Gators didn’t give the game to Georgia — Dawgs took it
Aaron Murray made some clutch runs. (Jason Getz / AJC)
A few more thoughts about Saturday’s Georgia victory over Florida. …
My wife and I dropped by a Halloween party late Saturday, and one of my neighbors asked if I thought Georgia deserved to win, pointing to the points the Dawgs got as a result of Florida turnovers in their own territory — as if the Gators giftwrapped the game.
To the contrary, those Florida turnovers were anything but unforced. The first fumble by Chris Rainey, recovered by Bacarri Rambo, was caused by the returning Alec Ogletree (who bounced back nicely from a rusty start early in the game). And Frankie Hammond’s fumble, recovered by Shawn Williams, was forced by Jarvis Jones, who had a career day against the Gators.
Yes, the Dogs most certainly deserved their hard-fought win. …
(Speaking of Jones, he’s one of the nominees in ESPN’s Capitol One Cup Impact Performance of the Week vote. You can vote for him here.)
One of the more impressive aspects of Georgia’s win in Jacksonville was that it was in spite of several key players having off days. Aaron Murray missed nine consecutive passes at one point, and some of them weren’t even close. At times, he looked like he was on a completely different page of the playbook from the receiver. Blair Walsh continued his meltdown (though, frankly, I think that might have ended up working in the Dogs’ favor by prompting Mark Richt to be a bit bolder in the red zone, telling Mike Bobo to operate under the assumption that he had four downs to work with). Isaiah Crowell was sporadically effective but again ended up spending more time on the sideline than should be the case with any starting tailback. And the normally reliable Drew Butler had his worst day ever punting.
Had those folks played up to par and had Georgia’s special teams not been abysmal, the game wouldn’t have been nearly as close. …
On the other hand, give credit to Murray for making some clutch runs and throwing some nice balls, too, particularly on the two fourth-down touchdowns — though credit is also due to receivers Michael Bennett and Tavarres King for going up and taking the ball a la A.J. Green, despite being closely covered. Murray had a couple of passes dropped, too. …
I praised Bobo in Saturday night’s report for some gutsy calls, and overall I thought he called a good game. There were a few times when great play calls were undone by Murray’s inaccuracy. But there were several times in the third quarter when Bobo again fell into trying to run diminutive Carlton Thomas up the middle, a low-percentage play against just about any SEC defense. And while Richard Samuel came through big-time for the Dogs when he got the call to go up the middle, I wish Bobo would give up on trying to use Samuel on the toss sweep. It nearly always results in a loss of yardage. That’s just not Samuel’s game. …
From the silly is-he-or-isn’t-he-going-to-start pregame warmup business with John Brantley to the trading of timeouts as Florida tried in vain to draw Georgia offsides on a third-down play in the fourth quarter, Will Muschamp’s attempts at mind games were unsuccessful. Speaking of the third-down defense, Georgia’s turnaround from last year in that aspect of the game this season has been spectacular. …
And, lastly, didn’t it feel great to see Georgia finally be able to get a couple of first downs when it needed to kill the clock to preserve a win?
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789 comments Add your comment
Auburn
October 31st, 2011
2:52 pm
Bye all you Ga fans, got to go. I know you will miss me but I will be back. So take your best shots. And if I see you on 11/12/11 I’ll buy you a beer so you will have something to cry in after Ga loses to another ranked team as has been their habit for the last few years.
timbo
October 31st, 2011
2:52 pm
@ Mr. Krinkle
You said “Every school but two would love to have CMR.” This shows you truly are an idiot. There are actually 4 schools.
Alabama, Auburn, Florida, and LSU
PLEASE STOP...
October 31st, 2011
2:52 pm
if there was an AJC blog Hall of Fame, Flat Tire would get my vote for selection…like him or not, he’s consistent with his opinions….gotta respect that…
TampaDawg
October 31st, 2011
2:53 pm
Auburn
October 31st, 2011
2:47 pm
TampaDawg; Ga fans felt the same way after Vandy ran through your defense…a win is a win is a win.
——————–
I agree, but you missed the point. Talking big about holding SC to 13 points is a hollow argument when you look at the complete body of work from Auburn defensively. You have to be a HUGE fan to defend their defense. That would be like me defending UGA’s special teams.
ARdawg
October 31st, 2011
2:53 pm
You mean Auburn is even ranked after their 3rd beat down? I thought that was some kind of law, no rankings after your third loss. If it’s not it should be.
Auburn Retard
October 31st, 2011
2:55 pm
Hey Will, C’mon over to Auburn. We’ll take ya. Why shoot, we won’t win the west for a long time again since Scam is gone now. Maybe you can lead us.
Rankings
October 31st, 2011
2:56 pm
Shouldn’t you beat at least one ranked team to be ranked?
PLEASE STOP...
October 31st, 2011
2:56 pm
ARdawg, we’ll see if your 3rd beat-down theory holds water after the Auburn game…look for Georgia in the polls Sunday morning 11/13/11 in the “also receiving votes” column…
ARdawg
October 31st, 2011
2:57 pm
TampaDawg, I do suppose that does make AU one point better than the Vols?
Mr. Krinkle
October 31st, 2011
2:57 pm
Fat guy with a flat tire: Your mom call you up for some soup? You are the dbag here lets be clear. You have nothing positive to say about the DAWGS! Let’s face it you are fan of another team. I will try and knock you out when you post because of your negative attitude towards the GREAT UGA that you have never set foot in. Continue to be classless in your post. DBAG!!!!!!!! MORON!!!!!!!!! IDIOT!!!!!!!!!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 31st, 2011
2:58 pm
timbo
Elite level schools arent hiring Richt
Those would be
Michigan, Ohio State, Notre Dame, LSU, BAMA, FL, AUB, Texas, USC,
Lower tier schools would like
Vandy, KY, UNC, NC ST, DUKE, Clemson, Ole Miss, Miss ST
TampaDawg
October 31st, 2011
2:59 pm
Auburn has the distinction of being the nation’s 74th best defense and 89th best offense. Keep up the good work.
ARdawg
October 31st, 2011
3:00 pm
Please stop……puleeze….stop
PLEASE STOP...
October 31st, 2011
3:00 pm
Flat Tire, I completely agree with the Krinkle=idiot analogy…
timbo
October 31st, 2011
3:00 pm
@ Mr. Krinkle – B!te me!
Bwahahahahaha
JB
October 31st, 2011
3:00 pm
Florida wants to run a pro type offense. When 2012 comes around, they will NOT have a proven QB,RB,FB,WR or OL. They can hype a big freshman class all the want, but this is the SEC. My point, It will be interesting if they give Muschamp enough time to put all that in place. Next year will probably be 5-6 losses also. Dawgs on the other hand will be loaded next year. Most starters will be back, a year stronger and bigger. Good luck Gators.
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville.
October 31st, 2011
3:00 pm
LOVE MY DAWGS BABY!!!!!! WHOOOOO HOOOOO,
JB
October 31st, 2011
3:01 pm
ADD a TE to that list….
JB
October 31st, 2011
3:02 pm
They don’t have a TE either
PLEASE STOP...
October 31st, 2011
3:03 pm
JB the dawgs are “loaded” every year…just doesn’t do anything with the talent they have…don’t look for that to change with the current staff in place…
Alabama Dog
October 31st, 2011
3:03 pm
Auburn: you are as hilarious as you are short memoried. You say IF Auburn beats Georgia, we will all be calling for Richt’s dismissal. While that is only speculation on your part, weren’t you Aubies at the airport when Chizik arrived yelling “We need a leader-not a loser”? now, chizik is the greatest thing since sliced bread & indoor plumbing. Isn’t Auburn the people that flew up to Louisville (while Tuberville was STILL employed) trying to lure Bobby Patrino? People in glass houses……
JB
October 31st, 2011
3:03 pm
whoops…filter got me
JB
October 31st, 2011
3:04 pm
Auburn is struggling for one reason and one reason only……………..short of cash……
Mr. Krinkle
October 31st, 2011
3:06 pm
Going to play with her fun bags some more. You dbags would not know what that feels like. GATA DAWGS!!!!!!!!!
Scam Newton
October 31st, 2011
3:06 pm
And because I’m gone.
PLEASE STOP...
October 31st, 2011
3:08 pm
I can only imagine Krinkle…I can only imagine…it ain’t pretty…
JB
October 31st, 2011
3:09 pm
Cam said the biggest difference between playing for Auburn vs Carolina is they take taxes out my money up here in the pros.
Nick Saban
October 31st, 2011
3:09 pm
I’d like to have a shot at GA for the SEC title. They are a scrappy bunch I’ll tell ya that much!
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 31st, 2011
3:09 pm
Mr. Krinkle
I did say something positive earlier, I said we seem to have a good D coordinator in Todd Gratham and he has showed it.
Grantham has taken a defense once controlled by your favorite Moron Willie Martinez from the bottom ranking of 50 or below to a top 5 defense
Now thats something with facts worth bragging about
But coming on here running your mouth that the ship has turned around because we beat the worst FL team Ive seen since 1981 is stupid
Here is some facts
Richt has beaten 3 lousy FL teams. Im glad we won but to come on here running your mouth give me a break. we almost lost the game
And we havent beat a ranked team in 2 yrs
Under Richt
UGA has put more players in the NFL than any other school in the SEC
UGA has ranked #2 in recruiting behind USC
Richt is 29-26 against ranked teams
8-11 against top 10 teams
With all that talent thats the result
and you come on here running your mouth about Aub who has 2 undefeated seasons during Richts tenure
Richt has never won the EAST outright in the 3 SEC championship appearances
And your saying every school in the nation except 2 would hire him in a minute WOW
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2011
3:12 pm
year graduated?
DawginLex
October 31st, 2011
3:12 pm
disappearing troll list
MS Bully
Colonel Reb
Vandy Sandy
Dogs Smell
Rock E Topp
SSIGator
gatormeat
GATOR CHOMP
Coming attractions
BCS Champs 2010
Auburn
KY Cat
GT Joe
G-Dawg
October 31st, 2011
3:14 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville.
October 31st, 2011
3:00 pm
LOVE MY DAWGS BABY!!!!!! WHOOOOO HOOOOO,
Flat Tire…are you feeling okay today? LMAO i think this is a first for you!! =0) seeeee….just keep the faith!! Defense playing lights out, considering the poor Special Teams play…and inconsistent offense. but in the end, gotta support our young and hungry team….and for the hardwork..and all the harsh criticism they receive by many of their so called dawg fans…i’m a DAMN PROUD DAWG for all their effort!!
PLEASE STOP...
October 31st, 2011
3:14 pm
Flat Tire…Krinkle left…said something about visiting a cousin…
Mad Dog One
October 31st, 2011
3:16 pm
I have a question. Why is it UGA’s fault that none of you can play 500 ball. I don’t think I would want to brag about that. As always GO DOGS & GATA
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2011
3:17 pm
Put another way, when your class has it’s next reunion in Athens, how many years will it be celebrating?
PLEASE STOP...
October 31st, 2011
3:17 pm
11 years with the current leadership and this is what you get for 33 million?…looks like money well spent…
CHDawg
October 31st, 2011
3:18 pm
Flat Tire, on CFBstats they rank UGA as the #7 team in the country for total D and UF is ranked #14. The truth is that both teams have absolutely superb defenses, and anyone saying either team stinks is likely uninformed at best. We beat a very strong Florida team; not a top ten UF team, but a very strong team. I look for them to win out with strong defense, and an improving offense. Florida is young, but they are loaded with talent. We are too. Georgia’s D appears to be improving, and as I pointed out the other day, the second half was the first time all year when we had all of our starters available. We did pretty good in the second half on D. In fact, we held the Gators to almost nothing after the first 8 minutes.
BurytheBone
October 31st, 2011
3:19 pm
How big was the crowd when florida trIed to draw us offsides. It was as loud as i have ever heard it. I still can’t hardly talk. 12TH MAN salutes the defense. What a great weekend in freaktown.
Kyle
October 31st, 2011
3:19 pm
One of the more impressive turn-a-rounds for the Dawgs was “flipping” the penalties. It was good to see all those flags on FL and so few on us. Maybe the “rushing the field” curse is finally behind the Dawgs. The Dawgs are definitely playing with more discipline and that’s a credit to the current staff.
Reality Check
October 31st, 2011
3:19 pm
Look delusional privates cleaners; you beat the worst Florida team in almost 25 years and you act like you won the NC. UF is down and Muschamp is over his head. You beat a one legged QB whose OC is too arrogant to run the spread until he has the running backs. He has a freshman QB who is better running the spread than Burton because he can throw. Weis WILL cost Muschamp his job unless the Champ grows a pair and fires Weis.
Somebody wake Rip Van Winkle quick
October 31st, 2011
3:20 pm
Cause the Dawgs think it is 1980 all over again.
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2011
3:21 pm
It was loud. What section were you yelling from at the game on that 4th down play, Flat Tire?
BurytheBone
October 31st, 2011
3:22 pm
@Dawginlex You forgot king gator. Don’t want to leave anybody out
The Grinch
October 31st, 2011
3:23 pm
Flat Tire on I-95 in Jacksonville
October 31st, 2011
2:58 pm
Michigan, Notre Dame and USC have been elite schools during the past 3 years?
BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!
Mad Dog One
October 31st, 2011
3:23 pm
RC – YES WE DID AND IT FELF GOOOOOOOOOD.
munsondawg
October 31st, 2011
3:24 pm
Amazing how you retards complain when GA wins. We really don’t need you as “fans” if all you can do is run your traps and complain on a silly message board
Reality Check
October 31st, 2011
3:25 pm
This win for UGA has a silver lining for the rest of the SEC because it will insure Richt another contract extension.
The Grinch
October 31st, 2011
3:26 pm
munsondawg
October 31st, 2011
3:24 pm
Yep. We were crucified by many because we didn’t crush Vandy. However, not a peep about Arkansas (#7 BCS) who was basically handed the 3 point victory by Vandy.
David Granger
October 31st, 2011
3:27 pm
Two ways too look at things, I guess. Nice to see Georgia actually play to WIN the game, instead of just “not to lose” like we have been so much in recent years.
But here’s the thing: This is the worst team Florida’s had in several years, and they committed 13 penalties to boot…and still we had to have a couple of fourth-down conversions to just beat them by 4? With the talent we have, shouldn’t we have won that game 42-10 or so?
Braves
October 31st, 2011
3:30 pm
just sent Lowe to Indians