Georgia short takes: Dogs should’ve spiked the ball
Jay Rome's touchdown catch gave Georgia 7-0 lead two plays after fake punt. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
(I’ll be back with my column on the Georgia-Alabama SEC championship soon. Until then, here are my three “short takes” on the game.)
1. Great drive until the last decision: Trialing 32-28, Georgia was given a second chance to drive for a winning touchdown when an Aaron Murray interception was turned over on replay, which showed the ball hit the ground. So with the ball at the Dogs’ 28 on second-and-10, Murray then capitalized when completed passes to Arthur Lynch (15 yards), Tavarres King (23) and Lynch again (26), moving the ball to the Alabama 8. However, with the final seconds (from :09 after Lynch’s second catch) ticking down, Murray did not take the ensuing snap and spike the ball to stop the clock. Instead, he ran a play and completed a tipped pass to Chris Conley, who was tackled at the Alabama 5 and time ran out. It was a great three plays and a dreadful fourth. While it’s no guarantee that the result would have been different, spiking the ball to stop the clock would have allowed the Dogs to set up for one more play, potentially a more successful one.
2. It’s still about blocking and tackling: I know Georgia parlayed a fake punt into a first down and eventually a touchdown to take a 7-0 lead, and Alec Ogletree’s 55-yard return of a blocked field goal (by Cornelius Washington) gave the Dogs a seemingly insurmountable 21-10 lead in the third quarter. But we saw again why football is still about being able to knock the other guy over. Alabama’s offensive line, widely considered the best in the nation, took over the game in the second half, enabling the Tide’s Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon to pile rushing yards and the team to drive to three touchdowns after trailing 21-10. As Alabama’s line physically beat up the Dogs’ front, Georgia’s defense started to tire and missed tackles.
3. Georgia proved its worth: It’s probably of little consolation to Georgia fans but the Bulldogs proved their worth in this game. Some doubted their standing of being the nation’s third best team, behind Notre Dame and Alabama (according to BCS rankings). There were criticisms of their perceived easy schedule and the way they were manhandled by South Carolina earlier in the season. But Georgia just narrowly lost a game to a program that has won two of the last three BCS championships and will be favored for another title against Notre Dame. There were four lead changes in the second half. If the Dogs don’t let down, they will have a chance in a bowl game to finish off a 12-2 season with possibly a top-5 ranking.
By Jeff Schultz
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475 comments Add your comment
Sunny Purdue
December 2nd, 2012
1:55 pm
scha·den·freu·de (shädn-froid)
n. Pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.
BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Doug
December 2nd, 2012
2:58 pm
We all can’t have a Saban, Spurrier, Patterson or a Kelly. What’s sad is that we have these spells where all the talent is there but because of slightly above average coaching we can only have good but not great. Norte Dame would have beaten Georgia with their intangibles and coaching. Don’t want to end the SECs streak and have that pinned on UGA.
Grantham will leave UGA soon he is not going risk his rep in 2013 with 7 players gone to the NFL.
it is what it is
December 2nd, 2012
4:12 pm
The only thing funnier than UGA not spiking the ball and losing last night, was David Pollack running his mouth on ESPN Gameday. And even though the others cautioned Pollack that UGA had played only two tough teams and lost to one, Pollack was adamant that this was the year.
Typical. BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH
Predatory Lender
December 2nd, 2012
4:29 pm
2 chances to spike the ball…..just a poor decision Coach.
DawgNole
December 2nd, 2012
4:33 pm
I’m a Georgia fan. It’s a license to be stupid.
December 1st, 2012
8:27 pm
not sure if yall noticed the 300+ yards Bama gained on Grantham’s junkyard defense…
_____________________
It was actually 500+ yards. Looks like you have your own license to be stupid.
DawgNole
December 2nd, 2012
5:36 pm
Why?
December 1st, 2012
8:33 pm
Seriously falcons shouldn’t even bother we know they will lose in div play, being an Atl fan is just horrible sometimes.
________________
Being a fan of ATL pro teams is even worse–ONE championship in 156 seasons of competition. Hopefully the Falcons will double that championship total early in ‘13.
Rabbit
December 2nd, 2012
8:06 pm
Everyone here scream and whining about “who didn’t do this”and “well, they shoulda done that” all I have to say to you is go, sign off, go be a Tech Fan, or Ga State. Tonight, mistakes and all if your not proud to be a GA Bulldog, bug off, cause we don’t need your stinking’ gripe.
Shack
December 2nd, 2012
9:02 pm
Spike the ball dummy! Spike the ball dummy! Spike the ball dummy! Spike the ball dummy! Spike the ball dummy! Spike the ball dummy!
jasonfm
December 2nd, 2012
10:40 pm
I hope most of the posters here being critical of Coach and Murray have already educated themselves out of ignorance, but maybe not, so here goes:
Spiking the ball takes a couple second off the clock. The offense was ready to go with the next play. So why waste the chance at another play, a second or a third, by spiking the ball. The play that ended the game was supposed to be a fade to Mitchell in the corner, a touchdown or incomplete. Very bad luck that it got tipped, then caught at the 5.
Dawg Fan Stuck in AL
December 2nd, 2012
11:55 pm
Hey Jeff,
UGA had a soft schedule? Really? How come no one has been talking about Alabama’s soft schedule? Let’s compare Alabama’s schedule to Georgia’s, shall we? UGA and Bama played 5 common opponents: Tennesee, Ole Miss, Florida Atlantic, Auburn, and Missouri. The results for both teams in those 5 games were very similar. The other 5 Bama opponents were: Michigan, Western Kentucky, Arkansas, Mississippi State, and Western Carolina. I doubt you can call any of those teams a powerhouse this year. The last 2 opponents for Bama were LSU and Texas A&M, which, as the outcomes showed, were comparable to Florida and SC for Georgia. So going into the SEC Championship, both teams were evenly matched, according to their respective schedules.
drew
December 3rd, 2012
6:24 am
I’m a Tech fan, and it always amazes that the biggest haters on UGA blogs are the idiot fans who think UGA should be winning championships every freakin’ year. And they’re the first to point fingers and lay the blame, usually on their own coaches and players. What a bunch a retards.
1. UGA didn’t lose because of coaching or Aaron Murray; they lost because, in the end, they couldn’t stop bama’s O-line and running game.
2. Like other’s have said, if the fade to Mitchell isn’t tipped and becomes a TD, Mark Richt’s a genius. If the pass isn’t tipped, I think UGA gets a TD or a pass inteference.
3. Great effort against a superior opponent. The only thing UGA has to be ashamed of is their ignorant fan base.
Why Georgia is Georgia
December 3rd, 2012
12:06 pm
From a College Football Fans Perspective:
They are calling it a moral victory and a great effort and are proud of their dawgs. That’s why they are Georgia….and that’s why there is Alabama. When you are #3 and lose to #1 on a neutral field and severly hamper your chances of winning due to poor clock management you should be disgusted. You essentially bet against 2 or 3 well planned end zone shots and put your chips on sort of gimmicky play.
Thing that cracked me up about Georgia this year was that they claimed this way their chance. Not so much because they were so good but that they had such a softer schedule compared to their counterparts. Don’t necessarily think that is the way to approach being a National Champion.
Florida – LSU, Florida State, Georgia, South Carolina, Texas AM
Georgia – Florida, South Carolina…..crickets…..
Matt Jones
December 3rd, 2012
12:47 pm
Poor coaching #1 bobo and richt will never have a national championship. not until Bobo is gone. He has plagued the bulldogs will bad play calling and poor clock management for a Long time. Dont Blame murray. Kid played great. His coaches should have had a better 2 minute plan.tried and didnt work go home georgia…. yet another year.
Matt Jones
December 3rd, 2012
1:49 pm
Besides you just cant beat saban! now all this rediculous barking around the workplace can stop ! lmao 400 yards on the ground???!!!! really grantham???? poor old georgia fans barking their azzes right on back to athens lmao!!!!
ROOOOOLLLLLLLLL tide
Bama in Augusta
December 4th, 2012
3:17 pm
Seriously, anyone who doesn’t understand what makes college football a great game should watch the replay of the SECCG. Just loved the “get after it” factor that both teams brought. Gotta say I thought UGA played with a much higher tempo than Bama and their players wanted it more; if not for a dominating offensive line performance (not sure if a.j. was sacked, but UGA d-line got pushed off the ball almost all game). So excited for the BCS Championship game. Hope all the Dawgs forgive us our Quinton Dial controversy and cheer for the Tide to bring down the Catholics! RTR!!!
Thomas Brown
December 7th, 2012
3:17 am
NFL Draft :
College FSU AL – FL – LSU – UGA – USC
2012.…4……8..….2.…..5.…….7…..3
2011.…3……5……4.…..6.…….6…..9
2010.…3.…..7.…..9.…..6.…….5…..7
2009.…1……4.….3.…..6.…….6…..11
2008.…3……0.….2.…..7.…….4…..10
2007.…5……3.….9.…..5.…….5…..5
2006.…8……5.….3.…..7.…….7…..11
2005.…9……4.….3.…..3.…….6…..5
2004.…5……4.….5.…..0.…….4…..4
2003.…6……5.….8.…..4.…….7…..5
2002.…3……4.….8.…..5.…….8…..2
2001.…9…….3.….4.…..3.…….6…..3
Total….59…52.…60…..57…..71…..75
Thomas Brown
December 7th, 2012
3:21 am
NFL Draft :
College FSU AL – FL – LSU – GA-USC
2012.…4……8……2.…..5.…….7…..3
2011.…3……5……4.…..6.…….6…..9
2010.…3.…..7.…..9.…..6.…….5…..7
2009.…1……4.…..3.…..6.…….6…..11
2008.…3……0.…..2.…..7.…….4…..10
2007.…5……3.…..9.…..5.…….5…..5
2006.…8……5.…..3.…..7.…….7…..11
2005.…9……4.…..3.…..3.…….6…..5
2004.…5……4.…..5.…..0.…….4…..4
2003.…6……5.…..8.…..4.…….7…..5
2002.…3……4.…..8.…..5.…….8…..2
2001.…9…….3.…..4.…..3.…….6…..3
Total…59….52.…60…..57……71…..75
Thomas Brown
December 7th, 2012
3:25 am
NFL Draft :
College FSU AL – FL – LSU – GA-USC
2012.…4……8……2.…..5.…….7…..3
2011.…3……5……4.…..6.…….6…..9
2010.…3.…..7.…..9.…..6.…….5…..7
2009.…1……4..…..3.…..6.…….6…..11
2008.…3……0..…..2.…..7.…….4…..10
2007.…5……3..…..9.…..5.…….5…..5
2006.…8……5..…..3.…..7.…….7…..11
2005.…9……4..…..3.…..3.…….6…..5
2004.…5……4..…..5.…..0.…….4…..4
2003.…6……5..…..8.…..4.…….7…..5
2002.…3……4..…..8.…..5.…….8…..2
2001.…9…..,3,.…..4.…..3.…….6…..3
Total…59….52.…60…..57……71….75
Thomas Brown
December 7th, 2012
3:27 am
NFL Draft :
College FSU AL – FL – LSU – GA-USC
2012.…4……8……2.…..5.…….7…..3
2011.…3……5……4.…..6.…….6…..9
2010.…3.……7.…..9.…..6.…….5…..7
2009.…1……4..…..3.…..6.…….6…..11
2008.…3……0..…..2.…..7.…….4…..10
2007.…5……3..…..9.…..5.…….5…..5
2006.…8……5..…..3.…..7.…….7…..11
2005.…9……4..…..3.…..3.…….6…..5
2004.…5……4..…..5.…..0.…….4…..4
2003.…6……5..…..8.…..4.…….7…..5
2002.…3……4..…..8.…..5.…….8…..2
2001.…9…..,3,.…..4.…..3.….….6…..3
Total…59….52.…60…..57……71….75
Thomas Brown
December 7th, 2012
3:28 am
College FSU AL – FL – LSU – GA-USC
2012.…4……8……2.…..5.…….7…..3
2011.…3……5……4.…..6.…….6…..9
2010.…3.…..7..…..9.…..6.…….5…..7
2009.…1……4..…..3.…..6.…….6…..11
2008.…3……0..…..2.…..7.…….4…..10
2007.…5……3..…..9.…..5.…….5…..5
2006.…8……5..…..3.…..7.…….7…..11
2005.…9……4..…..3.…..3.…….6…..5
2004.…5……4..…..5.…..0.…….4…..4
2003.…6……5..…..8.…..4.…….7…..5
2002.…3……4..…..8.…..5.…….8…..2
2001.…9……3..…..4.…..3.….….6…..3
Total…59….52.…60…..57……71….75
Thomas Brown
December 7th, 2012
3:32 am
Mark Richt Era :
Draft FSU–AL—FL—LSU—GA-USC
2012.…4……8……2.…..5.…….7…..3
2011.…3……5……4.…..6.…….6…..9
2010.…3.…..7..…..9.…..6.…….5…..7
2009.…1……4..…..3.…..6.…….6…..11
2008.…3……0..…..2.…..7.…….4…..10
2007.…5……3..…..9.…..5.…….5…..5
2006.…8……5..…..3.…..7.…….7…..11
2005.…9……4..…..3.…..3.…….6…..5
2004.…5……4..…..5.…..0.…….4…..4
2003.…6……5..…..8.…..4.…….7…..5
2002.…3……4..…..8.…..5.…….8…..2
2001.…9……3..…..4.…..3.…….6…..3
Total…59….52.…60…..57……71….75
Thomas Brown
December 7th, 2012
3:34 am
Mark Richt Era :
Draft FSU—-AL—FL—LSU—GA–USC
2012.…4……8……2.…..5.…….7…..3
2011.…3……5……4.…..6.…….6…..9
2010.…3.…..7..…..9.…..6.…….5…..7
2009.…1……4..…..3.…..6.…….6…..11
2008.…3……0..…..2.…..7.…….4…..10
2007.…5……3..…..9.…..5.…….5…..5
2006.…8……5..…..3.…..7.…….7…..11
2005.…9……4..…..3.…..3.…….6…..5
2004.…5……4..…..5.…..0.…….4…..4
2003.…6……5..…..8.…..4.…….7…..5
2002.…3……4..…..8.…..5.…….8…..2
2001.…9……3..…..4.…..3.…….6…..3
Total…59….52.…60…..57……71….75
Thomas Brown
December 7th, 2012
3:35 am
Mark Richt Era :
Draft FSU—AL—FL—LSU—GA–USC
2012.…4……8……2.…..5.…….7…..3
2011.…3……5……4.…..6.…….6…..9
2010.…3.…..7..…..9.…..6.…….5…..7
2009.…1……4..…..3.…..6.…….6…..11
2008.…3……0..…..2.…..7.…….4…..10
2007.…5……3..…..9.…..5.…….5…..5
2006.…8……5..…..3.…..7.…….7…..11
2005.…9……4..…..3.…..3.…….6…..5
2004.…5……4..…..5.…..0.…….4…..4
2003.…6……5..…..8.…..4.…….7…..5
2002.…3……4..…..8.…..5.…….8…..2
2001.…9……3..…..4.…..3.…….6…..3
Total…59….52.…60…..57……71….75
Thomas Brown
December 7th, 2012
3:36 am
Mark Richt Era :
Draft : FSU—AL—–FL–LSU—GA–USC
2012.…4……8……2.…..5.…….7…..3
2011.…3……5……4.…..6.…….6…..9
2010.…3.…..7..…..9.…..6.…….5…..7
2009.…1……4..…..3.…..6.…….6…..11
2008.…3……0..…..2.…..7.…….4…..10
2007.…5……3..…..9.…..5.…….5…..5
2006.…8……5..…..3.…..7.…….7…..11
2005.…9……4..…..3.…..3.…….6…..5
2004.…5……4..…..5.…..0.…….4…..4
2003.…6……5..…..8.…..4.…….7…..5
2002.…3……4..…..8.…..5.…….8…..2
2001.…9……3..…..4.…..3.…….6…..3
Total…59….52.…60…..57……71….75
Thomas Brown
December 7th, 2012
3:38 am
Mark Richt Era :
Draft : FSU—AL—-FL—LSU—GA—USC
2012.…4……8……2.…..5.…….7…..3
2011.…3……5……4.…..6.…….6…..9
2010.…3.…..7..…..9.…..6.…….5…..7
2009.…1……4..…..3.…..6.…….6…..11
2008.…3……0..…..2.…..7.…….4…..10
2007.…5……3..…..9.…..5.…….5…..5
2006.…8……5..…..3.…..7.…….7…..11
2005.…9……4..…..3.…..3.…….6…..5
2004.…5……4..…..5.…..0.…….4…..4
2003.…6……5..…..8.…..4.…….7…..5
2002.…3……4..…..8.…..5.…….8…..2
2001.…9……3..…..4.…..3.…….6…..3
Total…59….52.…60…..57……71….75