Georgia projects well for 2013, even with flaws in win
Mark Richt gets the Gatorade bath after Georgia's Capitol Bowl win over Nebraska. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
ORLANDO – The players wore hats reading “CHAMPIONS” in all cap letters. The fact that “Capital One Bowl” — and not SEC or BCS — also was stitched on the caps in a much smaller script might deflate that declaration a bit, but it doesn’t take away from where Georgia may be headed.
Were the Bulldogs great in their final game of the 2012 season? Hardly. The defense, purported to be loaded with NFL talent, too often played sloppy and undisciplined. The quarterback, Aaron Murray, threw two interceptions in the team’s first three possessions. It is what happens sometimes in bowl games. The Dogs didn’t save their best for last. Their best came in the next-to-last game against Alabama.
But ultimately, what came out of Georgia’s 45-31 win over Nebraska in the Capital One Bowl were signs that this program isn’t likely to take a step back next season.
There will be new players. There will be a different team personality. The schedule will be tougher. But the Bulldogs just finished a season that saw them go 12-2 and come within five yards of winning the SEC championship and going to the BCS title game. They rebounded from the crushing loss in the SEC championship game to win a significant bowl game. They showed resiliency by losing two starting wide receivers (Marlon Brown, Michael Bennett) during the season and a third in Tuesday’s game (Malcolm Mitchell). They endured several early season suspensions on defense and played without two defensive starters against Nebraska (John Jenkins, Abry Jones).
Jarvis Jones and several defensive starters now are expected to leave for the NFL. Maybe Murray comes back, but probably not. But Georgia is in a good place now, a player again on the national scene, and nobody could have seen that coming two years ago in Memphis when the team schlepped off the field a loser to Central Florida in the Liberty Bowl, dragging a 6-7 record.
“The seniors started a legacy here,” freshman running back Todd Gurley said Tuesday. “They’re passing it down to us, and we’re just going to keep moving forward and winning each year. I know a lot of teams will have the goal of going to the national championship next year, but we really believe that. We’re going to bring in a great recruiting class and we’re going to get it done next year.”
Todd Gurley, here breaking through for a 24-yard touchdown, finished with 125 yards rushing to lead the Bulldogs. (Brant Sanderlin/AJC)
As flawed as the Dogs looked against Nebraska, the result and the season projected well for the future.
It starts with the two freshmen in the backfield, Gurley and Keith Marshall. There were questions about the running game going into the season following the excommunication of Isaiah Crowell, but the two quickly eased concerns. In the final game of the season, Gurley rushed for 125 yards and a touchdown and Marshall made a difficult back-shoulder, 24-yard touchdown catch to give the Dogs a 38-31 lead early in the fourth quarter.
There’s the future.
It doesn’t matter if the starting quarterback is Murray or Hutson Mason. Georgia’s offense should function well, and the team should be in the middle of things again.
When asked about Marshall’s catch, offensive coordinator Mike Bobo said, “We’ve kept things pretty simple for him and Todd because they’re freshmen. But that play there gives us a level of confidence next year that we can expand their package.”
Gurley, Bobo said, brought “a physicality to the offense that we needed. He did a great job leading us as a freshman. I told him after the game, ‘You had a great year, but now you have a chance to be great. So let’s go to work.’”
Marshall said he battled knee tendinitis before the season, affecting his workouts. “I lost some of my explosiveness,” he said. “But it’s finally feeling better. I’m looking forward to getting started on my workouts.”
And then this: “Honestly, I feel we’re the best team in the country. We can play with anybody. We were one play away this year.”
There were hiccups Tuesday. The first half took nearly two hours. The two teams combined for 47 points, five offensive touchdowns, three interceptions (including Nebraska’s pick-six against Murray), a field goal and a blocked punt for a safety. The Dogs trailed 24-23, then 31-23. But Murray, after starting 11 for 24, stopped scaring NFL scouts. He connected with Chris Conley for a 49-yard touchdown, then later scrambled away from pressure to connect with Marshall. Later, he found Conley again on a “jailbreak screen” against Nebraska’s blitz — nice call by Bobo – for an 87-yard score. Checkmate.
It ended well. There’s reason to believe it could end well next season, too.
By Jeff Schultz
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
772 comments Add your comment
Big Crimson 75
January 2nd, 2013
10:11 pm
Giancarlo Stanford is solid when he’s not on the disabled list.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:11 pm
Want to talk facts………..UGA record,,,,,,,enough said kids,,,,,and the Falcons will win it all,,,,,,,,,those are facts kids
DawgNole
January 2nd, 2013
10:13 pm
Sideline Stalker
January 2nd, 2013
9:38 pm
Tampa Gator will come up with all kind of reasoning for the pathetic performance that is being played out in the Mercedes Superdome by his beloved Gators. The problem is that he will come out and say that Florida is playing horribly or that the future of Gator football is perilous.
______________________
More likely that he’ll blame the refs–the way he did after the Dawgs shut down his slimy, arrogant azz.
Big Crimson 75
January 2nd, 2013
10:16 pm
Nole — Clemson & FSU will be a top 5 game in college football next year.
If Murray bounces & Boyd stays, clemson’s gonna beat UGA next year.
Too bad EJ Mauel is done.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:16 pm
This is not my Dads Falcons,,,this is our Falcons and we don’t walk we strut these days, UGA top 5 i can deal with it,,,,,,,,,how it is to be a fan of our teams these days, we cocky and proud
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:22 pm
CRIMSON 75 SAY TY FOR MILES BEING THE MAD HAT AND BEING STUPID,,YOU GOT LUCKY THAT GAME,,,,,,,YOU GOING FIND OUT ABOUT UGA THIS YR,,,,,,AND THE GREAT LM MAY NOT FALL OUT OF HIS CHAIR WHEN WE KICK THE GAME WINNING FG BUT CRIMSON IS A JOKE IN OUR BOOKS
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
10:22 pm
Gofalcons this is making you proud?
Yes UGa won but not against any real good teams.
yards team record
347 Buffalo 4-8
371 Mizzou 5-7
318 Fla Atl 3-9
337 Vandy 9-4(beat 1 team with a winning record)
478 Tenn 5-7
392 SC 11-2 LOST
329 Kentucky 2-10
Fla 11-1
Ole Miss 6-6
Auburn 3-9
318 Ga Sou(fbs) 10-4
426 Tech 7-7
512 Bama 12-1 LOST
443 Nebraska 10-4
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:23 pm
it is 2013 james brown told us we got a new bag,,,,,,,we cocky now
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:24 pm
the only game that shame me is SC 5150 but our record speaks for us
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:28 pm
UGA is the reason so many of those teams had losing records 5150,,,,,,,we broke their spirit
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
10:29 pm
goFalcons you beat 4 out of 14 teams with winning records………. one of those was FBS and Florida had 6 TO’s and UGa escaped a close game there.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:29 pm
Say it loud,,,,,,,,,,,we the Falcons and proud!!!!!!!!!
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:30 pm
dont hate UGA kid hate the sec for not bringing it this yr, we did what we had to do and that is win
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
10:31 pm
Gators showing that SEC classy play early and often tonight. Most penalized SEC team and that says a lot that they beat UGa for that honor.
Gator PUNCH and a trip to the locker room………Hahaha
Big Crimson 75
January 2nd, 2013
10:32 pm
Get em off the Field. Coach included.
Bush League Gators.
Awful!!
Get off the Field.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:32 pm
FL had 6 turnovers cause we that good son
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
10:32 pm
Gators getting SMOKED like a Blunt in a UGa players dorm room.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:34 pm
BUSH LEAGE GATORS,,,,,,,,,WE GOING PULL THEIR SEC CARD
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
10:34 pm
goFalcons UGa had 4 TOs in that game so I guess the Gators that good daughter.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:35 pm
5150 U IDIOT WE USE FAKE WEED AND GOT CAUGHT,,,,,,,LOL
Moist Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
10:35 pm
What a classless program at uf. They are a disgrace to the south. I hope you “Dawg fans” rooting for these clowns don’t cry too hard over your dear gaytors.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:37 pm
Nobody hate the gators more then me but i can’t pull against the SEC
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:38 pm
gators should of hired Charlie Strong,,,,,,,,,this game is sick
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:39 pm
tennessee and gators should get the heck out of the SEC,,,,,,,,,,we need winners not clowns
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
10:40 pm
This game is LAUGHABLE
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:40 pm
UGA Could of handle L’ville, this is sad to watch as a top Dawg UGA fan……gators get the sec card pulled tonight
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:42 pm
we did not want muschamp,,,,,,but Steve Sp, went golfing instead of meeting with him and we got stuck with him,,,,,,,,,,,unreal his name will always be with our Dawgs
Sideline Stalker
January 2nd, 2013
10:46 pm
GoFalcons,
Only retards go ALL CAPS for the entire post which was unreadable and really really shows a low level of IQ.
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
10:47 pm
WOW the ref had HAD IT with the GATORS tonight.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:47 pm
I love players like Corey Johnson from Forest Park who came with H. Ward and tore heads up on the D for our Dawgs, this muschump did nothing for me as a UGA fan
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:49 pm
Sideline Stalker ppl like you got me kicked off of DOB braves but you will not get me kicked off of here, no matter how hard you try
sec pride
January 2nd, 2013
10:49 pm
Clemson and USC both open the 2013 with wins over UGA( who will have no defense, and more than likely a new quarterback) and two weeks later LSU and idiot Les Miles gets his chance to send the UGA fans home early.
sec pride
January 2nd, 2013
10:51 pm
UF is playing very undisciplined
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
10:52 pm
SEC PRIDE, It is scary to look at our opening schedule, i will give you that
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
11:00 pm
Who could see this coming? Florida losing? man after i kept doubling up on the Yanks WS thinking we could win one game and had to go on the bookie payment plan……..i never bet again,,,,,,,it took me 3 yrs to pay off that debt………man i am glad i don’t bet no more
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
11:05 pm
Haha a blocked Field Goal is a reason to celebrate for the Gators tonight.
Moist Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
11:05 pm
Any Dawg fan that is disappointed by floriduh is a loser and should be banned from Sanford stadium for life
I already put my barf bag away and will celebrate their failure.
I will say that their disgraceful behavior makes me want to puke and they should be banned from postseason play next year.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
11:09 pm
Little Gators u should of let our dawgs go to the BCS and this would not of happen
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
11:14 pm
hey a Gator INT. Maybe the Worm has Turned? LOL there is almost 17 min to get 21 points IF they can stop Louisville.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
11:14 pm
Hey Phil the Gators are Mediocrity,,,,,,,,,u see what mediocrity is so now you know
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
11:15 pm
the dawgs, falcons, and the braves are above that line,,,,,,,,you better be thankful for what u got or get teams like the Gators
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
11:16 pm
go Falcons……..HOW could the Gators LET UGa go to the Sugar Bowl?
I guess you think the other NFL teams should LET the falcons go to the Super Bowl too.
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
11:19 pm
goFalcons…………The Gators have Basketball & Football National Championships…….in the last 10 years and WHAT exactly does UGa have? Horseback Riding and Gymnastic National Championships during the same time. What Sports pay the bills again? I forget.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
11:21 pm
at first, the Gators are a joke, and no sir we will get to the super bowl on our own, if you want to get me kicked off of here then go kid, i am not scared and will fall for the falcons and uga just like i did for my braves, if scum like you want to run the mouth,,i am the huckleberry you want
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
11:26 pm
Is CHIP KELLY taking his Fastbrake Basketball Offense playing Football to the NFL?
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
11:28 pm
we win bowl games,,,,,,,,fl loses to louisville, this is 2013 kid,,,,, better get with it
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
11:29 pm
UGA PUT THE SMACK DOWN ON THE GATORS NOW WHAT 5150 WANT TO PLAY,,,,,,I WILL PLAY WITH YOU
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
11:30 pm
Gators are a JOKE but they have resent Heisman winners, Football and Basketball National Championships and they are members of the Prestigious AAU for High Academic Driven Colleges.
How am I going to get you banned? Wow you think I have a lot of power.
goFalcons
January 2nd, 2013
11:33 pm
UGA has a starting QB in the NFL, Gators have a 2nd no 3rd string in QB,,,,,,,next question
5150 UOAD
January 2nd, 2013
11:36 pm
You win bowl games? I think this was PMS Murray’s FIRST bowl win right? Please go to the tape on that Gator Smack Down.
Florida at 7:11 FLA UGA
1st and 10 at FLA 26 Jeff Driskel pass complete to Jordan Reed for 6 yards to the Fla 32. 9 17
2nd and 4 at FLA 32 Mike Gillislee rush for 3 yards to the Fla 35.
3rd and 1 at FLA 35 Jeff Driskel pass complete to Mack Brown for 2 yards to the Fla 37 for a 1ST down.
1st and 10 at FLA 37 Jeff Driskel pass complete to Jordan Reed for 15 yards to the Geo 48 for a 1ST down.
1st and 10 at UGA 48 Mike Gillislee rush for 11 yards to the Geo 37 for a 1ST down.
1st and 10 at UGA 37 Mike Gillislee rush for 9 yards to the Geo 28.
2nd and 1 at UGA 28 Jeff Driskel rush for 6 yards to the Geo 22 for a 1ST down.
1st and 10 at UGA 22 Omarius Hines rush for 4 yards to the Geo 18.
2nd and 6 at UGA 18 Jeff Driskel pass complete to Jordan Reed for 13 yards, fumbled, forced by Jarvis Jones in the endzone.
DRIVE TOTALS: FLORIDA drive: 9 plays 69 yards, 05:06 FLORIDA FUMB
Georgia at 2:05 FLA UGA
1st and 10 at UGA 20 Todd Gurley rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Geo 19. 9 17
2nd and 11 at UGA 19 Timeout FLORIDA, clock 01:58.
2nd and 11 at UGA 19 Todd Gurley rush for 1 yard to the Geo 35, FLORIDA penalty 15 yard Face Mask on Leon Orr accepted for a 1ST down.
1st and 10 at UGA 35 Todd Gurley rush for a loss of 5 yards to the Geo 30.
2nd and 15 at UGA 30 Timeout FLORIDA, clock 01:26.
2nd and 15 at UGA 30 Todd Gurley rush for 22 yards to the Fla 33, FLORIDA penalty 15 yard Personal Foul on Matt Elam accepted for a 1ST down.
1st and 10 at FLA 33 Team rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Fla 34.
2nd and 11 at FLA 34 Team rush for a loss of 1 yard to the Fla 35.
End of 4th Quarter