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
still a dawg fan
October 30th, 2010
10:45 pm
Here is some info for everyone about our defense–CBS ANNOUNCED TODAY THAT WHEN EVER A TEAM GETS INSIDE OUR REDZONE THEY SCORE A TD 80% OF THE TIME—–NOT GOOD
azdawg
October 30th, 2010
10:46 pm
Instead of paying GA coaches all that $$$ cut their salaries in half and pay all the teams on our schedule whatever it takes to have an open date b4 the FL game. Then fire the coaches.
Rico
October 30th, 2010
10:47 pm
Hey Bill, you are correct. Oh AND the team sux! That does not help either.
Safety Sam
October 30th, 2010
10:48 pm
For all future games let’s make sure that Big Bad Bruce is outside barking and walking around. Give the Dawg plenty of sleep before the game. I don’t want to see him in his house during the game. Pathetic.
This idea is Safety Sam approved.
Michael
October 30th, 2010
10:49 pm
South Carolina, Miss St., Arkansas, Colorado, and now Florida. This team has had opportunities and just doesn’t finish the drill.
Sandyspringsjacket
October 30th, 2010
10:50 pm
LOSING SEASON, no bowl. I’ll bet Shrevport looks good to the THUGs now.
damon evans
October 30th, 2010
10:50 pm
How bout the next time you make a mistake you go to the bench, not the huddle.Lets find out who really wants to play.Scoot over Richt.
tidog
October 30th, 2010
10:51 pm
You have to make that catch and close that game out Rambo. You could have gone down on history like the Lindsey Scott catch and run. Wow what if ?
Sandyspringsjacket
October 30th, 2010
10:52 pm
10 arrests, 5 wins,CMR’s legacy this year!
SatillaDawg
October 30th, 2010
10:53 pm
Very disappointing.
I appreciate the comeback, but another running play and a field goal in OT would have been fine with me, considering we have the better kicker.
I’ll take a definite three over a tipped pass, interception and the subsequent BS that ensued.
Still digesting the loss, but like many other fans on this board, I’m sick and tired of losing to the dreaded Gators. This must stop.
DawginTX
October 30th, 2010
10:54 pm
Is it time for Texas to fire Mack Brown, too?
where's HERSCHELL ?
October 30th, 2010
10:54 pm
so if you fire richt who would want to coach these convicts and put up with a bunch of bandwagon nadlickers???
hunker down
October 30th, 2010
10:54 pm
Wreckmaniac
Anyone other blog name of yours speaking about betting in a series would bother me. Take that $1k this year (if you have since you can’t feel up your stadium) and bet UGA if you need the money.
SOS Dawg
October 30th, 2010
10:54 pm
Im so Tired of “Finish Drill”. How about Win the Damn Game !
damon evans
October 30th, 2010
10:55 pm
Atleast the band plays better than the football team.
Scotty Dawg
October 30th, 2010
10:55 pm
Man, this one hurt. I still love my team, but this one hurt. I never thought I would say this, but I am looking forward to basketball season.
YOUR stupid
October 30th, 2010
10:59 pm
dan mullen will lose next year in athens, so will sc wait and see.
"true fan"
October 30th, 2010
11:00 pm
How is our fan base so full of morons!!! It was not the coaching, my friends, it was the execution. Our players are not that good. They were in position to make the plays all game and did not do it.
A loss is a loss. There was no doubt that it was a hard fought game. They made me proud to be a bulldog today. These are kids, not professionals. They can use your support and loyalty when times get tough.
Think about it.
icedawg
October 30th, 2010
11:00 pm
In the last few seasons we have definitely been relegated to “second tier” status in the SEC. I guess we will have to adapt to it and wear it in style. This has been our lot after the Greene and Shockley era. As good as Stafford and Moreno were we were never really able to dominate anyone. The DAWGS have especially lost it on defense, the Junkyard Dawgs years are long gone. Defense wins games and championships. We’ve also lost it on execution. Our turnover ratio has been sorely to our disadvantage. In spite of all of that our offense has scored enough points to win games. It is the defense that has let us down.
YOUR stupid
October 30th, 2010
11:01 pm
AT LEAST WE STILL OWN TECH….. BUT THATS NOT THAT HARD, GO AHEAD AND MAKE IT 9 OF 10.
DawginTX
October 30th, 2010
11:02 pm
Bear Bryant should have been fired after the 1970 season. They were picked to win it all in 1968, and lost 3 games followed by 2 straight 6-win seasons.
Safety Sam
October 30th, 2010
11:03 pm
Next time a big defensive player has the ball in his hands he must fall on it. If he tries to pick it up and run that is an automatic suspension from the rest of the game.
This idea is Safety Sam approved.
YOUR stupid
October 30th, 2010
11:03 pm
good job ‘true fan’
BulldogsRock
October 30th, 2010
11:04 pm
When Florida has the 34th ranked rush defense and 13th ranked pass defense, why does UGA pass more than run…why Bobo?? And, CMR, you still let him call the plays.
tidog
October 30th, 2010
11:04 pm
Bring on Mark Fox his crew.
charleston jacket
October 30th, 2010
11:05 pm
Oh how I love these Saturday afternoons. What a great ending to a beautiful day in Charleston.
damon evans
October 30th, 2010
11:05 pm
I think icedawg should be the next head coach. He knows more about football than all our clowns put together.
Firing CMR aint it
October 30th, 2010
11:05 pm
You can’t run the ball if there are no holes to run through. You can’t win if you can’t run. You can’t ‘play action’ if you can’t run. Why is our ‘O’ line, the ’strength of the team’ so ineffective? Because we have no continuity there. You can’t get continuity is you start a different five every week. Searles and his musical chair line coaching style needs to be upgraded. Bobo needs fewer weapons. Giving him a great receiving corp, three tight ends that could all play in the NFL, and two above average backs has him confused. He’s like a kid with too many toys Christmas morning.
YOUR stupid
October 30th, 2010
11:05 pm
i HATE everything orange and yellow
Dogdawg
October 30th, 2010
11:09 pm
Lets see,Dan Mullen was OC at FL when they won 2 NC.He goes to Miss St and FL some how goes down hill.Miss St has there best season in 15 years and beats FL, Hmmmm I what do we have to lose?we are 2&8 under CMR.
DawginTX
October 30th, 2010
11:10 pm
Hey, IceDawg, the D only gave up 2 drives over 50 yards. I wouldn’t say they let us down as much as turnovers did.
YOUR stupid
October 30th, 2010
11:10 pm
30-24
JYD
October 30th, 2010
11:10 pm
Throw the damn ball to A. J.!!!!!!!!!
YOUR stupid
October 30th, 2010
11:12 pm
mullen still loses in athens next year
WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!!!!
October 30th, 2010
11:12 pm
at least you still had fans in the stands in the 4th qtr
damon evans
October 30th, 2010
11:14 pm
Thats cause they were still selling beer.
DawginTX
October 30th, 2010
11:14 pm
Hey Bulldogs Rock, when we started passing more we already had 3 of our 4 turnovers and were down by 2 scores. Also, the Florida D had made adjustments. Aaron Murray had over 300 yards passing in final 3 quarters. Yep, that Bobo sure is dumb.
YOUR stupid
October 30th, 2010
11:15 pm
hey tech fans go get a girl friend or boy friend and get off of our blog. We know how you love red boxers
damon evans
October 30th, 2010
11:18 pm
I wonder if Pay J set up his jersey booth after the game?
Clean House
October 30th, 2010
11:18 pm
Im tired of Thugs, Im tired of this coaching Staff. Sorry UGA VIII that u had to endure that sorry performance today !
kydawg
October 30th, 2010
11:18 pm
Playing for OT…playing not to lose = LOSS!!!!!!! Just tired of it all!
still a dawg fan
October 30th, 2010
11:19 pm
Hey YOUR stupid,
Dan Mullen will roll over us next year in Athens& we don’t stand a chance against SC next year.Both are now better programs then ours now.We have replaced Miss St as a bottom feeder.You know we have fallen far when other teams are scheduling us for their HOMECOMING GAME
We just gave up 450 yards to a sorry Florida Offense that has zero playmakers & they rushed for 230yards with an assortment of average running backs & Brantley threw for 220 yards with no quality receivers.
Just think in 2 weeks we can improve Cam Newton’s chances of winning the Heisman because after watching the Florida film he will realize that 300yards passing & over 200 yards rushing will be no problem for him against our defense.
Michael
October 30th, 2010
11:20 pm
Georgia ran it 30 times, Florida ran it 50 times, Georgia pssed 37 times, Florida 25.
That’s what won the game. Florida had a better strategy and gameplan than Georgia.
Dogdawg
October 30th, 2010
11:20 pm
I’ll take Miss ST if CMR is still here haha
UGA
October 30th, 2010
11:24 pm
“Oh, man,” wide receiver A.J. Green said. “It’s hurting my heart right now. We put a lot of work in to go out like this.”
Stay in school and finish the drill next year.
WAIT TILL NEXT YEAR!!!!!
October 30th, 2010
11:25 pm
What happened since last week when coach richt had this thing turned around??
TheItalianDawg
October 30th, 2010
11:25 pm
That’s it! we should always get an open date before playing Florida, why do we let them having this advantage ?
I think our D played very good, our Offense played very good in the second half, Murray was terrible in the 1st half but better in the 2nd, our coaches were good in general, having 4 turnovers is pretty hard to overcome and we almost did. Si I would say Coach Richt should be retained for next season
Let's Talk About UGA!
October 30th, 2010
11:26 pm
I hope we haven’t fired Coach Richt.
I have a Fathead of him hanging on my wall next to my REM poster.
Go Dawgs!
Southern DisComfort
October 30th, 2010
11:28 pm
Bring the damn game back to Athens every other year.
Safety Sam
October 30th, 2010
11:34 pm
I agree with ItalianDawg. Open date before the Florida game.
This idea is Safety Sam approved.