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
Athensisheaven
September 9th, 2012
12:05 am
A little scary in the first half, but came away with a convincing victory! Shocked that this article talks about Murray’s accuracy. It fails to mention the many good throws Murray made which were simply not caught by receivers. Bennett comes to mind.
Vampire Bill
September 9th, 2012
12:06 am
Glad the dawgs won but our ranking is a farse. Kudos to strength and conditioning coaches as it seemed like our players had plenty of gas left. Dawgs have TONS of work to do but they won a big game on the road. I hate to be negative but Dawgs are so far from being a championship team its not funny.
Dawglasville
September 9th, 2012
12:06 am
We just beat Mizzou by 21. What in the hell do some of you people want?
Glory between the Hedges
September 9th, 2012
12:06 am
Todd Gurley didn’t get more touches which we were told we would see. well like 2 more touches. wow!!
brian in roswell
September 9th, 2012
12:06 am
Sorry for he extra post. Still so excited about silencing the city of Columbia
CHDawg
September 9th, 2012
12:07 am
Jones for Heisman, but Samuel had the play of the game. I think Richt put them both in his will, if he didn’t adopt them. Murray played great except for the pick. There were a lot of dropped balls tonight by people who don’t drop them usually. Penalties, fumbles, and poor execution looks like our typical pattern from the last five years. It is like we don’t wake up until we get stressed. We didn’t start to execute until Mizz scored, and then we woke up. It has to be coaching because it is different kids every year. I’m not sure how you coach that, but we do it every year. The good news is that the Dawgs usually improve a lot as the year goes by….Go Dawgs.
Robert Moody
September 9th, 2012
12:07 am
Richard Samuel is THE MAN! What a team player!!!!!
nicelydone
September 9th, 2012
12:07 am
Seriously Schultz. Murray was solid tonight… threw a lot of balls that were dropped and shouldn’t have been.
tell me again
September 9th, 2012
12:08 am
There were times I didn’t recongnize half the names on the defense – I can’t wait until we are back at full strength. All of the way until the end the D looked fresh and in good condition – maybe that new conditioning program is now showing results. I think we can now put to rest the “Murray has not won a big game” BS – a road game of that magnitude in that kind of a hostile environment is a big game regardless of the rankings. Just ask Arkansas. I think Mizzou is going to upset some people this year – the only thing holding them back is lack of deopth and in this league that will kill you. A gritty performance by the Dawgs in a hostile arena – congrats to the D for keeping us in the game until the offense woke up and for hanging in there despite the fact that half the starters are still out. Go Dawgs! Keep getting better!
Pj
September 9th, 2012
12:08 am
Sorry that should read right tackle. 71. Frickin theus
bulldog steve
September 9th, 2012
12:08 am
Richt has the 4th highest winning percentage of active coaches in the toughest league in the land and these knuckleheads still want to to complain. He stuck to his guns regarding suspending players. Guarantee that does not happen at other schools. Oregon does not suspend a player until 4th failed test. Promise Alabama has never given an unannounced drug test to a front line player right after spring break.
JacketFanMarcus
September 9th, 2012
12:09 am
1. Mizzou is UNRANKED!
2. Mizzou is not a good a Georgia Tech.
3. Hmmm…if UGA is EXCITED about beating a middling team that’ll will be at the low end of their division, then there’s NO WAY UGA is a top 10 team.
TalaDawg
September 9th, 2012
12:10 am
J Jones for Pres. – R Samuel for V Pres. that’s a winning ticket.
Dawg '94
September 9th, 2012
12:11 am
If Jones keeps playing like he did tonight, he will be invited to the Heisman ceremony. Bobo STILL needs to go. With the athletes UGA has, where is some creativity? Richt needs to take over the play calling!!! And why is Gurley not getting the ball more? Oh well…it is GREAT to be 2-0. GO DAWGS!!!
cugas
September 9th, 2012
12:11 am
Mark/bobo still believe that execution trumps schematics. So they really don’t worry about confusing any body or being predictable. Mark/Bobo just think a well executed play will work. Our guys are rarely wide open….every ball thrown/caught was well covered, we just happened to execute a few because we have good talent. I vote for Gary Patterson to be the new coach.
FB
September 9th, 2012
12:11 am
Some of you “fans” really tire me. Good, not great performance with 5 players missing. Not the end of the world.
If you want to point out difficiencies, mention how we cannot get a TE in the mix bc of a weak young off line. Two more weeks to let them develop but the O line may cost us eventually.
Uncle Kirk
September 9th, 2012
12:11 am
Murray played fine…there were at least 5 dropped passes….2 by brown and 3 by 82 that could have really changed the game. Theus is the one who made the most glaring mistakes
Eaassyy
September 9th, 2012
12:12 am
Quality reporting Schultz. One sentence about the JJ’s performance? Also Murray put the ball where it needed to be. Marlon and Bennett must have dropped a dozen catchable balls between the two of them.
cugas
September 9th, 2012
12:12 am
Did not think the officials were very good tonight….pretty inconsistent.
Dawg Haus
September 9th, 2012
12:12 am
Not the prettiest game, but I was encouraged by the fourth quarter. Over the past few seasons, that’s usually when the guys started to fall apart. Very proud of our old men Dawgs! And give credit to Missouri, too. They will be a decent team in this conference.
TalaDawg
September 9th, 2012
12:12 am
Murray has no poise and Bobo does not understand game-planning psychology.
CHDawg
September 9th, 2012
12:12 am
Jacket, all your buddies were saying Mizzou was great before the game….go back to the hive.
Glory between the Hedges
September 9th, 2012
12:12 am
Jacket fan, WHAT ARE YOU TALKING ABOUT??? Most of the UGA fans in here are being more critical than bragging you idiot.
Biggun
September 9th, 2012
12:13 am
Big Win!!!! I noticed that by the end of the game that Mizzoos’ #34 was limping around like an “old man.” Welcome to the SEC pal, we do not serve the Big 12 Koolaid around here!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Walter White
September 9th, 2012
12:13 am
Fire Bozo…. And the Head Coach…
Dawg '94
September 9th, 2012
12:13 am
Hey Jacket nerd…..Mizzou would beat Yech by 30. Way to beat up a high school team today. And by the way….about every EXPERT picked Georgia to go home sad tonight. GO DAWGS!!
TalaDawg
September 9th, 2012
12:13 am
But, I do like the resluts – GO DAWHS!
ramguy68
September 9th, 2012
12:14 am
Hmmm…if UGA is EXCITED about beating a middling team that’ll will be at the low end of their division, then there’s NO WAY UGA is a top 10 team.
We will just be happy that you are happy about getting beat by Va Tech with “Reggie Ball” throwing stupid pass to end the nerd’s chance to win.
CHDawg
September 9th, 2012
12:15 am
Murray had no poise? You have to be joking. He had guys taking clean shots on him all night and he put together a great night. Were it not for the pick and the dropped passes it was almost perfect.
GT CHOKES
September 9th, 2012
12:15 am
Difference between GT and UGA, The Dawgs finish!!
The Bear
September 9th, 2012
12:16 am
Enter your comments here
guy
September 9th, 2012
12:16 am
Mizz was a good team….very good team.
guy
September 9th, 2012
12:17 am
Mizz would run away with the ACC
The Bear
September 9th, 2012
12:17 am
Well done UGA and Gators!
GT CHOKES
September 9th, 2012
12:18 am
I’m scared to leave my room, might get robbed..
Jarvis Jones is a 1 man wrecking crew!
September 9th, 2012
12:18 am
Man. I love that DAWG!
Go JJ.
marcus moore
September 9th, 2012
12:19 am
Mr. Ferguson, Alabama schedule isn’t all that tough. Arkansan just lost to UL Monroe.
Mizzou Texas A and M join SEC and BOTH lose
September 9th, 2012
12:19 am
There are many losses ahead for Mizzou and for Texas A and M this season, as both easily could put up 6 SEC losses, but they will not face a better football player than Jarvis Jones.
Grantham's The Man!
September 9th, 2012
12:19 am
Welcome to the SEC! Mizzou and T A&M represented themselves well.
Great to see the dawgs finish so strong after the shakey start.
Jarvis Jones is the best LB in Amarica! Defense was the biggest difference in the game.
cugas
September 9th, 2012
12:19 am
Mizz is not good….the dink and dump against better talent eventually runs out. Mizz QB looked like VT qb, can’t throw it straight more than 15 yards.
kerryb
September 9th, 2012
12:20 am
When Ogletree, Rambo, and Commings comes back this defense is going to be stout. The Vols are going to be in trouble.
GaMan
September 9th, 2012
12:20 am
I agree Tampa Gator if the trolls do not have any thing good to say go get on another blog. We pulled off a W,GO DAWGS. Thanks for fighting and not giving up.
UGA Grad '95
September 9th, 2012
12:21 am
First, Jarvis Jones is a man playing with boys.
Unfortunately, watching Georgia play under Richt year-after-year is like ground day: same pathetic underperforming, frustrating, mess every time we have a big game. And this was against unranked and Bif 12 cellar dwellar Mizzou. Please, someone help, something…HELP!
funny....
September 9th, 2012
12:21 am
OLD MAN ENOUGH!!!!
Jarvis Jones is a beast (we already knew that)
When the D is at full strength they’ll be so great.
Why didn’t Gurley get more carries?
How bout them Dawgs
Ghost
September 9th, 2012
12:21 am
jacket fan marcus, too mush envy, dumba$$ nerd . Tech would finish 6 th in the SE east. and 7th in the west
LSU 42, UGA 10
September 9th, 2012
12:21 am
It seems as if the UGA fans are rather absorbed by GT, who you claim doesn’t matter to you and you’ve beaten a lot. Not sure how much, but a lot.
Why don’t you turn your attention back over to SEC teams.
Now I want to congratulate UGA on their big win over an unranked team and congratulate the Mizzou coach for faking a punt when you have a punter that can boot it 60 yards. Man, even Miles wouldn’t do that stunt. Too bad, I thought Mizzou was going to come back and win given how easily they were moving the ball up and down the field.
They were doing almost as good as a certain team from a certain game in the old dingy dome last December.
You guys need a little reality check and I am here to provide it for you.
funny....
September 9th, 2012
12:22 am
Murray actually made some great passes that were dropped tonight.
FLA DAWG
September 9th, 2012
12:22 am
GO DAWGS…OLD MAN FOOTBALL !!!
Mizzou;
Hold your heads high SEC brothers. You gave us all you had and more for three quarters. I genuinely mean, “Welcome to The SEC”. I have stated for over 5 years that Mizzou is an SEC caliber team and your boys proved it tonight. You will beat some other SEC Teams this season.
Your stadium will be enlarged in forthcoming years. SEC Football generates huge bucks and I am confident Mizzou will benefit from that.
FOR GODSAKE change your uniforms. They are NOT SEC quality. On TV it looks like black tape was laid onto yellow jerseys. Absolutely awful appearance except for a Halloween Night Game.
DAWGS;
You cannot play catchup football and hope to beat Vandy, UT, SC, UF, GT and whomever we play in the bowlgame.
My hunch has proven right – though a little belated. I thought I saw a good but inconsistent team v Buffalo. I thought things would begin clicking in the first half of this game but it took the 4th quarter for the O and the D to begin hitting on all cylinders – but boy oh boy how well they did!
I don’t think we can compete with Bama or LSU this season if we make it that far but who knows what may develop.
Congrats DAWGS on a great 4th qtr and victory!
OLD MAN FOOTBALL aka FLA DAWG !
Class of ‘79
GTBob
September 9th, 2012
12:22 am
UGA beat a team that struggled to get to 7-5 last year and lost most of their starters. Congrats, I guess. I think you guys are beating your chests a little too much considering the opponent though. Missouri more than likely wont have a winning record this year.
Dawg 1
September 9th, 2012
12:22 am
It was a solid win. The Mizzou players were clearly playing above their head. And that isn’t a knock. They were very emotional, which will really hlp you on defense. They have been pointing to this game all summer. They have been told all summer that they were not good enough to play in the SEC. Remember the game @ Oklahoma State a few years back? Simllar situation. This time the kids stepped up and won.
Focus on the positive folks. We survived this game with 4 suspended playeers. Should be able to manage through Florida International and a we get a couple of those guys back.
It isn’t clear if they wll all be back for Vandy – but that game is a home game. And everybody is back for South Carolina.
This was a big hurdle and a solid test for some of our Freshmen. And while the Freshmen Kicker missed the PAT – he was ‘clutch’ on both field goals – one being 52 yards.
Special Teams were solid ‘again’….
So yes, there were some mistatkes – most in fthe first half – with the team playing stronger and stronger as the game went…
If they stay healthy….
They got a shot to be special…