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
MaconKnight
October 31st, 2011
1:27 pm
jaxdawg you are an idiot, Crowel ran for 89 yards on 18 carries, samuel and 59 yards on 17 carries the game plan is to split the carries between two guys, It’s not that the kid can’t carry the load you dummy the coaches have decided to split the carries and yeah not mention the kids is playing his heart out and he isnt a 100 percent healthy… so stop whinning about the kid…
MaconKnight
October 31st, 2011
1:28 pm
jaxdawg you are an idiot, Crowel ran for 89 yards on 18 carries, samuel and 59 yards on 17 carries the game plan is to split the carries between two guys, It’s not that the kid can’t carry the load you dummy the coaches have decided to split the carries and yeah not mention the kids is playing his heart out and he isnt a 100 percent healthy… so stop whinning about the kid… and enjoy the win we got..
djdawg
October 31st, 2011
1:29 pm
Wasnt pretty but heck a win is a win!!!! Special teams needs to be #1 priority. Defense is gonna be fine. Murray is missing way to many wide open receivers!! Surprised it hasnt happened yet but that is gonna catch up with us sooner or later.
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2011
1:33 pm
Why enjoy the win, when it’s a much better use of the occation to complain about anything that might have been, or ever will be, wrong with it?
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2011
1:35 pm
Murray missed 2 that were on him, and a couple that were probably related to pressure. But there were also at least 2 that were clearly on the reciever not running the route correctly too.
The Truth
October 31st, 2011
1:37 pm
Great win over a crappy FL team. When Auburn and Gt cleans UGA’s clock, Richt will be gone.
Auburn
October 31st, 2011
1:39 pm
1. It was a GA boy who brought up 1985, just responded to him.
2. I said last year does not matter, we are playing this year.
3. Ga lost to SC which we beat (I know ya’ll are praying that ARK beats SC)
4. It will all be for naught however because you are not going to win the SEC least cause you will find a way to lose to us.
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2011
1:42 pm
Bill, I personally am not offended by anyone suggesting that Florida “gave” us the game, because it seems as if that would be even more painful to them in a way.
d-dog
October 31st, 2011
1:43 pm
I am glad I’v heard from a gator. I still think they are like Auburn having withdrawl pain from past success. Tebow in now in the NFl (Branco). So, is Newton (Panthers). Let’s face they are not coming back (not to play) SO, get past it, move on. everones has.
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2011
1:44 pm
SC still has to play UF in a couple of weeks.
Auburn
October 31st, 2011
1:47 pm
at least FLA and AUBURN have recent successes to be withdrawing from.
ARdawg
October 31st, 2011
1:47 pm
Auburn
I rarely do this but, for you I will make an exception. UGA will beat Auburn like a red-headed step child. Now, when they do, will you shut your pie hole?
timbo
October 31st, 2011
1:47 pm
If beating a .500 team is considered a landmark victory, then you have become mediocre. 1980 was a long time ago.
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2011
1:48 pm
how is your team doing timbo?
ARdawg
October 31st, 2011
1:49 pm
Altamaha
Yesterday it seems Tampa Gator was looking for that solace. He was doing some serious whining, very out of character for him I thought
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2011
1:52 pm
Go Gators! now
d-dog
October 31st, 2011
1:54 pm
now I’v heard from a tiger…Good for him… I been a UGA fan before you were a twinkle in your daddy eye. So don’t be so proud. Seems to me Auburn’s has to come to the house (Athens) this year and the talking will be done. I will asure you that the game will not be played with lip service and Auburn has not seen a “D” from “UGA” like they will see then.. “UGA” 6th national on total “D”
where is Auburn
Auburn
October 31st, 2011
1:56 pm
Now ARdawg, go back to your post at about 12:18. You were the one who talked about how bad Auburn was supposed to be this year. I just started responding. Typical Ga fan though, say what you want about another team and their fans, but then get your little red panties in a wad when they respond.
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2011
1:56 pm
I could actually see UF improve going forward, if Brantley gets a bit more step. However if they can’t run the ball against Vandy this weekend they might lose 5 in a row. And certainly SC has pretty impressive front line, which doesn’t bode well.
djdawg
October 31st, 2011
1:56 pm
@d-dog
Who knows they cant make up their minds wether they are Tigers or War eagles.
AltamahaDawg
October 31st, 2011
1:57 pm
Who, the Plainsmen?
kevin
October 31st, 2011
1:59 pm
I’m not reading thru 9 pages of comments to see if this was covered – not lazy, just busy! Did y’all see LeMay get up when they weren’t sure how bad Murray was hurt? I guess the redshirt was coming off. I, for one, was happy to see him warming up.
Mr. Krinkle
October 31st, 2011
1:59 pm
FAT GUY with a flat tire: I bet everyone around your lazy arse hates you! PLEASE pick another team to cheer! UGA doesn’t need you!!!!!
kevin
October 31st, 2011
2:00 pm
And if coaches told him to get ready, that tells us what they really think about Mason.
Mr. Krinkle
October 31st, 2011
2:01 pm
timbow: You got picked on as a child and still do I suppose. NERD
Kevin Butler
October 31st, 2011
2:01 pm
Do our special teams suck or what?? Sorry Drew, tough love baby.
Auburn
October 31st, 2011
2:02 pm
Auburn will SHOW UP and come Sunday 11/13 GA will still be Ofer against ranked teams this year.
Mr. Krinkle
October 31st, 2011
2:03 pm
Auburn: YOUR TEAM LIES AND CHEATS! JUST ADMIT YOU GOT LUCKY.
ARdawg
October 31st, 2011
2:04 pm
Auburn
Sober and ready to play?
PLEASE STOP...
October 31st, 2011
2:04 pm
you beat a bad Florida team for the 4th time in 22 years…the same number of times that Vandy has beaten Georgia in the last 22 years…also, please no more posts from Columbus…
kevin
October 31st, 2011
2:04 pm
Auburn you’re pretty confident for a fan of a team that’s beaten Georgia 1 of the last 5 tries.
Drew Butler
October 31st, 2011
2:05 pm
Thats ok pops. We beat the gators and a win is a win!
Mr. Krinkle
October 31st, 2011
2:06 pm
Auburn is 1 out of the last 5 against UGA. What makes you think this one is in the bag? AU is a one hit wonder. You will always play 3rd fiddle and 4th in most seasons. You are the UK of the WEST dbag!!!!! Deal with it!!!!!!!
Auburn
October 31st, 2011
2:07 pm
Says who? You Mr. Krinkle cut fry baby.
PLEASE STOP...
October 31st, 2011
2:08 pm
well Mr Kringle…looks like the battle of mid-tier teams in Athens is set…
ARdawg
October 31st, 2011
2:09 pm
PLEASE STOP..
Obviously, your team won’t be there huh?
Auburn
October 31st, 2011
2:09 pm
Just like dog fans still living in the past cause today and the future looks so bleak. Only game that matters is 11/12/11.
DAWG BREATH
October 31st, 2011
2:10 pm
CMR OUTCOACHED CWM!!!! CMR OUTCOACHED CWM!!!!
UF the bottom of the pool is long way down enjoy the ride!!!!!!!!
timbo
October 31st, 2011
2:10 pm
@ Mr. Krinkle – show us your BCS national championship ring. Bwahahahahaha
Auburn
October 31st, 2011
2:11 pm
GA- Champions of the Chumps
PLEASE STOP...
October 31st, 2011
2:11 pm
yes Krinkle, show the ring, not your behind…
War Eagle
October 31st, 2011
2:13 pm
Uga will be playing another team like florida when they battle Auburn, QB incontistence weak secondary and inexperience offensive and defensive line.
The dawgs will have a bigger battle and a possible upset because Auburn has more heart to win and better coaching. It should be a great SEC matchup.
Mr. Krinkle
October 31st, 2011
2:14 pm
Auburn will not be relavent for years. Again you are simply the UK of the West!
ARdawg
October 31st, 2011
2:15 pm
War Eagle
No doubt will be a good game. It always is no matter the records or standings. That said, I believe we’re going to beat you this year handily
Mr. Krinkle
October 31st, 2011
2:15 pm
I thought we were not living in the past! Liars! What does last year have to do with you being the UK of the WEST?
Auburn
October 31st, 2011
2:16 pm
and we did something your mighty dawgs could not do…Beat SC
timbo
October 31st, 2011
2:16 pm
@ Mr. Krinkle – UGA hasn’t been relevant for 30 years.
If beating a .500 team is considered a landmark victory, then you have become mediocre.
Bwahahahahaha
PLEASE STOP...
October 31st, 2011
2:16 pm
Krinkle, I don’t see Auburn following the Georgia roadmap of 30+ years of irrelevence…see ya in Birmingham NY Day in the who cares dot net bowl vs Syracuse…loser…
Auburn
October 31st, 2011
2:17 pm
This year
RUSS FOR PERMANENT MASCOT
October 31st, 2011
2:18 pm
Auburn trolls on a GA blog. Pathetic……………..