Scoreboard didn’t reflect domination by Dawgs
Orson Charles makes a great touchdown catch against Ole Miss. (Associated Press)
A few more thoughts and observations about Georgia’s win over Ole Miss. …
It’s true there was more grumbling in the Bulldog Nation than you’d normally expect after a win, and, yes, if Blair Walsh hadn’t missed those three field goals a 36-13 score would have better reflected Georgia’s near-complete domination of the game.
But the fact that the Dogs had to resort to Walsh four times showed Georgia’s offense still not quite ready for prime time.
It stands out even more when you look at the Dogs’ time of possession by quarter. After holding it 7:26 in the first quarter and 9:03 in the second, for a total of 24 points, Mike Bobo decided to try and sit on an 11-point lead and went conservative in his second-half playcalling.
So while the Dogs had the ball 10:56 in the third quarter and a whopping 11:11 in the fourth, they got only 3 points out of all that time on the field. Thus, the grumbling.
OK, maybe Bobo’s faith in the way Georgia’s defense was handling the Rebels was well-placed, but that kind of mentality is not going to cut it against the better teams remaining on the schedule. …
Richard Samuel and Carlton Thomas were sporadically effective in relief of Isaiah Crowell Saturday, and while that upright running style of Samuel’s doesn’t result in many long gainers, he deserves special mention for his extra, twisting effort on that fourth-and-1 that the Dogs just barely made. But the best use of Samuel appears to be throwing to him out of the backfield. That 25-yard reception was a fine job. Let’s hope we see more of that when Crowell is taking a breather. …
Speaking of Crowell, you could tell he wasn’t the same runner in the second half that he was in the first, losing some of that ability to bounce out of the grasp of a would-be tackler and turn it on outside. Yes, 30 carries is a considerable workload, but Crowell admitted after the game he was winded in the third and fourth quarters, in contrast to South Carolina’s Marcus Lattimore, who seems to get stronger late in games. As someone once said, the ball ain’t heavy, so conditioning is obviously where Crowell needs the biggest improvement (along with picking up the blitz a bit better). But the first half showed what a special player Crowell can be when he’s on his game, and even a winded No. 1 is a good potential weapon to have in the backfield. …
It was good to see Bobo finally remember the tight ends Saturday. Orson Charles led all receivers with five catches for 59 yards and a touchdown, and backup Aron White had three for 52 yards and another score. Still, it was an up and down day for Charles, who dropped one pass and let another bounce off his chest, only to have it intercepted. But he did a great job of hauling in a perfectly thrown but difficult pass from Aaron Murray in the corner of the end zone. As stocked with talent as Georgia is at the tight end position, it can only be a plus if Bobo calling their numbers more Saturday was a sign of things to come. …
Special kudos to gritty Kenarious Gates, who wasn’t fully recovered from an ankle injury but still toughed it out for the whole game on the offensive line because of Chris Burnette being out. It would be great if other Georgia players took inspiration from his example. …
You’ve got to give Houston Nutt credit for his special teams game planning Saturday, and not just for the handoff/reverse on a punt return or successful onside kick. His negating of Georgia’s dangerous return men on punts was superb. Punter Tyler Campbell’s alternating of line-drive rugby kicks with the occasional high looper resulted in only two of his nine punts even being returned by Georgia, one for 2 yards and the other for a loss of 2, meaning the Dogs ended the game with a return average of 0. …
Finally, Jon Fabris was in the crowd Saturday and Georgia’s special teams play was pretty awful. I’m not suggesting the two facts are somehow connected or that Fabris has some sort of bad mojo that can mess the Dogs up even from the stands, but let’s just hope Jon doesn’t plan to make following the Dogs a regular thing.
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321 comments Add your comment
Ga > Miss Stt
September 25th, 2011
8:14 pm
Georgia blows out miss state in athens—book it! The dogs were just flat and overconfident against ole miss expecting an easy win. Dawgs 38 miss state 13–the Dawgs will be back big!
Wait till next year...
September 25th, 2011
8:15 pm
Just wait!
wheresmycrackpipe?
September 25th, 2011
8:15 pm
the question above was “why do you see GA players raise their hand to come out of the game”……it is because they know they have a weak head coach that will not challenge them and get away with that crap…unlike saban and others. walsh misses 3 FG’s then kicks the kickoff out of bounds and our head coach has nothing to say to him???? how many real coaches would have met walsh at midfield and read him the riot act….not richst because he is soft
private plan watching
September 25th, 2011
8:17 pm
The UGA homers are back! You beat a team that just got hammered by VANDY! Think about it Athens hopefuls!
Still@theBAR
September 25th, 2011
8:18 pm
Just think if UGA can’t make it to the Dame this year it gets a little better next year.
Sat, Sep. 01 Buffalo Athens, Ga.
Sat, Sep. 08 South Carolina * Columbia, S.C.
Sat, Sep. 15 Florida Atlantic Athens, Ga
Sat, Sep. 22 Vanderbilt * Athens, Ga.
Sat, Sep. 29 Tennessee * Athens, Ga.
Sat, Oct. 06 Alabama * Tuscaloosa, Ala.
Sat, Oct. 13 Kentucky * Lexington, Ky.
Sat, Oct. 27 Florida * at Jacksonville, Fla.
Sat, Nov. 03 Ole Miss Athens, Ga.
Sat, Nov. 10 Auburn * Auburn, Ala.
Sat, Nov. 17 Georgia Southern Athens, Ga.
Sat, Nov. 24 Georgia Tech Athens, Ga.
Buffalo, Florida Atlantic, and Ga Southern are better than your OOC games this year, You do Swap Bama for Miss St though.
dbc
September 25th, 2011
8:19 pm
Just because I think Richt should be fired doesn’t make me a “trader.” Boy is our fan base dumb…
Beast from the East
September 25th, 2011
8:21 pm
http://www.gatorsports.com/article/20110925/ARTICLES/110929664?tc=cr
Texas A&M to join the SEC next year.
punt return team is WEAK
September 25th, 2011
8:23 pm
I’ve never understood the whiny fans who can’t stand to hear anything negative about their team, even if it’s from a fellow fan of the same team. Grow a pair and think about things analytically, instead of acting like a 10 year old.
Get Real
September 25th, 2011
8:25 pm
UGA is a mediocre team, face it. They looked mediocre against one of the worst teams in the conference. UF, Auburn, Tenn, and most likely GT will clean their plow. That is six losses right there. Miss St and Vandy are not sure wins. Mediocre. Get Real UGA fans, you are MEDIOCRE.
Dawg
September 25th, 2011
8:27 pm
Ditto bdawg. What a group of whiners and dawg haters.
Dawg 39
September 25th, 2011
8:28 pm
BSU is the only team that the DAWGS have played that is better than the DAWGS. They may lose again. The better team does not always win, obviously. But , give it a break & pull for this team. They are Good & they will continue to get better. Go DAWGS.
Dawg Dad
September 25th, 2011
8:33 pm
Help me out here folks. Is the Tech blog out of service or something. Why so many “haters” bothering to spew thier bile here on what should be a supportive DAWG BLAWG?!? For crying out loud, we won a conference game. Take the victory, get behond the team, and move on to next week. I have to think that many of the “it all sucks-fire Richt” crowd are what I call “Bumper Sticker” dawgs. Never attended or sent a child there, but get pickled and when it goes less than perfect they fold like cheap umbrellas in a summer storm. Get with us or GET GONE. GATA.
Still@theBAR
September 25th, 2011
8:36 pm
There are a few teams fans that are pulling for the Dawgs. It is hard not to take pleasure in seeing the wheels go flat on the Richt bus though. The Dawgs eating humble pie is such a great sight.
I am sure there are plenty of USC fan now pulling for UGA. I would think there are many Gator fans doing the same. I know there have to be some tech fans doing so as well. The Better UGA does before Losing to the Gators and Jackets on helps those teams strength of schedule.
Bogey
September 25th, 2011
8:37 pm
I said last night that it is time for the Richard Samuel experiment to end. Lest we forget this young man was a 5 star recruit as a 16 year old so let’s put him where he can be successful and running back isn’t it. I love his team first attitude and willingness to do anything to help but we owe him the opportunity to excel at a more natural position. Besides, Carlton looks perfectly capable of spelling Isiah several times a game. Loved the effort yesterday but not 100% sure they were totally focused.
JB
September 25th, 2011
8:37 pm
A win over hapless Ole Miss is great, then we are able to Watch Bama,LSU and Florida play on TV and then you begin to realize how far this proud program has dropped. WE all like Mark Richt, but he IS NOT bigger than Georgia football. I’ve heard the argument that all good coach’s have off years. We are past that. Just the management of the roster in simple terms of having enough Offensive lineman and linebackers to play would be a start. After watching the 3 above teams, who 5-6 years ago Richt could of lined up and played head to head, I feel now we could play LSU or Bama 12 straight weeks at home and be spotted 10 points and lose them all. Yes, Kentucky would to. We ain’t Kentucky….or we use to not be.
Dawg Dad
September 25th, 2011
8:40 pm
Losing to the Gators and Jackets
++++++++++++++++++++++
I don’t know about the Gators, but we own the Jackets lately and will agian this year. 4-0 in the ACC is just that, 4-0 in the ACC. Tech has some things going right so far, but UGA will beat them again this season. Bank on It, Bet on It, Accept It, Love It.
Wgh
September 25th, 2011
8:41 pm
I was glad to get the win. We didn’t look as good as Vandy did beating Ole Miss, but we pulled it off. There’s no doubt there’s been some improvement since Boise. I have a feeling that by the end of the year, this team will look pretty good. And the young players are going to be very good – as advertised – so things look good for next year.
Dawg Dad
September 25th, 2011
8:43 pm
Loved the effort yesterday but not 100% sure they were totally focused.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
I can agree with your point there, Bogey. Maybe another win this week will give the guys some confidence and passion to rise up, get focused, and GATA going forward. Murray seems out of sorts and if he can get things clicking I think we will end up with a pretty good season.
JB
September 25th, 2011
8:48 pm
Dawg Dad…..You are kidding….Miss State took the #1 team in the Country as of today (LSU) to the brink.
They ain’t ole miss. They are good. Hold on Nellie.
Still@theBAR
September 25th, 2011
8:50 pm
Dawg Dad
You don’t know about the Gators? What is not to know? Everything you said about the Dawgs v Tech applies to the Gators v Dawgs.
There are FEW if ANY teams on UGA’s schedule that Fear matching Wits with Bobo. UGA has talent that can make plays but so do the teams the Dawgs play. No big college wants Bobo so what does that tell you?
Dirk
September 25th, 2011
8:50 pm
As long as Murray is around, the UGA offense will continue to be near the bottom in 3rd down conversions and sacks,
I’d LOVE to see a poised QB that doesn’t throw 20 yards over everybody’s head in there like Hutson Mason.
Long Time DAWG Lover
September 25th, 2011
8:54 pm
Here we go again. We sit on a lead for a half and score 3 points. Can’t do that and expect to win against better caliber opposition. King blames Bobo. But isn’t Richt the CEO and isn’t what he says is the law? You bet it is so the lead-sitting was with the blessing of CMR.
But no. Lead-sit is the mantra. 4th & 1 and he opts for a field goal against Ole MESS! His explanation for it was pathetic. He plays not to lose. That is CMR’s trade mark.
Keep on keeping the starters playing and someone is bound to get hurt whose injury will hurt us later in the season. It’s obvious he’s desperate for wins. CMR is a downright joke and so are we.
HogHead
September 25th, 2011
8:55 pm
I’m done with Aaron Murray. He couldn’t get the team in the end zone in the second half against the worst team in the SEC.
Murray’s offense is currently ranked:
#75 in 3rd down conversions
#100 in sacks
duronimo
September 25th, 2011
8:56 pm
I agree Bill, Crowell seemed to be taking some plays off in the second half. Bobo often abandons what’s clearly working in favor of what he prefers or simply likes to do. Against Ole MIss, the run was going great and was summarily abandoned. We still scored welll enough in the first half. There was no consistency whatever in the second half. What a contrast between the WVA – LSU game where both teams played their guts out for 60 minutes and used every offensive play in their tool box.
JB
September 25th, 2011
8:56 pm
Dirk, Mason will never get that chance unless Murray gets hurt. Never. Richt would worry about Aaron’s mental state being benched rather than giving someone else a shot. He allowed DB #3 Bryan Evans to play for two years getting us killed while we had a good roster of Athletic DB’s watching. That is not Richt’s style. Lost an entire year of Knowson for the same reason. We were told the play book was too much for him ( all 15 plays) and he needed to learn to block. Geez.
Swampdawg
September 25th, 2011
8:56 pm
Me and my 1.9 Million Bulldawg Nation Colleagues would like to know how a team that finished 2nd in the National Polls some 3 plus years ago and had 8 remarkable winning seasons with 2 SEC Championships can drop all the way down to be with the “Sisters of the Poor” and stay there! You won’t see that with Alabama, LSU and Florida. Very troubling!
Anderson
September 25th, 2011
8:58 pm
Agree, Richt’s playing NOT to lose, instead of being like Les Miles and PLAYING TO WIN.
When’s the last time we’ve seen;
1) reverse (Ole Miss nailed us on one)
2) fake punt return (aLABAMA’S WAS A THING OF BEAUTY)
3) trick play on offense (Ole Miss scored on 1)
4) going for it on 4th down
I think a lot of it is Richt doesn’t trust his QB Murray, don’t blame him, after going 0-8 against winning teams, Richt’s gun shy.
JB
September 25th, 2011
9:00 pm
My wife thinks the Lord is telling him he needs to be doing ministry work full time, and Mark won’t listen, so the Lord is doing it the hard way. Taking the decision out of Marks hands. Maybe something to it.
VININGSDAWG
September 25th, 2011
9:00 pm
Near domination, what game were you watching? We are light years from that! Dude quit smoking the red and black reefer, we are far from a good football team.
Listening to the pregame and Buck and Chip Towers were saying we have the best by far special teams in the country. What a damn joke, we are not even in the top three in the conference, You guys need to quit smoking the UGA dope.
Burma Shave
September 25th, 2011
9:01 pm
Dawgs only win
Against cupcake foes
They won’t beat real teams
Until Richt goes
BURMA SHAVE
Ace
September 25th, 2011
9:04 pm
UGA—DOMINATION????? 2 words don’t go together.
Look at thrid downs, 5 for 12 in seconsd half, our QB just falls apart in pressure situations.
PLEAS BENCH MURRAY.
JB
September 25th, 2011
9:07 pm
Who saw the State LSU game ? State is a load. They are not near as talented at the skill position as Bama and LSU, but size and speed and being physical, very close. Watch the line for this game. If we have a chance, our D will have to keep us in it. LSU had like 3 points the first half. We ain’t LSU, #1 now by the way.
Delbert D.
September 25th, 2011
9:08 pm
I read that the SEC told West Virginia “no”, so I’m not expecting them to consider Memphis. Can any team be worse? From Pete Thamel, “Coaches on the Hot Seat” today in the Times:
“There aren’t two more hopeless programs in college football right now than Memphis and New Mexico. Memphis has lost by a combined score of 148-20 to its three Football Bowl Subdivision opponents. (It did beat Austin Peay on Sept. 17 for a 1-3 record.)”
ME
September 25th, 2011
9:09 pm
I saw UGA Domination. i was hoping this was about the GYM Dawgs in leather and with whips. Now I see it is football and I just busted a gut laughing.
JB
September 25th, 2011
9:14 pm
test
Delbert D.
September 25th, 2011
9:15 pm
JB – I saw the Miss. St. – LSU game, and they are physical. Relf can be dangerous on short passes, in addition to his ability to run. Ballard is a horse. Their front 7 on defense aren’t real big, and they start 1 senior and 1 RS freshman.
Beneke
September 25th, 2011
9:15 pm
We’ll be presenting a very special tribute to Saint Jan Kemp before next week’s game.
You won’t want to miss it.
Runnin With The Dawgs
September 25th, 2011
9:15 pm
The scoreboard didn’t reflect that the only way Miss. could score was on Dipsey Doodle plays.
RS Dawg
September 25th, 2011
9:16 pm
I agree with you Dawg Dad, I can’t understand why these”other people” get on the Georgia blog. I wouldn’t waste my time on the other sites. GO DAWGS!!!
BigG
September 25th, 2011
9:16 pm
Look at Murray’s accuracy so far:
Own 1-20 yard line: 65%
Own 21-40 yard line: 68%
Own 40-opp 40 yard line: 72%
Watch what happen closer we get to goal line:
Opponents 39-21 yard line: 52%
Red Zone: 55%
The guy has to go.
Bring on Hutson Mason.
Murray chokes under pressure.
JB
September 25th, 2011
9:18 pm
Richt has 8 more chances. Nuff said
FLA DAWG
September 25th, 2011
9:19 pm
Ole Miss is tied for the bottom of The SEC…………….and we dominated them.
Wow, thrill me again.
Miss State is just around the corner………..they’re average at best.
Dawgs lose by 3.
ME
September 25th, 2011
9:20 pm
Mason can’t play ahead of a Star Florida QB. Richt was a Star QB that lost his job at Miami. Richt picks his horse QB and rides him to the death.
Mobile Dawg
September 25th, 2011
9:20 pm
Agree JB, I don’t think the Dawgs are prepared to play a “purely” physical football game for four quarters. I think MSU takes the air totally out of CMR’s era at UGA. Bobo and Richt don’t know how to prepare and execute a “ball control” offensive game plan IMO.
Delbert D.
September 25th, 2011
9:25 pm
Maybe Coach Richt should try red wool pants: “A “Derek Dooley’s Orange Pants” Facebook group had more than 25,000 followers on Friday, and the pants have their own Twitter account (@Dooleys_pants).”
“After the Vols lost to Florida, Dooley said, “The pants cannot guarantee a win”
Source – nytimes
Still@theBAR
September 25th, 2011
9:31 pm
D.D
That is funny.
I like that people are behind Richt, but the question is…….What can he do to make the dawgs better? He has stated he made the necessary changes, but to no avail. The fans calling for his HEAD are sounding smarter than the ones saying things are fine. I think they should play mason, but as a fan of another team I hope they stick with Murray until the bitter end.
george stein
September 25th, 2011
9:32 pm
teh score also didnt reflect how shoddy ole miss is at football. what a stinker – good god
PT
September 25th, 2011
9:33 pm
The problem that I have with Georgia fans is that they can’t see the big picture. If you recruiting like Georgia historically and have the recurring performances each weekend, there are big underlying issues.
Remember, Richt contacted three defensive coordinator, one a former player, and was turned down by all three. With the facilities and revenue available, that seems very strange indeed. There is something drastically wrong.
The Ghost of Wally Butts
September 25th, 2011
9:34 pm
For any Dawg fan who is now guzzling the Dream Team Kool-aid….may I offer a few COLD…HARD…FACTS?
FACT – Dream Team has won 1 game against a high school team from SC and 1 game against a team manhandled by Vandy
FACT – Dream Team margin of victory over Ole Miss=14; Vandy’s margin of victory over Ole Miss=23
FACT – Dream Team record against Division I Teams not defeated by Vandy= 0-2
FACT – Dream Team record playing in Power Ranger costumes = 0-1
I’ll just pass on the Kool-aid, thank you very much, until I see the final scores against more Div I opponents who have NOT been manhandled by Vandy.
Bigguy
September 25th, 2011
9:35 pm
Jeff, I think you need to use a helping verb in a sentence.