Mike Bobo and Mark Richt aren’t why Georgia lost to Auburn
Auburn might have had more sacks had it not been for Aaron Murray's scrambling ability. (Associated Press)
Some more thoughts on Georgia’s loss to Auburn. …
As I mentioned briefly Saturday night, you can quibble with some of Mike Bobo’s calls in the game against the Tigers, particularly when he tried things (I’m thinking Branden Smith in the wildcat or screen passes to the short side of the field on third-and-long) that seemed to have much less of a chance of working than simply throwing it in A.J. Green’s direction.
And while Auburn hitman Nick Fairley (I feel the need for Purell hand sanitizer after just typing his name) is more than a handful to block, the Dogs’ pass protection faltered a bit too often Saturday. The Dogs only gave up four sacks, but that amount might have been close to doubled had it not been for Aaron Murray’s elusiveness and scrambling ability. And besides taking a lot of late hits, Murray was hurried on some key plays, like the too-high pass to Kris Durham in the end zone late in the third quarter when one of the backs missed his block.
And, yes, you can question Mark Richt running out the final 50-odd seconds of the first half rather than trying to get some more points. Perhaps he also should have been a bit more forceful in warning his kickoff return team about the possibility of an on-side kick to open the second half. And, frankly, I think he blinked in the eye-to-eye confrontation with Auburn when he called for a field goal at the end of the third quarter. When you’re in a shootout with an offense that eats up clock, you have to make the most of every possession you get.
But overall Bobo and the Georgia offense were what kept the Dogs in the game, and with the exception of the on-side kick I don’t think Richt and company got outcoached by Gene Chizik.
The reason Georgia lost against Auburn was pretty much the same reason the Dogs have lost five other games: The defense just isn’t up to current SEC or past UGA standards.
And this isn’t a complaint about Todd Grantham’s schemes. It didn’t matter what signals he called Saturday against the Tigers defense, the players on the field simply weren’t capable of stopping Cam Newton and company. The lack of a nose guard able to take control of the line of scrimmage has pretty much submarined Grantham’s attempt to install his 3-4 defense this year and unless Georgia manages to scrounge up a big JUCO player, I wonder how much better it’ll be next year.
Of course, nobody has really stopped Newton, so I’ll give them that. But as a frustrated Justin Houston lamented after the game, the Tigers did a lot of damage with players other than Newton running the reverse, including gashing the Dogs for 31 yards one time and 48 yards another time. Houston blamed “blown assignments” and defenders not being “where they were supposed to be,” adding, “Some guys weren’t as focused as they need to be and it hurt us. It’s been hurting us all season.”
Indeed it has, especially in the secondary, where Georgia’s safety play has been consistently poor. Bacarri Rambo may have snagged a key interception on a tipped ball Saturday, but otherwise his play was tentative much of the evening. And while I suppose it was to be expected that Georgia would be keying on the run since that’s Auburn’s bread and butter (that’s all they did in the third quarter), the Dogs defenders seemed to completely forget that Newton also can throw the ball. He ended up completing 12 of 15 passes (80 percent) for 148 yards and two touchdowns, and that was with a couple of drops in the first half by wide-open receivers.
Come to think of it, on just about all Auburn’s completions the receiver was open. You expect that sort of thing early in the season after a new defense has been installed. But when it’s still happening in the 11th game, you have to conclude the folks out on the field mostly just aren’t capable of getting it done.
Finally, a couple of observations on the way our so-called “country cousins” at Auburn handled this major rivalry game. Afterward, Chizik might have declared himself “disappointed” and “not happy” about two of his players getting ejected when tempers started to flare late, but as I noted in my previous blog he seemed to be doing anything but trying to keep his players’ emotions in check on the sideline.
And then there was the reaction of the Auburn fans when Georgia linebacker Reuben Faloughi went down with a leg injury in the fourth quarter, resulting in the Tigers’ hurry-up game getting slowed down momentarily.
They booed the hurt player.
Really classy. War damn eagle, indeed.
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636 comments Add your comment
wde.west
November 14th, 2010
7:11 pm
In response to your “real classy AU” comment… Anyone could tell, we didn’t boo an injured player. We booed a player, who is running off the field, w/ a bit of a limp, but then stops right before he reaches the sidelines so that the clock is stopped, letting the tired defense get a breather. I agree, AU wasn’t a bunch of angels out there, but to sit on your high horse and insinuate that your team was, is foolish.
Apparently you know as little about football as you do about journalism.
SEC Refs
November 14th, 2010
7:12 pm
Refs…
It’s either a penelty or not..
I refer to the hand slap Newton did as he was going out of bounds to Rambo. I know certain things only warant warn such as side line vialations, but when did personal foul situations start waranting warnings. No wonder this game go out of control, they were waiting on another warning.
rincon dawg
November 14th, 2010
7:12 pm
Like I said earlier LEE they learned that they need to use cash money now so they dont get caught.
ATL
November 14th, 2010
7:12 pm
Hey UGA tools, maybe when Richt bails on your sorry program for that better job at Colorado; you guys can have this chick be your coach: http://wfnz.cbslocal.com/2010/07/02/not-damon-evans-wife/
She’s pretty good at TRICK plays.
Jim
November 14th, 2010
7:13 pm
The defense sucked but do not give any credit to the offense. The Auburn defense gives up an average of 25 points a game. Take away the one game they held a Div II team to 3 points and the average is around 31. Sound familiar? The school for the blind should have scored 25 points. If you are up 21 to 7, there is no way you should ever lose. Scoring 10 point over 45 minutes is the reason BoBo should resign and save us all from future embarrassments.
rincon dawg
November 14th, 2010
7:14 pm
GEORGE YOU ARE A MORON
Earlier you disagreed with me now your saying you have more violations please. You get your facts straight. They paid cash money bottom line.
DaltonGa
November 14th, 2010
7:14 pm
Georgia fans chill out. this game was alot closer than the score says. dont just blame the defense for not winning the game. heck nobody has been able to stopped newton this year( that includes that lsu defense). georgia defense is alot better than it was last year so i dont blame coach grantham but he does need to put more pressure on the QB’s. over this season could of been worse and you with aaron coming back next year and a year under his belt, i dont see why shouldnt win the sec east and maybe sec champion, if newton doesnt come back for his senior year !!!!
Dawg P'oed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 14th, 2010
7:16 pm
Nick Fairley is the biggest piece of crap I have seen in following college football for over forty years!!! I have pulled for Auburn in past games. Never again!!! With 13 traffic violations in such a short time while at Florida, which can be viewed on the Florida county site, and his infamous stealing of the laptop he isn’t much better regardless of how the NCAA investigation goes. (Not much doubt of the outcome). Fairley and the classless Auburn fans cheering Cash Newton at all costs will get theirs.
DawginOH
November 14th, 2010
7:18 pm
I didn’t learn much on Saturday, apart from the fact that Nick Fairley is trash and Coach Chizik is no better. The offense has, surprisingly, been playing really well since mid-season and has put enough points on the board to win pretty much every game since SC. Same story as last year, though, the defense has been subpar.
I’ve been saying all along that Grantham’s D will only work with players who are built for it. That can only come with recruiting. The coaching staff has a ton of work to do to make the 3-4 as effective as we want it to be. I’m not expecting a miracle turnaround next season. But give CTG the time he needs to build a winner. Remember how the transition went for Saban? Compare Bama’s 2007 record to that of 2008 and 2009.
Go Dawgs!
ATL
November 14th, 2010
7:20 pm
I’d be P’oed if I was a Dawg fan too. Your team sucks and you need to start your search for a new coach. At least you can count on the clueless tool who wrote this article to cheer on your whining until the AJC’s ever shrinking readership fires his lame butt too.
Cumming Tiger
November 14th, 2010
7:20 pm
Auburn fans didn’t “boo” and injured player. They “boo’ed” a coach who told his player to stay down for a free time out. Get your facts straight.
Patrick
November 14th, 2010
7:20 pm
Auburn is classless? HA! We may have a player under fact-less scrutiny, but we certainly don’t have an entire roster of thugs with arrest records. http://www.ajc.com/sports/uga/uga-football-arrests-2008-601205.html
How about the UGA fan in custody right now for setting Toomers Corner on fire? Yeah, there’s some class for you. Good point Georgia. How about Mark Richt not keeping the entire sideline from coming off the bench and onto the field? Talk a big talk all you want, but the Georgia players got what they asked for when they run their mouths all day long: A busted QB, a loss and punched in the face. Don’t blame Auburn for losing by 18 and not even covering the spread…blame Cam Newton.
John Galt
November 14th, 2010
7:20 pm
George-
I’m sure you are a wise man, but there are different degrees of violations. Georgia has NEVER been on a no-TV no-bowl violation probation. And we have had major breeches of trust (Evans) and some student DUIs- all of which led to firings or expulsions.
You have a QB who was convicted of receiving stolen property (and knew it- that’s why he threw the PC out the window before he was arrested). He has warrants out for his arrest in FL- the BCS bowl isn’t in Florida is it? And the yet-to-be-proved allegations are growing daily; with his history, I’d be a little wary if I were you.
After the USC/Reggie Bush fiasco, the NCAA will crush AU if these allegations are true and Newton has continued to lie.
1785 Dawg
November 14th, 2010
7:21 pm
Auburn….
Enjoy your current roster of players. The better recruits will not even consider going to Auburn until the NCAA completes its investigation of Cam and Cecil Newton. If the USC investigation is an example, and it is, the investigation could take three to four years. Then, if violations, are found, look to lose about thirty (30) scholarships, and for heavy penalties.
Michael
November 14th, 2010
7:23 pm
Bill-Maybe the reason for the booing was that it was the third time it happened in the game. All three times, the injured player stopped between the numbers on the field and the Georgia sideline and two of those times, the Georgia coaches were motioning for the player to get on the ground. All three players stayed on the ground for a brief period and sure looked fine when they left the field. If you were in the press box on the west side of the stadium, and you were paying attention, you would have seen this. Instead of trashing the fans, maybe Georgia should have gotten penalized for delay of game. It was pretty obvious. And yes, War Damn Eagle!
Cumming Tiger
November 14th, 2010
7:24 pm
Nick Fairley had one late hit and was penalized for it. Watch the last play against Murray and you will see he was blocked into Murray’s leg as he was falling down. I guess losing makes your bias show even more.
kc
November 14th, 2010
7:24 pm
you’re an idiot. The player was boo’d because the ENTIRE side of the field saw the player easily able to hop off of the field and then one of the coaches YELLS get down now and mid hop the player flops like Manu Ginobli.
John Galt
November 14th, 2010
7:26 pm
George-
Get your story straight- is rincon dawg a liar for saying you have 5 violations, or do you have 13? Clear this up with your husband before answering-
AFLAC TRIVIA QUESTION FOR NEXT SEASON
QUESTION- Which former NCAA football program had 3 undefeated seasons without a single national championship?
ANSWER- Auburn- 2 seasons while on probabtion and one (2010) while playing with a purchased quartyerback causing all wins to be vacated.
QUACK!
John
November 14th, 2010
7:26 pm
Auburn fans booed the hurt player because UGA’s coaches were telling the players the players to lay down so that the refs would call a TV time out and then UGA would not have to use their own. If the fans had not seen a previous UGA player lay down deliberately on a previous play, they would not have booed.
aladawg
November 14th, 2010
7:26 pm
I know others saw the half assed block that King attempted. Why is he in any game when he is nothing but a big WUS. I agree about the defensive backs they have been a problem all season. I believe that they are to damn stupid to learn where to be in any given situation and whover coaches them needs to be run out of the state of Georgia. Maybe during the off season the dawgs will recruite some players with some intelligence that will help them learn the system. This defense just plain sucks.
DaltonGa
November 14th, 2010
7:29 pm
DawginOH i totally agree with you on CTG D. this is just uga first year under the 3-4
ATL
November 14th, 2010
7:30 pm
I feel bad for pointing out all the ways that UGA sucks. You do have way better bars in Athens and the girls are easier. Those Auburn girls usually want to drag you to church with them.
John Galt
November 14th, 2010
7:31 pm
Aladawg-
My son and I agree with you. During the game we decided that our UGA defense just doesn’t have the IQ to keep assignments or to do what they have been told.
I have noticed also that these kids- on all teams- will not look a coach in the face when they are scolding/instructing them. I would hate for my career to depend on these boys- in my day Coach Dooley would have had you by the face mask if tyou didn’t look at him when he talked to you.
Oldguy
November 14th, 2010
7:31 pm
Auburn has now played eleven games and been victorious in every one. Of the eleven teams played so far, some Georgia fans (and certainly the Atlanta print media) are without a doubt the biggest bunch of cry-babies and whiners of the lot! Come on Georgia, man up!!
Georgia has a good team and a great program but you are going through a down year. All teams go through down years and it is easy to understand why, when this happens, the faithful are frustrated and want to lash out at someone. Supporters of every team in the SEC want to win and win big every single year. However, during a disappointing season supporters should direct their energy toward backing their team and athletic department, not lashing out at everyone else. Blaming officiating, opposing coaches, outstanding quarterbacks and aggressive defensive players isn’t going to result in more wins. You can’t make things better by trying to downgrade your competitors and calling for the heads of your talented coaching staff. Remember, the guys on the field are in their late teens, maybe some in the early twenties. They are not professionals but are young men playing their hearts out for the glory of the game and our enjoyment. They cannot be expected to excel every game or every season.
If Bill King (and I feel the need for Lysol and compazine) really wanted to help the Georgia program and not just sell newspapers, he would devoted his efforts in a positive direction and rally the Bulldog nation behind the team, the coaching staff and the athletic department. Crying and whining, in a way not seen from supporters or press of LA-Monroe, UT-Chattanooga, Arkansas State and seven other teams, is not the answer but instead contributes greatly to the problems the Georgia staff faces as they attempt to restore the program to the levels expected by Bulldog fans.
You Stupid Rednecks
November 14th, 2010
7:32 pm
It’s amusing to read the holier-than-thou rants of Mr. Junkyard Blawg and his moron minions. You’ll enjoy some credibility as soon as you can admit that the late-game brawl was started by THREE OF YOUR offensive lineman–including that class act Clint Boling, LITERALLY DIVING ON TOP of the Auburn player WHILE HE WAS ON THE GROUND. When you can admit your own wrongs, you can criticize others’ shortcomings with some credibility. Until then, shutup and get used to 6-6 seasons because if you think Richt and Bozo can out-coach and out-recruit Saban, Spurrier, Meyer, etc., then you’re just plain as stupid as everyone thinks you are.
South Ga Dawg
November 14th, 2010
7:36 pm
Tired of the excuses. We’re just not good enough. Our staff is nonagressive and you cannot win in big boy football with a nonagressive staff. Do you think Miles, Saban, Malzone, etc would have ran clock out at end of first half?????? Hell no the wouldnt have!!! Its a mindset problem in Athens that needs to change!!!!!!!
FLA DAWG
November 14th, 2010
7:41 pm
Auburn will skate through the Newton Scandal because of the 2004 BCS decision not to let them play for The NCC.
College Football has finally become openly corrupt.
But Richt and Bobo are still outclassed in The SEC (and Colorado for that matter).
Wishin For Dooley
November 14th, 2010
7:43 pm
I have to admit all of the complaining about AU’s hits is overblown. They were just playing good, hard SEC football. I think we as GA fans need to realize that we are to blame for our own problems. This season’s mess is bigger than the Auburn game. We all need to come together and figure out why we have had such a horrible season. Auburn is a great team and they will probably win the BCS championship. I’m just proud our boys were able to keep it interesting.
Go Dawgs!
KimZ'spackage
November 14th, 2010
7:43 pm
10-15 UGA players should be sitting for the 1st 1/2 of the Tech game. Dawgs throw punches and rush the field. A rules violation should be punished right Dawgs? Well, since you guys want the games to be on the up and up make sure Coach Richt punishes all the Dawgs for the fight and charging the field. The rest of the football world doesn’t want you to be Hypocrites. I bet the SEC lets Richt slide because they would have a fit if UGA lost to an ACC team and didn’t get to go to a Bowl. That would be the last Nail for Richt for sure.
jack bull
November 14th, 2010
7:44 pm
there’s a saying in football, ‘you can’t win a game at the end of the first half, but you sure as hell can lose it’..some need to keep that in mind. and if B Smith makes a 20 yard run, you’ll be saying we should do that more..i think, bill, you’re being very nit-picky on some of those comments..but, like you said, the bottom line is, our defense just isn’t very good…and at some point, you’ve got to wonder, we’ve already fired one DC, hired another with a totally different scheme, and still, the same results…i swear we’re the only team that allows other WR’s to be so open most of the time. and we still don’t get near enough pressure on the QB if we’re going to continue to let guys be that open..you either need to A)be a good cover team, or B)get after the QB, which we do neither..
LemonThrower
November 14th, 2010
7:45 pm
Got all the respect for Aaron Murray. The young man is so damn tough and a true leader.All those cheap shots from Fairley, More better things to come from the young man.
Class
November 14th, 2010
7:45 pm
If you want to talk about class, don’t talk to an Auburn person. Auburn has shown time and time again that it has not class at all. This is a classless bunch of thugs and have always been know for cheating and probabtion.
UGA has class and Auburn doesn't
November 14th, 2010
7:48 pm
http://wfnz.cbslocal.com/2010/07/02/not-damon-evans-wife/
Did You Know
November 14th, 2010
7:48 pm
Newton & Fairley are still laughing at your neutered dogs.
jack bull
November 14th, 2010
7:49 pm
and does someone on here seriously think Eugene Chizik, Steve Spurrier, Urban Crier, and Nick Saban has more class than Mark Richt? scary, really scary… if we’re trying to make these kind of folks happy, we are in trouble..
James
November 14th, 2010
7:50 pm
Hahaha. Strange that you wouldn’t mention a UGA OL’s engaged cut block (the most dangerous play in football) on Fairley early in the game – and there were several more that didn’t get called.
Strange you didn’t mention Saint Richt allowing the Soulja Boys to stomp on the AU logo at midfield before the game. That, by the way, is the first squad to do that this year. Superman That Ho, Indeed.
You must have omitted the fact that UGA’s entire team ran off the bench and onto the field to engage in a fight, which by the way should result in every single player being suspended for the next game – per NCAA rules. While not one player from AU did.
Weird that you would condone a dirty piling on after the whistle as retribution for what a referee clearly saw and did not call as a late hit (and the unbiased Gary Danielson echoed moments later as a completely clean play).
All this coming from the reigning Fulmer Cup Champs, the all-time leader in off-season arrests, and a defensive coordinator who gave an opposing player (a kid) the choke sign last week.
The good news is that you know when the opposing team resorts to calling you “classless” – you are officially on top. Go Dawgs, Indeed.
bardawg
November 14th, 2010
7:50 pm
Don’t hold those residents of the big trailer park west of the Chattahochee in too high regard , They can’t help being a bunch of low life knuckle draggers . War Eagle ? That seems like a slogan that would be used by honorable people .
Catman
November 14th, 2010
7:52 pm
I hope that this writer disinfected his fingers when he typed Grantham’s name after his attempt to intimidate the UF kicker. I saw Chizik excited about winning the west division. I did not see Chizik encouraging bad behavior like Richt did in leading the whole team onto the field. Fairley’s play was excessive, but it did not approach the level of late hits and bad sportsmanship of Danell Ellerbe and many other of Richt’s thugs.
Macon Dawg Lover
November 14th, 2010
7:58 pm
Does anybody know how Ms. Murray is doing? I hope she is ok. Someone should see if we can get her some thicker pads so she doesn’t have to get hit so much.
GeorgiaBorn
November 14th, 2010
8:04 pm
Murray is a stud. I continue to be amazed at how well this guy has stepped up this year. Kinda like the Stafford years, there is no defense to help win games.
AltamahaDawg
November 14th, 2010
8:06 pm
I think next year Coach Bobo needs to use the “watch the game, see what happened, call your brother, discuss the game for 20 minutes, deem some other option as can’t miss” style of playcalling. That is always spot on. That real time stuff just ain’t cutting it.
Auburn University is a joke
November 14th, 2010
8:11 pm
This is really getting funny. Auburn is all of a sudden waking up and taking on a cowboy persona. Cannot believe you are actually defending your fans booing an injured UGA player. DO you think they actually knew at the time that he was not hurt badly? Some of you say the fans were booing the UGA coaches. Well, whatever. All I can say is that booing the other team’s players who are injured shows a lack of class and if you are trying to defend it then you have no class either. And you are going to defend the dnagerous/loose cannon Fairley and Trooper Taylor thug-acting coach? And the Auburn FAMILY deal and its defending of Cam Newton wholeheartedly is very naive. Your fans have always been over zealous and willing to resort to cheating for the sake of football. It has to do with the fact that Auburn has a chip on its shoulder because they have always been considered a second class university compared to Bama. Yes, you have a great team and a great quarterback this year, but I predict you will pay dearly for the enjoyment you are feeling right now. There are too many signs pointing to guilt on Cam Newton’s dad. And guess what, the ineligibility penalty follows the athlete and therefore Auburn will pay for its willingness to make a deal with the devil. After it is all over, you will have nothing but your FAMILY. Don’t worry about Bama, UGA or the other Georgia team, Tech. We will at least have a respectable University and yours is second rate compared to us. I used to look at the Auburn as a good natured rivalry, but after yesterday with Fairley, your fans, and your coaches, things have changed. GO OREGON AND GO BAMA!
PHIL
November 14th, 2010
8:12 pm
One thing I have learned reading these comments is that, as I suspected all along, Auburn fans are MORONS. Sure the fight was started by Bulldog players, but there was a reason and that was the continued dirty play of one player. It’s not like he didn’t deserve much more than he got.
Like I said the biggest thing to take from reading this blog is that Auburn willing to post here are stupid. They are like the Techies, win one in five and suddenly they are superior. Morons.
JAMES you are idiot #1 IF you knew ANYTHING about what a cut block was you’d know the call was a bad call. The lineman that was supposed to be “engaged” with your coward fat boy, was actually trying to pull and get away from him. Farley initiated the “engagement.” The UGA lineman wasn’t even facing him. If was Farley who had his hands on the lineman. The man who cut him was perfectly legal in doing so since he wasn’t “engaged” by another offensive player. Look at the tape moron. Look at it. If they had been trying to hurt hium all it would have taken is one guy to stand him up and the other to take the side of his knee out. It is the only time I have EVER wanted to see someone get hurt intentionally. And frankly I am ashamed of it but that’s not to say he didn’t deserve it.
And Bill why can’t you just say the loss wasn’t on the coaches? Why do you have to put all these “qualifiers” in there? Why don’t you apply for the job next time there is an opening since you are so smart?
Dawg_Mike
November 14th, 2010
8:13 pm
$cam Newton loves all the attention we are placing on the idiot lineman !
He wants us to keep on talking about it after the game while he goes up into the stands to pose while his teammates are shaking hands with the opposition.
Aubarn_Cheetahs
November 14th, 2010
8:13 pm
Why is everyone so mad about being $CAMmed ?
PHIL
November 14th, 2010
8:13 pm
Altamaha that’s exactly the path Bill will take when he is hired as OC
Bill 2
November 14th, 2010
8:15 pm
Our thugs beat your thugs. Hahaha.
Greg
November 14th, 2010
8:18 pm
UGA’s defense is ranked #23 in defensive scoring in the country, #2 in SEC in rush defense, #28 in total yards, Houston’s #1 in tackles for loss and sacks in SEC, Dent’s #1 in SEC in tackles, you guys have no clue what you’re talking about. Defense rocks the house.
Dustin
November 14th, 2010
8:18 pm
Sounds like whoever wrote this article is a georgia homer! War damn eagle! i’ll concede that nick fairley may need to calm down a little and maybe be careful about driving the qbs in the ground on sacks and watch the late hits. But come on the hit to arron murray wasnt fairleys fault, he was being blocked into him. This wasn’t a question of who had the better coach, this was all about cam newton and nobody being able to stop him. Auburn has plenty of playmakers other than cam but he has obviously been the missing piece to the puzzle. Alabamas defense froma year ago would have trouble with this offense so I’m sure this years version of the crimson tide defense will be in trouble. I think alabama is going to find cam newton and chris todd are two totally differnt players. Let’s whip bama and you dawg homers lick your butt and get ready for tech
TallaDawg
November 14th, 2010
8:21 pm
Mitch @5:56 –
You are insane, and maybe half blind.