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
Trashtalkin'?
December 1st, 2012
10:17 pm
Or wait. Who does Delusional Dawgs cheer for? Maybe he just cheers AGAINST GA? That’s probably about the best he can hope for…
GatorGuy
December 1st, 2012
10:19 pm
Look Dawg fans I know UGA got over on the Gators this year. But that doesn’t change the facts. UF has college talent, UGA has NFL talent. UF wins the BCS now and then (96,06,08) UGA wins only when Halley’s comet comes around. If Muschamp loses to UL-Lafayette, his butt is on the way back to Texas. UGA keeps giving CMR contract extensions, anybody see a problem here.
All this would be solved if CMR takes the Chick-Fil-A franchise in Toccoa.
Delusional Dawgs
December 1st, 2012
10:19 pm
Trashtalkin – this is fun! really is!!! i could watch a meaningless ACCCG but its so much more fun to watch the yearly year end meltdown at the end of another non BCS, disappointing season for the mighty dawgs! (and fwiw, my team will be playing a certain gold helmeted team in a game that means something in a few weeks, you silly silly man) bwahahahahahaha!!!
NCDawg
December 1st, 2012
10:23 pm
Delusional Dawgs – you must be blind as well as full of $hit.. it is NC not NY… at least Saban knows how close he came to be a spectator at the national championship.
Trashtalkin'?
December 1st, 2012
10:24 pm
Delusional Dawgs – Great then. Congratulations! Y’all won a heck of a game. I just got confused with all your references to GT the school. Do wish we could talk about the game itself. But have fun into the wee hours of the night by yourself. This seems like a great way to live your life. Whatever degree you got from whichever school has worked out well for you I can tell…
GatorGuy
December 1st, 2012
10:25 pm
Even if Hurricane Sandy had hit Athens, GA, I still think UGA forgets to spike the ball. If Congress can’t work out this Fiscal Cliff stuff, I still think Bama rolls the Dawgs, because ………. …………..well………becasue their Bama and UGA is painfully not Bama. Their, UGA. Anybody know if you can visit Coach Donnan on Sundays? I would bring him a cake with a file in it, but the guards will figure that one out. Stop asking about conjugal visits, I’m a UF grad.
Delusional Dawgs
December 1st, 2012
10:28 pm
@trashtalkin – you got me!!! i give up!!!! (i cant believe youre this “dull”) – someone please hep out trash, this is getting sad that he doesn’t get the joke.
GatorGuy
December 1st, 2012
10:28 pm
I have a Ray Goff hat listed on Ebay. Why can’t I get anyone to bid on it? It has some real grass stains, and a few cleat marks from Emmit Smith. Nobody? Did Donnan bilk everyone?
Trashtalkin'?
December 1st, 2012
10:32 pm
Double D – You’re right AGAIN. I really don’t get your joke. But, unfortunately, you’re not actually funny anyway. And I do need “hep”. But I’m glad you’re using that classic attempt at salvaging you’re failing trashtalking by going to the old “he doesn’t get my joke bit”. Least you won’t be mistaken for creative…
Delusional Dawgs
December 1st, 2012
10:33 pm
@trash – so, let me get this straight. when you assumed i was tech fan, you were all “all you can do is talk about degrees, engineering, not football etc etc”. but now that you think I’m a Bama fan, you are the one talking about degrees, life, etc?
but anyway, back to the game…..what a PAINFUL way to lose a game!! I really hate it for you! I know that will be the kind of loss that will eat at you, that you will NEVER live down!! I can’t even imagine how painful that must be!! (i literally cant imagine it b/c my team wins championships, but i kinda feel your pain in a very, very abstract way….b/c as I may have mentioned, my team actually …..wins……..these……..games)
Dewnsav
December 1st, 2012
10:37 pm
Gator Guy, what a lonely life…you seem obsessed with UGA football…again, it must have to do with the spankings…I think you’re beginning to like them…you’ll just have to wait ’til next November…over and out…have a good night…go dogs
Trashtalkin'?
December 1st, 2012
10:38 pm
DD – Yep. What can I say to an AL fan? They beat us. Tech fans haven’t a leg on which to stand when it comes to football. And I AM confused as to which team you pull for. That’s my fault. If you’re a Bama fan, you definitely have class. If you’re a Tech fan, you’re just foolish. Oh well. Either way you seem like a dork…bwahahahahahaha…
Delusional Dawgs
December 1st, 2012
10:44 pm
@TT youre so clever! my job is simple tonight: to try and get you to focus on something other than the crushing, gut wrenching, mind numbing loss. and that really hurts my feelings that you think i am a dork. makes me feel almost as sad as if i had just watched my beloved team choke away the closest chance they will ever……ever……….ever have at glory
Trashtalkin'?
December 1st, 2012
10:47 pm
DD – Oh wow. Great point. And, you know, you have kinda taken my mind off of the tough loss! Thx!! Yeah. Didn’t mean to hurt you’re feelings with the “dork” comment either. Just calling it like I “read” it. BTW, that’s kinda why I must’ve been fooled so long into thinking you were a Tech grad/fan. But I guess Bama can produce dorks too…
GrumpyDawg
December 1st, 2012
10:48 pm
Any of you marshmallows that are proud of losing need to either stop following college football or start supporting a team in the Sun Belt conference. Moral victories = Losses. I love the Dawgs, but I do not love this. And by the way, I think that any true Dawg supporters that are OK with losing this game tonight are on crack or something. It’s OK to be upset with the result. Not a single one of us contributed to Bama’s win or UGA’s loss. We are all just sitting behind a keyboard wishing we had. Go Dawgs!
Why?
December 1st, 2012
10:48 pm
I just wish this state can get a break, we all know the falcons are next.
Why?
December 1st, 2012
10:48 pm
I just wish this state can get a break, we never win. Makes me think sports are rigged
Delusional Dawgs
December 1st, 2012
10:55 pm
@TT – glad i could help get your mind off of your teams soul crushing defeat! unfortunately, thats a wound that just wont heal, but glad I got you refocused tonight!! super!!!
as for the Tech grads, or Bama grads – be careful……calling your boss a “dork” could get you fired!!
Trashtalkin'?
December 1st, 2012
10:59 pm
DD – You really lost me there. Boss? Getting fired? I’m tired at this point from the banter. Oh well. If you’re a Bama fan, congrats. If you’re a Tech fan, see you next November. Start worrying about us now, like y’all do every year. Like you’re doing even now…
Delusional Dawgs
December 1st, 2012
11:02 pm
OK, ill start worrying. feel better? goooooood. now try and get some sleepy time, I apologize in advance for the nightmares that will surely haunt you tonight. (whisper…..Saaaaaaban……..Saaaaaban)
Trashtalkin'?
December 1st, 2012
11:04 pm
DD – HA! Now that was a funny retort. Finally!
BubbaGolf
December 1st, 2012
11:08 pm
Great game. Tough game to swallow. What a great running game Bama has. The Dawgs played to the very end; very proud of them. Just wish they practiced the “spike.” Probably not in Richt and Bobo’s playbook. But, Richt is a good coach and has built a good program. Not so sure it will win a NC, but I hope to see a few more SEC championships in the future. Go Dawgs! And, whip whoever you’re playing in the…Las Vegas Bowl???…(lol) Probably will not, but they should still be ranked #3 and not have Florida leap frog them–who did they play today?
DawgGuy
December 2nd, 2012
12:20 am
That was a great football game. The Dawgs put forth great effort against the best team in college football. I can’t believe all of these negative comments. I’m outta here!
Whiznot
December 2nd, 2012
2:00 am
FOOTBALL 101 – When to spike the ball
Spiking the ball wastes a down so only spike when time is scarce and more valuable than downs. With four downs to play and only 15 seconds left with no time outs and a potential national championship in the balance time is scarce in the extreme and the fourth down has no value because at most three plays are possible. In such a situation it borders on malpractice to fail to spike.
Notso Fast
December 2nd, 2012
4:31 am
My hat is off to Coach R. I have always said that he just is not a great game day coach. He had the Dogs ready to play and they were just a play away from winning. Coach Saban has built a great program and has a great team. We came close to beating the best. That game is something for the Dogs to build on. They have some great players just not as many as Alabama had. Coach R was not the problem.
tittiboi
December 2nd, 2012
5:43 am
most of the comments I have read on hear are ignorant and most of you know very little about football. Murray played great. The usual scapegoat Bobo had a great season and we were so close to a national title shot. Def got the short end of the stick on the calls but we couldnt stop the run. yea we prolly shoulda spiked the ball but even if we had the same thing coulda happened. He was throwing to the end zone and it got tipped which coulda happened the play after spiking the ball. Trust me I was devastated but not disappointed in my team. they showed up and came to play. As for next year we got plenty of studs to replace departing defensive players and we got most of the offense back and another top 5 class. Murray made some great plays tonite and outplayed McCrying who is so damn overrated. He made one play to a wide open receiver. O and we get our recruits legit unlike your boy Saban. GA fans ride thru thick and thin not just when its good times. I know this cause I know a shit load more bama fans now than 5 years ago. Anyways if your a fan then just talk about how you hate we lost. If you dont know the game and most of you dont, then dont try to talk about what you think is wrong or this has to be fixed or that. Maybe you would be happy going back to the days of goff and donnan. CMR has been close a few times and he will get it soon enough. And for the dude who is done with GA cause of this game, you never was a fan but more like a punk and im glad to know you dont ride wit my team anymore. You just like all these bama fans thats showed up these last few years.
Cherokee Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
6:20 am
So very sad for those guys. They gave it their all. We can debate this play and that play, but had we scored, the 350 on the ground that Bama racked up would be irrelevant.
I am disappointed, but I can honestly say that I am very proud of our team. We never gave up and we showed the nation that we were worthy; just came up a little bit short. Never been prouder to be an alumnae and a Georgia Bulldog.
Real GA fans, please support your team and think about what you are saying before you post a comment. Not saying you can’t be critical, but show some class and be respectful.
These kids gave everything they had and they should be commended for that.
And for goodness sake, don’t start with the “who should be fired crap”. That just makes us look
stupid as a fan base.
JH
December 2nd, 2012
6:22 am
Lived through plenty of clock mismanagement and confusion in the final seconds at FSU. Richt learned from the master Bobby Bowden. Sorry Dawgs….great game though.
FL DAWG
December 2nd, 2012
6:26 am
I can not believe all of the criticism and u guys call yourselves- bulldog fans. The guys came out and gave it all they had.!! Bad luck with a tip at the end of the game. U ppl need to give Murray a break.
I live in the Panhandle of FL surrounded by AL fans . I hear Roll Tide Roll all of the time. I am VERY PROUD to be GA Bulldawg! I will be wearing my G shirt tmr.
Cherokee Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
6:40 am
We in the “Bulldawg Nation” need to check ourselves regarding this program and coaching staff. We need only to look to North Ave and see the disaster that program has become. And before folks start talking about them going to a BCS bowl, save it. Nobody cares. It’s a freaking joke. After you’ve mulled over that illustrious program look north to TN since they fired Fullmer. Vandy is now the top program in that state.
Pick
December 2nd, 2012
6:50 am
It may not have changed the outcome, but if the late hit on Murray is called(and it’s unfathomable how it wasn’t with a ref in the frame on the TV Replay) then the interception is nullified and Bama doesn’t get to kick that field goal. Without it Dogs are down by one at the end needing only a field goal to win. Great game between two great teams. This was the National Championship Game.
Yellow Fuzz
December 2nd, 2012
7:16 am
To the entire dog nation (AH’s too):
The fact is you controlled your own destiny. If you won last night, you play for the BCS Championship Game against Notre Dame and have a chance to win your first National Championship in 32 years. If you lost, you knew that you would fall behind Florida in the BCS rankings and not be eligible for a BCS bowl (no conference gets to send more than two teams). You knew this for over a week.
Everyone in college football knows that the BCS system is a crap shoot and that’s why it is being shelved in 2 more years. It sucks now, but it is what it is-an “everybody wins a trophy” type of system. While wanna bees like Louisville etc., get rewarded for underachievement, georgia needs to go to the Cotton Bowl, beat Texas by 30 and finish up a legitimate top 5 team! Think of where you came from just a few short years ago!
I could not be more proud of your players and coaches. They are top notch, though I think Grantham should have made adjustments and lined up Jarvis Jones in the middle instead of outside in the 2nd half. Same run defense, just more inside stunts and different looks for Alabama’s massive offensive line to contend with.
Nevertheless, Grantham is a great coach and georgia prepared for and played a tremendous game in the national spotlight. They won the hearts of many outside of the dog Nation (use Google and see for yourself). Coach Richt, Bobo, Grantham and company have brought you all the way back to national prominence. You can now compete NATIONALLY on the field and in the living room of the best recruits in America!
However, though I have gained a lot of respect for the Georgia program, I would not hesitate rolling one of you if you bark in my face in public.
BobDog
December 2nd, 2012
7:50 am
They had a play called. Alabama was reeling. Murray motioned to the sideline like he was going to spike it, but didn’t, surprising everyone watching. Including Alabama. An incompletion and there’s time for another play. A completion and we would all be talking about what a brilliant move it was. Instead, the ball is tipped and a Georgia receiver instinctively catches it. That could just as easily happened after spiking the ball. Give it a rest, people.
rob
December 2nd, 2012
7:51 am
Not a Georgia fan but I was pulling hard for them.Cant stand Saban. looks like Notre Dame is our last hope. Anyways YOU GOTTA SPIKE THE BALL AT THE END. Give your QB a chance to huddle up. Make sure everyones on the same page. Take your time. Get a good pre-snap read. What a heartbreaking end. Go Irish. Crush that jerk Saban.
SpikeIt
December 2nd, 2012
7:51 am
Spike the ball with 15 seconds—set up 3 good plays to the endzone, win the game. Alabama could not stop Ga’s passing game and the Dogs would have scored easily. Huge mistake.
david odom
December 2nd, 2012
8:22 am
Give the team a break. If the ball had not been tipped and the fade pass had been incomplete, Ga would have had another shot. If Ga had spiked the ball (which I agreed should have been done) and the tipped pass had been caught short of the goal line, it would have been tough to get another play off and it would have been chaotic. Ga clearly gave away a small advantage at the end, had they scored it would have been an all time classic game. But don’t let it denigrate a fantastic effort.
David Pollack blows
December 2nd, 2012
9:36 am
Pollock you are dead to UGA fans. I will boo you every time I see you. You’re a disgrace to call yourself a Dawg. Hope nothing but bad things for you at ESPN… YOU BLOW…Keep blowing your way to the top.
Maxx4955
December 2nd, 2012
10:10 am
Dawgs tackling was terrible. Arm tackling some of strongest running backs doesn’t work. That strategy might have worked against teams like Tech and GA Southern…not Bama..Coach Gratham. Bama basically ran over and through our defense. Don’t get me wrong, our young men played their hearts out. We were simply out coached and overpowered. Bama is good yall. That offensive line pushed our defense up and down the Down like toys. Our defense couldn’t sustain the pressure. What happened to Gurshall? Keith Marshall ran the ball twice. Why did Bobo change his strategy? Why not stick to what got you there. Bottom line…Mark Ritcht and Co. can’t finish the drill to win the Big Ones that count.
78Dawg
December 2nd, 2012
10:15 am
Just shut up Schultz…you probably never plaeyed the game you pencil pusher….
yearofthedawg
December 2nd, 2012
10:41 am
I’m old fashioned. Not part of the crowd that adds insult to injury after a tough loss or the crowd that has to blame someone for everything that happens in their lives.
I really feel sorry for all of you. No honor, no dignity.
KilroyDawg
December 2nd, 2012
10:57 am
People need to decide…your either a Bulldog fan or not. Yes I believe we made tactical mistakes in the second half. We had a chance to win the game but in hindsight we should have had at least two chances if we spike the ball. With our two big tightends, I like our chances of winning the game. No matter, it didn’t work out and I’m still so very proud of these young men. If Alabama is the best team in the Country, and i believe they are, then they played arguably the second best!! Watch out Irish GO SEC!! DAWG Fan for LIFE!! GO DAWGS!!!
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
December 2nd, 2012
11:38 am
I will never cease to be amazed at the number of you “Monday Morning QBs”(aka known as Second Guessers, Know-It-Alls, Fair-Weather-Fans and A$$holes in general ) that come on here to “Analyze The Game” (after the fact) like they actually know football!!!!!!!!!
The term “Fools” would be too weak of a name to pin on those heaping blame on CMR, Murray, CMB, etc. when ANY Middle Schooler could see that what beat UGA was our defense COULD NOT STOP BAMA’s RUNNING GAME!!!!!!!
NOBODY can win when the opposition runs the ball for over 350 yards AND has a damn good defense
to go along with that. I cannot believe “adults” posted such complete BS(maybe they are NOT adults)!!!
Those of us that paid attention(and remained sober) saw Saban do the SAME as CMR regarding stopping the clock immediately before halftime and for those with short memories Saban was questioned about it by the female reporter on his way to the dressing room at halftime.
While you “fools” are raising hell about the results of one of the best games I have ever seen UGA play, Saban is speaking out praising UGA and campaigning for UGA to get a BCS Bowlgame invite.
This will give some of our UGA Saban-bashers a little insight as to his class and I thank him for it but if he had been the UGA coach last night you inbreds would want him fired. Did Bama fans want Saban fired after Texas A&M beat Bama??? Of course not!!!!! After the way some of you reacted after the USCe and last night’s losses does that mean Bama fans are more realistic and classier than you??? OF COURSE IT DOES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
dwags are teabagged again.
December 2nd, 2012
11:47 am
by bama and saban.
LMAO
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
December 2nd, 2012
11:49 am
@ Yellow Fuzz(7:16 am post)
Excellent post my friend!!!!!!!!!!!!!
You make a lot more sense than some of those DFINO(Dawg Fans In Name Only)
Thanks for caring!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
December 2nd, 2012
11:55 am
@ Pick(6:50 am post)
It should have been called but Murray was “fair game” because Bama had intercepted the ball and the SOB( #90) hit Murray head to head(ala Nick Fairly in Auburn in 2010). They couldn’t have called “roughing the passer” because Murray was now on defense going after the interceptor but the head to head should have been called!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brainiac (CMR/UGA Fan For Life)
December 2nd, 2012
12:00 pm
@ Cherokke dawg(6:40 am post)
You got it right Bro!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The small(and empty) minds on here remind me of little inbred children. Their friends have newer and bigger bikes so they want a new one and they want it NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
FL DAWG
December 2nd, 2012
12:02 pm
Way to go Brainiac! Those DFINO’s need to be told off!!! Go Dawgs!
mcdaviddawg
December 2nd, 2012
12:21 pm
The defense was out of gas late in the first half and never recovered. The old conditioning thing shows up again. Actually was better than I expected. You just never know when Richt will show up. He actually seemed awake during the complete game.
John Alexander
December 2nd, 2012
1:16 pm
What is there to say? We lost and Bama won. I hope that Georgia gets at least a decent bowl game.
I must admit I’m dissappointed but things happen and that is the way it is. Until someone can figure out how to turn this program around it may/will continue.
My hat is off to both teams and their players for an outstanding game. Although I wish Georgia had won, it may be a forgone conclusion that if you run the same plays over and over again and make decisions that have an impact that cost your team a game,something is being done wrong!
This loss lays squarely at the feet of the coaches!
THE SEC RULES-BLOG
December 2nd, 2012
1:48 pm
———-No Blame In A Great Game—————-
Georgia Made the Richt Move at the End:
The argument that we should have spiked the ball is NON-SENSE. Alabama was in disarray, the hurry up offense had helped us throughout the game. If the pass wasn’t tipped it might have been a TD and if it had gone incomplete then we would have still had one or two more chances. The receiver who caught the tipped ball surely thought he might be able to keep his feet and take it in.
http://THESECRULES.blogspot.com/