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
DawgNole
October 27th, 2012
9:32 pm
FB
October 27th, 2012
9:27 pm
Anybody negative after beating FL is not a fan. Against TN, Auburn, GT and FL we are 7-0!!!!
____________________
Co-sign!
Get well soon Marcus L.
Ward
October 27th, 2012
9:32 pm
I admit that I did not think there was a chance that we would win this game… I love eating crow. It tastes great. I can be happy for a night, but today’s game really showed all that is wrong with our program still: inconsistent coaching (not play calling, but letting players like Murray get away with too much) and inconsistent playing… I wonder who all shows up for the Ole Miss game? I’m nervous that we will have a HUGE let down next weekend, but I will not worry for tonight though… Murray sucks though…I don’t blame Bobo; I think he has some called some great games and plays throughout his career, but I do blame him for picking Murray over Mason…I blame Grantham for not getting the Defense ready to play like this every game…I blame myself for not believing that something good would happen for this team…I’m a terrible fan… If we go 11-1 and play Bama for it all, then I can live with Richt for 2-3 more years as long as next year it’s Mason under center and we run 40-45 times a game.
439the
October 27th, 2012
9:33 pm
A win is a win. Succkk it haters!
kerryb
October 27th, 2012
9:34 pm
Georgia’s defense is finally back together for the first time this year (except for A. Jones) and see what happens. Now they can concentrate on getting even better the rest of the season. With Jarvis Jones, Ogletree, Shawn Williams, Rambo, and now Jordan Jenkins on the field I will take my chances against anyone.
World's Largest Outdoor Gator Beating
October 27th, 2012
9:34 pm
Nine gator points is ugly
Jimmy
October 27th, 2012
9:35 pm
Kerryb:
The SC loss and the ugly way we won DOES MATTER.
Should by some miracle we beat Alabama…and it will take a miracle…
The poll voters will never put us above #3 in the nation.
They will see a win against Bama as an aberration…as lucky.
No MNC this year.
If we play for and win one…I will eat my computer.
Those were 2 ugly teams out there...
October 27th, 2012
9:35 pm
and neither was #2 in the nation – what a joke the “bowl” rankers are -
And, watching AL right now,it is just sad (for UGA) how well they (AL) are coached, and how poorly UGA is coached…
BUT, a win is a win, but, as someone else has already said, look for UGA to lose to AU (who got totally beotched slapped by TAM) or Ole Misss, who is really pretty good – if they lose to UM that will really not be an upset, except to UGA fans…
But, at least Tech got beotched slapped, too, and at home…
kerryb
October 27th, 2012
9:36 pm
Jimmy is still spewing his completely idiotic crap.
10-2 is a good year! Right?
October 27th, 2012
9:37 pm
Alabama up 21-0 after 17 minutes of play. Not a Bama fan but you have to respect how well prepared and coached they are. If Georgia goes to Atlanta it will take Georgia’s best day and Alabama’s worst for UGA to win. But I don’t think Alabama will commit 6 turnovers or be one-dimensional on offense.
Ga football
October 27th, 2012
9:37 pm
the second worst team on the field tonight
kingdaddy
October 27th, 2012
9:37 pm
Way to go Russ…
kerryb
October 27th, 2012
9:37 pm
We won the game and fair weathered fans like Jimmy are still unhappy. Go be a fan of someone else for 45 years. We don’t need you.
DawgNole
October 27th, 2012
9:37 pm
Jimmy
October 27th, 2012
9:31 pm
Hey, I’ve been part of the Bulldog nation for 45 years.
Been watching since I was a kid.
I’ve never once called for a coach’s job…until the SC game this year.
It is not about hate.
If you support this coaching staff…you are the hater.
You hate our players and our school.
You want to see out kids keep having their dreams crushed
Because our coaching staff fails in preparing them for the games that matter.
Richt may prepare them to be “men”.
But he does not prepare them to play championship football.
I love the team.
Just tired of being disappointed.
Richt must go.
_______________________
I’m tired of being disappointed, too, but there’s a time when you have to put aside that hatred of yours–and that time is when we beat fla! There is nothing better on the football field than beating fla–regardless of circumstances!
World's Largest Outdoor Gator Beating
October 27th, 2012
9:38 pm
SEC West is weak
Dawgify
October 27th, 2012
9:38 pm
Ugly is the new pretty.
DawgVoiceofReason
October 27th, 2012
9:38 pm
10-2,
Is that the same Dan Mullen that’s getting his you-know-what handed to him after one quarter by Alabama?
td
October 27th, 2012
9:39 pm
Jimmy
October 27th, 2012
9:03 pm
Let me put this as politely as I can. Most of us UGA fans understand the game, love our guys and our coaches. We are sick and tired of fans like you. If you do not like CMR then do not watch UGA and do not come on these blogs to run down out coaches and team or go find another team to root for.
You and your fellow dumb a$$ fans are hurting the program with recruiting and keep by keeping a negative attitude going and we true fans are sick of you BS. Either get on board or STFU.
reasonable dawg
October 27th, 2012
9:39 pm
If these pathetic people won the lottery, they would complain about paying taxes! You whiny people need some Midol or psychotherapy about your syndrome!
New SEC divisions
October 27th, 2012
9:39 pm
ALABAMA
SEC West
SEC East
World's Largest Outdoor Gator Beating
October 27th, 2012
9:40 pm
Florida could not even score a damn touchdown.
DawgVoiceofReason
October 27th, 2012
9:40 pm
10-2,
BTW that’s 21 to nothing, Bama.
uga
October 27th, 2012
9:41 pm
Jeff, what a shame that you cannot relish in the moment of a fabulous win; I guess most of your athletic career was spent on the field in the BAND!
World's Largest Outdoor Gator Beating
October 27th, 2012
9:41 pm
A statement win for Jarvis Jones.
JB
October 27th, 2012
9:42 pm
Auburn has quir. Ole miss ony obstacle left between us and Bama….and bama looks like a machine. I don’t rhinj they are sweating tonight
GB's Hamburgers
October 27th, 2012
9:42 pm
Richt said he hoped the passion the team played with today continues. Hope? Doesn’t he think firing up the team is in his job description? Enter Shawn Williams into the void of leadership to save Richt’s job. Another incomplete, fragmented game. Defense was magnificent. Offense didn’t have a clue. But on this day Fla. was worse. Murray was awful. The players again showed zero discipline. But they played SEC tough. Florida took a physical beating.
World's Largest Outdoor Gator Beating
October 27th, 2012
9:43 pm
Will Muschamp will sleep ugly tonight.
Big Crimson 75
October 27th, 2012
9:43 pm
Any Tampagator sightings?
Has he shown to take some medicine?
Congrats to the dogs.
Not to crow, but I called it.
Who gives a flip about style points.
Told y’all, the pressure was on Muschamp.
His team was sloppy & nervous all day.
Fla needs a QB. Driskell was worse than Murray.
Finish the season without another loss & you’re reward is playing on ESPN!!
Big Crimson 75
October 27th, 2012
9:45 pm
King — congrats on the dogs, bro & well wishes on the more important stuff.
DawgNole
October 27th, 2012
9:45 pm
Jefferson Davis Hogg
October 27th, 2012
9:24 pm
Naysayer’s will say UF fumbled the game away but at least they all seemed to be forced fumbles which once again was refreshing to see.
__________________
I know I don’t want to see fla say crap about fumbles. That’s the only reason they beat SC last week.
F22
October 27th, 2012
9:47 pm
Our defense played lights out. We played as good a game as I can remember.
Great game plan and execution. They had a lot of turnovers because we caused them.
TrishaDishawareagle
October 27th, 2012
9:47 pm
Holy hell..AU sucks this year (got that out of the way so no reminders, please)
Congratulations to UGA for winning the right to be sacrificed at the alter of the GA Dome vs Alabama
ugly game, but a win is a win.
Since I hate both UGA and Alabama, and yet I doubt the GA Dome will simply collapse on you both that day (wish wish), I suggest you work on Murrays accuracy, because if you makethat many turnovers against Saban and you will be crushed.
Hope Marcus Lattimore can come back and attempt a pro career and if not, I hope he had performance insurance (surely he did).
Does anyone have Gus Malzahn’s phone number..we..ah..might need it
DawgVoiceofReason
October 27th, 2012
9:47 pm
I want to hear from SSIGator; I’m sure he’s lurking but afraid to rear his gator-ugly head.
returning to normal
October 27th, 2012
9:48 pm
When UGA gets spanked in the SECCG and in the Bowl Game….
Edvis
October 27th, 2012
9:48 pm
Jimmy is right. Winning all your games like this is one thing, getting humiliated by SC is another. If they win out, no matter how they win out, it’ll be terrific, and it’s great to beat Florida any year — but there’s nothing to indicate that this Georgia aggregation suddenly belongs on the same field as Alabama. And just because some of us are not falling in line with everyone who is hallucinating over this outcome does not make us lesser supporters of the program — Coach Dooley would agree.
Defense wins championships
October 27th, 2012
9:48 pm
The SEC is king becuase its top teams play great defense and can run the football. this was a GREAT game between two GREAT defenses. Saying it was ugly Shultz is saying you can’t enjoy a 1-0 baseball game between two great pitchers. Great defenses cause turnovers. Here’s a shout out to GA’s OLine. No sacks on Murray. But we were in the Gator backfield all night. Great job Coach Richt! I love ya, coach!
DawgNole
October 27th, 2012
9:48 pm
10-2 is a good year! Right?
October 27th, 2012
9:25 pm
Man, I like Dan Mullen. Too bad Tennessee will get him.
______________________
Shows how ignorant you are. He hasn’t beaten a team worth a damn all year–and is getting his azz handed to him tonight. Go educate yourself before you show up on here looking like an even bigger fool.
PreyDawg
October 27th, 2012
9:48 pm
Tampa Gator1 Get your a$$ out here. You yellow SOB!! Every one of you jorts wearing reptilian no good low life lousy sacks of excrement get your sorry tails out here and take your medicine. I got a big steaming plate of crow for you and you are going to eat every dang mouthful.
Jimmy
October 27th, 2012
9:48 pm
td:
Guess what…the feeling is mutual.
The only thing hurting recruiting is regular humiliation in big games on national TV.
Fans like me are tired of pollyannas who can’t see a program in decline.
I never had a negative attitude before the SC game this year.
After that game…what happened moron?
We lost a couple of recruits.
Fans like me are sick of the koolaid drinking, BS fans like yourself.
If you don’t like fans like me…you don’t have to keep watching the games
or coming to this blog.
Polite enough for ya?
10-2 is a good year! Right?
October 27th, 2012
9:48 pm
Yeah, that Dan Mullen. He has nowhere near the talent that Bama has and it shows. But he’s brought that program up from nothing and at least he shows some fire. I’d like to see what he could do with more talent. I think he’ll get his chance at Tennessee next year.
Now watch Saban get after this kid for that stupid penalty even up 21-0. I want that kind of coach.
F22
October 27th, 2012
9:49 pm
Our Oline played better….for the most part our QB had time to throw and gurley had a great game.
Only back to rush over 100 against the gators this year!
Hard nose SEC defense.
J Clay
October 27th, 2012
9:50 pm
Bama is great, no debate…but this Bama -UGA talk is funny…here is why…
A. We beat the Gators, be happy with that at least for tonight
B. based on schedule alone, not team ability, UGA is now more likely to play in SEC title game than Bama…not predicting it mind you, but everyone here is already giving Bama a win AT LSU next week…that game is much tougher than anything Dawgs have left in conference.
Big Crimson 75
October 27th, 2012
9:50 pm
Excited about the prospects of a Bama-UGA SEC CG.
Hard to believe it’d be the first ever meeting between the 2 sides in the 20 year history of the game.
FYI, don’t sleep on the Rebels.
They played Us harder/better than anyone else has thus far.
They play hard, quality ball for Coach Freeze.
After that, y’all got a couple cakewalks with Aubie & Tech!!
DawgNole
October 27th, 2012
9:50 pm
Moorman
October 27th, 2012
9:26 pm
One of the biggest wins in georgia history, not just mark richt’s career, but the whole history of georgia football, because, like you said jeff, its the national perception of the program as being under achievers for a long time…..
__________________
You’ve nailed it.
F22
October 27th, 2012
9:51 pm
We got to beat OLE miss…..
no looking ahead….
kerryb
October 27th, 2012
9:51 pm
reasonable dawg
October 27th, 2012
9:39 pm
If these pathetic people won the lottery, they would complain about paying taxes! You whiny people need some Midol or psychotherapy about your syndrome!
_________________________________________________________
Amen
PreyDawg
October 27th, 2012
9:51 pm
Hey thanks Trisha Dish for your input that nobody asked for or cares about. Since you don’t have Un-Fairley to try and cripple players and a bought and paid for quarterback you really don’t know how to beat your way out of a wet paper bag do you. So go back in your trailer and drink some more MD 20/20 and try and figure out what Dick and Jane are doing.
Pope UGA XXIII
October 27th, 2012
9:52 pm
Absolutely dee-lighted to eat my words from yesterday about not
winning today. Dawgs still have a lot of work to do on playing under
control and Murray still isn’t a championship caliber QB, but they all
held it together today and won a really big one. Extra bonus knowing
that Spurrier is now out of it, but everyone wishes marcus Lattimore a
speedy recovery.
To think about some other teams we don’t want to trade records
with, just swing by Grant Field then zip on down I-85 to Auburn. You
will find two absolutely “boo-awful” teams on your drive.
Haven’t felt this good about UGA since Michael Adams announced
resignation/retirement.
DILLIGAF
October 27th, 2012
9:52 pm
First, I just want to say that I despise The Florida Gators.
Kudos to the offensive line, they held their own against a very good defensive front, opened running lanes and decent pass protection. We should have added more points to the win if not for Murray throwing the pick inside the ten yard line and also the missed field goal.
I’ve always been a Murray fan and still think he can pick you apart when given adequate protection but he does get rattled and makes bad passing decisions and I’ve always believed that he zones in on his primary receivers and doesn’t pick up on developing options as the play breaks down. It showed again tonight but he did have a couple of drops and one interception was off of the receiver’s hands.
The defense played a physical game, flew to the ball, tackled better and there were alot of swamp lizards littering the carpet.
Jarvis Jones is the best defensive player in the country. I would love to see him play at 100% without injury this season.
The players and coaches on this team need to hold each other accountable for their play for the rest of this season. Thaks Shawn Williams, you’re a Damn Good Dog. I wasn’t crazy about the way that you did it but admire your passion for your team and you brothers and I’m sure that right now, your teammates and coaches are thanking you too.
C’mon offense, get it together this week.
And on a serious note, if you believe in prayer, say one for Marcus Lattimore tonight. I’m a huge fan of this guy, he’s a good young man and a huge talent and it broke my heart to see his broken spirit in his eyes.
Go Dawgs!
GATA!
UGA85′
BearDawg
October 27th, 2012
9:52 pm
Please for the sake of the program all you “supporters” who do nothing but spew hate and negativity, go “support” another program. Although I’m sure they wouldn’t want you either.
Mr. SEC
October 27th, 2012
9:53 pm
An ugly win, NOT! Murry sucked as usual, but the O had it’s moments, young line or not. Great D, so again not as ugly as Schult’s would would have you to believe.