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
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772 comments Add your comment
Jason
January 1st, 2013
11:40 pm
Alabama is overrated. Even Nick Saban said Alabama couldn’t handle UGA’s pass rush at the half and after the game. Alabama was extremely fortunate UGA ran out of time. They were 4 yards away. And if they had 10 seconds left or even a timeout UGA would have won. Don’t kid yourself “Bama fans” even though I doubt you really are.
grgr
January 1st, 2013
11:43 pm
Murray will be back. He wants a title.
Defense will be ok. We won’t have the NFL star power that we did this year, but did it really matter that we did? Look at how bad they were against the run. Maybe a group of new, hungry Dawgs is what we need on D. Garrison Smith, Kwame G, and Ray Drew on the line. Hererra and Jenkins will lead a very good corp of linebackers. And on the back end, Damian Swann has emerged as a big time playmaker, our secondary will be young and I’m worried about it but we’ve recruited well.
Bama
January 1st, 2013
11:45 pm
@ Jason – yeah you really “dominated us” – you guys were a tune up for the real game, we beat you, and we always win those games you always lose. I love the title of this article- “Georgia “projects well” for 2013″- they ALWAYS “project” well, they just PERFORM like hell!. Look Jason, you will not win a smack talk fest with a bama fan. Or an LSU fan. Or a Florida fan. Or even a South Carolina fan. We OWN you. You guys are hilarious. Beat us on the field just once and well hear what you have to say. Until then, you and the AJC can pat yourselves on the back all offseason as I’m sure you will do.
Under The Bleachers
January 1st, 2013
11:45 pm
Georgia projects well for 2013, even with flaws in win
( Head Line of Article)
I guess it all depends on what you define ” WELL” as?
If 8-4, 9-3 or 7-5 is well then one might be on target and not the store with the red ball out front.
Under The Bleachers
January 1st, 2013
11:47 pm
grgr
January 1st, 2013
11:43 pm
Murray will be back. He wants a title.
Defense will be ok. We won’t have the NFL star power that we did this year, but did it really matter that we did? Look at how bad they were against the run. Maybe a group of new, hungry Dawgs is what we need on D. Garrison Smith, Kwame G, and Ray Drew on the line. Hererra and Jenkins will lead a very good corp of linebackers. And on the back end, Damian Swann has emerged as a big time playmaker, our secondary will be young and I’m worried about it but we’ve recruited well.
_______________________________________
The State Title is about the only title he will earn at UGA, OR he could go to the NFL, hold a clip board and make some real money for a few years and get a chance to show he belongs in the NFL.
Phil is a master bater
January 1st, 2013
11:47 pm
Phil, you must like Arron Murray alot, you crush on him don’t cha? tell me mate…i won’t tell no one yeah? is that why you don’t want him to go to pros just by saying he is not good enough?
Jason
January 1st, 2013
11:48 pm
Next year’s defense will be better than this year’s…here is my projected 2013 projected starting lineup:
DE: Ray Drew (finally shows his potential)
NG: Kwame Geathers (yes, he stays and gets better)
DE: Garrison Smith (becomes a star on the UGA defense)
OLB: Jordan Jenkins (becomes the next terror at pass rusher)
ILB: Ramik Wilson (another hard nosed LB)
ILB: Amarlo Herrera (already good player, break out year next year)
OLB: James DeLoach (will be a good, steady player)
CB: Damian Swann (potential All-SEC player)
FS: Corey Moore (will show potential)
SS: Josh Harvey-Clemons (rangy safety, can cover ground)
CB: Sheldon Dawson (Brandon Boykin pt 2, but better cover man)
Jason
January 1st, 2013
11:49 pm
Hey “Bama”, Florida owns us? Really, who won the past two meetings? The team with the G on the helmet.
Under The Bleachers
January 1st, 2013
11:50 pm
Jason
January 1st, 2013
11:40 pm
Alabama is overrated. Even Nick Saban said Alabama couldn’t handle UGA’s pass rush at the half and after the game. Alabama was extremely fortunate UGA ran out of time. They were 4 yards away. And if they had 10 seconds left or even a timeout UGA would have won. Don’t kid yourself “Bama fans” even though I doubt you really are.
___________________________________________________
Get a grip on life………and you are REQUIRED to use the word ” IF” in any statement regarding the Alabama / UGA SECCG to make your point…..sad sad…
Under The Bleachers
January 1st, 2013
11:51 pm
Jason
January 1st, 2013
11:49 pm
Hey “Bama”, Florida owns us? Really, who won the past two meetings? The team with the G on the helmet
_______________________________________
Okay then, Lets see Spurrier owns you with your definition of last two….
and Saban owns you with your definitioin of last two…..
Under The Bleachers
January 1st, 2013
11:54 pm
Jason = Thomas Brown = Rain Man…..the intelligence of a third grader with their post and logic
Jason
January 1st, 2013
11:56 pm
Under The Bleachers earns the gayest name ever. LMAO
Bama
January 1st, 2013
11:58 pm
@ Jason- yes, Florida “owns” you too. Two years ago you beat up on a crappy Florida in muschamps first year, this year you were lucky to win. Next year it’s business as usual, you know it, I know it, we all know it. It hurts because you know it’s true. But, don’t worry, you will beat Georgia Tech and brag about running your state. Good for you, goooood for you (pssssst….. Btw WE own your state)
Jason
January 2nd, 2013
12:01 am
So we were lucky to beat Florida, but you weren’t lucky to beat UGA? I see your logic Bama
Jason
January 2nd, 2013
12:02 am
“Bama” HAHAHAHAHAHAHA…yeah right. Biggest Techie nerd I’ve ever seen.
Athens
January 2nd, 2013
12:04 am
@Jason, don’t waste you time with a loser like “Bama”. I know many Alabama alums who have great respect for UGA. It’s always the one’s who NEVER spent a semester hour on the Alabama campus who are most embarrassing to alums. “Bama” knows little history about the conference….
North Georgia Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
12:04 am
Wah wah wah you little Georgia-hating babies. Georgia won today and had a nice season. No, we are not at Alabama’s level right now. But we have a heck of a team. You jerks actually think by posting about how much we suck, our fans will start to believe it. All you are doing is making your respective fan bases look bad, as some of fans tend to do. Look, I’m sorry your New Years was ruined because Georgia won haha. I’m sorry if you didn’t get any attention as a kid or whatever. I’m sorry your fat wives or girlfriends don’t make you happier. But only Bama and South Carolina can talk any smack to us after this season. And why are you wasting your time posting on a board for a team you already beat? How about going to an Alabama board and worry about your upcoming opponent.
A lot of Alabama fans I’ve talked to are really cool people who have a ton of respect for Georgia’s program. The ones who post on here are usually unintelligent morons who probably live here and since they are outnumbered, feel the need to be obnoxious. Or else they are Tech fans who want to cling to Alabama’s success so they’ll have the upper hand on Georgia. That’s pretty sad.
Jason
January 2nd, 2013
12:06 am
I agree Athens. Most Bama fans, if not all, respect UGA and the way they played. That’s why I know “Bama” is a Techie nerd. Real Bama fans are getting ready for a national title game. Not trolling a UGA blog. It’s so obvious yet he’s holding strong behind that “Bama” name. It’s all he’s got really.
North Georgia Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
12:09 am
“Bama” is such a loser. We beat Florida because our defense held them to 75 yards rushing. Gillislee was swallowed up by Jenkins and Garrison Smith. Driskel choked big time because Florida’s offensive line was pathetic. Look, Florida was handed chances on a silver platter by Murray’s picks and they could only manage two field goals. Georgia outplayed them two years in a row and Muschamp is in no way the caliber of coach that Meyer is. He’s good, but in the two years he’s been the coach the guys haven’t played with a confidence they played with when Meyer and Spurrier coached there.
Bama
January 2nd, 2013
12:09 am
@jason- ok, you got me! I confess, I’m a tech fan!!! (There, does that make you feel better? Because , you have likely finally figured out how stupid you look trying to talk smack to someone whose team beat yours and is playing for their third mnc in four years) if it helps you sleep better, so be it, I could care less. The little fantasy world you make for yourself in fairy land is filled with sugar plums, 1980 national championships, and a time long, long ago when you were relevant
Moist Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
12:10 am
For UGA to have success in 2013 it starts today. Richt already missed a golden opportunity. After the game, he should have banned any celebrations and made the entire team, including seniors, get back out on the field and practice. Full pads, full contact.
I also was disappointed that CMR didn’t apologize for the lackluster performance. It would’ve been a classy move and would send a message that we are disgusted with a capital one bowl and will only be happy when we get that bcs crystal back to its rightful home in Athens.
North Georgia Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
12:10 am
Jason knows what’s up. Bama is probably a Tech or Florida fan. If he really does like Bama, he’s probably someone with no friends who enjoys picking fights and harassing people who have no way to find him in person.
hit a single
January 2nd, 2013
12:11 am
Good win, I really tought both teams got after it. The Dawgs looked out of wind many times especially after the last Nebraska TD. Also it is time for the Dawgs to clean up their appearance and discipline. I thought it had gotten better but I thought we looked very thuggish and way too many penalties. I am a Mark Richt fan all the way but we need some tough love because we just about gave that game away today. But anyway I have never seen a bad win, I will take one anytime and anyway so enjoy the off season, support the other sports and let’s get ready for Dabo’s boys.
Athens
January 2nd, 2013
12:11 am
@Bama
Just so you know, Alabama alums can’t stand posers like you who embarrass their program.
Under The Bleachers
January 2nd, 2013
12:12 am
Jason
January 1st, 2013
11:56 pm
Under The Bleachers earns the gayest name ever. LMAO
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Jason,
If that makes you LMAO then you really have a very low IQ Level.
Jason
January 2nd, 2013
12:13 am
He just makes it obvious. Bama fans I know are cool and respect UGA. There is no real rivalry between Bama and UGA. UGA’s main rivals are Tech, Florida, Auburn, and maybe throw Tennessee in there. We own all 4. So he’s a fan of one of the 4. My guess is Tech. But who knows? He could be an Auburn fan who’ve we’ve blown out 2 years straight.
Tony
January 2nd, 2013
12:15 am
Haters gonna hate. I really think as others have mentioned on this board, that MOST Bama fans could care less about how our team does. They wouldn’t spend so much time obsessing over our program. Georgia played lousy in the first quarter but Murray showed up the rest of the game. 5 touchdowns? Nice job, man. We won by 14 against the #16 team without Mitchell. Yeah, I’ll take that considering we made some mistakes. Good game, guys. Let’s recruit some better linemen now. Go Dawgs, nice way to end the season.
Tony
January 2nd, 2013
12:16 am
I’m out guys, go dawgs. Happy New Year to everybody. Murray, Gurley, Ogletree, T.King, Conley played great overall.
Jason
January 2nd, 2013
12:17 am
Take into account that Murray didn’t have his top 3 targets in Brown, Bennett, and Mitchell. He only had King and Conley today and threw for over 420 yards and 5 touchdowns, would have been 6 had King held on to that pass late in the game. That’s a great QB folks. Able to make those around him better. Just imagine if he had all his weapons.
Rick James
January 2nd, 2013
12:19 am
@Buzz2011
I think you meant to write, GT projects well for 2013.
The Dogs are done and shot it all and lost the big game yet
again. The Acc is starting to move on the SEC as was seen
by Clemson knocking off LSU. Clemson will take out the Dogs
easily and roll from there GT will again play for an ACC chamoinship
————————————————————————————————
This is so funny..The ACC is starting to move on the SEC because Clemson beat the fourth best team in the conference? I wonder why you failed to to mention the the Vandy/NC State game. You say Clemson will take out the dogs next season but you fail to mention your own team taking them out.Why are you hiding behind Clemson? Give us a prediction of Tech/Georgia next season.Tech will again play for the ACC championship? You’re 7-7 and only played for the championship because Miami backed out,you only played in a bowl because you got waiver from the NCAA. You beat a USC team who had no interest in being in El Paso..Why do you thnk Tech will crawl out of the toilet next year?
Rick James
January 2nd, 2013
12:20 am
Olgeltree just announced that he wont be back next year..
Bama
January 2nd, 2013
12:20 am
Give me a break- UGA fans are some of the worst smack talkers which is why you can’t take what you dish out. I remember the “blackout” game and all the smack before we had Saban. Now order has been restored, and we “respect” UGA like you ” respect” Mississippi State. When presented with reality (which hurts) you have to set up straw men and knock them down.
LSU we respect/hate because we’re actually competing with them and on occasion when we have a bad day, they can beat us. You’re not as obnoxious as LSU fans but way more delusional and almost (ALMOST) as annoying
Rick James
January 2nd, 2013
12:21 am
@Bama
Then why are you here?
Jason
January 2nd, 2013
12:22 am
Again with the “Bama” name…(sigh)
RED DOG 77
January 2nd, 2013
12:26 am
Some say Bobo turned a corner, I say he turned it long ago, you just weren’t paying attention………..Nope, Bobo is just as loyal to Georgia as Richt is, neither he or Grantham is going anywhere…………….Is our beloved BULLDOG team destined for greatness the next few years? Yep…………Don’t see how we can miss………..and Murray, going to the NFL? Naw………Dad still battling cancer, Aaron comfortable in Athens, he will make some bucks when he does go………….but he’ll never take a snap in a “real” NFL game…………….That’s what me thinks……….told ya we’d have a great season……………where are the haters that gave me so much greif before the season started?………………Oh well let’s see if we can get a couple of the good-uns to finish out the 2013 recruiting list……………Regards,………….RED
Bama
January 2nd, 2013
12:30 am
@ Athens – thanks for the lesson on “Alabama alums”- you must be talking about your own school when talking about embarrassment. If you scan our crowds, you don’t see half bred idiots wearing spiked shoulder pads or the redneck mutants you see at your games. Must have us confused. But Jason had it right, you’re not our rival, never will be in current situation or especially historically.
Moist Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
12:31 am
let’s take it easy on bama. He gets a couple days a year to feel good about himself when his team wins. The rest of the year he has to live in tuscaloosa, the cesspool of America. The entire world laughs at the entire state. Even detroit laughs at the state and their “legend” coach who looked like a fairy prancing around in his ridiculous hat.
Bama
January 2nd, 2013
12:35 am
@ Jason – does it really make you feel better to think of me as “whatever team insert name here who UGA actually can beat and thus feel superior over” because you know you are a second tier sec team? Try to refute any of my arguments logically- you can’t, and you just can’t deal with that. I’m just having fun, it’s like a cat toying with a mouse.
Moist Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
12:35 am
When I scan a bama croud I see a bunch of losers. I see a bunch of justin bieber haircuts and polo shirts that the hicks must have mortgaged their tin shack to buy. then I see the cheerleaders that are 21 but look like 45 year old skanks from the 80s with all that makeup.
Disgusting
Bama
January 2nd, 2013
12:38 am
@ rick James- see above post. And btw, I love your hair
Jason
January 2nd, 2013
12:38 am
Yeah have fun hiding behind Bama’s name. Whatever makes you feel “accomplished.” If your team can’t do it, hide behind a team that can huh?
Texas Pete
January 2nd, 2013
12:39 am
Murray should come back because he has one part of his game left to work on and that’s his discipline as a field leader. You can’t fake Murray’s stats, he’s one of the greatest SEC QBs in the past 2 decades as far as his physical play goes. What prevents him from being considered one of the greatest SEC QBs ever is that he plays mentally like Brett Favre did in his final few seasons by throwing the ball where he knows he shouldn’t.
Once Murray is hot, he’s money. His problem is that when he’s warming up he doesn’t play safe when it’s obvious that he’s not hot yet. The successful big game QBs in history know how to throw the ball away or check down to safer plays until the passing game opens up. Murray is totally willing to throw INTs until the passing game opens up.
If he were 6′4″ he’d be a Top 10 lock right now but since he has natural doubts he should come back and work on his discipline as a passer. He’s going to get a shot in the NFL either way but if he plays there like he does in college then he’ll be an INT machine and not last long.
Jason
January 2nd, 2013
12:40 am
And no UGA isn’t a 2nd tier SEC team. 2nd tier are teams like Vandy, Tennessee, Mississippi State, Ole Miss….
The top of the SEC are Bama, UGA, South Carolina, LSU
Jason
January 2nd, 2013
12:40 am
Remove LSU and add Florida to that list. LSU is not a good football team.
The Real Truth
January 2nd, 2013
12:47 am
I’ll take Tony Dungy’s assessment of Murray over all you QB “experts”. Thanks…
The REAL Phil
January 2nd, 2013
12:49 am
Bama, your schedule was #39 in the nation, Georgia’s was #42. Are you really going to tell me that the Alabama schedule was more difficult? If LSU didnt have a moron for a coach that called all of these stupid special teams plays they would have beaten you. It sure wasn’t because your team played so well.
I hear Saban is only going to dress 20 players for the Notre Dame…………………….the rest are going to have to dress themselves this time.
sflanagan21
January 2nd, 2013
12:49 am
I’m still utterly confused that Bama fans come onto a UGA blog and spend countless hours posting and bragging! Do you girls not have a life? My take is this, I’ve noticed over the past 5 years that a ton of fair weather Dawg fans jumped ship to Bama. So I’m assuming that these fair weather Bama fans are on a UGA blog because deep down inside they still love the Dawgs! Oh and don’t bother to come back when the tide changes chumps…
GO DAWGS
Bama
January 2nd, 2013
12:53 am
@ Jason ok ill bite. Uga is a “top tier sec team”. You don’t include LSU or Florida . Lets see, when was your last sec championship? National championship? Ok, good. Now, for our last dose of reality name the last 6 sec teams to win national championships. Ok, now remove your rosé colored glasses so you can see more clearly. See all those teams? THEY are the top tier sec teams who have represented the sec nationally (even fluke auburn had a lucky mnc but that was bc of scam newton, but whatever, I’ll give them that. They, like you, wont sniff another one for a loooong time and like you, are now a second tier sec team)
Moist Dawg
January 2nd, 2013
12:56 am
Phil, I approve of your comment. But I am disgusted that you will root for those cheating, backwater hicks against nd.
If I see any man, woman, or child DAWG fan rooting for bama at the bar I will slap the mozzarella stick out of their mouth.
Jason
January 2nd, 2013
12:57 am
You blog on the Vandy sites? The Ole Miss sites? I doubt it. But whatever flots your boat. If we’re 2nd tier, then why waste your time? That’s my point.