Dogs’ bowl showing pretty much sums up the season: Lousy
Aaron Murray saved his worst game of the season for the Liberty Bowl. (Associated Press)
A mediocre season came to a pathetic end for the Georgia Bulldogs Friday as a talent-loaded SEC offense that had prided itself on regularly scoring 30 or more points a game failed to even score a single touchdown against Central Florida of Conference USA.
Unlike most of the rest of the year, Aaron Murray, wearing gloves in a game for the first time this season, looked every bit the freshman in the Liberty Bowl, throwing two interceptions and nearly throwing two or three more picks.
An offensive line that had underperformed most of the season turned in one of its worst outings, especially in the second half.
And playcaller Mike Bobo made no sustained attempt to establish a running game, allowing the Knights to blanket the Dogs’ receivers for much of the day when they weren’t blitzing Murray as he searched in vain for an open man.
Of course, maybe Bobo was taking a cue from his boss, Mark Richt, who in the first quarter apparently had such little faith in his ground attack that on fourth and inches at the 2 yard line he elected to kick a field goal rather than go for the first down and potentially the touchdown.
That capped off the Dogs’ best drive of the day, which featured a pretty nice mix of run and pass. Unfortunately, most of the rest of the day Georgia rested its hopes mainly on the passing of Murray, who never looked comfortable. The Dogs did manage a decent drive to open the second half but it bogged down, resulting in another field goal.
And that was pretty much it offensively for the Bulldogs.
Most of the pre-game talk had centered on the two teams’ freshman phenom quarterbacks, but thanks to rusty-looking offenses and a pair of turnovers each, the game settled into a defensive struggle.
The Knights, however, persevered with their efforts to establish a running game and eventually were able to wear down a Georgia defense that occasionally was guilty of poor tackling (how many times did Bacarri Rambo dive into the dirt at opposing players’ feet?).
Overall, though, Todd Grantham’s defense played well enough to win.
It was the offense that stunk the place up. Yes, UCF has a pretty good defense, coming into the game ranked No. 18 in the country, but Georgia’s uninspired play made them look even more formidable.
The day was summed up pretty well by the drive the Dogs began with a little over 7 minutes left in the game. A good run by Washaun Ealey was negated by an completely unnecessary chop block on the other side of the field, and then on first and 25 Ealey was stuffed. Next play, the woeful line play allowed Murray to be sacked. And then on third and 32, Murray threw the ball out of bounds trying to hit A.J. Green, who probably was playing his last game as a Bulldog.
On that depressing note, I’ll open it up for discussion of the Dogs’ dismal showing in Memphis. I’ll be back Sunday with more thoughts on the game and where the Georgia program goes from here. Until then, I hope everyone has a safe New Year’s celebration.
Oh, one more thing: Aaron, lose the gloves.
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908 comments Add your comment
swampjacket
December 31st, 2010
8:31 pm
JaxDawg- I will not argue your point at the present time!….Seriously, no consolation but UCF is a pretty good team.
Jonathan
December 31st, 2010
8:31 pm
Oh No… Conference USA owns us!!! Are we really an SEC team??
George O'
December 31st, 2010
8:32 pm
I thought it was a terrific ending for your season. 6-7, LOSERS!
UCF KNIGHT 4 LIFE
December 31st, 2010
8:32 pm
WHO CARES– GEORGIA SUX……………PLAY US DOWN IN ORLANDO………….IF YOU CAN DUMP THAT POWERHOUSE CHARLESTON SOUTHERN THAT IS
Tar Heels Rock and Rule
December 31st, 2010
8:33 pm
Uga got beat by a better team. That’s no disgrace. Same w/Tn, they trailed UNC for 50 of 60 mins@. Only rushed for 27 yds.
rincon dawg
December 31st, 2010
8:33 pm
http://keepmarkricht.com
jb
December 31st, 2010
8:33 pm
I can handle losing to better team, but when our dawgs are not prepared that ticks me off. We play gutless chicken s**t football, a field goal on fourth and inches, please. Our defense is continually out of position (see Rambo), make stupid mistakes, and and has complete inability to tackle. Our offense is predictable, opposing defenses know whats coming before we do. No trick plays, rushing the punter, nothing. And I don’t want to hear the “golly gee we are gonna work hard and get better speech” it has run its course. We need a change. A new coach that is a complete jerk. No more mr nice guy. I f we can score 80 points on somebody then so be it. Player gets arrested, he is gone.
South Ga Dawg
December 31st, 2010
8:33 pm
Time to give ol Kirby Smart a call. Richt does not have it anymore!!!
TroupDawg
December 31st, 2010
8:34 pm
I’m tired of this. For those who continue to support CMR : What have you seen that makes you believe he can turn this thing around? If he could, wouldn’t he have started the turn around with a month to prepare for this game? But what did we get? again……
He can’t,,,he doesn’t see it to fix it……
zzggyy
December 31st, 2010
8:34 pm
Richt should be fined $500,000 for gross incompetency for calling for the field goal on the first drive rather than going for the first down on fourth & inches at the 2 yard line. That one call set the tone of “playing not lose” rather than playing to win. On second thought, make the fine half his annual salary.
Junk Yard Dawg
December 31st, 2010
8:35 pm
DEREK DOOLEY !!!!!!!!! You’ve heard it here first. He is coming to Athens to take over UGA and clean up Richt’s mess.
TML
December 31st, 2010
8:35 pm
air force > central florida
(for you non-math THUGA types, that means air force is greater than central florida)
THWG
http://www.stinGTees.com
whatever
December 31st, 2010
8:35 pm
TarHeels…for you to say that UNC was just the better team is a joke…TN had 27 rushing yards, but more passing yards than UNC did…come on, that was a great game with two evenly matched teams.
Kirby Smart
December 31st, 2010
8:36 pm
Just like Ken Nugent one call that’s all. When i get there TG will be fired. i’ll show how the 3-4 is suppose to look. i know me and Blow bo are friends but his a$$ is gone too. May let him stay and paint the end zones of I forgot i’ll have to hire someone to show him where it is. You better hurry I think that is Muschamp on the other line.
Marcus
December 31st, 2010
8:36 pm
Defense played another great game.
10 points.
Forced 2 turnovers.
Offense didn’t score a point.
goldwreck
December 31st, 2010
8:36 pm
Kicking the field goal set the expectations for the offense and they managed to live up to them.What a vote of confidence sent by CMR.Even Lou Holtz was saying it’s time for a change on offense.Very disappointing seasons for both major in-state schools.Hopefully 2011 will bring improvement.HNY.
DawgVoiceofReason
December 31st, 2010
8:36 pm
Whatever,
Of course I was mad at AJ. But over the course of the season, I had the opportunity to put his offense in perspective with the other violations. Among these was Newton’s father shopping him around to Miss. State and Massoli’s criminal acts, neither of which resulted in ANY loss of playing time to the two players. I also did not make any excuses for AJ. YOU must have been reading something into what I said. My comment was strictly about the punishment, not the “crime”.
Marcus
December 31st, 2010
8:37 pm
It will be a great year in 2011 with Lemay, but the Murray experiment was a disaster.
Macclenny_dawg
December 31st, 2010
8:37 pm
Bill
Frank Lane
December 31st, 2010
8:38 pm
I am 66 and went to my first game in JAX in 1944. This is the most disappointing team I can ever remember. How any of our players can get drafted is beyond me. One the one hand, I want them out of there, particularly the sorry line. On the other hand, I think Green and all the others need to man up and announce that they have let the school down accepted scholarship money that they did not earn and are all coming back for another year to get it right. As sorry as I am to say it, if I am McGarity, I face reality and fire Richt. This is not just a college football failure. This is deterioration at a high level. At least Texas can look forward to a #1 recruiting class. Crowell should come to UGA and start Day One.
Macclenny_dawg
December 31st, 2010
8:39 pm
Richt time is over!!!
whatever
December 31st, 2010
8:39 pm
Voice…you think you are the only school with an NCAA arguement? Nope…all UGA players have to do is not break rules…then we wouldn’t be having this conversation. But, that seems to be something that many UGA players have had trouble doing.
GT 94
December 31st, 2010
8:39 pm
@MARCUS
Are you an idiot?? Hutson or lemay who didn’t play football at all in 2010 for screwing a girl in his school…are going to start over murray?? LMAO on what a moron you are. You have nobody and i mean nobody on your roster now that has the talent that murray has!! Green is gone and now the real pain for you guys will be next year. I bet boykin and houston leave as well so you guys don’t appear to be headed in a better direction next year. If murray went out, i don’t think next year you guys could beat vandy! He is all you got period!
wesleywhatwhat
December 31st, 2010
8:39 pm
ha.
that is all.
VRTECHFAN
December 31st, 2010
8:40 pm
HAHAHAHAHAHA!!! LOOKS LIKE JAWJA HAS A LOSING SEASON TOO!! WHAT HAPPENED TO THE 4-5 STAR TALENT ON GEORGIA’S TEAM? HOW DID UCF BEAT YOU GUYS? I THOUGHT UGA HAD THE SUPERIOR TALENT? GUESS I WAS WRONG. SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
dbc
December 31st, 2010
8:40 pm
If Mcgarity has half a sack, Jim Harbaugh is on his radar. End of story.
Disappointed Dawg
December 31st, 2010
8:41 pm
It is unfair for McGarity not to fire Coach Richt and his staff immediately… There is nothing they can do next year to avoid being fired; everyone knows that! Why delay the future… Not firing Richt now sets us back 3 years at least… We already lost out on Muschamp… we may lose out on Smart too… we need action now.
boots
December 31st, 2010
8:42 pm
I have stuck by CMR all year, and I would be happy if things could have worked out to keep him here for a long, long time. However, the situation with the program has devolved to Goff level performances. Lack of leadership, lack of inspiration, and lack of success. First, Mike Bobo has to go or be demoted immediately. I don’t mean in a month; I mean on the flight home. Second, CMR really needs to decide if he is in it to win it. Going for a field goal against a conference USA team on the one yard line is a joke. Lastly, it is time for the offensive line to get some coaching. Five years ago, I thought CS was awesome. Now, I am convinced the O-Line is the most disappointing part of a horrible season.
O'Leary
December 31st, 2010
8:43 pm
Sanford Drive! There you are old friend. Where you been hiding? Sorry, you are probably just now regaining you’re vitals lol. Choke on it loser.
Paul in RDU
December 31st, 2010
8:43 pm
The 1st FG made me wonder if Richt was trying to emulate Chan Gailey.
jwritz
December 31st, 2010
8:43 pm
I think I should have more to say then most of the folks that blog here on a regular bases. I have been a season ticket holder for over 30 years and I must say this was the most pathetic outing and season that I can remember. If I was on this coaching staff I would be worried about job security. I can get more motivation out of the eight year old football team that I coach then what I am seeing in Athens. I can’t believe these Bozo’s that run the athletic dept. don’t see what the average fans sees. They must think we are all dummies? We suck!
dawg days of fall
December 31st, 2010
8:44 pm
what a sorry performance. a fg on 4th and inches on their 2. what a joke. im seriously disgusted with cmr. hes a good man but lost it as a coach. thank god this season is over. theres always next year…..right
Jim 007
December 31st, 2010
8:44 pm
Richt is a Joke !
With all that talent UCF beats him ?
Wake up Dawgs this guy is bad news and nothing but a Bottom Tier SEC Coach.
It will only get worse in 2011, Fire This Guy Today !
Flatsdawg1
December 31st, 2010
8:44 pm
Not so fast,guys, I don’t think the bulldog nation will allow Richt another year after this debacle. That was the definition of pathetic.I ask why not now? Please Bulldawg nation revive my bull pups, I can hardly stand to watch a game I love played with such wasted talent and less desire to win.
Junk Yard Dawg
December 31st, 2010
8:45 pm
I wouldn’t mind bring back Brian Van Gorder. I think we need a fire breathing SOB to make the Dawgs mean again. BVG is the real deal and he would love to take over as head coach for the Dawgs.
South town Dawg
December 31st, 2010
8:45 pm
Enter your comments here
Marcus is Stoopid
December 31st, 2010
8:47 pm
Marcus is obviously African-American and not very intelligent… LeMay is not the answer you dumb a$$… typical stupid thug thinking some dumb a$$ black qb that did not play last year is going to come in here and be the savior… You are an idiot.
Macclenny_dawg
December 31st, 2010
8:47 pm
Conservative Richt strikes again!!! He has no fire in his gut!!! No aggressive bone in his body!!! This prgram has 2 have a shot in the arm!!! Richt had already said he was ready 4 this season 2 be over!!! Should have known they wasn’t gonna be ready 2 play!!! Smart is the only 1 to save us now!!!
That70sGAdawg
December 31st, 2010
8:47 pm
It was an embarasment against a small team from a small conference (just like Colorado). I have seen NO improvement in the last two season from start to finish. Quite the opposite. Time NOW for a change. 2nd year coaches like Saban and Chizik come into the SEC and are playing for National Championships. Richt has had 10 years…
MttPF
December 31st, 2010
8:47 pm
Nothing like a muttard nation meltdown to kick off the New Year!!!! Any chance MR lasts thru Sept. if both Boise and USCe put it to you pansies?? And Weiss running the GATOR offense – I can’t wait. LOL
ranger bulldog
December 31st, 2010
8:48 pm
Mark should be given an extension ( for recruiting purposes ) or get brought out like the Maryland coach. Doing nothing hurts everybody
Fire CMR
December 31st, 2010
8:48 pm
Good Grief! Central Florida for goodness sake…
Come on let’s get it done and move on. Fans deserve better!
Dawg
December 31st, 2010
8:50 pm
Pretty bad when all you can generate is six points. Someone and I don’t care who has got to go. Looks like Georgia was in first gear the whole time and could not shift gears. Lousy game, good thing I sold my tickets to the game.
We steal ruin this state
December 31st, 2010
8:50 pm
Next season will start with losses to Boise and South Carolina
GA Dawg in TX
December 31st, 2010
8:50 pm
People, it is all about the coaching….. we’ve got the player talent. While teams like FL go after Muschamp and Weiss (I am not saying they are the solution) we’ve got Richt & Bobo…. we were out coached… Would someone please address the fact that we are unable to put our “hobnailed” boot on the collective throat and win a game. It really does no good “to build better men” if they end up in jail or on academic probation…. WE need some FREAKING coaching.
buffdawg
December 31st, 2010
8:52 pm
JUST A TOTAL DAMN JOKE BY A POORLY COACHRD TEAM NUFF SAID
Ace
December 31st, 2010
8:52 pm
Way to go puppies, this year sucks worse than last year. 2 or 3 more till bottom. How it feel to suck, there doggie fans ? UGA is a program in decline, UT and UF will both kick your butt next year,
Sloan
December 31st, 2010
8:53 pm
Coach Richt needs to go. Giving him another year is just delaying the inevitable. If we do have any talent on that roster, he and his coaching staff cannot possibly be expected to suddenly figure out how to develop it. It would be best for everyone involved if we just go ahead and take our medicine now.Get Kirby Smart, Harbaugh, somebody and let’s start over. I have a feeling that today’s loss pretty much sealed our fate with guys like Ray Drew and Isiah Crowell anyway.
Oh, and Marcus, please shut up about Aaron Murray. Yes, he played poorly today. But he is not the reason that UGA is 6-7 this year.
Flying Tigers
December 31st, 2010
8:53 pm
Its OK dog fans, you can hang your hat and your season and your own self worth on beating that jaugernaut on North Avenue…you know the one you say is irrlevant, I think there name is GT, yeah thats the ticket, you beat them again, so your season has been made…LMAO. Or tell me how dirty we are and you would have beaten us if we weren’t so dirty. You guys are pathetic…WAR DAMN EAGLE!!! National Champs 2010
StateOfGeorgiaFootball
December 31st, 2010
8:54 pm
The Dogs looked uninspired and down right out-manned on offense. This team is better then their record but 6-7 isn’t the norm and disappointing. UGA must do something about offense before next year or it will be Coach Richt’s last. Stop looking at the five star recruit and start looking for players who will compete and work hard in the classroom and weightroom.