Same old story: Turnovers doom Dogs against Gators
Aaron Murray finally had a game where he looked like a redshirt freshman, but he also led a remarkable comeback by the Dogs. (Brant Sanderlin / AJC)
I had a sinking feeling as they broke for the half in the Georgia-Florida game when Urban Meyer told CBS’ Tracy Wolfson, “You look at the history of this series, turnovers win the game. That’s gonna be the key to the second half.”
At the time, his team was leading 21-7 largely because the Dogs had turned the ball over and missed on at least one take-away. As it turned out, Georgia battled back valiantly in the second half to tie the game up twice and send it to overtime. But in the end, Meyer proved to be the seer, as a tipped ball on third down of Georgia’s first OT possession was intercepted by the Gators, giving them the ball and the chance to win it with a field goal by their backup kicker.
I guess you can say that losing a thriller by 3 points in overtime certainly marks some sort of progression over the past two years, when the Dogs were hammered by the Gators, but when you consider that Georgia was favored this year over a Tim Tebow-less Florida team on a three-game losing streak, the end result doesn’t hurt much less than the two previous losses.
The Gators got off to a slow start in the scoreless first quarter, as has been typical of them this year, but then it was all Florida in the second quarter as the game looked to be headed toward a repeat of the same old tired scenario that has plagued Georgia most of the past decade. Despite their talk this week about approaching the Jacksonville showdown as just another SEC game, it was obvious that the Dogs were playing extremely tight, and the turnover problem that had largely disappeared over the previous three games returned with a vengeance.
It wasn’t just the times Georgia turned the ball over. It was the Dogs’ inability to accept the gifts that Florida tried to give them. It wasn’t a case of the ball bouncing wrong; it was Georgia not covering. One fumble Sanders Commings tried to pick up and run with instead of just jumping on the ball, and the Gators ended up getting it back. Another time the Dogs recovered a fumble only to immediately lose it. And with 24 seconds left in regulation Bacarri Rambo had a potential interception hit him in the hands but couldn’t hold on to it.
The tendency might be to lay the blame for this loss on the fact that Aaron Murray definitely had his worst game. I remember back during the depths of the Dogs’ four-game losing streak someone noting that the play of Murray had been the lone bright spot and wondering, “Imagine how it would be if he had a bad game and played like a redshirt freshman.” Well, that happened in the first half, as Murray was frequently off in his passes (a 63-yard scoring strike to Tavarres King in the second quarter being the main exception) and coughed the ball up on a sack.
But Murray looked sharp most of the time in the second half as he led the Dogs back and Georgia outscored Florida 24-10. One thing you can say about this group of Dogs is that they don’t give up. As Mark Richt noted after the game, even on that interception in OT, they could have just let the Florida defender run it back for a score but the last two Georgia players finally managed to force him out of bounds at the 1-yard line. In the end, the Gators still prevailed, but it wasn’t because of a lack of effort on the part of the Dogs.
Not much consolation, though, considering this was the year Georgia looked best positioned to come out of Jacksonville with a win. Facing Trey Burton another three or four years isn’t a very heartening prospect.
I’ll be back Sunday afternoon with more thoughts on the game. Until then, feel free to share your views of the latest loss to the Gators.
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425 comments Add your comment
Rocket Man
October 30th, 2010
10:02 pm
ESPN just confirmed the Associated Press report … Coach Richt will be terminated on Monday. Todd Grantham presumably will be interim coach for the remainder of the year.
DawginTX
October 30th, 2010
10:02 pm
Coaching didn’t cost us the game. That’s absurd. We were great on 3rd down on both sides of the ball, very good in the red zone (which I count as inside the 30), and made great plays in the clutch in the 2nd half. We failed to capitalize on opportunites and game them too many breaks in the 1st quarter and early 2nd. Florida made enough plays to beat us.
Also, we didn’t lose 18 games tonight. Just one. We are playing like a pretty darn good football team. Try to have some persepctive.
Natureboy809
October 30th, 2010
10:03 pm
Bill, why haven’t you or anyone else pointed out one of the biggest coaching blunders of the game? 3rd down in overtime, you see your freshman QB scrambling trying to audible the offense into another play, the play clock is winding down, the team looks confused, it is a disaster waiting to happen, and you don’t call time out?!?!?! That was as much of an emergency situation as you’ll see to use a timeout to get a proper play on 3rd down. Instead, amist the confusion, we turn the ball over and give the Gators another one.
That timeout? We saved it and “iced” Florida’s kicker with it. Great job, guys.
embarrassing dawgs
October 30th, 2010
10:03 pm
FIRE MARK RICHT how much longer is this LOSER COACH going to be at Georgia? how much longer will GEORGIA fans going to suffer? If mark richt is not fired this year. Georgia fans have nothing to look forward to next year, .but another bad year and losing to Flordia again.
Orson Has a Boy Friend
October 30th, 2010
10:03 pm
Hey Orson, You still enjoying wearing that #7?? At least you got to follow your Tampa Plant boy friend to college.
CHDawg
October 30th, 2010
10:04 pm
Stuart,
Your arrogance is showing there buddy. You lost three in a row and tied in the regular time on this one–but you guys play so smart and well! BTW, the part of FL I live in it is a huge rivalry. I guess when you lose to Alabama in the SEC title game and then lose to them 31-6 a few months later, there aren’t any other big games until you are able to beat them again!
ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
October 30th, 2010
10:05 pm
i have to agree with vadawg. you know you have to come away with 3. especially knowing their kicker isnt the best. bobo must gogo
Seve
October 30th, 2010
10:05 pm
I guess they can shave now!!!!
Dogdawg
October 30th, 2010
10:06 pm
Theres nothinng wrong at UGA that Dan Mullen can’t fix. If he can fix MISS ST think what he could do at UGA.He’s already beat the gators with bulldogs.
Jim 007
October 30th, 2010
10:07 pm
Gators simply have Dawgs number !
Now Richt is 2-8 ??
Time to go !
Tman
October 30th, 2010
10:08 pm
UGA scored 31 points How many do need? The offense was more than good , but the defense said you needed 35 points Todd Grantham a nice find.
damon evans
October 30th, 2010
10:09 pm
TX dawg maybe thats why you are in make believe world because the red zone is not from the 30 yard line.
DAWG with bag over head again
October 30th, 2010
10:09 pm
If we can’t beat this FL team, how will we ever win a game against them again? I’m beyond upset. I just don’t think our collection of Bozos, er coaches, can get it done. Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result. To you blind homers… if you are satisfied with the outcome, you’ll continue to get the same outcome. I and many others are fed up with the 3-18 streak. Changes should be made at the top.
LittleLordFauntleroy
October 30th, 2010
10:10 pm
He wants to be a missionary!!!!! Fine!!! That is a beautiful goal but St. Thomas Aquinas did not get paid millions to also coach football badly.
Paul in RDU
October 30th, 2010
10:10 pm
I saw a question about whether UGA will get to a bowl with 6 wins – the answer is yes. 1 win against an FCS team counts towards the 6 (Idaho State) and ULL is an FBS team. UGA needs to win 2 out of the next 3.
jason
October 30th, 2010
10:11 pm
Heart breaking loss indeed! Quit with the firing of Mark Richt–you people are stupid. 4 turnovers by a freshman definitely didn’t help (Florida scored 14 pts off the turnovers–take away those and we win) but hell, we battled back and it doesn’t matter that this is Florida’s worse team in quite some time–it WILL ALWAYS be a battle–just like it will when we play those retarded nerds from Atlanta.
The question is, how do you get fired up for Idaho State when Auburn and Tech are looming around the corner?
Fair and Balanced
October 30th, 2010
10:11 pm
No question that this is the worse coached team in the SEC at this time. We are a superior team to FL this year. The coaches can’t manage to coach up our players so that they are not so nervous and intimidated in the first quarter. After 10 minutes they were all playing like HS players. No defense, and the offense couldn’t click. The 2nd half was a different story, BUT WHY ON EARTH DO WE NOT THROW THE BALL TO AJ GREEN? Bobo has to go! He just has to. Late in the 4th quarter Green only had 12 yards pass receiving. I don’t get it. Fire Bobo.
Jumpin Joe
October 30th, 2010
10:11 pm
Can someone tell me why Coach Grantham is expected to be named the interim Head Coach on Monday … Rodney Garner and Mike Bobo have more tenure and expertise! Looks like Chris Peterson from Boise is at the top of Greg McGarity wish list for the permanent position. Mark Richt was a nice guy … just not the right guy to move the program forward.
georgiagirl
October 30th, 2010
10:12 pm
These young men fought back and gave it all. So back off them.. But the the higher up Coaches have no Bull in them.
I still love the DAWGS and I do believe that something needs to change what I am not sure.
BUT THE PLAYERS FOUGHT BACK HARD IN THIS GAME.
Pass The Ball
October 30th, 2010
10:14 pm
Where is the Defense? Florida has struggled on offense but we still couldn’t stop them. Absolutely amazing.
Sad Dawg
October 30th, 2010
10:14 pm
The Bulldogs’ record has gone to 2-8 against the Gators under coach Mark Richt.
Richt was asked afterward how the Dogs can go about turning around the dismal streak.
“You win a game like this,” he said, “but we didn’t do it.”
This sounds like Obama on the Daley show when asked if he would change his message, and Obama said, Yes we can, BUT. BUT is a really really big word.
HerschelPug
October 30th, 2010
10:15 pm
2-8 against the Gators. We got the wrong coach.
Jax Dawg Fan
October 30th, 2010
10:15 pm
Well… another year of hard livin’ for Dawg Fans surrounded by Gainesville Lizzards.
Tman
October 30th, 2010
10:16 pm
Once again, Murray could not throw to AJ he was smothered by an alll sec corner and the free safety was doubling most of the time Why do you think Tavares and the tight end made such big gains? Bobo made great calls but Murray did not execute at times= very simple But the defense gave up 34 How many do you need 35?
damon evans
October 30th, 2010
10:17 pm
Wonder how many coaches and players are still drinking in the parking lot? I wonder if Richt can be the DD?
Bruce the Spruce
October 30th, 2010
10:19 pm
Radio reports are now confirming the AP and ESPN report regarding Coach Richt’s termination on Monday. I’d like to hear from the Bulldog Nation … who do you think should be our next head coach? Still love the dawgs despite the fact that we kept Coach Richt one year longer than we should have. Looking forward to 2011 and the new regime …
Safety Sam
October 30th, 2010
10:19 pm
I hope all those Georgia fans drive back safely. Let’s go back to Athens and lick our wounds. We have 3 more games. Let’s try and win them and finish 7-5 and go to a bowl game.
Remember, safety first.
Same old story: Turnovers doom Dogs against Gators – Atlanta Journal Constitution (blog) | Best Dog Store
October 30th, 2010
10:19 pm
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NashDawg
October 30th, 2010
10:22 pm
Chip Kelly anyone.
RED DOG 77
October 30th, 2010
10:24 pm
As a UGA grad, and lifelong BULLDOG fan, I couldn’t be more proud of “my” BULLDOGS. The coaches called a great game, the players played inspired football……..Aaron Murray, GOD Bless him had a rough outing, but for a RS FR. played his heart out………….I’m proud to be a Georgia BULLDOG………….and even more proud of “my” GEORGIA BULLDOGS………GO DOGS……….GATA……………RED
still a dawg fan
October 30th, 2010
10:24 pm
Hire Dan Mullen quick–before someone else does because like Dogdawg said he’s knows how to beat the gators with bulldogs.
DawginTX
October 30th, 2010
10:26 pm
How crappy that we’re stuck with Mark Richt. 10 yrs ago all you idiots would have paid big money to average 10 wins a year, play for 3 SEC championships, win 2, and play in 3 BCS bowls. Grantham’s D plays much more like Van Gorder’s than Martinez’s. Oh, and we have a great QB for at least 2 more years.
stupid
October 30th, 2010
10:26 pm
if yall want to give up and fire everybody get the hell off this blog and go F youself! Who are we ganna get that is better than Richt? someone we think is better that has never been a head coach?’kirby smart’
RED DOG 77
October 30th, 2010
10:26 pm
Safety Sam……………….I’m with ya brother
Blowing Smoke up my rear end
October 30th, 2010
10:27 pm
Same ole same ole and the apologist once again are saying we will be better next year. LOL. What a bunch of bone headed mistakes in this game. Mike Bobo is in over his head. Time to start anew.
stupid
October 30th, 2010
10:28 pm
GO DAWGS BETTER TIMES WILL COME KEEP FIGHTING!
damon evans
October 30th, 2010
10:28 pm
Kirby has already said he was not coming to the keg party.
76-DAWG
October 30th, 2010
10:29 pm
You can’t blame Grantham for anything this year. That crazy to even think that Grantham can turn around Martinez’s mess the first year. When Grantham came in last years recruits had already made up their mind. He also had to teach the entire defense the 3-4. Our defense looks ten times better than last years disaster . And next year will even be better.
I still think that Bobo needs to go but for the most part the play calling in this game was not too bad. I would have never try to run wide, Florida stopped that cold. We ran up the middle pretty good ,
What beat UGA today was Murray having his worst game, by far of the year. He threw into coverage and was not very accurate in the first half. He tried to force the issue and when that happens usually the outcome is not too good.
I can accept a loss to Florida even though I don’t like it any more than any other Dawg fan. But we were in this game all day unlike recent years. Our team did not give up the entire game. Even with four turnovers we should have won this one. We just lost.
RED DOG 77
October 30th, 2010
10:30 pm
Stupid………..you are one intelligent DOG……….and a damn good one at that.
Damon Evans
October 30th, 2010
10:30 pm
Safety Sam …Dont forget ! You Drink and Drive You lose ! Just like the Dawgs did today !
DawginTX
October 30th, 2010
10:30 pm
Let’s see how many championships Dan Mullen wins. Hiring a coash who does decent at a “have not” school in your conference usually doesn’t translate to greatness at a “have” school. Ask LSU about DiNardo and Coloardo about Gary Barnett.
RED DOG 77
October 30th, 2010
10:33 pm
76………CHEERS !……….RED DOG 77
76-DAWG
October 30th, 2010
10:34 pm
My biggest criticism is that we have a ALL AMERICAN field goal kicker that doesn’t ever seem to make a difference. That result is Bobo’s fault. CMR needs to make Bobo get Walsh and AJ more involved .
Gatorbait
October 30th, 2010
10:35 pm
RED DOG 77
You are absolutely right, Georgia has nothing to be ashamed of. They showed a ton of heart coming back in the 2nd half. As far as Murray goes, you have a great one in the making. I would gladly trade the win today plus Brantley for Murray, he’s that good. A game like this would have been best left as a tie-neither team really deserved to lose.
still a dawg fan
October 30th, 2010
10:36 pm
Hey Stupid,
Have you ever heard of Dan Mullen
GTJohn
October 30th, 2010
10:37 pm
This is just football. When Tech and UGA meet, both will be playing their last game of the season because neither is that good. i thought the Dawgs played a pretty good game and if not for a couple of plays that went the wrong way, they would have won easily.
damon evans
October 30th, 2010
10:38 pm
When you are the head coach, its all your fault. Period.
Safety Sam
October 30th, 2010
10:41 pm
A step forward would be no more legal trouble for the team.
Why don’t we have a full time lawyer giving legal assistance to these kids? If a speeding ticket comes up give it to the lawyer and he can give some general advice and then log the ticket. When it comes time to pay the lawyer would shoot an e-mail saying “Pay the ticket Dawg!”
This idea is Safety Sam approved.
JIm
October 30th, 2010
10:43 pm
Couldda, shouldda, just couldn’t do it. Too many miscues. Interceptions, can’t pick up or cover a fumble, missed passes, overthrows, you name it. The DAWGS could have won today IF everybody had played as they should play. Don’t wait until the last 30 seconds and start looking for excuses why you lost. You lost when you dropped that first pass, gave up a fumble, fumbled a punt, missed tackles. All that adds up to a LOSS. And don’t say “wait ’til next year”. That will be no better that this year, unless players are taught the basics and players remember what they are supposed to do in every crisis. No disrespect intended, but the Defensive Coordinator has done very little to make UGA’s defensive team a winner. Too many players standing around watching the game, opposing receivers run amock all over the field catching passes and no DAWGS in sight. Punt and kickoff coverage is dismal at best. Perhaps next year, all the potential delinquent players can be identified early on, and sent packing as soon as they commit an offense. Giving a player a game or three game suspension only hurts the entire team. The player could care less. Hopefully coaches and players who are the team leaders can get that mess squared away before next season begins. As far as this year goes, “So long, it was almost good to know ya’.” This season reminds me of the 1953 team….had some good individual players, team could not play together, result: we lost games we could have won, or made a better showing. Sorry or poor play does not improve with time. It is infectious at best.
monty
October 30th, 2010
10:44 pm
GA beat a bad Vandy team, got some gifts early from Kentucky and hung on (barely) and I had the impression that if there had been a few more minutes on the clock we would have lost..oh yeh, and we beat the worst Tenn team they’ve had in ages. We played a FLA team that had lost 3 in a row almost to a wash but some how we couldn’t make it 4 in a row. Not sure what to think about the state of the program at this point. Fla had no Tebow or any receiver the likes of our #8 and they still won. In the end our QB made several errors(horrible last throw, threw it side arm because he couldn’t see over linemen in his direct line of sight) and theirs didn’t late in the game. Several dropped passes by our receivers hit them right in the hands, and again Murray missed some opportunities for some bg plays.Don’t get me wrong, I like Murray, think he has a winners heart, more than I can say about Stafford. Just jinxed against FLA what else can you say? No way with our athletes we can’t beat them every other year. But it looks like twice a decade is asking alot. We can say we’re not far behind FLA and look at the bright side, but until we can manage a few wins against them the SEC CHAMPIONSHIP looks pretty unattainable.