile environment taking the best shot the opposition could throw at them and then as a team asserting themselves and blowing the opposistion out of the water.
LADAWG
September 9th, 2012
11:38 am
First hats off to NYC Village Pourhouse and the dawg alumni there, man that was fun ro watch with everyone. Second observation, not sure why all of these fringe dawg fans think they know better than CMR and are critical of the game and or Murray. He had 239 yards and 3tds. Several dropped passes, a 40 yard hookup with bennet recalled due to penalty. He played well and was the stabalizing force last night. That was a damn good Mizzou team that had this game circled all off season. Their team wanted to prove to themselves , their fans, and the nation that they were legit for the SEC. That made them dangerous and game. A win on an SEC opponents field isnt easy, CMR does it with regularity. This season could be specail. Support the team and quit your crazy pontifications about the quality of anyone’s decisions or play on the field. Finally, TG is a beast. Anyone else notice whats different about him, after breaking off that 40 yard run, he ran back to the huddle! We ceratinly havent had that type of player in a long time! Go Dawgs!!!!
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
September 9th, 2012
11:40 am
After what Louisiana-Monroe did to Arkansas you can bet the ranch that Bammy won’t be scheduling them for another TUSKALOSER BOWL.
Still it was really bad about the Arkansas QB and several other college football injuries yesterday!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
September 9th, 2012
11:47 am
@ LADawg:(11:38am post)
DAMN GOOD POST MY FRIEND!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mary BELL/BETH bring my friend LADawg a cold one and would you please see what is the holdup with dinner??? JJ just intercepted another pass!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
JJ FR HEISMAN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac(Dawg For Life) / (CMR fan for life)
September 9th, 2012
11:47 am
Make that “JJ FOR HEISMAN”…
Tech nerds Dragon
September 9th, 2012
11:48 am
LAdawg – Facebook like
it's only a mattter of time
September 9th, 2012
11:52 am
nice win, but calm down, it was against an unranked newcomer to the SEC. a few things I learned is you’re not going to win a game against a quality opponent if Murray insists Bennett is the featured weapon. Teams leave him open for a reason. The other is thing I got from the game is that Jarvis Jones abused the OT late in the game and made some plays. Hopefully what Mizzou and Texas A&M learned was that it’s the SEC and even the 4th and 5th best teams in the conference can go on the road and kick a$$.
zbulldawg
September 9th, 2012
11:56 am
Hey people BoBo called a great game ! The bad throws & dropped passes. Made it look bad. Only time I got upset was when we had the ball on the 2 late in the game & got called for false start. Instead of Murray looking to the sideline for the change in the play or formation !! That was a no brainer Just line up in power & run the damn ball right at them. We did on the next play. Malcome scored the in your face TD. That was a good test for was. A knock down get down street fight & we passed the test. LET’s get behind these Dawgs Show some true support Cuz there is no telling how far they can go !! Just look at what happen in the USC (cal) game they fault back & finished the drill !! Just like what we did. Get off the Dawgs A$$ and LET THE BIG DAWG EAT
Tide Rising
September 9th, 2012
11:56 am
Decent enough win but I’m not that impressed. Missouri’s athletes looked more like Vandy’s. Anyone notice how pitifully small all their linemen were? Much bigger tests ahead for both Mizzou and uga.
Brainiac,
The Tuskalooser Bowl??? Dude we have won 2 of the last 3 BCS national titles and are ranked no. 1 in the nation in case you haven’t noticed. When sorry dawg fans like you address Bama fans you should do so on your knees boy. Cause you’re not worthy of our respect- or even of our contempt. You can talk some smack when you can win more than one national title every 32 years and counting or when you win at least 1 bcs title. So kindly go sit in the kid’s corner child. And oh btw – Central Florida!
it's only a mattter of time
September 9th, 2012
12:03 pm
tide rising…they’re giddy today man. let them have their moment. don’t forget it was lst year this time they were looking for answers after losing to Boise St. this was a big game for the dawgs and their fans.
Stephen
September 9th, 2012
12:04 pm
King Richard IV
zbulldawg
September 9th, 2012
12:06 pm
This ” OLD MAN ” he play two. He play whoop A$$ on Mizzou ! With a Nik Nak Slap & a Smack, give the Dawg his BONE !! This “OLD MAN” keeps winning on. !!!!!!!! Thank You UGA for a great game !!!!!!
SOUTHGADAWGG88
September 9th, 2012
12:07 pm
Yeah well ALL I know is Bama is 1-3 against UGA over the last 4 buddy.
SOUTHGADAWGG88
September 9th, 2012
12:10 pm
The game Bama won in 2008 came with UGA missing 6 starters too.The Tide hasn’t exactly been bowling over UGA at all.