Independence Bowl: The better team won
Washaun Ealey and the Georgia running game took a while to get on track. (Associated Press)
The first half of Georgia’s game against Texas A&M in Shreveport didn’t look so promising for the Dogs, mainly because poor play by the offensive line stymied the running game and led to some questionable play-calling by Mike Bobo. The Aggies were having success with run blitzes on first down.
But A&M’s fast-paced offense wasn’t looking much better early on. Georgia’s much maligned defense looked good up front and got a lot of pressure on Aggies QB Jerrod Johnson, though linebacker and secondary play was sketchy.
Neither team scored in the first 27 minutes. They both looked rusty.
The difference in the first half was Georgia’s superior special teams play.
Georgia’s halftime adjustments on the offensive line were successful and the Dogs eventually took command of the game in the second half. And they seemed like the better conditioned team, too, as the Aggies looked flat-out tired in the fourth quarter. Thankfully, this wasn’t the same Jerrod Johnson that Texas saw in their regular season finale.
Basically, the better team won tonight.
It’s difficult to draw many conclusions about next season from this game since the Dogs will have a different QB and a new defensive coordinator. But I was encouraged by how Georgia ended the season.
How about you?
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
516 comments Add your comment
how2fish
December 29th, 2009
10:55 am
GT Joe..yes it is racist…and a good way to get a good old fashioned country ass-whipping.
Barkin'Dog
December 29th, 2009
10:56 am
Bammer Steve — CMR won 90 games in 9 years = 10 wins per season, even with this 8-win season. He could go 6-6 next year and not be fired. Why express yourself when you are such a fool?
jesse james
December 29th, 2009
10:57 am
I think Coach Richt did more coaching on the sidelines in the Tech and A&M gamethan he did all year. He is a hell of a coach when he is hands on and I think he realizes that now. His only crime was probably trying to stay out of the way. I have said that I hope all Dawg fans and opponents don’t forget the gatorade bath and his response after the Tech game. Richt’s Dawgs are back!
jason
December 29th, 2009
10:57 am
The DL will not be in as bad shape as one might think. UGA will have Tyson and Abry Jones coming. What UGA will need is depth at DT. The DEs are coming into their own. Houston, Washington, and Dobbs. Also I for got about Brandon Wood at DT. UGA will have another 3-headed monsyer at DT. The secondary will be young with experience. Boykin, Smith, commings, and Rambo. Hopefully #9 Jones will come back for his SR year to continue to develope and bring leadership to these young and talented players. The key to UGA’s success next year will not be on the defensive side, but on the Offense and QB. UGA just needs to find the right DC; the players are there.
AltamahaDawg
December 29th, 2009
10:58 am
Mike if you were 18 months ahead of Richt, you would realize that he didnt finally “get it” with the special teams coaches. All the big special teams play last night were by squads coaches by guys like Lilly, and Ball, whom he hired and assigned to those positions a couple of years back.
FWIW, so much for the “oh we are just going to let Walsh kick it out of the endzone” talk from the Grad Assistant. Might just not be that simple, eh? Although whatever they did to improve the actual effort on the coverage, lets stick with that drill.
Vol Master
December 29th, 2009
10:59 am
A win over a terrible A&M team in a minor bowl? Big deal. Kiffin and UT will own the dogs for years to come. Look for another blowout by UT in 2010, on the way to the SEC east title. Tennessee–the new sheriff in the SEC east. Florida’s down and Ga will choke as usual in big games. I’m already making plans for the SEC championship next year in Atlanta!!!!!
GT Joe
December 29th, 2009
11:00 am
Why isn’t an ACC team in the Eagle Bank bowl today? I thought we had a tie-in there.
UGA Grad
December 29th, 2009
11:01 am
Hey Volmaster – please go ahead and prepay your hotel bill as well. That will serve two purposes. 1) We need the money here in ATL and 2) I can buy the room from you after Kiffin lands you on NCAA probation.
re: jesse james
December 29th, 2009
11:16 am
I have to agree with you. When Richt is 100% involved in everything going on, the team seems to be great. I think Richt is such a nice guy that he’s just as concerned about making careers for people (his staff) that he’s willing to allow the team to suffer for it. Hopefully this season is the wake up call he has needed.
Bill King
December 29th, 2009
11:18 am
Dawg Time:
It won’t happen. Russ is considered too old to become the mascot.
Brucemac
December 29th, 2009
11:18 am
Jacket Fan, finally a GT fan that makes sence. Do you really think Boston College is on the way up? The rest I agree with. Clemson is going to be good under Jabo. Your team is good and will be as long as you can keep CPJ (don’t know how long that will be though). FSU and THE “U “are definately almost back and Meyer is helping all he can. I do see the ACC getting better and at least five teams on their way up. I think Bama is a huge problem for everyone in SEC for along time to come. They are back big time.
BS Patrol
December 29th, 2009
11:19 am
Casper the Ghost defeats Charlie Brown! All doggies wet their pants!
BS Patrol
December 29th, 2009
11:29 am
Doggies are now preseason National Champs.
Tech4Lyfe
December 29th, 2009
11:31 am
Yep, I think we all saw the power and dominance of the ACC over the little SEC Sunday night. The worst ACC team throttled one of the best SEC teams.
ACC – 1, SEC – 0
AltamahaDawg
December 29th, 2009
11:31 am
Where has there been any evidence that Mark Richt put the careers of his staff over the success of the Georgia Football program?
The man has handled his staff, hires and fires, in exactly the timing that he needed to. Show any case where he has not.
how2fish
December 29th, 2009
11:32 am
Vol master please haang around here for a while…I’ll take our chances with CMR and you can have the Lammer..who will be lucky to stay off probation let alone rack up 90 wins in 9 years in the SEC…which 9 years is 6 more than he’ll be a UT.
DawgTime
December 29th, 2009
11:33 am
That’s a shame, cause he’s been awesome!!! I knew he’d have some issues since he’s not a solid white bulldog (K9 racism) but I was hoping we could get over it since it’s almost 2010!!! Where’s Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton on this!?!?!?
how2fish
December 29th, 2009
11:34 am
Tech4Lyfe you have a great ACC Champ this year for sure…UGA..
1eyedJack
December 29th, 2009
11:36 am
Have I been blackballed?
Leave CMR alone
December 29th, 2009
11:36 am
One of the interesting tit-bits that comes out at the end of this season is that this is the 13th straight year that UGA has had a 8-win season. NO OTHER TEAM in the country, not Florida, USC, Texas, Oklahoma, Ohio State, not even Boise State (who doesn’t play anybody), can claim that distinction. CMR has been in charge for 9 out of those 13 years, so what does that mean. He is one of the most consistent coaches in the country and certainly one of the most respected by fellow coaches and fans alike. 90-27 in 9 seasons avarages to 10-3 every season and dadgummit, that’s pretty awesome
NextYear
December 29th, 2009
11:50 am
Jason-
Defensive secondary will include all of those plus Brandon Smith, who will be downright nasty next year, plus Alex Ogletree, player of the year (defensive) in the state of Georgia and probably top 2 or 3 in country at his position. He’s a beast.
D Line has alot of question marks. LB corp should be OK if Curran comes back; look for Richard Samuel to go to LB (great LB in HS). OL will be dominant along with great backs and receivers. BIG question mark is QB but we will certainly be more athletic with Murray playing this position. Unfortunately, he’s never played college game so we may be in for a bit of letdown at beginning of year.
1eyedJack
December 29th, 2009
11:56 am
GT’s punt return squad hasn’t worked in over a month. Oh well, one less thing you’ve got to practice.
Stinger
December 29th, 2009
12:04 pm
Stinger sucks go suck stinger
chazzo
December 29th, 2009
12:22 pm
Richt is a proven winner. It’s true. Look at the record. I don’t think last night’s game is anything to base NC hopes on, but UGA stands as good a chance at winning the East as anyone else does next year. I do agree with the comments regarding Richt being more hands on.
chazzo
December 29th, 2009
12:29 pm
Bammer Steve,
Well… the fact that you call yourself Bammer Steve says it all. No sense, no class, no tact.
Richt's the Man!
December 29th, 2009
12:37 pm
Take it to the bank—UGA’s the big dog next year in the SEC east—they’ll beat florida and tennessee like a rented mule! Dawgs are back!!!
Stinger
December 29th, 2009
1:08 pm
Wrong, I see Tenn, South Carolina, Florida, and then UGA next year in the east. You are still a bottom feeder.
Stinger
December 29th, 2009
1:23 pm
Amazing !!!! You give up 471 yards and 20 pts. and it is boasted by some of you the best defensive performance of the season and proof that Willie Martinez was no good. Most of you don’t even understand the game of football.
Go DOGS
December 29th, 2009
1:27 pm
Stinger: You have been wrong about everything you have posted this year. Why would we give two cents to what “you think” about next year about UGA? Go grab a life, pinhead!
Go DOGS
December 29th, 2009
1:31 pm
Stinger: Yo! Dumb dink….all we NEED to know is 44-20 THE FINAL SCORE. You are a complete buffoon….quit embarrassing yourself, and head back over to the GT blog MORON!
jason
December 29th, 2009
1:38 pm
NextYear, totally agree with your post. Did I forget to mention Smith? I should be punished. Also I didn’t drop the incoming because it is hard to say how much they will play as frosh. We did play alot of Frosh this year. I also think we will be ok at DL. Maybe not AA but will hold their own. QB is the lone ? next year. I somehow don’t see Gray as the starter. He will hold #2 as long as he is at UGA. I am thinking Murray also.
how2fish
December 29th, 2009
1:53 pm
Stinger those yards were to the 5th ranked offense in the nation..and we beat them by 3 TD’s and a field goal……the same team that nearly beat Texas..which by the way..Bama should pound !
Stinger
December 29th, 2009
2:00 pm
Guys, I’m sorry I’m taking my frustrations out on you. My gentleman lovers, Teacup I like to call him, stood me up last night for the second night in a row. I’m not a happy camper. Please forgive me.
Love you
TUCK FECH
December 29th, 2009
2:08 pm
Stinger you need to stop OBSESSING over the DAWGS a Team that beat you 30-24 and OWNS you 60-39… and worry about IOWA!
WE RUN THIS STATE!
Do the math....
December 29th, 2009
2:38 pm
Year UGA UGA/GT Score GT
1999 8-4 48-51 8-4
2000 8-4 15-27 9-3
2001 8-4 31-17 8-5
2002 13-1 51-7 7-6
2003 11-3 34-17 7-6
2004 10-2 19-13 7-5
2005 10-3 14-7 7-5
2006 9-4 15-12 9-5
2007 11-2 31-17 7-6
2008 10-3 42-45 9-4
2009 8-5 30-24 11-3
Totals 106-35 330-237 89-52
Tech Engineer
December 29th, 2009
2:51 pm
Anyone know some good clubs in South Beach? I’ll be down there for 4 days of nonstop partying, golf, and meeting some quality ladies for some R&R!!! Don’t worry Dawgs–one day, you may be in a good bowl, but not for awhile.
Stinger
December 29th, 2009
3:05 pm
To those 6000 mighty fans who actually went to the game, How was the Motel 6 or did you stay in your single wide? I’d be so ashamed to only have 6000 represent my team in a bowl. Oh, I forgot, the Independence bowl doesn’t really qualify for a bow. I have to leave now and start packing for the Orange Bowl.
Wink, wink
December 29th, 2009
3:28 pm
All those “friendly clubs” in South Beach? Don’t party too much, Tech Engineer, if you know what I mean. Will you and Stinger be taking y’alls Speedo g-string bathing suits?
Stinger
December 29th, 2009
3:29 pm
Sorry guys about the fake Stinger. He’s just a jealous Tech fan that only wishes he could be as cool as me. I’m down here now in Miami drooling at all the hot a$$ men walking around in thongs. I had no idea so many hairless sex machine males were here. I thought it would be all smelly women, GROSS!!! Anyways, pay no attention to the fake Stinger. Wish me luck tonight with Pedro, he’s a cutie!!! THWG!!!
OUT & PROUD!!!!!
December 29th, 2009
3:31 pm
How perfect is this!!!! I get to live in the second most gay populated city in the country (Atlanta) and now I’m in the third most gay populated city (Miami) to watch my boys in tight pants kick some booty!!!
I SAID, ITS GREAT, TO BE, A YELLOW JACKET!!! I SAID, ITS GREAT, TO BE, A YELLOW JACKET!!
bulldawgfromcairo
December 29th, 2009
3:31 pm
texas a&m was a poor team but so was kentucky…great to end on positive note…avoid stupid mistakes and penalties and win by 24…hope recipe for next year…big ? is what will florida be crying about this week…oh a loss to cincinnutty…roll cats
godawgs
December 29th, 2009
3:33 pm
CRY ME A RIVER….NEW FLORIDA FIGHT SONG!!!…SOB SOB//GO DAWGS
MDAWG24
December 29th, 2009
4:37 pm
Good job by the Dawgs and better performance by Garner and Richt with the defense. Would love to have been a fly on the wall at Martinez’s house and seen his face during this game. Perhaps Martinez was the problem all along? Looking forward to next year and the hiring of our new DC as well.
Tech Man
December 29th, 2009
4:51 pm
Tech fans.let the pups enjoy there win.I think CPJ has respect for ga now.When CPJ said “been there done that”..that made uga mad and CPJ understands better now after hearing the anger from the program and GT fans!!WE will have many more shots at the pups!!
Tech Man
December 29th, 2009
5:03 pm
This is for do the math guy..You need to make sure people understand that the 99.2000,2008 where GT wins!!I admit this decade hasn,t gone our way with just 2 wins,But there is new sheriff in town and it isn’t CMR!!I see the next decade totally different!!
toemeetsleather
December 29th, 2009
5:21 pm
YELLOW FEVER is running amuck…even though we lost did you see the enthusiasm at the rivalry game…i almost fell asleep last time went between the twigs..GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO JACKETS!!
Saint Simon
December 29th, 2009
5:55 pm
I’ve come to realize im actually a UGA fan! Go dawgs!
What about Bobo??
December 29th, 2009
6:32 pm
Am I the only one wondering why Bobo is still around?? How many screens did he call in the first quarter alone that did not work??? He almost got AJ Green hurt again with that poor play calling. Only reason we won is special teams. I said it once and I will say it again we will never win a National Championship with him running the offense. He should have been the first to get fired!!!!!!!!!!!!
TUCK FECH
December 29th, 2009
6:32 pm
Tech still more obsessed with the DAWGS than Iowa. hahahahahahahahaha
jojatek
December 29th, 2009
7:27 pm
The better team LOST. The Aggies not quite ready for primetime, which showed up (as always) on special teams. There are systemic problems with the Dawgs… that has not changed…
All of that said, it’s our turn to put-up or shut-up. If we lose to Iowa in the Orange Bowl, we deserve everything we get from our friends in Bulldog Nation. Time to stop talking and play ball…
Go Jackets!!