Picking the highlights of a frustrating season for Dogs
A.J. Green's touchdown catch against Colorado was one for the ages. (Cliff Grassmick / Dailycamera.com)
Can you think of 10 really great plays by UGA’s football Bulldogs this year?
In a 6-6 regular season, the honest answer is probably not. But that hasn’t stopped the official UGA Web site, Georgiadogs.com, from letting fans vote in a countdown to select their 10 favorite plays of this season, which will be shown on the Dec. 26 edition of “Inside Georgia Football With Mark Richt” and posted online Dec. 28. You can see the 25 nominated plays (yes, they actually came up with that many!) and vote by going here.
The first play listed is pretty much a lock to finish No. 1 and that, of course, is A.J. Green’s amazingly acrobatic one-handed circus catch for a touchdown in the otherwise eminently forgettable game against Colorado. That one will be on UGA highlight reels for decades to come.
The other nominated plays are:
Justin Houston recovering a fumble forced by Akeem Dent and then returning it for a touchdown against Georgia Tech. Most of the time, players are better off just covering a fumble with their body instead of trying to scoop it up and advance it, but this was a definite exception and provided one of the biggest plays in Mark Richt’s ninth win over the Jackets.
Aaron Murray’s near-textbook 63-yard touchdown pass down the middle to Tavarres King against Florida. A great play call by Mike Bobo, too.
Kris Durham’s 66-yard catch and run to score against Tech. The senior wide receiver definitely is going to be missed next year.
Murray running for a touchdown just before halftime against Louisiana-Lafayette. Georgia’s redshirt-freshman quarterback let us know early on that he was going to develop into a dual scoring threat.
Murray’s 35-yard scramble for a touchdown against Tennessee. A heads-up play by the young QB.
Brandon Boykin’s 100-yard kickoff return for a score against Kentucky. And that was the third such run of his career!
A.J. Green making a touchdown catch against Florida as three Gators converge on him at the same time. A big-time play by Georgia’s most gifted receiver. Man, that four-game suspension really hurt this year.
Murray’s touchdown throw to Green against Auburn with the Dogs facing fourth-and-1. Another good call by Bobo.
The interception against Tennessee where Vance Cuff deflected the ball and Bacarri Rambo, racing across the field, snagged it and then hurdled the hedge after running out of bounds. Take-aways was the one area where the defense improved this year.
Sanders Commings’ fine interception against Louisiana-Lafayette where he managed to reverse course and get a decent return, too. (I’d nominate a different interception by Commings, though. See below.)
Justin Houston beating a block and sacking South Carolina’s Stephen Garcia. One of the reason’s he’s a finalist for this year’s Butkus Award.
Backup QB Hutson Mason throwing a 26-yard scoring strike to former QB Logan Gray on the first pass of his career, making him only the eighth quarterback to ever do that in FBS history.
Murray spinning away from a sack on third-and-goal at the 7 and just hitting the pylon to score against Tennessee.
Washaun Ealey cutting back with some nifty moves in a 55-yard touchdown run against Vanderbilt. You’ll notice this is the only play on the list featuring one of Georgia’s tailbacks, which says something unfortunate about the Dogs’ running attack this year.
Bacarri Rambo’s interception and return for a touchdown against Idaho State. Rambo showed some nice moves on that return.
Tavarres King breaking two tackles and diving for the goal line on a touchdown pass from Murray against Arkansas. The Dogs are going to need King to step up big-time next season if Green leaves as expected.
Murray faking to Ealey on fourth-and-goal from the 1 and then bootlegging left to run for a touchdown against Arkansas.
Darryl Gamble intercepting a throwback on a gimmick play against Mississippi State.
Walk-on special teams player Blake Sailors recovering a fumbled punt against Tennessee.
Drew Butler’s 58-yard coffin-corner punt to the 2-yard line against Kentucky.
Murray throwing to tight end Orson Charles for a score and then running it up the middle himself on the 2-point conversion to tie the game against Florida.
Ace receiver Green stiff-arming one defender and outrunning the rest for a score against Idaho State. Terrific open-field running.
Murray buying time with his feet until finding Bruce Figgins open in the back of the end zone for a score against Tech.
Houston intercepting a pass and wisely downing the ball to end Georgia Tech’s chances of a comeback.
Most of those selections are worthy nominees, but there are a few on that list that I’d subsitute with some plays that got ignored. Such as the third-and-10 catch by A.J. against Florida when he held on despite taking an immediate big hit. (That one made ESPN’s Top 10 plays of the day.)
And what about Sanders Commings’ interception in the end zone against Kentucky, with a catch worthy of A.J. Green? (Using Commings as a receiver some next year wouldn’t be a bad idea.)
Another memorable catch was Kris Durham going up high and still coming down with the ball despite triple coverage against Vandy. And Green made some great moves on another touchdown catch against the Commodores.
So what were your favorite plays of this season? And are there any others that weren’t mentioned that deserve recognition?
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146 comments Add your comment
AltamahaDawg
December 4th, 2010
7:35 pm
Chris, can we assume you were standing up telling everybody in the room what a horrible call that was on those particular TD plays?
saban
December 4th, 2010
7:40 pm
Grantham`s choke sign.
AD Red Panties
AJ`S uniform
Colorado`s victory
Richt staying at Georgia forever.
saban
December 4th, 2010
7:42 pm
Georgia fan`s delusions of a seven win season.
Newton coming back for a senior season.
Georgia can still go 6 and 7.
saban
December 4th, 2010
7:48 pm
Scheduling Florida Atlantic.
irish bulldogs
December 4th, 2010
7:57 pm
well AUBURN,YOU JUST WON YOUR 7TH SEC TITLE ,NOW YOU NEED ONLY 5 MORE SEC TITLES TO TIE GEORGIA AND 14 TO TIE ALABAMA.
Spike
December 4th, 2010
8:02 pm
Go Ducks!!
saban
December 4th, 2010
8:05 pm
Here UGA wants to be a mascot for Auburn. For 200k he will sell you folks out.
Dawgfan
December 4th, 2010
8:08 pm
All I got to say is:
Goooo Ducks! Sic Em! Quack, Quack, Quack, Quack.
What?
December 4th, 2010
8:17 pm
Why are UGA fans pulling for Oregon?
Mobile Dawg
December 4th, 2010
10:13 pm
It turned out to be just about the season I feared it would. When it started I thought with a good game plan designed to support the team we had on the field, with a young QB, and by playing close to the vest and some conservative play calling early we would develop. We were submarined by Bobo and Richt’s play calling in the USC game and really never recovered or got on track.
The lack of play by the Oline, and AJ’s absence sealed the deal. Truly a disappointing product, and unacceptable performance by the coaching staff, once again. What to do? No confidence, or faith in the coaching any longer.
75-76-DAWG
December 5th, 2010
12:55 am
Mobile Dawg
I share your disappointment. I can’t believe that all of our problems are blamed on the players because if the AD and CMR really admitted what the problem is there is no way some of the coaches would still be at Georgia next year and Bobo would be the first to go.
After this years recruiting you will see a much better defense next year. Grantham will turn things around in 2011.
BDJ
December 5th, 2010
12:59 am
The sad thing is, is that most of these plays were against bottom tier teams. UCF better watch out.
Natureboy809
December 5th, 2010
1:53 am
Not sure if you Bobo haters are aware, but during Richt’s “Glory Years” of 2001-2005, we scored 331, 450, 371, 335, and 384 points respectively. We already have over 400 this year. We are asking a LOT more out of our offense these days since Richt held on to Willie and Jancek so long that we have to play WAC style shoot out football.
Some times I question Bobo’s play calls too (I still like him better than Richt calling plays) but if we had some of Brian Van Gorder’s defenses with this offense, we’d be calling conservative plays and sitting on leads a lot more.
75-76-DAWG
December 5th, 2010
2:44 am
Enter your comments here
75-76-DAWG
December 5th, 2010
2:55 am
It’s not that Georgia wasn’t good on offense. The problem I have with Bobo the most is he can’t grasp the overall game concept and understand how and what the offensive role is. His main concern, with a total rebuilding of the defense, was to control the clock and keep the defense off the field. In the Auburn game Georgia had the ball 21 minutes to Auburns 38 minutes. Auburn had the ball over one quarter more than we did. No defense can stand up to that lopsidedness of time of possession.
Pirtdawg
December 5th, 2010
3:31 am
A.J. stiff-arming two Florida db’s to the ground, one by his helmet. I don’t believe he scored but it showed what sets him above Julio Jones, Alshon, Blackmon or any other receiver in the country. They can make the catches, they can run after the catch but they cant dominate and demoralize a secondary the way A.J. can. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen in Georgia football in a long time.
ca dawg
December 5th, 2010
3:54 am
a tough season. i’d count AJ’s game-tying TD catch against florida. even though we didn’t win the game, that’s as fired up as i got this season.
oh bill, i think boykin has 4 career kickoff return TD’s (SC, UT, A&M, and UK), not 3.
BoWeevil
December 5th, 2010
4:45 am
Cam Newton scored 49 Touchdowns this season alone, by himself. And, you want a highlight on what ? Coach Richt’s Offense, which has Averaged the # 52 NCAA Total Offense all 10 years.
oakisland
December 5th, 2010
7:02 am
The highlight of the year will be ” it’s almost over”. Never been so disappointed in UGA football in a long time–coaching, lack of discipline, image of a second rate program. No team on our schedule feared playing us. The loss to Florida was a complete disgrace. I for one hope that if this happens next year that Richt is run out of town. Tired of “wait till next year”
BoWeevil
December 5th, 2010
7:15 am
Aaron Murray # 73 in NCAA 1st Downs
KCDC
December 5th, 2010
7:38 am
BILL, NOT ONLY CAN COMMINGS CATCH, UGA WILL EVENTUALLY DISCOVER HE IS AN
EXCELLENT RUNNER.
BoWeevil
December 5th, 2010
7:42 am
CMR isn’t going to DISCOVER a damn thing
THAT is what is OBVIOUS.
dawginflorida
December 5th, 2010
8:03 am
what will stick in my mind are the mistakes we made and aj green missing the first four games
..period ..the east was for the picking and we fell like a pine cone in a strong wing…i am tired
of maybe next year!
BoWeevil
December 5th, 2010
8:39 am
NEXT YEAR ?
I’m tired of 20 LOSSES last 5 years, 4 LOSSES A YEAR average
Mullet
December 5th, 2010
9:12 am
QB Hutson Mason stepping up in the red zone and throwing a strike for a touchdown to Logan Gray on his first collegiate pass joining an elite club of 8 qb’s in the history of college football to show extraordinary poise.
Joey
December 5th, 2010
9:13 am
Murray made some good runs against Idaho State.
Joey
December 5th, 2010
9:14 am
Murray loooked like Cam Newton against Louisiana Lafayette.
Joey
December 5th, 2010
9:17 am
Murray had his signature win against Vanderbilt, what a game.
BoWeevil
December 5th, 2010
9:18 am
Cam Newton looked like Herschel Walker beating 6 teams in the Top 22 BCS Final Rankings
Aaron Murray led UGA to # 73 in 1st Downs and 6-6
Mr. Phelps
December 5th, 2010
9:19 am
Defense still as porous as swiss cheese but at least Gary Danielson gave us some room for hope when he said “at least UGA is lining up right.” O-line improvement under Searls, I don’t think so. 2011 looks like another “wait till next year year.
BoWeevil
December 5th, 2010
9:20 am
oh yeah, and Coach Richt prayed about it, and recruited Cam Newton as Tight End
The Good Lord, looks down and sees CMR doing a good job ?
At WHAT, pray freaking tell ?
Kelton
December 5th, 2010
9:27 am
UGA will always wonder this season what if we had gone with Mettenberger? Zach had an amazing year at JUCO, just lit it up. UGA would have gone 14-0. Would have been some highlights with his arm.
Kelton
December 5th, 2010
9:31 am
Any chance UGA cna offer Zach a sholarship again?
BoWeevil
December 5th, 2010
9:37 am
Wonder THIS SEASON what if we had gone with Zach Mettenberger ?
I called for Zach Mettenberger to be our Quarterback LAST YEAR before the Okie State LOSS
BoWeevil
December 5th, 2010
9:39 am
LSU and Alabama have BOTH offered Zach Mettenberger a Scholarship to be their QB next year
So, no, Coach Richt cannot offer him another Scholarship.
Not HERE.
SEC1
December 5th, 2010
9:47 am
Consider the following:
1. QB play was much better this year
2. The defense created many more turnovers
3. Kick-offs (coverage and foolish OOB kicks) improved
4. Fewer personal fouls and stupid penalties
5. More games with 30+ points
END result : 6-6
INTERPRETATION:
** Winning games is not about statistics. It’s about “finding ” a way to win. It’s about attitude and spirit. Its about the intangibles. These are elments that are sadly missing from our team…
I hope we find the answers. The last two years have been misery…
Top Dawg
December 5th, 2010
9:57 am
How about making a head coaching change now! That would be my favorite.
Coach Richt
December 5th, 2010
9:58 am
I liked that Cam Newton…as a tight end!
funny...
December 5th, 2010
10:04 am
hey Tech fans, your whispering eye is showing.
Ozzfest, fine, cancel your season tickets. GTFO.
Stop making excuses for Bobo. It’s disgusting. smoochie, smoochie Bill. You’re as bad as the all time great Georgia apologist Buck Belue. Bill and Buck, drinking the same dumbace Kool Aid.
funny...
December 5th, 2010
10:07 am
Wouldn’t even have made a difference if Cam Newton signed to play at Georgia. No way Bobo and Richt could have utilized his talents. David Greene was great, DJ Shockley was better. DJ sat for four years. Idiots.
Georgia, the only school in the nation to “under-utilize” their best talent. I wouldn’t blame AJ Green if he leaves. Dude, should have 20 targets a game.
funny...
December 5th, 2010
10:11 am
I’ll tell you what’s funny. Richt would have redshirted Cam to play some crappy QB “that paid his due” LOL.
Wasted years in Athens, playing Joe Tereshinski (I mean really??) – Joe, I don’t care what tradition your family has at Georgia, you were the worst player to ever start in Athens. And your dad isn’t going to help the strength and conditioning in Athens, he’s just going to help McGarity make the right move. Move Richt and his Bowdenesque ways right out of Athens. Should have taken the Miami job CMR…
and Joe Cox, you were good at one time, high school.
what a waste.
funny...
December 5th, 2010
10:17 am
Mark Richt, the wonderful quarterback coach.
David Greene over DJ Shockley (worked out ok for Richt, but what if….)
Joe Tereshinski over Matt Stafford (I mean really???)
Joe Cox over Aaron Murray (Joe just threw another interception)
not to mention redshirting Knowshon Moreno
Willie Martinez
The buddy system of coaching
Mike Bobo as OC, based on what coaching experience?
Inability to beat Florida
Losing to Colorado
Losing to Vanderbilt and Kentucky at home
Black helmets
funny...
December 5th, 2010
10:20 am
Donnan was fired for this performance. Richt came in and won with Donnan’s recruits. Now Richt is about to slip into Goff territory.
Coach Richt
December 5th, 2010
10:46 am
Hey relax, I took us to Shreavport last year and this year we have a matchup with UCF in the Liberty. What more can you ask for…
BoWeevil
December 5th, 2010
11:08 am
The last 2 years have been MISERY ?
Huh ?
What about 2008, three (3) years ago ?
Got ranked # 1 in EVERY POLL
That NIGHT, 21 Bulldogs’ football players went on a BINGE on the town
They beat up Hospitals
Beat up everyone in sight
Got Drunk
Got Arrested
Several NOT suspended got BEAT UP THEMSELVES
Played 3 good teams
Gave up 42, 29 and 31 CONSECUTIVE POINTS all 3 real games
LOST all 3 games
That wasn’t a MISERABLE SEASON ?
BoWeevil
December 5th, 2010
11:09 am
If you think this team has the talent that our opponents do
You are a
DISNEYdawgs.com
UGA Dawg 97
December 5th, 2010
11:11 am
It is time for a coaching change. Get rid of Richt and go after Harbaugh with all we got…
UGA Dawg 97
December 5th, 2010
11:12 am
If no Harbaugh, i’d even be happy with with Mullin, Peterson, Patterson, or dare I say it even Petrino. The guy can coach.
BoWeevil
December 5th, 2010
11:14 am
20
LOSSES
last 5 years
4 LOSSES per year
AVERAGE
25 better college football programs than that, folks
BUT God is telling Mark Richt he is doing WELL ?
God Almighty Coach Richt, where did you DREAM that up ?
That God is telling you, you are doing it the right way ?
Steve HUMMER tried to get to the bottom of it with Coach Richt
about his past at University of Miami at Florida
when he was a bad boy
Let's Talk About UGA!
December 5th, 2010
11:28 am
DawgNation,
My greatest moments in 2010 came while sitting on our louse-infested couch, eating government cheese, drinking Schlitz Malt Liquor, and watching My Dawgs play on our new, 72″, taxpayer supplemented, wide-screen television.
There’s nothing like watching A.J. make a beautiful grab in high definition.
Mama’s trailer will be rockin’ for the Liberty Bowl.
Anybody want a beer?
Go Dawgs!
Sic ‘em!
Woof! Woof! Woof!