Georgia will take an ugly win like this any time
Jarvis Jones had a monster game (three sacks, two forced fumbles) to lead Georgia. (Bob Andres/AJC)
Everybody is going to call it ugly. The quarterback was awful for most of the game. The opponent had six fumbles (four lost) and two interceptions. Two of the supposed best teams in the SEC swapped turnovers, penalties and dropped passes. If the late Sid Gillman was watching, he would’ve covered his eyes and screamed, “No! My eyes! My eyes!”
But does it matter?
Ugly is barely beating Kentucky after a bye week. Ugly is looking flawed against Buffalo and Florida Atlantic. Ugly is giving up 44 points to Tennessee. If beating the No. 2 team in the BCS — especially when it’s Florida — is considered ugly, it’s a canvas of ugly that the Bulldogs would wrap themselves in any day or night.
As Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray, he of the three first-half interceptions, said Saturday night, “I know I’m going to get stressed out when I look at the film. But it’s still a great win.”
Georgia, drop-kicked at South Carolina three weeks ago, seemingly comatose in the SEC and again floundering in a season of high hopes, rode ugly back to respectability Saturday. The 17-9 win over Florida put the Bulldogs in control in the SEC East. They need only beat Ole Miss and Auburn to secure a berth in the conference championship — and in the process stomped on all those can’t-win-the-big-one claims.
Malcolm Mitchell danced into the end zone with a big touchdown after Aaron Murray's pass beat the blitz. (Bob Andres/AJC)
The win had historical significance: It was the Dogs’ first time winning in consecutive years against Florida since 1988 and ’89. That’s long ago enough that the coach for that first game was Vince Dooley.
The game also had personal significance for Mark Richt. Battered for doing so poorly against top-10 teams (1-9 since 2008), the Georgia coach stayed on the field long after the game was over, going from one end of the stands to the other, celebrating with fans.
Winning this game last season, some believed, may have helped saved his job. Winning the game this season was even more significant because of the Gators’ stature.
Appropriately, it happened because of
Mark Richt was only 1-9 against top 10 teams since 2008 before Saturday.
defense, in general, and Jarvis Jones, in particular. Jones had three sacks, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. He knocked the ball loose from tight end Jordan Reed at the Dogs’ 18 with five minutes left, as Florida was moving in for a potential touchdown.
Jones’ amusing self-analysis: “I don’t know my stats, but I think I had a good game.”
The defense, whether motivated by external criticism or the internal slap from safety Shawn Williams, who called his team “soft,” had one of its better games of the season. Florida was held without a touchdown in a Georgia win for the first time since 1988.
Jones again: “I think what Shawn Williams did, he challenged us. Obviously we needed it. … Everybody was calling us names, calling us soft. ESPN, everybody on TV. Soft, soft, soft, soft, soft. As a man, you take it personal.”
Here’s a suggestion for Richt: Have one player call everybody a name every week. Couldn’t hurt.
Georgia led only 10-9 when Murray made amends for a mostly horrible night (12-of-24, three interceptions). On a third-and-5 from the Gators’ 45, he dropped back, beat blitzing safety Josh Evans and completing an 8-yard pass to Malcolm Mitchell. The receiver spun away from cornerback Loucheiz Purifoy and then cut across the field and ran to the end zone, giving the Dogs a 17-9 lead with seven minutes left.
The game’s only other touchdown — a 10-yard run by Todd Gurley — came early in the game following a Florida fumble. Of course. Florida had six fumbles (losing four) and six turnovers (Georgia three). The teams combined for six turnovers in the first half. They didn’t need marching bands — just the percussion section with the sounds of crashing cymbals with every bobble and misfire.
The Gators had only four turnovers in their first seven games. Yet quarterback Jeff Driskel fumbled on two of the first three plays of the game (Jones recovering the second). See, it doesn’t matter how ugly one team is if the other is worse.
Linebacker Jordan Jenkins said the team was inspired by a pregame speech by defensive end Cornelius Washington, who touched on all of the expected themes: no respect, big game, rival opponent.
“It was the craziest and wildest he’s ever been,” Jenkins said. “He was talking about how everybody was doubting us. He had us all pumped up and ready to go out there and knock some heads.”
Sometimes, that’s how games are won. The win is all anybody will remember.
By Jeff Schultz
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844 comments Add your comment
Fools Gold
October 28th, 2012
8:35 am
Funny on how all the Richt apologist are here on the blog saying they knew UGA would win. Most of Dawg nation and the rest of the college football world were thinking otherwise. Guess what ? its the same ole UGA. Its the same ole coaching staff. Stay tuned!
Lambert Dawg
October 28th, 2012
8:42 am
All I’m thinking about now is ol miss.
All you real UGA fans who are still unhappy with this team and Coach Richt..he is not going anywhere for atleast for the rest of this season. Why don’t you go ahead and jump on the band wagon….It will be fun for atleast this week. Do me a favor however; sit on the back bench and keep it warm.
All you so.carolina fans, pray first for Marcus Lattamore and then that we lose; cause you are officially looking up at UGA for atleast one more week.
The rest of you (including so carolina fans) who are so obsessed with UGA that you even come to a uga blog to begin with…get a life.
Bottom line as of today, UGA is in first place in the east and controls its destiny. We just beat the gators and rather than boast I will take Rudyards wise words of advice and “meet with Triumph and Disaster and treat those two imposters just the same”.
There is still a long way to before we even get to mention playing for for the sec championship or Alabama assuming they beat lsu.
Could somebody please post Coach Richts record vs saban…just curious..
Flowery Branch Dawg
October 28th, 2012
8:44 am
Now we see what this defense is capable of. Great defenses win championships. If the Dawgs decide to play like this the rest of the season they can do awesome things. It’s up to them.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 28th, 2012
8:44 am
If the crazy Florida player doesn’t try to make an ESPN Highlight with the Hurdle to try and score it is a 2 point game with the 2-point attempt coming.
Over 200 yards in penalties and 9 turn overs was crazy.
That was one Butt Ugly game.
How the hell the Gators beat LSU I still don’t know.
Both teams under 275 total yards.
I don’t see ANY East team having anything for BAMA or maybe LSU in the DOME at the end of the year.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 28th, 2012
8:45 am
Lambert Dwag
Saban 3 v Richt 2
loel
October 28th, 2012
8:48 am
Maybe I was naive, but I don’t ever remember a GA/FL game that didn’t think Ga had a chance to win, but this one I gave them no chance at all…… SO IT WAS NOT AN UGLY WIN.
Paddy
October 28th, 2012
8:49 am
10-2 is a good year?………..I can tell you never played any kind of meaningful game, and won. You sir, need to post in the ‘food’ section. Real Dawgs are happy right now and loving the moment.
Legal Eagle
October 28th, 2012
8:50 am
During the 1986 Jan Kemp trial, Hale Almand Jr., a lawyer for UGA, offered a justification for the favorable treatment accorded the athletes, citing a typical UGA player. “We may not make a university student out of him,” he told the jury, “but if we can teach him to read and write, maybe he can work at the post office rather than as a garbageman when he gets through with his athletic career.”
That trial exposed UGA for the football factory that it was, and exposed slimy Vince Dooley as a fraud and a sleazebag. It also derailed Dooley’s plans for a political career in the U.S. Congress. That’s why we see the decrepit old fraud doing TV commercials even now.
Mark Richt is just the latest in a line of sleazy UGA coaches who coddle athletes and discard them after four years of football. He recruits illiterate morons he knows aren’t smart enough for college, but he doesn’t care, as long as they help him line his pockets with millions of dollars each year. But to Richt’s credit, he does produce a lot of fine garbagemen. And homeless drunks.
dap01
October 28th, 2012
9:03 am
Aaron M. choked, choked, choked. The defense was amazing. There was too much low life talking and poor discipline that almost cost us the game. Great game Georgia Bulldawgs!
GT
October 28th, 2012
9:09 am
I watch Georgia makes lots of mistakes; many penalties and a huge lack of disciple win a game by 8 points, against a team that made just about as sloppy a case for themselves as UGA. Both teams were trying as hard as they could to give it away, Florida was just better at it, with that last fumble in the end zone. This wasn’t the LSU/ Alabama game we will see next week.
Then I watch Alabama in workman like fashion beat Mississippi State another undefeated team. No excessive celebrations they look like they expected this, they looked like they were the pedigree team they are. This team shows up every week because they have the same temperature on the field every week. The SEC strange scheduling has allowed a lot of teams to pretend.
KC
October 28th, 2012
9:14 am
Florida was ranked #2 but they just smelled that way. Hate everything related to Florida Gators! Go Dawgs!!!
SKB
October 28th, 2012
9:18 am
When Murray does well the defense doesn’t show up. When defense shows up Murray doesn’t do well. I think only game they both showed up was Vandy…Murray was god awful he should be ashamed of himself…
Ian Dury
October 28th, 2012
9:20 am
We put the ‘U” in U-G-L-Y, but against Florida I’ll take it every time. We are now 2-0 versus Muschump and we LOVE IT!!!
How sweet is this victory? For UGA fan, it doesn’t get any better. We beat the #2 team in the country, who had visions of a BSC National Championship. Reality sucks for the jean short crowd!
juice sourcer
October 28th, 2012
9:22 am
Florida was pitiful in this game. They gave the game to Georgia.
jerry
October 28th, 2012
9:25 am
Cinderella is still ugly and sooner or later the clock will strike midnight for her and there will be no Prince to the rescue. She will just go home to cry and sulk.
Curious
October 28th, 2012
9:31 am
Would someone please release the credentials that qualify Bill Stanfill’s son to be an expert on UGA football and discipline. Also did any of thousands of fans notice that UFla broke a conference rule which allows for a minimum distance between opposing team members prior to kick-off? They blatantly violated the rule when Fla team entered the field cross-sectioning the Ga team as Ga team (home team yesterday) , cheerleaders were entering the field. A few Fla guys and coaches physically bumped Ga players and we were fortunate not to have a giant fracas on field before game. Hope SEC office will address this issue with Mr. Foley. This one incident set the tone for unsportsmanship-like conduct throughout the game. It also turned up the fire in UGA defense. Thanks, Gators.
You Avoided Losing
October 28th, 2012
9:32 am
The Dawgs did not win last night. They merely avoided losing.
You Avoided Losing
October 28th, 2012
9:33 am
Ah, as I thought. Bill King is blocking screen names he doesn’t agree with. That’s why there are no Gator posts. Couldn’t post on his blog. No problem here.
gary
October 28th, 2012
9:34 am
To UGA and CMR…. I apologize. I am sorry for being so harsh in my criticism of this team and our coaching. Last night was awesome. Didn’t want to leave the stadium. You won THE BIG GAME. Plane and simple. That was what I wanted more than any other win. To beat the Gators when they are number two could not be any sweeter. The looks on their faces after the game meant sometheing this year. That was the best win against them since 97. Again, I am sorry. Thanks again. See you in Athens for Ole Miss. Go Dawgs.
Dawg Reporter
October 28th, 2012
9:35 am
Was simply too much for Florida to play a capable team a third straight game (LSU, South Carolina, then Georgia). Muschamp has done a great job this year with a young team. Richt needs to fine tune his staff, because the majority of the players either do not listen to the coach or the staff is unable to develop the player’s mental and emotional mind sets. Nick Saban and Les Miles for example do a great job with this. I’m not convinced Georgia has an above average coaching staff, and that includes the former UGA players. If this program is going to consistently compete with the top-tier SEC teams, it is going to have to upgrade the coaching staff.
You Avoided Losing
October 28th, 2012
9:36 am
@Curious, hope the league office will address the issue of Georgia’s and Florida’s respective schedules this season.
As usual, once in a decade the Dawgs have a chance to back into the SEC Championship game. Alabama will obliterate you, assuming you get past Ole Miss, which is by no means a given under the current circumstances.
kingdaddy
October 28th, 2012
9:37 am
All of the low points and mistakes were of concern but once again, these Dawgs found a way to win. You idiots who are pretending to be Dog-fans, need to get a life. Quite a few of you are probably just butt-hurt nerds who are crying about our success and your on impending doom, lol. Well, here’s something for you, MURRAY, MURRAY, MURRAY…Who threw the winning Touchdown pass??? No, it wasn’t Driskill, it was Aaron Murray. We knew the wind was going to be a factor, but they loaded the box and even though our running game still looked fair, it wasn’t enough to get us untracked. ENTER AARON MURRAY°°°°°°°°°Name one quaterback that could throw better in a HURRICANE??? Give the kid credit, even after being eviscerated by you so-called fans throughout the year, he never gave-up , and he kept chucking the rock to the wind. This was an ugly game , played under extreme conditions. Was there a little pressure? Could you have done better? They say it’s better to keep your mouth closed and have people think you’re an idiot, than it is to open your mouth, and confirm you are an idiot. It would serve some of you well, to be honest , and get over your hate for AARON MURRAY…
kingdaddy
October 28th, 2012
9:40 am
Own , not on…
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 28th, 2012
9:43 am
KingDaddy………….how tight was your ass on the last Florida drive to get a chance to tie?
That was not a match of 2 top 10 teams. So many TO’s and penalties.
Jay Dawg
October 28th, 2012
9:44 am
Aaron Murray is SOFT!
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 28th, 2012
9:50 am
PMS MURRAY showed up again.
Pad My Stats (against crappy teams) MURRAY sucked on the big stage again.
I can see how he has all the STATS he has but No way in Hell he is the Best UGa QB in history.
zbulldawg
October 28th, 2012
9:52 am
NOW !!!! That’s Georgia “JUNKYARD DAWG” Football !! I think I saw Erk Russel & Vince in the press box LOL To every body who wants to blame BoBo (including myself) You heard what Richt said at the end of the half. Murray is not reading his progessions !! He has 4 choices on every play. If you know any thing about football you should be able to understand that. I couldn’t understand why Murray wouldn’t either throw it away or tuck it & run. It’s not the coaching staff It’s Murray’s choice. Hopefully he will grow from this game to understand how to keep a drive alive. UGA has an outstanding coaching staff !!! To all you recruits & doubters that’s wondering where UGA is heading in the future. You got a taste of it yesterday !! LET THE BIG DAWG EAT
Junior Samples
October 28th, 2012
9:52 am
On a side note: how ’bout dem jackets
kingdaddy
October 28th, 2012
9:55 am
What was the score of the GT game last night? None of the College scoreboard’s would even talk about it. I guess they just expect everyone to know the BUGS would get another embarrassing beatdown, lmaoff. Let’s talk about just how bad Tech really is. This is a “WORLD-CLASS” lesson in how to “not” play football. Why would any recruit want to be humiliated every week? Your team is so bad, you bugs have to come on UGA blogs and criticize the Dawgs. What a joke of a fanbase and football team. It hurts to even call them a football team. From the top to the bottom, and alllllllll the way around, Tech has hit the bottom. Here is the NERDS BATTLE CRY, “FIRE RICHT! “….
kingdaddy
October 28th, 2012
9:58 am
Smarticus
I’m sorry bro, but that is Classified Information and only Mustang Sally has that clearence, lol…
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 28th, 2012
10:01 am
I know you were puckered so tight i bet you sucked a Sofa Spring in your BUTT. LOL
Jackson
October 28th, 2012
10:01 am
FL played a sloppy game due to the pressure from our defense. Thank goodness the D woke up!
kingdaddy
October 28th, 2012
10:02 am
Don’t go away mad bug fans, just go away. I’ll be back. Gotta hit the store before the UGA/UF replay…
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 28th, 2012
10:03 am
That Top 10 games between UGa v UF was no Bama v LSU game like last year.
UGa could KILL the SEC run in National Championship games
Ol' Dawg Fan
October 28th, 2012
10:03 am
(1) The use of the various adjectives in these articles more aptly applies to the quality of the journalism in the print & TV media than it does to the football team. As usual most of the so called experts don’t get it.The character of the team and the young men are developing nicely.
(2) It is good to see the senior leadership establish themselves; they will be key to success beyond the SEC East;
(3) Mr. Richt and his coaching staff deserve kudos for the preparation the team showed for Florida.
(4) They’re not ready to play the best of the West yet; but, they’re moving in that direction.
(5) Ole Miss will be a different test than Florida; and in more than one way the upcoming game will provide steps to what this team can be. Execute, execute, execute.
Now, if we can only survive sports journalism….
Jackson
October 28th, 2012
10:03 am
I suspect there are allot of FL players extremely sore today. They got taken to the wood shed by our D!
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 28th, 2012
10:07 am
From My Riverside Cadets to the dwag fans…….Party and enjoy a WIN in JAX.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBEBPUv7YYs
Nativebird
October 28th, 2012
10:07 am
I love the way Dawg idiots continue to call a nuetral field with half the stadium in black and red a “road” game, and then behave as if it’s the freaking superbowl when the the opposing team gift wraps a game for them. what a bunch of idiots.based on this game? book it: Auburn blows out GA, Florida wins out and goes to Atlanta.
pete
October 28th, 2012
10:14 am
I never understand the excitement for college football in the southeast. That must have been the ugliest game I have ever seen. There isn’t one QB in all the SEC that can throw the football, it’s pathetic. It doesn’t take much to get southerners excited.. Dawgs will lose by 30 in Atlanta vs Bama in SEC championship. Murray piles up stats vs the Buffalos of the world but looks like my sister throwing the ball vs better teams. Get a life.
Escaped from Email Purgatory
October 28th, 2012
10:15 am
Late October Saturday nights are so much sweeter when UGA beats the Gators.
DP
October 28th, 2012
10:18 am
Nativebird, if you think this Auburn team is capable of blowing out anybody, including future opponents New Mexico and Alabama A&M, you have lost your mind.
Pete, if you think A.J. McCarron, an SEC QB who leads the nation in passing efficiency, can’t throw the ball you are an imbecile.
harold
October 28th, 2012
10:22 am
NOW IT IS UGA AND BAMA TO SEE WHO PLAYS IN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME. GO UGA!
MfG
October 28th, 2012
10:23 am
you critics are pathetic! Nobody is going to beat Alabama! I think we can give them a game! as for you people calling for coach Mark Richt’s job, ain’t gonna happen! get obver yourselves! I for one, expect to beat Ole Mis, and auburn, then play a tight game against Ala, then go to a great bowl, and win!
Doctor Dawg
October 28th, 2012
10:24 am
Nativebird, you are immature and allowing your emotional imbalance to cloud your judgement. May I suggest Midol for you? You are also likely an Obama supporter based on this diagnosis.
Put in Timeout by Ken Suguira,Filtered by Mark Bradley, Banned by Bill King, Chip Towers & only slightly loved by Jeff Schultz.
October 28th, 2012
10:25 am
harold…..If you think a UGa wining in the Dome will get them in the BCS MNC game you are CRAZY. UGa schedule is too weak to make then a Legit NC contender.
Ideas
October 28th, 2012
10:26 am
You win by the fumble, you lose by the fumble. Fla beat SC by turnovers and that is the only reason they beat them. So turn about is fair play.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
October 28th, 2012
10:26 am
UGA vs LSU in the Dome…this could be the year for for UGA but but…the media will have Notre Dame as one team and just maybe K State or OU the other. If there is two unbeaten teams other than SEC teams this year then those will be selected over say, LSU,UGA,or Bama with 1 loss.
Congrats to UGA. If Bobo would work his offense to where Murray only throw to the outside (avoid down the field throws due to #11’s past of choking) UGA would be in control. If you notice Nick Saban doesn’t attackt the middle of the filed unless it’s a short drag route. Just too much chance of bad things yet Bobo does it almost every attempt. Will needs a few more play makers on offense and a bigger back to give him a 1,2 attack. He will get there as you can see.
Smitty
October 28th, 2012
10:31 am
Hey Pete You must be a loser yourself to talk so negative. You must pull for a losing team and that bothers you so you bash other teams. You are sad person……..
THE Dixie Redcoat Band
October 28th, 2012
10:34 am
The Bulls coach told the news media that the Rockets played them harder than the Dawgs in Athens.
Doctor Dawg
October 28th, 2012
10:37 am
Legal Eagle, your post is so inaccurate and full of lies all I can think of is that you are just a dumbarses who hates UGA when you aren’t watching MSNBC, wetting your pants and working for the left wing of the Democratic Party.