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
Big Crimson 75
October 27th, 2012
10:15 pm
Kerry — that junk can be said about any team.
You know who’s played the toughest schedule in the Country?
Tennessee.
Their 0&5 in the SEC this year.
Their opponents :
Fla — 1 loss
UGA — 1 loss
Missy St — undefeated
SC — 2 losses
Bama — undefeated
phil
October 27th, 2012
10:15 pm
Florida is our biggest game. Every year.
This was sweet, period.
kerryb
October 27th, 2012
10:16 pm
Big Crimson. I was just messing with you. I was waiting for the comment back from you.
td
October 27th, 2012
10:16 pm
Jimmy
October 27th, 2012
10:03 pm
You are living in a fantasy world. UGA is not and has not been considered an elite team since the late 80’s. AL, USC, Ohio st, Mich, ND, OK are “nationally prominent programs”. UGA has always been considered in the second tier except during the last CVD years. We were considered third or fourth tier until CMR was hired. Now can CMR get us to that level? Yes, but it will take many more winning years to get us there and as long a AL keeps Saban and they win 10 plus games per year we will not get there (no matter who the coach is).
Now get out of your fantasy land, enjoy the greatness CMR has given this program and hope we keep him for many years to come so that we do have a chance one day to become a top tier elite team.
TAMPADAWG
October 27th, 2012
10:17 pm
PEOBABLY WONT HAPPEN BUT UGA vs ND IN THE NC WOULD BE VERY COOL….!!!
World's Largest Outdoor Gator Beating
October 27th, 2012
10:17 pm
Georgia knocked some heads today.
Flo-Ri-Duh
October 27th, 2012
10:18 pm
What did I tell ‘ya? I predicted that the LIZARDS would have REPTILE DYSFUNCTION ……. fumbles, interceptions and penalties. The difference in this game and the S.C. game was the defense put pressure on the QB and forced errors. Reptiles were physically beaten down – counted at least 6 Lizards carried off the field that did not return. MUSCHUMP was out coached and out played. Congrats to the DAWGS – players and coaches.
Dawgs and the Coaches for a good game plan and an excellent effort Florida no longer dominates UGA. They are 3 – 3 in the last six games and 4 – 5 over the last 9.
DawgVoiceofReason
October 27th, 2012
10:19 pm
phil,
You perfectly captured the insanity of those Dawg “fans” who aren’t enjoying today’s huge victory! I applaud you for your pointed sarcasm!
phil
October 27th, 2012
10:12 pm
“Florida was only number two….
Meaningless win.”
Big Crimson 75
October 27th, 2012
10:19 pm
Nobody said a thing when LSU beat Bama 9-6 last season. It was how tough Bama was. Give UGA credit
—-
Yes, they did.
Considering we lost that game, I think it was more of how tough LSU was.
doerun dog
October 27th, 2012
10:19 pm
In case no one has wrote this, I will:
AN UGLY WIN IS BETTER THAN A PRETTY DEFEAT!!!
10-2 is a good year! Right?
October 27th, 2012
10:19 pm
DVOR
The onside kick was also a pretty stupid call, though some will call it “agressive”. It was stupid. Your defense is playing lights out and you risk shortening the field for an offense that has done nothing all game?
Lil Wayne
October 27th, 2012
10:19 pm
Georgia played Alabama style defense today. Didn’t allow a touchdown! That’s saying something! We pretty much are going to the SEC title game if we can just beat Ole Miss in Athens. No way in hell we lose to Auburn. They’ve quit. It’s a one game season fellas and it’s in Athens.
10-2 is a good year! Right?
October 27th, 2012
10:19 pm
“aggressive” that is. Still a dumb call.
World's Largest Outdoor Gator Beating
October 27th, 2012
10:20 pm
Florida will take an ugly loss like this for years to come.
Big Crimson 75
October 27th, 2012
10:21 pm
The Nic-Tator’s happy.
That’s unusual.
No. 10 Bulldogs force six turnovers, upset No. 2 Gators – ESPN | football.sportreports.tk
October 27th, 2012
10:21 pm
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World's Largest Outdoor Gator Beating
October 27th, 2012
10:22 pm
another 7-6 season for muschamp
Dawgman
October 27th, 2012
10:23 pm
Where you at, Schultz??? You picked the Gators and said UGA’s only chance to win was Murray!!! You predict like you write – bad! Obviously Jarvis being on the field will always be our best shot as he is predicted by those in the know to be a top lick in the NFL draft next year, yet you say the guy that has never won a big game was UGA’s best chance! UGA won this game despite Murray’s deer in the headlights look on his face. My biggest concern is that he will start until he finishes his eligibility which will only give Mason 1 year to run the team and he might actually be a leader in big games – who knows??? But if he is, we will have lost another year to see it by the time Murray leaves. Love the Dawgs, but a little tired of the same performance from the QB in games that are in the spotlight.
Phillip
October 27th, 2012
10:23 pm
Any real Dawg fans do not get on here and bash players and coaches behind a screen name. Man up be a true fan who supports the coaches and players. Most negative comments come from people who do not even go to Athens and watch the Dawgs. Coach Richt and his staff did an outstanding job of managing this game which is different from most games because of history and location. Coach Bobo did a heck of a job in getting Murray through this game, made great calls and Murray made some bad throws but heck, he was there when we needed it most. Defense was spectacular.
Richard Nixon
October 27th, 2012
10:23 pm
I would love to be a fly on the wall in the “ole ball coach’s” office!
DawgNole
October 27th, 2012
10:23 pm
DawgVoiceofReason
October 27th, 2012
10:14 pm
Jimmy,
Why don’t you and 10-2 get together and do whatever it is that the clinically negative do? Also, anyone who uses “loosing” when they mean “losing” and it it not a typo has absolutely NO credibility on anything. Even most jort-wearing gators know the difference.
___________________
Couldn’t have said it better myself.
World's Largest Outdoor Gator Beating
October 27th, 2012
10:23 pm
7-6 is a good year, right muschamp.
td
October 27th, 2012
10:24 pm
10-2 is a good year! Right?
October 27th, 2012
10:19 pm
“aggressive” that is. Still a dumb call.
That is why you are sitting in a trailer, drinking a beer and criticizing the staff and not making the millions per year that they are making.
Jimmy
October 27th, 2012
10:24 pm
It’s funny…you guys talk like you are the entire Bulldog nation.
Yet it is the same few doing all the talking here tonight.
Where are the rest of the alums?
Five of my best friends are alums and I can tell you where they are…
They are not swimming in the koolaid like you guys.
You call others “stupid” but it is hard to take it personally
because you are blind.
And you are losers.
Winners don’t take these kind of games
like little girls whose daddy just gave them a flower.
Winners are never happy with mediocrity.
You guys are losers.
You tell others to “get a life”
and to “get out of fantasy land”
yet that’s where you live.
Funny…you are not the bulldog nation.
And you will be the one’s crying when Richt is gone.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
October 27th, 2012
10:25 pm
Ugly win? I’d say so, when you have 132 yards in penalties and needed 6 turnovers to beat a team by 1 score. Reminds me of your UK win, 400 yards passing vs their 100 and you only win by 5. Something ain’t right there.
anyways, Florida was starting to look like they were back. They’re not. That’s fine. An easy stroll to the BCS game against Oregon is fine by me given we’ll be matched against a team that lost 35-7 to South Carolina who got beat bad for two straight weeks afterwards.
Early prediction:
Alabama 31
UGA 0
If we were Oregon types it’s be 70-35. But we lock down on defense and just run the ball to end games.
I already have tickets to the game.
RTR
Big Crimson 75
October 27th, 2012
10:26 pm
Forget the fire Richt crowd, maybe this shuts up the 3-4 scheme can’t work crowd.
Man!!! Those jackets are quiet tonight.
Firing poor Al Groh was obviously the solution.
As a proud Southerner, it’s actually a shame Johnson has completely wrecked GT.
CDAWG
October 27th, 2012
10:26 pm
I didn’t think we would win but we did and if I smoked I would enjoy a cigarette about now. All I know is we won and our D didn’t give up 500 yards against the #2 team in the country who has beat LSU, SC and A&M. It sure feels good being a Dawg fan tonight. God speed to Marcus Lattimore!
Richard Nixon
October 27th, 2012
10:26 pm
Who the heck is ND? North Dakota?
Jimmy
October 27th, 2012
10:27 pm
Oh yeah…and only losers call someone out for typos.
Like a girl whose daddy didn’t give her enough attention.
Loser!
World's Largest Outdoor Gator Beating
October 27th, 2012
10:28 pm
Bama will lose the SEC West to LSU, just like last year.
CDAWG
October 27th, 2012
10:28 pm
What does RTR stand for, run turd run!
What a joke
October 27th, 2012
10:29 pm
Hey Schultz, selling those ads, aren’t you? Newsflash, it was an upset over a bad offense.
Newsflash will destroy the team with the “great win”. But, you knew that. You are a prostitute to your employer. We get it.
td
October 27th, 2012
10:29 pm
Jimmy
October 27th, 2012
10:24 pm
You talk like you are playing for the team. If someone was to believe your comments then they would believe you were in the locker room and meeting rooms with the players and coaches and know exactly what they are saying and teaching.
How much are you getting paid to coach this program? Give us your resume on what a great coach and former player you were (Xbox does not count).
Either support the team or go find one you can support.
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
October 27th, 2012
10:30 pm
BTW, to the other commenters about where UGA would be ranked. Don’t be on being the #1 1-loss team. ND will still be above you as well as FSU and of course LSU.
But you know what’s probably going to shock you, given UF’s schedule they’ll still be ranked above you given the excuse of bad turnovers in a bad weather game. I think that’s how the AP voters will view this.
Hey, Ole Miss is coming to town. Don’t screw this up. Get a win… for the both of us.
RTR
ATLcracker
October 27th, 2012
10:30 pm
I’m glad they won but I have to agree with Bill Stanfill’s son Jake who was interviewed after the game who was clearly embarrassed by by the lack of discipline and sportsmanship that both teams displayed to a national audience. Nick Saban would have sent half of both teams and one or two coaches to the dressing room for stupid classless plays. Richt and Muschamp need to get their Senior leaders next season to sit down together in the off season and go over the film and talk about what can be done to change the mindset of these juvenile thugs who are not representing the typical teachers, students and employees of these great Universities in an acceptable manner. I can’t believe the Presidents of these two flagship universities were pleased by what they saw and they should have the support of their Boards in laying down the law to these two ineffectual coaches.
What a joke
October 27th, 2012
10:30 pm
Bama will destroy GA that is
kerryb
October 27th, 2012
10:30 pm
10-2 is a good year! Right?
October 27th, 2012
10:19 pm
DVOR
The onside kick was also a pretty stupid call, though some will call it “agressive”. It was stupid. Your defense is playing lights out and you risk shortening the field for an offense that has done nothing all game?
________________________________________________________________________
If the player wasn’t a step off sides he had that easily. Then everyone would be saying it was a great call.
Pug
October 27th, 2012
10:30 pm
Jimmy, why don’t you go eat your computer now? GO DAWGS!
birdo
October 27th, 2012
10:31 pm
I still have a real bitter taste from the SC game. This does not change a thing.
Fidlin1
October 27th, 2012
10:31 pm
The Dawg defense was anything but ugly. Simply Beautiful the way they made the Gators offense look so ugly.
Jimmy
October 27th, 2012
10:32 pm
A RTR Hit-N-Run from ATL
October 27th, 2012
10:25 pm
Ugly win? I’d say so, when you have 132 yards in penalties and needed 6 turnovers to beat a team by 1 score. Reminds me of your UK win, 400 yards passing vs their 100 and you only win by 5. Something ain’t right there.
————-
You said it all.
kerryb
October 27th, 2012
10:33 pm
What a joke
October 27th, 2012
10:30 pm
Bama will destroy GA that is
______________________________________________
Then I guess we shouldn’t even play the game. What a tool
DawgVoiceofReason
October 27th, 2012
10:34 pm
CDAWG and others of like mind,
Yes, I agree, it’s Great to be Georgia Bulldog!!! Two in a row was long overdue. After seeing us lose every which way possible (seemingly), it was great to win another game when we very easily could have lost. The defense was awesome and obviously was inspired by Sean Williams. The offense did just enough to win. Beating the Gators is always sweet and especially this year given the circumstances (if we win out the regular season, they are out of everything meaningful and we still have a shot).
Ga fans
October 27th, 2012
10:34 pm
are so cute. Their team wins a big game every few years and they start getting delusions of grandeur.
Jimmy
October 27th, 2012
10:35 pm
birdo
October 27th, 2012
10:31 pm
I still have a real bitter taste from the SC game. This does not change a thing.
—————
That’s all I been saying.
That beat down and the subsequent poor play after it makes me say, “This does not change a thing.”
kerryb
October 27th, 2012
10:35 pm
I was also proud of the O-line. They protected Murray most of the night against a good D-line. Now, the WR’s need to step up. Murray was having to get to his 3rd progression and still not finding anyone open. Yea, Murray made some throws he should not have tried but his receivers were not helping him out much.
DawgNole
October 27th, 2012
10:36 pm
phil
October 27th, 2012
10:15 pm
Florida is our biggest game. Every year.
This was sweet, period.
____________________
Just don’t forget what I told you back at the beginning of the game blog: We play them because of that “little” chance of winning.
World's Largest Outdoor Gator Beating
October 27th, 2012
10:37 pm
cocktail time
Archibald Hole Broke
October 27th, 2012
10:37 pm
I think we should all pause for a moment and say a special prayer for Marcus Lattimore. What a gruesome injury and the fact that it happened to such a good human being is doubly sad. It kind of puts or “differences” in perspective, no?
kerryb
October 27th, 2012
10:38 pm
Jimmy
October 27th, 2012
10:35 pm
birdo
October 27th, 2012
10:31 pm
I still have a real bitter taste from the SC game. This does not change a thing.
—————
That’s all I been saying.
That beat down and the subsequent poor play after it makes me say, “This does not change a thing.”
_____________________________________________________________________
Man, why don’t you guys just jump off of something. What did we lose by not beating SC? We control our destiny in the East and we will be ranked around where we were then. We lost nothing by losing to them. Now the defense is playing like we thought they were. Get over it already.