Georgia earns respect in defeat, but loss not easy to take
Kenarious Gates drops to a knee as Georgia lost SEC title on game's final play. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
This was the day when representatives from every other conference, when every critic weary of the SEC’s six-year-plus rule in college football, should have come to the realization, “Oh. So that’s why they’re the best.”
Georgia and Alabama looked like the two best teams from the two best conference, if not the two best teams in the nation, and they just played a conference championship that saw four lead changes in the second half and the game not decided until the game’s final play.
What would happen if Georgia and Alabama played 10 times?
“It probably would look like that every game,” Bulldogs wide receiver Tavarres King said. “And there would be several different outcomes.”
Georgia doesn’t have that luxury. The Dogs lost the SEC championship game 32-28 at the Georgia Dome. They came that close to playing for a national championship.
They had a chance at the end, with quarterback Aaron Murray having driven the team from its own 28 to the Alabama 8 with 15 seconds left. At that point, we can debate whether Murray should have spiked the ball to reset the offense. But suffice to say, the game ended with a tipped pass that was caught at Tide’s 5, the final seconds ticked off and one team celebrated its impending berth in the BCS championship game while the other collapsed in exhaustion, uncertain of its bowl status.
The irony here was that Georgia probably gained more respect in defeat than in any of its 11 victories. The Dogs were criticized for a perceived soft schedule, for the way they were physically hammered be South Carolina, for the hiccups at Kentucky.
Yet on Saturday, even the opposing coach, Nick Saban, was moved to comment: “I think it’s a crying shame if Georgia doesn’t get to go to a BCS bowl game. That game came down to the last play. It’s ridiculous. Some teams are 7-5 and talking about winning their conference and going to a BCS bowl game? Something’s not right here.”
So yes, the Dogs proved their worthiness on this day.
Coach Mark Richt has made the program relevant again in the SEC, and therefore on the national scale.
Afterward, Richt said, “I told them I was disappointed. But I wasn’t disappointed in them.”
That said, Georgia lost to a better team.
Alabama was the superior team physically. The Tide rushed for 350 yards, led by Eddie Lacy (187) and T.J. Yeldon (154). The physical domination started with the Tide’s offensive line taking over the game in the second half, blowing open holes in Georgia’s defensive front. It continued with the Dogs, clearly worn down and drained, began to miss tackles.
“[The defense] got tired of being run against — I could figure that one out,” Richt said. “We just got knocked off the ball.”
At some point, it figured Alabama would try to get Georgia to bite on play-action, and that’s exactly what happened. With the Dogs leading 28-25, Alabama had a first down at the Georgia 45 when quarterback A.J. McCarron faked a handoff, stepped back and hit wide receiver Amari Cooper streaking down the left sideline, behind cornerback Damian Swann. The touchdown put Alabama, which once trailed 21-10, up 32-28 with just over three minutes left.
The Dogs had two more chances. They went three-and-out on one possession and quickly had to punt. They used their last two time outs during Alabama’s possession but forced the Tide to give up the ball one more time. They got the ball back with 1:08 remaining.
“We’ve had plenty of one-minute drives during the season so it’s not like guys were freaking out or anything,” Murray said later. “We were just like, ‘Let’s play ball.”
On the fourth play of the drive, Murray had a pass tipped and intercepted at midfield. But he and the team got a reprieve when the play was reversed by replay, which showed the ball hitting the ground. The quarterback then completed consecutive passes to Arthur Lynch, King and Lynch again. The ball was now at the eight with about 15 seconds remaining.
Richt decided to keep going and not have Murray spike the ball to stop the clock. “Even spiking the ball takes time,” Richt said. “We had a play called.”
The play was fade route to Malcolm Mitchell at the back of the end zone. But there were only nine seconds left when the ball was snapped, Murray’s pass was tipped at the line and Chris Conley caught it in traffic at the five (first instinct). He was buried and time ran out.
Richt: “In that play you want a touchdown or an incomplete pass.”
In between is trouble. In between ended the game. Georgia was that close going to the national championship game. That’s something they will have to live with.
By Jeff Schultz
If you blinked, you missed a blog
• SHORT TAKES (UGA): Dogs should’ve spiked the ball
• Braves dump a pitcher (Hanson) they once viewed as gold
• Falcons’ offense hits a wall (but as usual it doesn’t matter)
• Braves need this free agent splurge on B.J. Upton to pay off
• Weekend Predictions: Georgia pulls the upset but Tech goes down
• Georgia’s best chance vs. Alabama may be to step on the gas
• SEC title would mean Georgia’s return to elite status
• Georgia playing at level we haven’t seen under Richt
• Upsetting Georgia would give Tech needed boost for future
• Vince Dooley: Joy from Georgia’s resurgence, pain from son’s firing
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754 comments Add your comment
Old man football
December 1st, 2012
10:31 pm
‘Even Nick Saban said they had to run the ball because they could not keep the UGA pass rush off of their QB.”
Um. No. That’s just Saban talking. We ran the ball down Georgia’s throat for one reason. Because we could.
thrasherdawg
December 1st, 2012
10:31 pm
At the end of the first half Murray..as usual…waits to long…throws a touchdown pass short and 10 yards off line for a pick. Bama scores 3 before half…this was a 10 point swing. Bama has the exact situation and QB hits Cooper in stride. Murray’s pick before half (should have been a touchdown) cost GA the game.
Unbelievable how you can throw a pass that is designed outside the numbers to be thrown on the hash. INEXCUSABLE!
Eric C.
December 1st, 2012
10:32 pm
Jeff, excellent commentary!
cmac, ok…you know nothing about football. It is a game of depth…Rambo was correct in that the first team UGA defense is great. Bama wore them down and the Dawgs do not have the depth that LSU has…and Bama happens to be the best running team outside of the NFL. So, why don’t you sit down and be quiet now…shhhhhhhhh.
The Bear
December 1st, 2012
10:32 pm
UGA much respect! The Dogs played a hell of a game!
JB at home
December 1st, 2012
10:32 pm
And one reason we can’t stop the run. To much emphasis is put on QB sacks in our coaching and too little coaching in run stoppage. We gave up lots of yards rushing to average teams this year.
LOYAL DAWG
December 1st, 2012
10:33 pm
Shack….If the pass doesn’t get tipped and we score, we still gave up 350 rushing and still played the teams on our schedule
I'm a Georgia fan. It's a license to be stupid.
December 1st, 2012
10:35 pm
Williams return to the Bama d-line was the key to the game…Georgia ran at will after he left; didn’t run nearly as well after he came back…
Old man football
December 1st, 2012
10:35 pm
Wasn’t nothing Shawn Williams could say in the 2nd half to spur on his defensive teammates. Bama was like a battering ram beating the dawg defense into submission. Fatigue makes cowards of us all.
Tim
December 1st, 2012
10:36 pm
I am a Bama grad and fan, but also a Georgia fan. This game was one of the greatest games I’ve ever seen. I would have said the same if UGA completed that last drive in a touchdown. This was clearly the National Championship game. Coach Saban was right, its a shame Georgia is not playing in the BCS, along with Florida and Alabama. Boise State? Louisville? Give me a break. Proud of both my teams for playing such a great game.
Suzi
December 1st, 2012
10:36 pm
Comment from Rick James, What a good sport and such a fair and balanced comment.
Thanks from a true BAMA fan Great game!!!!!
Eric C.
December 1st, 2012
10:37 pm
@ Not disappointed, thanks for the classy post
Eric C.
December 1st, 2012
10:38 pm
The NC game is going to be a joke
dddf's
December 1st, 2012
10:38 pm
UGA earns respect, no victory, but respect. 30+ years of frustration.
Texas Dawg
December 1st, 2012
10:38 pm
Sorry @LOYAL DAWG, but that back shoulder fade to Mitchell was NOT open, even without the tip. Bama’s defensive back was right up on him and would have been in position to make a play. Would he have made it? Would Mitchell have snatched it and send us all into delirium? Unfortunately, we’ll never know.
Andy in AL
December 1st, 2012
10:38 pm
Most comments on here are sheer lunacy. Dark Lord Saban can’t say it yet but this was the MNC game tonight! These are the best two teams in Division one football. A fade to the back of the endzone was a great call but give it to the AL defense to come up with a great play! UGA will reload and be back next year. Guarantee all the calling for Richt to be fired are Tech fans who hate he is 11-1 against the trade school! All I see is respect from Florida/Alabama fans. Thank ya’ll As all three of those SEC teams are incredibly great! Now as an UGA fan; Roll Tide and don’t come home without Leprachaun between your toes!
toga
December 1st, 2012
10:38 pm
May be another 30 years before Ga gets that close but great game. Will bet the house Ga loses to a subpar team in their bowl game. ROLL TIDE!
JB at home
December 1st, 2012
10:38 pm
Slive’s refs did their part. ONE flag on Bama. Really? The center held on almost every play. The Head to head of Murray? 60 minute war with ONE flag on the guys in White. Geez,
Old man football
December 1st, 2012
10:38 pm
Loyal dawg,
if if if . You were lucky to be in that position to begin with. Saban went way too conservative with that prevent defense and also if if if Bama doesn’t give up a cheap TD on a blocked kick or if Bama doesn’t throw an int in the end zone or if Bama doesn’t mismanage the clock the same way at the end of the 1st half then this game wouldn’t have even been close. The better, stronger team won.
Thugs
December 1st, 2012
10:39 pm
Respect? Are you kidding, if uga hadnt of played that soft schedule they never would have been in that game. They lost to 2 of the 3 good teams they played and the third had 6 turnovers. Easy to play one hard game a year. Thetis game wasn’t as close as the score. Once all those d players leave uga will be right back to middle of the pack with richt back on the hot seat.
gault
December 1st, 2012
10:39 pm
Respect my anus, call out Richt. But, AJC won’t, it’s all kisses. My back, your back, Ka-Ching.
Jim
December 1st, 2012
10:40 pm
Hey Tim, losers don’t make it into the BCS. ugag skated through a crappier schedule than Boise State and Louisville. Do you realize ugag went 1-2 against teams with a winning record? yeah, crown them!!!!!!!!
JB at home
December 1st, 2012
10:41 pm
Hey old man football……go poison a tree on peachtree and call it a night and STFU.
GatorGuy
December 1st, 2012
10:41 pm
Classy post? That’s a first.
CMR is a classy guy, Aaron Murray is a classy guy, heck, Jim Donnan was a classy guy, until they slapped the handcuffs on him. Nick Saban is a body part. But he wins.
UGA not good.
Warmest Holiday Wishes to You and Yours.
No truth to the rumor that Delta just doubled the price of plane tix to Orlando over Christmas!
dawgfan
December 1st, 2012
10:41 pm
I knew we faced an uphill battle when Bama had 150 yards rushing…..in the FIRST HALF. Not too many national champions give up 300 yards rushing in a game like this. This one’s on the D.
I feel for Aaron Murray more than anyone because I really don’t feel like the “can’t win the big one” tag is all that fair.
Maybe we’ll get there one of these days. I’m sure not goin to quit.
dddf's
December 1st, 2012
10:42 pm
Whine about the ref’s. LMFAO!!!!!
LOYAL DAWG
December 1st, 2012
10:42 pm
I don’t care what any fake UGA fan or any other team’s fans say, anybody who truly understand football knows that we got a helluva football team and coaching staff and Bama does too. Maybe that’s why it was such a great game. It sucks to lose but if voters really pay attention, we should stay #3 after tonight. If #3 loses by 1 play to #2, then why should we fall below #3?
JB at home
December 1st, 2012
10:43 pm
ONE FLAG DDF’s?
Shack
December 1st, 2012
10:44 pm
Loyal dog…. Good point, even with the physical beat down, ga almost snuck in. That doesn’t excuse the lack of defense or lack of discipline with the penalties. Good coaches are usually defined by teams with few penalties and strong running games….. Alabama’s team this year not nearly as good as last years and still physically destroyed the dogs…
toga
December 1st, 2012
10:44 pm
Keep you chin up Ga.,your the tallest midget.Roll Tide.
Wet Willie...keep on smiling
December 1st, 2012
10:44 pm
Gurley is a great football player. He and Eddie put on a show as did TJ Yeldon. AJ has a hurt shoulder (happened vs Miss State ) and he’s just playing on guts.Amari Cooper is the best receiver to play at Bama and that includes Julio Jones. Bama played 22 freshman (true and redshirt) this year so the future is bright but the SEC is only going to get worse going forward. We really need 8 teams in the playoff.
sb
December 1st, 2012
10:45 pm
SPIKE THE BALL RICHT- 2 WINS AND 10 LOSSED AGAINST TOP 10 RANKED TEAMS PATHETIC
sb
December 1st, 2012
10:45 pm
SPIKE THE BALL RICHT- 2 WINS AND 10 LOSSES AGAINST TOP 10 RANKED TEAMS PATHETIC
GatorGuy
December 1st, 2012
10:46 pm
UGA has enough “earned” respect to bailout the US government. What it has not “acquired” is a BCS. But here is an idea. Lets start selling T-shirts with the phrase “Spike the Ball!!!!!!!!” on the front. Should raise enough $$$$ to buy out CMR and his boys. I know, I know, his contract goes to 2050 or the end of the Mayan calendar, which ever comes later, but its worth a try.
Old man football
December 1st, 2012
10:47 pm
JB at home,
Bullshyte. Georgia has historically been the most penalized team in the sec and bama has historicallt been one of the least penalized in the nation. Gary Danielson noted and the replay showed blatant holding on Gurleys last td run. Or did you not hear that or see the replay video? Shut the hell up wiht your whining crap about the refs stealing the game. Typical loser dawg fan trying to blame it on the refs.
WPWW
December 1st, 2012
10:47 pm
(Th)UGA will NEVER win another national title! They lucked up to even be in this game, and now will be in the scrubby CapOne or Outback Bowl where they belong! LOL! The puppies will be back to their “normal” 3-4 loss season (& 3rd place SEC East) next year. (Th)UGA is a 2nd tier, wanna be program w/ a’buncha pipe-dreamin’ fans!
Huuuumble
December 1st, 2012
10:48 pm
LMAO. What a 2nd tier team the Georgia Bulldogs are. Always the brides maid never the bride bwahahaha. Go enjoy your Hotgarbage.com Bowl in whatever dump of a city they send you to.
GO FALCONS!
Rick James
December 1st, 2012
10:48 pm
LSU got a rematch last year..I think Georgia should get one too.Forget Notre Dame,the BCS title game was tonight.
Rick James
December 1st, 2012
10:49 pm
@Tech Fans
Dont you guys have better things to do?
Typical
December 1st, 2012
10:49 pm
Richt can’t admit a mistake. Saban- who has won national titles- admitted his clock management mistake at close of 1st half. Richt on the other hand doesn’t admit mistake for not spiking ball on last possession but instead blame loss on ‘time ran out on us’. UGA will get more of the same excuses as long as he’s in charge.
GatorGuy
December 1st, 2012
10:49 pm
So here’s a riddle?
If a tree falls in the woods, and lands on Bobo, does Murray spike the ball?
dddf's
December 1st, 2012
10:49 pm
Have no idea how many flags, I just know that every time UGA loses a big game, the hydrant sniffers pick the officials apart. Been hearing that whine for years. They gave you a gift by giving that int back on the final drive. And I guess it was the officiating that kept you guys from spiking the football and stopping the clock? Jeez, that’s fundamental football 101! But of course it was the officials. DDDF’s indeed!
Thomas
December 1st, 2012
10:50 pm
Another CHOKE for the books!
East Alabama Gator
December 1st, 2012
10:50 pm
Congrats to both teams on a hard-fought game. It was bad somebody had to lose. As hard as it will be living around all the Bama fans over the next few weeks, they earned their way to play Notre Dame for the national title.
Old man football
December 1st, 2012
10:50 pm
Wet WIllie,
Bama also has only 8 or maybe 9 seniors on this team. The future looks very, very bright at Alabama.
LOYAL DAWG
December 1st, 2012
10:50 pm
Texas…back shoulder fades are NEVER open thats why they thrown to the back shoulder. But it would’ve been a 50/50 ball no doubt….Old Man…How come our blocked FG and Int were lucky? Why can’t they be great plays? We were not lucky
Thugs
December 1st, 2012
10:51 pm
Keep it up loyal dawg. It’s fans like you who keep uga mediocre. Thank you!
Birmingham Jacket
December 1st, 2012
10:51 pm
Georgia is one fine football team.
And I disagree with Bradley. I don’t think BAMA is the better team. They have a better O-Line, and more experienced running backs.
But I was in Athens last weekend, and saw the same thing I saw tonight. UGA’s offense with Murray is awesome.
Was at game tonight. And I think you play that game 10 times, UGA wins 5-6.
UGA/BAMA clearly the top 2 teams in the country.
GatorGuy
December 1st, 2012
10:51 pm
I thought Rick James was dead?
KINGDAWG
December 1st, 2012
10:52 pm
ALUM = IDIOT
Bamafanmom
December 1st, 2012
10:52 pm
This just goes to show you it’s not how you play the game, it’s whether or not you win. Alabama did not play particularly well tonight, but won anyway. Sorry, my GA friends! I feel your pain.